Versailles Series Book 7: The Ballerina [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 51

=== J U A N M I G U E L ===

I leaned back on my chair and stretched my neck. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was 9PM already. My day was filled with meetings at ngayon lang ako nakapag-asikaso ng mga documents na kailangang ma-review.

My day has been like this on repeat since I came back to Ireland 6 months ago.

After arriving at our house, sinalubong ako ni Janica. "Kuya, sa opisina ka na ba nakatira?"

"I shower and sleep here." Sagot ko rito habang papunta sa kusina para uminom ng tubig.

"Exactly. Kung hindi mo pa kailangang matulog hindi ka pa uuwi. You can relax you know? Kahit weekends nagta-trabaho ka."

"You do know I am handling a multi-billion company, right? I have meetings and documents to review."

"Aren't your assistants helping you?"

"They are. But they can also do so much. Why are you pestering me?"

She pouted. "I'm just concerned for you. The last time you were like this..."

Ginulo ko ang buhok nito. "There's just so much work. Naipon lang. Once I get through the mountain of work I'm doing, I'll take it easy. Gusto mo ba mag-roadtrip? Just let me know and we can go together."

Nanlaki ang mga mata nito. "Ikaw ba talaga ang Kuya ko?"

Natawa ako sa ekspresyon ng mukha nito. "What do you mean by that?"

"You never go out. Much less a roadtrip."

"Maybe you're right. I need to take it easy. So as I said, if you want a roadtrip, let me know. I'll always be busy kaya huwag mong sabihin na saka na kapag hindi na ako busy."

Napatigil ako nang yakapin ako nito. "Kuya...sasabihin mo naman sa akin kapag hindi ka okay 'di ba? Kapag kailangan mo ng kausap."

"Of...course..." My expression softened. Janica can be a real softie.

"I don't want to see you in a bad state again."

"I won't. I'm not as broken as before."

"Pero broken pa rin?"

"It can't be helped. But I'm trying. I'll be fine. Eventually."

"Sasabay ka ba na uuwi sa Pilipinas? Ikaw lang maiiwan dito. Nakuuuu mas lalo nanamang hindi ka uuwi niyan." She was squinting her eyes at me like she already knows my answer.

"I'll think about it. Wala naman akong gagawin sa Pilipinas."

"What if I ask you to come home with us instead of the roadtrip?"

I sighed. "Janica, hindi isang bus ride lang ang layo ng Pilipinas. And what do you need me there for? For sure sa beach ka lang naman pupunta. And again, Mom and Dad will choose to roam by themselves. Even Ate Joanna has her itinerary for sure. So you'll be fine. Hindi mo kailangan ng chaperone."

"Ayaw ko lang na mag-isa ka rito. How about I stay back na lang if you really don't want to go?"

"I'm old enough, Janica. I don't need you to babysit me. If it will ease your mind, ask the people here at home to make sure I sleep and eat here."

Umiling ito. "Sige na Kuya. Kahit one month ka lang. Please?"

I crossed my arms. "Why are you being pushy now? What will I miss if I don't go back to the Philippines? I've been staying there for the longest time. And I like it here in Ireland."

It was her turn to sigh. "We haven't had a vacation for years. This will be the first one since forever."

"One month?"

"Yesss."

Naningkit ang mga mata ko. "You just want to stay at Versailles don't you?"

She blushed and turned slightly away. "Hindi ah... pero hindi kasi pwedeng pumunta kapag wala iyung member mismo..."

"Aha! Caught you, vixen."

"Kuya naman eh! Crush ko kasi si Prince Rizky. Kung swerte ako, meron din si Prince Caden. Sige na kuya! Please!"

"What do you see in them? Is it just because they are princes?"

"Kasi guwapo sila Kuya okay?"

"Rizky maybe but Caden? Are you blind? Are you into those bad boy stuff?"

She pouted again as if that will get my sympathy. "Hindi naman siya bad boy. Masungit lang siya talaga."

"Exactly. He's a bad boy. And he's married, Janica. About to get married from what I know."

"Para eye candy lang eh. Saka single pa naman si Prince Rizky 'di ba? Malay mo naman."

I shook my head. "Fine, you crazy woman."

Tumalon-talon ito at niyakap ako.

***

I called in to have my Versailles house cleaned two days before my family's arrival in the club even if they'll stay at the Wallflower for a week. My parents wanted to visit for the longest time but they have been held back from some family duties.

"Hmm? May bagong neighbor ka na Kuya?"

I glanced at the rubble beside my house. Looks like the house will be replaced by a new one. Wala na ang dating bahay na tinitirhan ni Alexandria. Even her records as a member has been cleaned up.

"I don't think so..." wala sa loob na sagot ko.

"Malay mo prinsipe rin?" Kinikilig na sabi ni Janica. I just shook my head with her foolishness. Talo pa nito ang high school kapag kinikilig.

"You're house looks nice." Sabi ni Dad.

"Looks bland to me." Sabi naman ni Mom.

"Which is why I am letting you stay at the Wallflower. Because I know you'll criticize my house. And I wasn't wrong."

"It just lacks warmth. Just need a touch of something. I can't name it."

"I can have Dallas look at it. Happy?"

"New girlfriend?" Tanong ni Janica.

I rolled my eyes. "As my friends say, she isn't a woman or human at all. She's a female terminator if you know what I mean. But she's the exclusive interior designer for Versailles."

"Huh. But seriously, Juan Miguel. You better think of settling down soon. Gusto ko ng maraming apo. Masyadong mabagal ang ate mo."

"Sorry, hindi naman ako factory ng baby, Dad." Natatawang sabi ni Ate Joanna.

"At itong si Janica ay wala pang balak."

"Kaya nga ako nandito, Dad. Baka sakaling may ma-meet akong eligible bachelor."

Napailing ako. I haven't met any of Janica's boyfriends. I just trust her that she knows what she's getting into.

"I'm a man. I can settle down anytime."

My mom touched my shoulder lovingly. "Just making sure you settle down with someone. Having a family is not that bad. Make sure you can still spend so much time with your kids."

I smiled at Mom. She handled the family well despite all the things grandma did to her.

"I never said I didn't want one. I'm just waiting for the right time, that's all."

CHAPTER 52 >>