Three Men Plus She (Completed)

57 - Abrupt Trip

Emily and Gabriel became much closer after the authograph signing happened. They were inseparable since then and the old Alcaraz could both not help but notice that abrupt friendship. But despite that closeness Don Jose could not understand why Gabriel has not confesses to Emily yet.

Among his grandchildren, Gabriel is the most conservative in all aspects but it does not warrant Gabriel's gentle moves when it comes to winning Emily's heart. And this worries him a lot because only a few days ago, his bestfriend Lino ask him to strictly guard Emily because the latter's former boyfriend has been exerting his best effort to find her.

He plans to talk to Gabriel about it but to his dismay, Gabriel flew to USA for a reason only his grandson knows. "I need to fly to North Carolina, Lolo. May aasikasuhin lang po ako. Don't worry too much as I will be back as soon as I can. It's my surprise for you, Lolo," is the only message he got from Gabriel upon waking up on a Monday morning.

That is not the first time Gabriel did that. Several instances in the past, he just woke up with a note or a message from his eldest grandson telling him about an abrupt trip. And in every abrupt trip that Gabriel had, he always comes home with a close big business deal.

His dilemma now lies on Emily. How could she protect the eldest granddaughter of his best friend if the only person he trusted to do it left for an unknown reason? And the only solution to his problem is to switch back Emily and Norma while Gabriel is on his surprise trip.

"Good morning, Lolo," he heard Franco greeted him.

"Good morning, apo," Don Jose greeted back. "Come and join me," he added.

Franco vibrantly took his seat and asked, "Where are the rest of our breakfast buddies, Lolo?"

"Yago will be back at lunchtime from his out-of-town game. Emily is on her way here and your Kuya went to North Carolina. He left at around 4am kanina," Don Jose replied.

"Anong gagawin ni Kuya sa North Carolina? On business trip na naman ba sya? The JAGC's anniversary is in ten days, will he be here by that time?" Franco asked. "Most of his business trips, two weeks ang pinakamabilis," he added.

"I honestly don't know what that abrupt trip is all about. He said it's his surprise for me. I really hope na makahabol sya sa event," Don Jose replied. "Speaking of JAGC anniversary, are you excited for the celebration this year?" he asked.

"I am excited, Lolo. A lot of things will be introduced in that event. Ang daming excited to meet our new authors," Franco replied.

"I heard about that. And you know what does this means, siguradong best selling ang mga ilalabas nating bagong libro," Don Jose said.

"I have a friend who is interested to be one of our distributors, will it be alright if I invite him and his business partner on JAGC anniversary?" Franco asked.

"Of course, just coordinate with Norma and tell her that I already approved it," Don Jose said. "By the way, I would like to commend you and Grace, you did a great job on that annual magazine, Franco. I could say that you had a good working tandem with Grace," Don Jose uttered that gives a choke on Franco. "Are you alright?" he asked his youngest grandson.

"Yes, Lolo, mukhang may naka-alala sa akin kaya nasamid ako," Franco said.

"Good morning, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, Sir Franco," they heard someone greeted.

"Hey there, pretty lady. Come and join us," Franco said.

"Good morning, Emily. Halika na at saluhan mo kami ni Franco," Don Jose said.

"I'm sorry, I'm late," Emily said.

"Don't worry, you are just in time," Don Jose replied.

Emily took her spot at the dining table and begins to look around, and Franco is quick on noticing it, "It will just you, Lolo and me for today," he said.