Chapter 4

He could be dying anytime soon, but Gabriel was still glad because he still had time to arrange everything. Unlike those who just died suddenly—those who were not given a chance to accomplish everything while still alive—he considered himself lucky.

They could be living in low-cost housing, but he’s not poor. He has investments and savings, plus he’s covered by life insurance. He’s just not a fan of buying big houses when they only need one room to sleep, a kitchen to cook, and a living room where they could accept visitors and converse with friends.

As soon as Bianca left for Clayland, he immediately organized his files and read them. Most of his investments in VUL have Bianca’s name as a beneficiary. It was a sound decision back then, but it’s different now. He’s dying, and she’s still young. She’s too young to be paired with his nephew, Justin, because they’re almost in the same age bracket.

Yes, he has asked too much of Justin, but he has no choice. He’s still the best candidate to be Kelly’s stepfather! And Justin was slightly infatuated with Bianca. That infatuation could grow into something more beautiful and beneficial to him. If his nephew falls in love with Bianca, that’ll be better. He just hoped that Bianca would also fall for him.

He might sound crazy for doing this and that, but he couldn’t bear to think that Bianca would soon be in the hands of another man. Justin promised that he wouldn’t touch Bianca intimately, but he’s willing to give his name for her protection. Gabriel couldn’t think of any other solution. Justin was afraid of the possible scandal, but he managed to sway his decision, and at last, he agreed.

Last night, he pretended to be asleep and ignored Bianca’s sexual advances. That was the beginning of his plan. From now on, he will ignore her. And there’s more to his plan. He looked at his watch. By now, Bianca must have met with Justin already.

A sound escaped from his mouth when he clenched his teeth. He can’t deny the fact that his nephew has the looks too.

“Gabriel! Sorry to keep you waiting, bro. Oh, is this for me?” Stephen sat immediately on the vacant chair and grabbed the coffee that was clearly intended for him.

“As always, you are late. If you’re not my best buddy from college, I wouldn’t bother to have you as my financial advisor.” Calmly, he took out the policies from his bag and handed them to Stephen. “I would like to change the beneficiary for all these policies.”

Stephen opened each folder, and he looked at Gabriel, asking silently. It’s not part of his job to advise him about matters of the heart, but as a friend, it’s his duty to talk to him. “Bro, think about it first; rushing things would do you no good, trust me. And in these policies, it’s irrevocable! You will need her signature before you can change it. Just imagine, how would she feel about this?”

“I know. But just do it. I’m asking you as your client, not your friend.” Gabriel didn’t listen to his friend’s opinion.

“Of course,” Stephen answered, then he gave Gabriel the forms to be filled out and signed. “Just give me her address, and I will mail it to her.” Bianca has become his friend since Gabriel started dating her. They were star-crossed lovers back then; what happened to them?

“Good.”

“So, did you tell her already?” When Gabriel got his diagnosis, he was the first person to know about it. They talked about it in The Pyramid while drinking beer. He looked calm on the outside, but he knew better.

“If you are in my shoes, can you tell her?” Instead of answering directly, Gabriel asked his best friend instead.

“How can I relate to? I’m NGSB or no girlfriend since birth!” Sad but true. He hasn’t met someone who deserves his love. “Bro, what if the doctor was wrong? How about getting a second opinion?” For the nth time, he has suggested to Gabriel that he be examined by a different doctor. And for the nth time, he said no.

“Do you know who my doctor is? Bro, he’s the best in his field. He couldn’t be wrong, or his reputation will be ruined!” Working in sales has allowed him to earn more, to earn an unlimited income. At first, he couldn’t hit his quota, but as time passed, he became good, then better, and now he’s the top earner in the company he has worked for. Then he was introduced by his boss to Doctor Costa.

“In case you forget, nobody is perfect. Everyone is bound to make mistakes once, twice, or even more.” Gabriel was smart, but he could be so stubborn at times.

“Bro, thank you for your concern. Anyway, more coffee?” Gabriel offered.

“No, I had enough. But I want to eat something hot and delicious!” Stephen blurted while staring at the beautiful woman at the counter, who couldn’t decide what coffee to order.

When she looked in their direction, Gabriel thought that she looked very familiar to him. “Good choice, bro. That one is really hot. Now, make a move.” Gabriel urged Stephen to stand up and introduce himself to the woman. Though he’s NGSB, Stephen is no longer pure and innocent.

While Stephen was busy introducing himself to the woman, Gabriel filled out the forms Stephen had given him a while ago. His friend was right; Bianca will be mad, but Gabriel knew that she wouldn’t make a big deal of it. In the first place, she didn’t know about the policies, and the new beneficiary will be their daughter. She will understand, and that’s a fact.

When Stephen came back, the woman was with him. As always, he’s really charming and can get any woman into his bed. Stephen asked him if the woman could sit with them, and he said yes.

“Bro, this is Yvonne. Yvonne, meet my best friend, Gabriel.” Stephen introduced the woman, whom they have known for ages.

Gabriel extended his right hand to Yvonne and said: “Nice to meet, Yvonne. But please be careful with Stephen.” He winked at her as a warning, but the good-for-nothing woman just smiled at him sweetly.

“Bro, don’t frighten her.” Stephen reacted, and he enjoyed her various facial reactions. Just for a brief moment, he was really interested in Yvonne. Aside from her beautiful appearance, there’s something beguiling about her. It could be her eyes that seem sad even when she’s smiling.

Gabriel didn’t answer. Once they’re all seated, he glances at her frequently. He couldn’t recall where and when, but he’s positive that they’ve met already.