Versailles Series Book 5: The Barista

CHAPTER 34

~ calhoun ~

"What's the matter with you today? You're scaring the staff."

I looked at Asia who was munching on gummy bears. We are at our shooting location today. Tabi is still missing. I've been looking for her and trying to reach her for two weeks now to no avail. My vacation is up so here I am at work. I have not been on my best behaviour since the morning I woke up after I had sex with Tabi.

"I'm just not in the mood."

"You haven't been for the past week, Baby Cal." Sinenyasan nito ang mga staff na iwan muna kami. "Talk to me. What happened?"

"You know that Tabi and I celebrate our birthdays together, right?"

She nodded.

"Well...two weeks ago, we did. And we had sex."

Asia's eyes almost bulged when I glanced at her. I would have laughed on a normal day but not today.

"And she went MIA for the past two weeks. Why is that? Why would she even do that?" I stood up and started pacing. "I'm fucking worried wherever she is. Why is she hiding from me? She's not at Versailles, she's not even at Tasteful Trails. I doubt if she's even home with her family."

"Maybe she isn't ready to face you yet."

"What does she expect me to do? Sa tingin ba niya madali lang sa akin ito?"

"What's making it difficult for you, Cal? Is it her not talking to you? Is it the change in your relationship?"

I plopped back on my chair. "We crossed the line, Asia. After three fucking decades, we crossed the line. It has always been fucking blurred and she knows it."

"Cal, I know you're frustrated. I understand you want to talk to her straight out. Maybe she's just buying time. As you said, this has been a long time coming. Ayaw naman siguro niyang kausapin ka na hindi pa niya napag-isipang mabuti ang sasabihin niya. Have you thought about what you'd say? What are you even gonna say? Sure, you had sex. Then what? What does that even mean?"

I stared at my hands. Asia's right. What am I even gonna say?

"Alam mo, Calhoun. For women like Tabi, sex will never be just sex. It will always mean something to them. Now if you're going to talk to her, tell her what's the meaning of what happened. Tell her what it meant for you." Asia clutched my hand. "Do you love her, Cal? Are you in love with your best friend?"

I nodded. "I love her. I love Tabi, Asia." When I glanced up at her, she was crying. I wiped her tears away. "Why the fuck are you crying? Magagalit nanaman iyung make up artist mo sa akin."

She chuckled but she was still crying. "I always knew you loved her, Baby Cal. Your eyes go lovey doves like that emoji when you look at her. You're the love team I've been cheering for since I met her."

I smiled for the first time in two weeks. "You silly girl."

"Promise me you'll be happy with her. I want you to be happy with her, Cal."

"I intend to do that, Asia. Just pray she shows up soon before I lose my shit."

Natawa kaming dalawa.

My next couple of days are going to be busy as always whenever I go back from vacation. My schedule is packed.

I parked my car at Mama Jove's office. I haven't talked to him in a while.

"Hey." Sabi ko sa nakabukas na pinto nito. He looked up and I felt lighter when he smiled. "Missed you." Sabi ko nang yakapin ako nito.

I took a seat in front of him. "How are you?"

"Good. I have straightened everything out. I know how much you look forward to your directorial debut. Philip Quintana reached out to me too. I think you have a bright future ahead. Huwag kang makakalimot."

I smiled. "You'll always be part of my life, Mama Jove. I won't forget you."

"I hope so, Calhoun. So...how was your vacation? You looked stressed out for someone who came from vacation."

"I have been lately."

His eyebrow went up. "Does this stress involve a curly-haired lady?"

I squinted my eyes at him. "What are you talking about?"

"I went to Tasteful Trails last week and I saw Tabi. She doesn't look like her jolly self."

So he saw her huh? Great. Fucking great.

"And?"

Mama Jove eyed me suspiciously. "See right there? It isn't your usual reaction when we talk about her."

I snorted. "What would I have done?"

"Kapag naririnig mo na hindi siya okay, pinupuntahan mo kaagad siya."

I fucking know she isn't okay. I just don't know where to look for her.

"We're in a rough patch."

"You'll work it out. I know you'll work it out, Calhoun."

I sighed deeply. "It's different, Mama Jove. I might have lost her already."

Umiling ito. "I don't think so. As I said, Calhoun. Work. It. Out."

After visiting Mama Jove, I drove to one of the bars in the area. I was on my second glass when a woman sat beside me at the bar.

"Alone?" Her strong perfume made my nostrils flare up. Did she fucking shower with her perfume?

"I'm not sitting with anybody."

"But not willing to mingle?"

"Not interested."

"That's sad."

I thought she'll go away but she remained sitting beside me.

"What are you here for?"

I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. Why is she not getting it? "None of your business."

"Oh, cranky. I know your movie is coming up and it is predicted to be a blockbuster as usual. So it must be a woman?"

I bit my lip before sipping my drink.

"She's dumb."

Napalingon ako rito. "What did you say?"

"In your state, you look like the dumpee rather than the dumper. She dumb to let someone like you go."

"She's not dumb. And stop your assumptions. You don't know me. You most definitely don't know her."

"Yes, but I can help you with your problem, Calhoun Esteves."

"How? You don't even know-"

She grabbed my head and kissed me with an open mouth. I caught her waist scared that she might fall off and drag me with her. Flashes of light blinded me before I could push her away.

"What the fuck?"

Bumaba na ito sa stool. "Now that will do something, right?"

It was too late for me to even catch the fucking photographer. I texted Mama Jove while holding my temples. A PR nightmare is the last thing I need right now.