He answered, "She knows about Sharon even a long time ago. She knows about my past a long time ago. So, even before our relationship, kilala na niya ako, kasi we were friends before."  

The topic shifted to how he spent Holy Week with his family, and in the course of his storytelling, he casually revealed his "encounter" with Sharon while in Thailand.   

When we pressed him to give more details, he clarified, "That was not planned. It just happened."

Then his tone changed from casual to cheery. He said animatedly, "Naglakad-lakad pa kami sa beach, e. Para nga kaming nasa ano, e, nasa shoot dahil nasa beach kami. Naglalakad kami..."

We were so caught up with his story that we did not realize he was just joking.

He laughed, then spelled out: "Muntik lang. Muntik kaming nagkita."

We asked again, "So, hindi talaga kayo nagkita ha?" 

Turning quite serious, he affirmed, "Hindi, hindi. Pattaya yun, e, and it's a big place." 

(Pattaya is 147-kilometer away from Bangkok. It boasts wide beaches and exciting night life.)

Gabby related that he learned about Sharon's stay in Thailand through KC, their daughter.

"Nag-usap kami ni KC. From time to time kasi, nag-uusap kami. Ayun... Sinabi ko, 'I'm in Bangkok.' Sabi niya, 'Oh yeah? We are also.' E, di yun na."

Gabby did not bump into Sharon in Pattaya, but he was able to talk to her.

Continuing his story, "Sabi ko ke KC, 'Ah talaga? O sige, I'll speak to Mama.' [KC said], 'Okay.'

[I went], "Ano, kamusta na? What a coincidence na we're here also... Magkikita ba tayo?'"

Before we could react, Gabby retracted his last sentence with a laugh. "Biro lang," he said repeatedly.