Dirty Little Secret (GxG)

SEASON 2, CHAPTER 21

Dria's POV

The morning sun streamed through the curtains as I made my way to my mother's room. It was her 60th birthday, a day that seemed to have arrived both too quickly and just in time. Pushing the door open, I found her sitting by the window, a peaceful smile on her face, bathed in soft morning light. My father, ever the loyal friend and partner in all things Dria-related, was already there with a fresh bouquet in his hands.

"Happy birthday, Mom!" I said, stepping in to give her a hug.

"Happy birthday, Alice," my father echoed, his voice warm as he presented her with the bouquet.

"Oh, you two! Stop fussing," she laughed, accepting the flowers and hugging both of us. "I'm not sure I feel 60, but I suppose I'll let it sink in by tonight."

I watched them exchange a familiar look, one that had always made me wonder. Despite all they'd gone through, despite everything that had happened, there was a quiet understanding between them that time and circumstance hadn't erased. Maybe that's what true friendship was. Maybe that's what love—real love—looked like when the storms settled.

We sat and talked for a while, reminiscing about past birthdays, laughing about moments from my childhood, and making our usual jokes. Then, as if to add to the festivities, my father leaned over and planted a quick kiss on my mother's cheek. Her cheeks flushed, and she swatted him lightly, laughing, though I caught the warmth in her eyes.

"Oh, come on, really?" I teased. "I'm starting to think you two are secretly planning a reunion tour."

My dad laughed, "It would be an encore, darling, and I'm sure you'd be our biggest fan."

My mother chuckled, waving us off. "We'll stick to co-parenting and birthdays, thank you."

We laughed together, and the moment felt like a brief return to simpler times. After a while, we hugged one last time, and I left to get ready for the day.

The evening promised to be a big celebration, with a grand party at one of Manila's most esteemed venues. We'd been expecting guests from all across the industry—executives, family friends, and every conceivable branch of society. My mother had insisted on a formal affair, not only for her birthday but also to mark her decision to step back from Eduardo Enterprises.

As I prepared to leave for the venue, a call came in from the contractor handling the renovation of my new office. The voice on the other end sounded tense, explaining a sudden issue with one of the structural elements in the design. I sighed, glancing at the clock. It wasn't ideal timing, but these things happened, and they'd only worsen if left unaddressed. I knew I couldn't let this become a problem down the line.

"Alright," I replied, weighing the timing. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Make sure everything is ready for me to review when I arrive."

I made my way to the living room, where my father was waiting, already dressed and clearly eager for the evening. "Quick change of plans, Dad," I said, explaining the situation. "We'll need to stop by the office site first to deal with some issues. I'll let Mom know we'll be a bit late."

He nodded, his expression understanding as he pulled out his phone. "I'll take care of updating her. Let's make this quick."

On our way out, I gave my mother a quick hug, promising we wouldn't be long, though she waved us off with a smile and assured me she'd be fine until we arrived.

As we drove, I found myself looking out at the city I'd returned to after all these years. Manila had changed so much, yet somehow it felt like home, perhaps more than ever. I knew tonight would be more than a birthday. It would mark new beginnings for each of us, and I felt ready to face whatever they'd bring.