It's Always Been You

Chapter Two

Chloe
As the taxi entered the driveway, I can see Caleb waiting for me by the door.
"Ate, I miss you!" My brother said as we hugged each other. "Papa's at the farm, he doesn't have any idea that you're here. Let's go see him now."
From a distance, I can see Papa talking to Tiyo Elmer, Papa's caretaker and all around man at the farm. "Pa!" I called out as I ran to my father's arms, he looked surprised and happy at the same time.
The 3 of us were in a tight embrace for a minute before we let go and Papa asked what I was doing home. I told him I quit my job and made an impulsive decision to come home for good and put up a small craft store in the heart of town.
All Papa said was, "Whatever makes you happy, I will always support you. You 2 are now all I have."
Our relationship have become stronger since Mama passed away 5 years ago, we learn to cherish each other and treasure every moment we have together.
We went inside the house to have lunch.
"Ate, I heard Iñigo's rose farm is making good business. I think Tita Julie has been ordering roses from them for her flower shop." My brother blurted out.
"Caleb!" Papa exclaimed.
"Sorry, Ate. Sorry, Papa."
"It's alright, Caleb. Papa. That's what Bradley told me. Iñigo's rose farm has been around for almost a decade now, I think. And Tito Rannie is Iñigo's dad's bestfriend, so it's a given that Tita Julie should be getting flowers from Iñigo's farm."
I tried to keep calm though my heart is pounding violently the moment I heard Iñigo's name.
I went straight to my room after we finished having lunch. I tried to sleep as I had a very early flight, but I just couldn't as my thoughts were on Iñigo. I remember when we talked about him planning to have a rose farm, so he would have unlimited roses to give me everyday. I love roses, especially the red ones. When we were still together, he used to give me a red rose whenever he had a chance. Years after we broke up, I was surprised when I heard that he finally started the rose farm, and even named it Chloe's Paradise.

Iñigo
"Hijo, business is doing good. Julie has been ordering from us consistently." Dad said as we roamed through the 5-hectare rose farm that I put up almost a decade ago.
"Thank you for taking care of everything while I was away, Dad." was all I could say to my father as I watched the farmers tending to the roses. Chloe has to see this, I will never forget how her face brightens up whenever I give her red roses. These are all for her.
"By the way, Dad. Have you been seeing Tito Rannie and Tita Julie lately? How are they?" I asked Dad.
"Of course your mother and I have been consistently going to Boots and Saddle on weekends. You know how we love singing and dancing. Your Tito Rannie and his brothers are the best country folk singers in the city!" I just smiled at that.
I remember Chloe singing "Crying in the Rain" and those old country folk songs with her father and Titos. "This weekend you should come with us to Boots and Saddle, it's been a long time since Rannie & Julie last saw you."
"Okay, Dad." I answered.