Versailles Series Book 7: The Ballerina [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 47

=== J U A N   M I G U E L ===

I knew that something shifted between me and Alexandria. I don't avoid her now like before. I was only giving her space because of the look she gave me that night. I thought she didn't want to talk about it yet so I let her be.

All this time, she was looking for me and waiting for me to talk to her about it. But I meant what I said when I told her I wasn't ready to talk about it because that means we'll really let each other go. Yes, I'm selfish but only with the time I have left with her.

The therapist lets me help during her session. Inaalalayan ko ito habang naglalakad. I'm happy she's trusting me enough to help her. Our conversations are light but limited while we're at it.

We fell into a routine for the next weeks. I exercise with her and let her do her sessions. I work when she's resting and when she's asleep in the evening. Her therapist comes to the house twice a week now instead of everyday.

Lake was visiting us that day. I offered him some coffee. Alexandria was outside with her nurse and therapist.

"She can do away with the therapist now. She can walk without someone holding her already. Parang kailan lang noong nagsimula siya."

I nodded. "I'm proud of her. You know her state when she came in. She was clinically depressed. Now she's livelier than ever. Almost back to her old self."

I glanced at Lake when he didn't answer me. "You love her don't you? I give that look to my wife everyday. I always see that look with the members here and their wives."

"I do. I love her. Each day I spent with her, I love her more than yesterday. But I know I can't have her. Not again."

"What went wrong with the two of you? I thought you were getting along well?"

"We were. I messed up. I thought she was leaving me again. So I protected myself and hurt her first instead. I just don't like to be pulled into darkness again like eight years ago."

"But she wasn't gonna leave you?"

Umiling ako. "She wanted to stay here and start a life with me. And I just fucked it up."

"And she doesn't like to get back with you anymore?"

"We haven't talked about it yet. But she keeps telling me that we have to clear things between us before we separate ways. So I guess she doesn't want anything to do with me."

"I don't think this is it. I'm not saying she still likes you and will still give you a chance. But she still looks at you with some deep emotions. Although that's normal because love doesn't go away that fast. But it doesn't mean it remains forever."

"How did you get your wife back?"

"I courted her again but she wasn't ready. It wasn't easy to build the trust back especially with my history and I don't blame her. But fate gave me a chance to prove that she can trust me. I took bullets for her and I will do it again. And that made her trust me again. I will lay my life for my wife any day in any lifetime, Juan Miguel. Each passing day I remind her how much I love her. I make her feel loved too because actions need to support what I say."

"I've hurt her so much."

"Nothing time can heal. But she's right. You need to understand why things happened that way before. Until everything is out of the open, you won't move on from the past."

I sip my coffee as I watched her. My days with here are numbered.

***

"Watch me walk!"

Nakaalalay lang ako sa likod niya habang hinahakbang niya ang mga paa niya. She can now move on her own. She's still wobbly at times but she's getting there.

"I'm so happy!" She jumped on me and embraced me. "Thank you for being here with me. I couldn't have done it without you."

"I knew you could do it, Alexandria. I knew you would."

As I watched her glowing and radiant face, I knew the inevitable will happen soon. Fate doesn't give a shit if I'm ready. I have to let her go.

"We should celebrate don't you think?"

"Hmm...what do you have in mind?"

I shrugged trying to look casual. "We can have dinner here. I can call Marceline to get you a dress."

"Can't we wait for my parents to come? They'll be here next week to spend time with me." And that's my cue to leave.

"You can have another celebration with them."

"Okay. I like celebrations."

I called in Marceline to check with Alexandria. I also ordered dinner from the Greenhouse. They'll set up everything in the backyard tonight.

I want everything to be perfect tonight. I want to give her a lasting impression before I leave her.

I watch from the counter how excited she is. She's so happy that she can go back to normal now. At least she can walk now. It won't be long before she can dance again.

I gave her a reassuring smile when she looked at me from the living room. Marceline brought in a few dresses for her to try. She didn't show me what she picked out but it doesn't matter. She look at beautiful in my eyes.

I cancelled my appointments for the rest of the day. I put on my suit for the evening. I saw how the table was set up outside. Even the rainy weather in Baguio let me have this one last celebration with the love of my life.

I stood outside her door and waited for her to come out. I feel like a groom waiting for his bride. Only for me, this is more like a farewell celebration than a celebration of eternal love.

I held my breath as the door opened. I looked at her from head to foot. She's just so painfully beautiful. Like something so precious and so within reach but I can never have no matter how much money I give in.

"Shall we?"

CHAPTER 48 >>