Chapter 7: Cracks On The Calendar

"Didn’t you say you were flying to Cebu today?"

Andrea’s voice cut clean through the soft rustling of Gabriel’s coat as he hung it by the door.

Gabriel paused. Just a second too long.

"Yeah, I was. But the meeting got pushed. Last-minute change." He didn’t look at her as he spoke, opting instead to adjust the sleeves of his jacket like it mattered.

Andrea raised an eyebrow. “That’s the second time this week your plans have ‘changed.’ What’s going on, Gabriel?”

He chuckled, forced and flat. “It’s work, hon. You know how it is. I don’t control the clients.”

“But you always told me you confirm everything weeks in advance.” Her tone wasn’t accusatory—yet. Just tired. Curious. Wounded curiosity.

Gabriel kissed her forehead. Quick. Dismissive. “You’re overthinking again. Come on, let’s not do this.”

Andrea didn’t respond. She watched him walk toward the bedroom, the scent of another woman’s perfume faintly trailing behind him. Not hers. Not the brand she wore every single day. Something floral. Lighter. Cheaper.

---

“Do you think he likes roses or peonies better?” Celina sat cross-legged on the floor, scrolling through a florist’s website on her phone.

Her best friend, leaned on one elbow across from her, a teasing smile forming. “Cels, it’s his anniversary too. Shouldn’t he be planning something?”

Celina laughed. “I want to plan it. I love making things special for him. He works so hard. I want to surprise him.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Okay, but don’t overdo it. Remember what happened with Carlo?”

Celina waved the memory away. “Gabriel’s different. He shows up. He listens. He makes me feel seen.”

Her friend gave her a look. “Just don’t lose yourself in it, okay? One day, you’ll wake up and forget what you actually wanted.”

Celina didn’t respond immediately. Her eyes softened as she imagined Gabriel’s smile. “I already got what I wanted.”

---

“Meeting again tomorrow?” Andrea stood in the kitchen, leaning on the island counter as Gabriel tapped away at his phone.

He nodded without looking up. “Yup. Davao this time.”

Andrea blinked. “That’s… the fourth city in ten days.”

Gabriel finally looked up, mild annoyance flickering across his face. “I didn’t make the itinerary, hon.”

“No. But you used to tell me about your trips. Now I only know you’re leaving when you’re already out the door.”

“I’m trying to protect you from the stress, Andrea.”

She scoffed. “Don’t twist this. It’s not about stress. It’s about secrets.”

He sighed. “Can we not do this right now?”

“I’m not the one who started this. You’re the one disappearing.”

Gabriel stood, grabbing his coat. “I have a call to take. We’ll talk when I get back.”

Andrea watched the door shut behind him. “Will we?”

---

“Babe, look!” Celina twirled in front of the mirror, her soft blue dress swaying just above her knees. “Too much?”

Gabriel, lounging on the edge of their bed, grinned. “You could wear a sack and still look perfect.”

Celina giggled and walked over, wrapping her arms around him. “You’re sweet.”

He ran his hand through her hair. “What’s all this for?”

“I’m just testing outfits for our anniversary dinner. I already called your favorite restaurant. They’re holding a table.”

Gabriel blinked. “I thought we said no big plans this year?”

She pouted. “I know, but I want to make it special. It’s our first one. After everything we’ve been through…”

He hesitated. “Love, things are crazy at work. I might have to travel that week.”

Celina pulled back, her eyes dimming. “Seriously? But you promised—”

“I’ll try. I really will. Just… don’t get your hopes up, okay?”

Celina nodded slowly. “Okay.”

But her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

---

Andrea sat in bed, laptop open, browser tabs lined up like little lies.

"Flights to Davao," "Business summit April 2023," "Hotel bookings Makati."

Nothing lined up. No conferences. No names that matched Gabriel’s firm. No receipts. No paper trail.

She opened her journal.

May 12, 2023. He said Davao. But his cologne was still fresh on the scarf I left on the hallway rack. He’s not even trying to hide anymore.

A noise from the hallway startled her. Gabriel.

She closed the journal in a snap and stood, crossing to the living room.

“You’re early,” she said.

“Meeting got canceled.” His eyes flickered to her hands. “Were you writing again?”

Andrea shook her head. “Just notes for work.”

He smiled faintly. “You always were the organized one.”

She met his gaze. “And you were always the honest one.”

Gabriel flinched, almost imperceptibly. “Let’s not fight tonight. I’m exhausted.”

She nodded. “Then tell me where you really were.”

He stared at her. “Davao. I told you.”

Andrea stepped closer, breath catching. “I checked.”

Silence.

Long. Tense.

“Are you seriously spying on me now?”

“I’m trying to understand you, Gabriel. But you’re not letting me.”

“I’m tired,” he said again, brushing past her toward the bathroom.

Andrea swallowed down the scream lodged in her throat.

---

“Did you book the wine already?” Her friend asked over video call.

Celina nodded. “Yes! And the cake. Chocolate mousse. His favorite.”

Her friend smiled. “You’re really going all in.”

“Why wouldn’t I? This past year’s been perfect. He’s everything I prayed for.”

She hesitated. “Has he been home more lately?”

Celina bit her lip. “He’s… been working late. But I don’t think it’s anything bad. He’s just under pressure.”

“Mm-hmm. Just… be careful, okay? Sometimes pressure makes people act weird.”

Celina laughed softly. “You sound like my mom.”

“Your mom was right about Carlo, wasn’t she?”

That shut Celina up.

But only for a moment.

“Gabriel’s not Carlo.”

---

“Who’s C?”

Andrea held up the slip of paper she found days ago. The one he never saw her take from his coat pocket.

Gabriel froze.

“What?”

“C. From the note. ‘Thanks for last night."

He didn’t answer.

Andrea stepped closer. “Say something.”

He blinked. Swallowed. “Come on, Andrea.”

“Don’t lie.”

Gabriel ran a hand down his face. “I’m not lying.”

“Then explain it.”

Silence again.

Andrea’s voice dropped. “Is it her? Is that where you go when you say you’re traveling?”

Gabriel turned away. “You’re being paranoid.”

“I’m being awake.”

"Hon, that's my client. After all we've been through you think that I can cheat on you? Please... you know how much I love you." Andrea doesn't know if she wants to cry, or laughed, she just can't explain her exact feeling anymore.

---

Celina sat on the floor of their bedroom, carefully taping a small envelope under the bed frame.

Inside: two movie tickets for a show they both talked about seeing, a card with hand-lettered words—“To the man who changed everything.”

She smiled to herself. “I hope he cries.”

Just then, her phone buzzed.

Gabriel: Can’t make it home tonight. Client dinner. Will explain later. Love you.

Her smile dimmed.

She stared at the message, then looked at the envelope she’d just hidden.

Would he even find it?

---

Celina wiped her eyes, smiling bitterly. “Maybe next year,” she whispered to no one.

The candles she’d prepared sat unlit.

The nightgown untouched.

The dinner cold.

---

Andrea stared at herself in the mirror.

“This isn’t about being paranoid,” she whispered.

She opened her journal again.

May 13, 2023. If I’m wrong, then I’ve lost my trust.

If I’m right, then I’ve lost my marriage.

Which truth hurts less?

She snapped the journal shut.