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CHAPTER 30
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Christine woke before her alarm. The thought, Don’t forget, had her reaching for her phone before she even got out of bed. She spent the morning checking updates from the caterers Jeffrey had hired for the office lunch.
Jeffrey was already dressed when she arrived at his condo. They spent the next two hours going over the final details. Jeffrey pulled out his phone and opened the catering invoice. “I’ll pay the remaining balance now,” he said. “Might as well settle everything before everyone gets there.”
Christine set her handbag on the kitchen counter. “Put the phone away, Jeff.” She reached over and gently lowered his hand. “I’m paying for the food and the cake for tonight’s private party.”
His thumb hovered over the screen. “Chris, come on,” he sighed. “That’s the main celebration—with my family and the executives. Let me handle it. I’m a big boy.”
“It’s your birthday,” she said. She stepped closer and tapped the screen, locking his phone. “You shouldn’t be paying for your own celebration. I already told you last week I wanted to take care of this, so stop arguing.”
Jeffrey studied her for a moment before slipping the phone back into his pocket. “Alright,” he said with a smile of surrender. “You win. I won’t get in the way of you spoiling me.” His smile softened. “Thank you, Chris.”
They spent the rest of the morning finalizing the remaining logistics. They reviewed the resort layout, confirmed the program with the event host, and double-checked the office catering schedule. Once everything was settled, they headed down to the garage and drove separately to work.
They arrived later than usual. The moment the elevator doors opened, Jeffrey stepped onto a floor covered in birthday decorations. His employees crowded the hallway. Someone wheeled out a cake with a single lit candle, and the entire office broke into song. Jeffrey laughed, rubbing the back of his neck while accepting greetings from every direction.
Later that afternoon, the caterers finished setting up lunch. Staff lined up for food while a steady stream of employees stopped by Jeffrey’s office to greet him. One of the junior analysts walked in carrying a brightly wrapped box. Jeffrey tore away the paper and pulled out a pair of oversized orange reading glasses.
“Just preparing you for old age, Boss,” the analyst said with a straight face.
Jeffrey laughed. He unfolded the ridiculous neon frames and slipped them on. “I’ll wear these at the next board meeting,” he said, looking around the room dramatically. “Let’s see who resigns first.”
The office erupted into laughter. Liam stepped inside. “Happy birthday, Jeffrey,” he said, offering a polite, professional nod.
Jeffrey took off the glasses without missing a beat. “Thanks, Liam,” he said, nodding toward the buffet. “Grab some food before it’s gone.”
The formal moment disappeared almost instantly when Nick wandered past, balancing a paper plate piled far too high with catered food. He clapped Jeffrey on the shoulder. “Don’t let this turnout get to your head. We’re only here for the free lunch.”
Jeffrey laughed. “That’s the honesty I expect from my best friend.”
Across the room, Christine stood quietly near the glass wall with her arms loosely crossed. She watched Jeffrey move effortlessly from one conversation to another—switching from Liam’s professionalism to joking with Nick without ever feeling forced. A faint smile found its way onto her lips.
After lunch, Jeffrey and Christine drove to the private resort just outside Manila. He had reserved the entire venue for an evening celebration with family, close friends, business partners, and the company’s executives. They spent the afternoon walking through every corner of the venue, making sure everything was exactly where it needed to be before the guests arrived.
By five o’clock, exhaustion had finally caught up with them. Christine noticed the fatigue settling into Jeffrey’s shoulders and let out a quiet laugh. Jeffrey rubbed a hand across his face. “Come on,” he said, nodding toward the street. “There’s a café across the road. Let’s grab something to eat. Or at least some coffee.”
They crossed over and settled into the quiet café. The conversation came easily despite how tired they were. They laughed between bites of food, but beneath the easy conversation was the shared anticipation of the evening ahead. Neither of them could completely shake the nerves.
When they returned to the venue, Christine stopped abruptly. “Oh, shoot,” she said, turning toward Jeffrey. “We forgot the champagne for the toast.”
Jeffrey blinked. “Oh,” he laughed once. “We actually did.”
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Christine reached for her bag. “I’ll run to the supermarket.”
Jeffrey immediately pulled out his keys and held them up. “No. I should be the one going. You’ve done enough today.”
She shook her head and smiled. “You stay here. It’s your birthday. Let me take care of this.”
A short while later, Christine returned carrying the champagne. She spotted Jeffrey giving instructions to the crew arranging the tables. “Hey,” she said, lifting the bottle. “Mission accomplished.”
Jeffrey walked over, cupped her face with both hands, and smiled. “Thank you.” He leaned forward and kissed her.
Christine brushed a few loose strands of hair away from his forehead. “I think you should freshen up,” she smiled. “I’ll stay here.”
He nodded. “Okay. I’ll use the resort bathroom.” Then he looked at her again. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Jeff,” she said with a warm smile. “See you later.”
Jeffrey headed inside while Christine took a seat near the catering station. “Hey, Christine.”
She looked up. Amanda and Jeffrey’s mother stood beside her. Christine smiled politely. “Hi, Amanda. Hello, Ma’am.”
