That Sort of Girl

Back to the Reunion (Continued)

I saw dropped jaws, wide-opened eyes and frozen stares. They were speechless for a moment.

"What?" asked Irene.

"You're kidding," said Camille.

"No, I'm not," I said.

"I thought they only happen in soap operas," said Chloe and took another sip.

"I was clueless," I continued as I started playing with the straw in my glass. "His name is Matteo Benjamin, a real estate broker. I called him Matteo. Susan, my eldest, called him Benjie. Susan never introduced him or showed any pictures of him. She kept the relationship from me because she knew I would disapprove of their May-December affair if I learn about it. But I haven't introduced Matteo to my daughters yet because we were both busy with our careers that time. Also, we don't have any photos to show my kids. You know me, I don't take pictures. Matteo always calls me either at the clinic or to my cell phone. And I haven't picked up a call from him for Susan. So how would I know?"

"Did this Matteo know that you and Susan are both related?" asked Chloe.

As usual, she seemed interested in strange happenings. I immediately remembered her set of Ripley's Believe It or Not! books I used to borrow from her.

"No," I said. "He had no idea. He was just damn too good at juggling two or three women at the same time, one of his best traits ever!"

I saw Maria's eyes widened.

"Wow!" she said. "I'd better ask him how he does THAT."