CHAPTER 17

“Honey? Where are you?” Cris asked over the phone. “We’re having dinner at 8!”

“Yeah, I just had a meeting with Calypso Records” Sen said, entering the elevator of Van’s condo.

“Don’t forget!” Cris reminded.

“Yeah, yeah!” Sen said, putting down the phone. He was still angry because he found out that Van was going out with Bea. It was dinner last night when he and Cris were discussing about where Louie would go for Elementary. Out of the blue, Cris casually mentioned that Bea and Van went out on a date.

Sen almost choked on his carbonara. He asked Cris if it were true. She replied that Bea personally called her the night before, immediately after the date.

A sharp pain hit Sen’s chest. Suddenly, he no longer had the appetite to eat. He pushed his plate away and left the dining table, leaving behind a puzzled wife and an unmindful daughter.

As Sen drove through C-5. His thoughts were still on Van. He could not understand why Van was dating Bea. A publicity ploy? A side dish? If he were to get to the true reason, he must get the answers from Van.

The gray BMW Z3 veered a sharp right, entering the parking lot of Treballa Restaurant in Timog Avenue, Quezon City. Hansen revved the engine before shutting it down. He looked at himself in the rearview mirror, fixing himself. He popped a piece of mint in his mouth. He took a deep breath, then opened the door.

* * *
“Good evening sir!” the waiter greeted as he opened the door. Sen nodded in recognition. Treballa Restaurant was packed, but he knew Cris was already there. Stretching his neck, he scanned the restaurant. He found his wife at the far end. She seemed to be talking to someone, but he could not see who because he was covered by the divider. He made his way through the crowd, slinking his way through people, table and chairs.

At last he reached Cris. He was about to plant a surprise kiss to his wife, but he froze. He saw the person his wife was talking to. A cold chill passed through his spine. Seated in front of him was Van, looking directly at him, a smirk on his face.