Fading Echoes

Veintiuno

Third Person

As agreed, Irene and Greggy moved quickly to process their divorce. They spoke with their families about the decision. Ferdinand and Imelda merely shrugged, having anticipated this outcome.

"Kayo ang bahala," Ferdinand replied when the couple spoke with him. Imelda, on the other hand, gave her daughter a proud smile, understanding that such a choice hadn't come easily for her.

The conversation was markedly different on Greggy's side. His father was initially resistant, urging them to reconsider and even warning them about severing ties with Marcos Holdings. But eventually, Albert conceded, though with one condition: they would still have to share the house that their families had gifted them for their wedding.

Greggy was ready to transfer the title of the house to Irene, but that stipulation changed everything. He knew it would be uncomfortable for her, so he proposed that he move to their condo instead for which Irene agreed.

Their separation had become the talk of the town in recent weeks. It was hard for both of them, especially with numerous articles circulating that Greggy had cheated on his ex-wife with Amelia. Amelia shrugged off the rumors, laughing them away since, just a week later, she announced her engagement to Justin.

Despite the turmoil, Irene and Greggy tried to maintain a semblance of normalcy at work. They remained civil and professional, determined to keep their personal lives separate from their professional responsibilities.

"Jane, is Grace in the office today? She hasn't been answering my calls," Irene asked her secretary as she exited her office, holding two envelopes.

"Ay, naka-leave po siya. May emergency daw," Jane replied, glancing at the folders and envelopes in Irene's hands. "Do you want me po  to deliver these to Sir Greggy's office? I can do it," she offered.

"Oh, no, it's okay. I'll handle it. You've got enough on your plate," Irene smiled.

Though Irene often spent time in the office, today felt different as she made her way to her ex-husband's floor. Everyone greeted her, their gazes lingering, but there was an undeniable awkwardness in the air.

A collective sense of loss hung over the office.

As she approached Greggy's office, the door swung open, revealing him.

"Oh," they both said simultaneously.

"Hi!" Greggy replied, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"What brings you here?" he asked.

"I'm just delivering the approved budget allocations for the project in the BARMM region," Irene explained, handing him the documents. Greggy took them from her and glanced at the papers she held.

"Are you leaving?" she inquired, noticing the two rolls of blueprints and his backpack.

In that moment, it felt as if they were the only two people in the world. They stood there, lost in conversation, oblivious to the office around them.

"Uhm... yeah. I'm heading to Bicol for three days," Greggy said, a soft smile crossing his face as he gazed into her eyes.

"Oh, is that so? Take care, then," Irene smiled back.

"Thanks, you too..." Greggy replied, perhaps out of habit. He leaned in and gave her a brief hug, planting a gentle kiss on her right cheek. Irene was taken aback, momentarily frozen in place.

Greggy was accompanied by Anthony to Bicol to attend a conference and spearhead the ribbon-cutting for their project. After the conference, he and Anthony relaxed in the lounge when Anthony noticed Greggy's quiet demeanor.