Last Photograph

Chapter 8: Afflicted by reality

The Next Day...

"Sweetie it's past lunchtime already. I thought you're heading out?" Tricia asked Abbey who was playing with Adan.

"Change of plans mum." She replied with a wide smile on her face.

"Mommy are you done with your meeting po?" Adan suddenly asked.

     "Yes baby, why?"

     "Play with us mommy, please."

     "Okay, okay. What are you playing ba?"

     Tricia joined her kids in the living room as they sat on the carpet and played with some board games.

While they were in the middle of their game, someone rang their doorbell—indicating that there was a person outside.

"Sweetie, can you check who's outside the door." Tricia favored her daughter.

Abbey nodded her answer then quickly approached the door to look through the peephole.

"Oh my gosh!" She opened it and immediately hugged the person standing in front of her.

"Who wants some pizza and ice cream!" Greg caught their attention as soon as they entered.

"Daddy!" Adan quickly ran towards Greg then welcomed him with a tight embrace.

     Greg handed the pizza and ice cream to Abbey so he can carry Adan in his arms.

"Greg, you're here."

     "Surprise, love!"

     Tricia couldn't believe that Greg had arrived already. She was informed that he will be in Manila next week, not today.

     "You should have told me na you're coming here para nasundo ka namin sana ng mga bata sa airport."

     "You don't have to, love. Sorry if I made you and the kids wait. But as a promise, I'm here." He walked towards Tricia then hugged her. "I miss you, love."

     "I miss you too, love." She hugged him back and felt his lips on her forehead.

     "Daddy, you don't have work to do na po?" Adan suddenly asked while hugging him on his neck.

     "About that baby, we will spend few months here so we can have our vacation too." Greg said making their kids surprised and excited.

     He then looked at his wife and noticed her bothered reaction to what he just said.

     "Really dad? You mean like we can stay here for months?" Abbey asked them again for assurance.

     "About that sweetie, your dad and I have to talk first, okay." Tricia speak since she had no idea of what Greg was talking about them staying there.

     Greg picked up the snacks again before he and Tricia head to the kitchen to talk.

     "Greg, what do you mean by staying here? Akala ko ba few weeks lang so we can do Abbey's list."

     "Abbey kept asking me if we can stay here for long, eh naisip ko bakit hindi. Ang tagal nadin nating hindi nakakapunta dito."

     "What about your work?"

     "I can do online meetings, love. And besides, I can search for investors while we are here."

     "And ako, may trabaho din naman akong naiwan doon."

     "Ako na mag file ng leave sayo, maybe ask your EA to manage it while you're gone."

     Tricia didn't reply and take a minute to let it all sink on her mind, she wasn't comfortable with the idea of them staying in Manila for months.