Philip advised me to be prepared for whatever Arlo might say to me when his memory returned. I also explained to him and Arlo’s friends why I left Arlo, and they admitted they might have done the same if they were in my situation.
My phone rang—it was Philip. I answered immediately and put him on speaker since I was driving.
“Hello, Philip,” I said politely.
Are you busy right now?” he asked.
“No, Sir. Actually, I’m on my way home to pack my things for tomorrow. Do you need anything?”
“I wanted to talk to you. Would it be alright if we met?”
“Of course, Sir. Tell me where, and I’ll be there,” I said.
He told me the location, and I went there immediately. Luckily, it wasn’t far, and I arrived quickly. It was a restaurant I frequented, and the owner was a friend of mine. She was kind and doll-like in appearance, just a few years younger than me.
I found a parking spot right away and entered the restaurant.
“Good morning, Ma’am Lily,” the receptionist greeted me politely, reminding me of my days working at the Emerald Shores Hotel, where I had met Arlo.
“Good morning to you, too,” I replied with a smile. I was about to ask her for Philip’s table when I spotted him, smiling warmly at me.
I excused myself and approached his table. He stood up to greet me.
“Good morning, Sir,” I greeted him politely.
“child, from now on, just call me Dad. Don’t call me Sir any more,” he said.
“But Sir—” I began, but he stopped me before I could finish.
“Dad, Daugther,” he said as he held my hand.
From the first time I met Philip, he had always been kind to me. At first, I thought he was a strict person, but I was wrong. He let out a deep sigh, still not revealing why he wanted to meet with me.
“How are your Mom and Dad,?” he asked. I knew he still had feelings for my mom, but my mom and dad were happy together now. I could see it in my mom’s smile. She and my dad were finally at peace.
My mom once told me that Philip was her first love, and the same was true for him. They had loved each other since their first year of high school. But as they say, they were destined to meet, yet not meant to be together. They shared many years together, but it all fell apart in just one hour, disappearing like a bubble. That’s life—unpredictable and uncertain.
“Daughter, I want to see my grandchildren. I won’t tell them I’m their grandfather. I also want to talk to Isabella, your mom.”
“Philip, my mom is happy now with my dad.”
“I just want to talk to her.”
“I’m sorry, Sir, but they just left for Davis mansion. However, if you’d like, you can join me before Christmas to see Grayson and Gabriella,” I offered with a smile.
“Thank you so much,” he said gratefully.
“Thank you too, for forgiving me for what I’ve done to your son,” I said hesitantly.
Ever since I learned about what happened to Arlo, I’ve blamed myself for ruining his life and for being the cause of his amnesia. Deep inside, I held myself responsible for everything he was going through now.
But perhaps the courage I have today comes from my children. I also want to ask for his forgiveness and help him regain his memories so he can return to who he once was.
“Sir, I won’t stay long. I still have other things to take care of,” I told him.
“Dad. I’ll be upset if you keep calling me Philip,” he said with a gentle smile.
“Dad,” I said, feeling awkward as I called him that. I felt Valerie should be the one calling him Dad since she was the one engaged to his son.
Before leaving, I hugged him, and he kissed me on the cheek. I could sense that he wanted Arlo and me to reconcile, but he probably didn’t say it outright because he was also thinking about his son’s condition.
—
After leaving the restaurant, I got into my car and started driving. My mind wandered, thinking about what it would be like living with Arlo in his apartment.
Before I knew it, I was already in front of the 5 Tower building where my apartment was located.
When I entered, I found my sister Olivia sitting in the living room, eating chocolate cookies Maria had baked yesterday.
“You’re back already? I thought you’d be home later,” I said.
“I just went out for a bit,” she replied.
I sat beside her and told her about my plan to pose as a housemaid in Arlo’s apartment starting tomorrow.
