Shadows of Serendipity - Hambebe AU

Chapter 50

Dialling 09** *** ****...

Within a matter of seconds, her call was already answered. As the call connected, Gaille's heart pounded in her chest. The noise from the traffic below the footbridge seemed to fade into the background as she focused on the voice on the other end.

"G-gab..?" Her father's voice came through, hesitant but hopeful. It had been years since they last spoke, and the weight of everything unsaid hung heavily between them. "Sorry, my daughter's calling. Can you give me some privacy?"

Gaille heard from the other line. Her dad must've been still in his work right now. She even put her phone on loud speaker so that Serena could also follow along their conversation.

"I must've called at a wrong time. We can just talk—"

"No, no! It's fine, 'nak." Her dad immediately stopped her. "You know I would prioritize this opportunity first before anything else. Ngayon lang naman tayo ulit nag-usap..."

Gaille sighed. "Right..."

"I just can't believe na you'd call. Ibig sabihin ba nito you'll hear me out, 'nak?"

Her grip on her phone, and also Serena's hand, tightened, building up the words she wanted to say to her father.

"As much as I wanted to cut you off for good, I wanted to at least know your reason. If I'd only hear some kind of bullshit, I won't hesitate to drop our call."

"Then I guess I have to be careful with my words. Just listen to me, Gab, okay? I promise I'll be full on detailed with my explanation. No lies would be included." Gaille's father assured, earning an unconscious nod from her daughter even though he wouldn't see it.

"Okay."

Gaille listened intently, her heart heavy with a mix of emotions she hadn't allowed herself to feel in a long time. Serena stood silently by her side, her hand still gently clasping Gaille's, offering a silent support that Gaille deeply appreciated.

"Your mom and I... we were already drifting apart long before everything happened. The love we once had, it started to fade. I know that's not an excuse, but it's the truth. We tried to keep things together for you, but it just wasn't working. We both knew it, even if we didn't want to admit it."

Gaille's brows furrowed as she absorbed his words, her mind replaying the countless arguments and cold silences she had witnessed growing up.

"Then there was my secretary," her father continued, his voice tinged with guilt. "Though marami kami when we hangout to unwind, she was most the one who helped me get through the day, someone who understood the stress I was under. I swear, Gab, it was never my intention to let it go further. Pero I was accused already before I could even explain anything. Hindi ko rin naman masisi si mom mo. I wanted to say sorry to her, but I know after that, she wouldn't hear me out. So, my secretary... she was there for me for comfort in a way I hadn't felt in a long time."

Gaille felt a lump form in her throat, her emotions swirling in a chaotic mix of anger, sadness, and confusion.

"At dumating na nga sa point na... I fell for her," he admitted quietly and shamefully. "I didn't want to, but it happened. And I know na that's the whole reason kung bakit sinusumpa mo ako ngayon. But I need you to know that I never wanted to hurt you, Gab. I never wanted to hurt your mom. Pero I ended up doing so... Even you, 'nak, I ended up hurting you."

Gaille swallowed hard, her voice trembling as she finally spoke. "So, you really did cheat on her?"

There was a heavy pause on the other end of the line before her father sighed. "I guess it'll be considered na as that since hindi naman kami legally separated ni mom mo. But, your mom and I were already over, even if we didn't officially end things. Pero what I did was wrong, and I won't deny that. Pero sana maintindihan mo rin, 'nak. We were both hurting, and I made mistakes that I regret every day."