Versailles Series Book 6: The Florist [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 1

=== A M A R A ===

Kakatapos ko lang iparada ang sasakyan ko sa bahay ko nang mahagip ng mata ko ang calling card na binigay ng babae.

Carrie Versailles.

I opened up my phone and looked her up in Google. She is a very famous and young hotelier. She inherited the Versailles Hotel Group just because her sisters were not into business. Napataas ang kilay ko. We are very much alike.

I inherited this farm from my mother. My mother inherited it from a Dutch family. Si Mama ang caregiver at all around kasambahay ng mga Laurier. Napakabait ng pamilya sa amin. Willem, the only surviving family member doesn't have interest in farming nor inheriting the farm. He wanted to focus on his technology company. He didn't even have any issue when his parents gave it to us. Alam na namin ni Mama kung paano patakbuhin ang farm at ayaw naman nilang ibenta sa taong hindi nila alam kung aalagaan ang mga lupain.

Wala namang samaan ng loob sa amin ni Willem. Actually close kami habang lumalaki. Madalas din itong dumalaw sa farm at dito sa bahay.

I shook my head and went back to my phone.

One thing I noticed is that she is often dressed in fancy suits and dresses. Her face is often covered by a mesh veil. I tried looking up for more pictures but there isn't anything that has a bare face in it.

I saw her olive green eyes earlier. She looked far from the pictures. She was wearing a fluffy knitted sweater and leggings. Had she removed her mask, I would have seen her face.

The next thing I looked up was her highland club. Hindi ko namalayan na nagtagal na ako sa website ng club. It had a virtual tour kaya na-hook ako. It was very beautiful.

Staying here in Europe, napakaraming tanawing parang ganito. Napaisip ako. Hindi pa ako nakakabalik sa Pinas mula noong namatay sa Mama. I remember going home yearly with her, just the two of us. Mula noong ikinahiya kami ng mga kamag-anak namin ay hindi na kami nagpapakita sa kanila kapag umuuwi kami.

Now that I think about it, nami-miss ko na ang Pilipinas. Amsterdam has been my home but still, Philippines hold a special place in my heart.

Pumasok na ako sa bahay at sinindihan ang fireplace. I got myself some hot chocolate and sat on the floor.

The farm has been operating without my intervention. Libangan ko na lang talaga ang flower shop ko at ang pagdedesign ng mga parties. I make sure that the plants we produce are showcased in those events.

Tinignan ko ulit ang calling card.

I smiled. Maybe I need a change in environment right now.

***

I readied my smile when I knocked on the the door. I glanced at my watch and saw that it was just 9 in the morning. Panigurado lukot nanaman mukha nito.

The door creaked open and a groggy face showed up.

"Don't you know what time it is?"

"It's time to wake up!" Pumasok na ako sa bahay nito at dumiretso sa kusina.

"You always bring me those but you're the one who eats it anyway."

I pouted. Ang aga-aga, ang sungit.

"I'll leave you a box, Willem. Such a grumpy man."

Marahil ay inumaga nanaman ito kaya puyat ang hitsura.

"What brings you here this early?

"I'm leaving in a few days."

Uminom ito ng tubig at inagaw ang kinakain kong pagkain. "So? You'll be back before I know it."