“I don’t know if you are listening but I really hope you do. My apologies, sweetheart, but your life is going to change from now on so be prepared for a roller coaster-kinda-ride. That’s all. Until next time, DJ Gi. Good night.”
Before I could even respond, Caleb ended the phone call. Just like that.
I tried to laugh to shake off the nasty feeling that was beginning to creep in my system. “Another weird caller for tonight, I guess. But thank you, Caleb, for sharing your mission to us.”

(Caleb)
“STRIKE ONE.” I smiled mischievously after listening to the last words Gianna said in her radio program.
Even if I have no idea what the woman looked like or what her reaction was when I called her, I knew that somehow, I’ve managed to inflict tension in her system based on her momentarily silence while I was talking to her. I knew for a fact that disk jockeys do not get speechless unless they were caught off guard. And that was exactly what I tried to do earlier.
“I didn’t expect your voice to sound that nice, Snow White. I like it.” I whispered before turning off the stereo. I took the folder from my table which consisted of all the information I needed to know about Giana Rodriguez. “I will see you soon, Snow White.”

(Gianna)
WARMTH filled my chest upon looking at Alaric’s sleeping face. The car window on his side was open so I could see him freely. His head was bent on the steering wheel. He must have dozed off while waiting for me in the parking lot.
Alaric was a Pediatrician. I know that he was busy at his job, too, that’s why as much as possible, I didn’t want him to keep picking me up from work but he insisted on doing so. He would always lecture me about how dangerous it was to go back home alone especially now that we are about to get married in three weeks. I promised him that I would take a leave from my job as a DJ before the week ends. And that was two days from now.
I reached out to touch his cheek. And when he opened his eyes, once again, I was greeted by the most captivating emerald eyes I have ever seen.
“Gianna... I love you.” He whispered in a sleepy voice.
In an instant, I’ve forgotten all the stress tonight’s last caller brought to me. I found myself smiling sweetly. “I know. And I love you, too, Ric.”
That was when Alaric came back to his senses. He quickly went out of his car and greeted me with his warm embrace. Concern was all over his face when our eyes met. “I’m sorry. Have you been waiting long? I only planned to sleep a little bit but it seemed like it took longer than I thought. I’m really sorry.”
I could no longer stop myself. I tiptoed and grabbed Alaric’s neck to give him a soft kiss on his lips. When my Mother Annita died from a heart attack, I thought no one else could love and accept me the way she did. She was the nun who served as my mother ever since she found me outside the orphanage when I was still a baby.
Alaric and I met when he and his other doctor friends offered a free check-up to all the kids in the orphanage. I’ve admired him since the first time I met him because I saw how good he treated not only the kids but also the elderly staff in the orphanage where I grew up. We became close to each other because we had the same goal. And that was to help the kids who were like family to me.
Ever since our first meeting, Alaric made it a habit to visit the orphanage at least once a week. He and I used to talk to each other a lot until one day, I found myself falling in love with him. That’s why I felt like the happiest woman in the world when he confessed his feelings to me.
Alaric loved me even if he had no idea where I came from. He loved me even when I was broken. He helped me get through Mother Annita’s death by simply being there for me. He had always been the perfect boyfriend for me. That was the reason why I accepted his marriage proposal wholeheartedly. And when he wanted us to get married as soon as possible, I agreed. After all, I’m twenty-six now and at the right age to marry.
“Did you miss me that much?” He asked in a teasing voice as he put his arms around my waist.
I nodded. “I promise I will make it up to you, Ric. Just bear with me until next week, all right?” I worked as a DJ at night and as a Human Resource Manager in a five-star hotel in daytime. The orphanage lost some sponsors recently that’s why I had to work harder in order to provide for the kids there. The hotel did grant me a vacation but I still had to work until next week.
I could not help but smile as I looked back on the things I’ve achieved despite being an orphan. Mother Annita strived hard along with the Priests to support me and the other orphans in our studies. With the help of the previous Governor who was once our sponsor, we managed to acquire a full scholarship in college. Unfortunately, only a few of us managed to finished college because some of the orphans got pregnant at an early age.
“No problem. I can always wait, Gianna.”
My mind wandered back to my fiancé after hearing him say those words. His dimples showed when he smiled. And like the true-blue gentleman that he was, he opened the car door for me. “I left the hospital early today and went to Gwen’s shop to fetch the final draft of our wedding invitation.”