They took the empty seats beside her. For a few seconds, no one spoke. The silence wasn’t hostile; just unfamiliar. Jeffrey’s mother finally broke it. “I know we haven’t exactly been on good terms,” she said, looking down briefly before meeting Christine’s eyes. “But I wanted to tell you something. I’ve never seen my son this happy. And it’s because of you.”
Christine hadn’t expected that. She answered carefully. “Actually, Ma’am…” she smiled. “I’ve never been this happy either. Not until I met him.”
The older woman’s expression softened. “You know Jeffrey. He’s always been obedient. He followed the path we laid out for him. But you…” she laughed quietly. “You changed that. He finally thinks about his own future. What he wants.” Her smile slowly disappeared. “I’m sorry, Christine. For everything I said. I was wrong.”
Christine listened without interrupting.
“I was terrified he’d end up with someone who didn’t truly value him,” she continued. “So I kept pushing Amanda. I thought I was protecting him, but all I really did was push him away. And realizing that… that hurts.”
Christine nodded gently. “I understand, Ma’am.”
Jeffrey’s mother glanced toward Amanda before continuing. “Amanda and I have been close for years. She grew up feeling unwanted by her father simply because she was a woman, so she buried herself in work. I kept encouraging the idea of the two of them because it felt familiar.” She looked back at Christine. “I judged you before I ever took the time to know you. Can you forgive me?”
Christine met her gaze. “Yes, Ma’am. I can.”
Amanda finally spoke, her usual confidence softened into quiet sincerity. “I’m sorry too,” she said with a faint smile. “I told you to take care of him, and you kept your promise. He’s happy. And honestly… I’m happy for both of you.”
“Thank you, Amanda.”
A waiter approached. “Would you ladies like something to drink?” Each of them accepted a glass. Someone made a joke, and a moment later, all three were laughing.
The conversation grew easier after that. Jeffrey’s mother shared the story of Jeffrey’s first year in college—how he once drove all the way home because he was convinced a rat was living under his bed. The three women burst into laughter.
Jeffrey returned just in time to hear it. He stopped and smiled. “Hey.” His eyes landed on Christine before shifting toward his mother. “Mom. You’re early.” He gave Amanda a polite nod.
Jeffrey’s mother stood and wrapped him in a hug. “Happy birthday, son.”
Christine watched them with a quiet smile. Something inside her felt lighter. The heaviness she’d carried around Jeffrey’s family for so long was finally fading. Her eyes glistened; everything was beginning to heal.
His mother laughed. “Okay. We should probably head to our table before I start crying.” She turned to Christine. “Bye, Christine. See you later, honey.”
Christine smiled. “Bye, Ma’am.”
Jeffrey’s mother placed a hand over her chest. “Oh, goodness,” she laughed. “Please don’t call me ‘Ma’am’ anymore. Just call me Tita.”
Christine laughed. “Okay, Tita. See you later.”
Amanda lightly nudged Jeffrey’s shoulder. “Happy birthday.” Then she smiled at Christine. “See you later.”
When they walked away, Jeffrey stared after them before turning back to Christine. “Can you tell me what just happened?”
Christine grinned. “I’d rather not.” She picked up her bag. “I’ll freshen up too. See you later.” She walked away, laughing softly. Jeffrey shook his head in amused disbelief before turning to greet the next arriving guests.
The venue gradually filled with family, friends, business partners, and company executives. A few minutes later, Jeffrey spotted familiar faces near the entrance: Christine’s parents. He immediately walked over. “Hi, Tito. Hi, Tita. I’m glad you made it.” He smiled at the woman beside them. “Good evening, Auntie Fe. Come on, I’ll take you to your table.”
The Javiers greeted him warmly. As they walked, Samuel rested a hand on Jeffrey’s shoulder. Halfway across the room, Samuel noticed Jeffrey’s father seated nearby. “Well, look who’s here. My good friend, Jaime Reyes.”
Jaime stood and embraced him. “Samuel,” he laughed. “I swear you haven’t aged a day. You still look thirty.”
The introductions flowed naturally. Within minutes, the two old friends were deep in conversation, laughing as though no time had passed.
Christine arrived shortly afterward, freshly dressed for the evening. Jeffrey looked up, and for a second, he simply stared. She smiled. “Oh, hi Mom. Hi, Dad. Hi, Auntie Fe. When did you get here?”
Her mother smiled and nodded toward Samuel. “Just a few minutes ago. But your father already looks like he owns the place.”
Everyone laughed. Jeffrey leaned closer. “You look stunning tonight.”
Christine met his eyes and smiled without saying a word. He gently took her hand and led her toward his parents’ table. Samuel looked at them together. “You both look wonderful tonight.”
Jaime nodded in agreement, and Samuel grinned. “I can’t wait to meet my grandchild, Jaime.”
Both fathers laughed, and Jeffrey and Christine couldn’t help joining in.
The lights dimmed, and the music softened. The evening program was about to begin. Jeffrey gave Christine’s hand one last squeeze before reluctantly letting go. “We’d better get moving,” he smiled, “before they start looking for us.”
Christine nodded. She glanced back toward both families. “We’ll be right over there if you need anything.”
As they walked toward the stage, Jeffrey realized something had changed. The tension he’d been carrying all day had quietly disappeared. He looked at Christine weaving through the crowd beside him, and a quiet sense of gratitude settled over him. For the first time in a long while, everything felt exactly as it should.
To be continued…