Versailles Series Book 7: The Ballerina [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 55

=== A L E X A N D R I A ===

We silently walked to a coffee shop nearby. I frequented it since the school opened so the owner knew me already.

"Magandang hapon! Napaaga ka yata?" Sabi nito sa akin. I usually came in the afternoon before going home.

"I'm with someone." Nakangiti kong sabi rito. I glanced at Juan Miguel who was standing beside me.

"Magandang araw po." Magalang na bati nito. "Your cafe is nice."

"Ah, namana ko ito. Kahit napapaligiran na kami ng malalaking gusali rito, hindi namin pinalitan ang hitsura. Kaya marami pa rin ang pumupunta rito."

He nodded. "I like it. Ano pong specialty niyo rito?"

The owner proudly told him all the drinks and food that people loved here. He got himself a coffee and bread.

Nang iabot nito card nito ay umiling ang may-ari.

"Ngayon lang may sinama si Ria dito na katulad mo."

"I insist." Sabi ni Juan Miguel.

Umiling uli ang may-ari bago pumunta sa may kusina.

I chose a corner seat. Wala pa namang gaanong tao kaya hindi naman kami maiistorbo dito.

"So...the first recital went great." Sabi nito.

I smiled. "I'm glad it did. I was so excited I might jinx it. Matagal ko rin na-plano ito kaya malaking bagay na maganda ang nangyari. The kids were so happy."

He smiled at me. "I knew you will do great."

"What have you been up to?"

"I've been staying in Ireland since we last saw each other. Janica dragged me here for vacation. Sabi niya, sa opisina na raw ako nakatira."

"Hindi ba?" I looked at him teasingly.

"Well I shower and sleep at home."

"That's living in the office, Juan Miguel. No wonder Janica was dragging you back home."

He sipped his coffee when it came. "I keep my mind busy...occupied."

"How's your grand mother?"

His stare turned hard and cold. "I don't want anything to do with her anymore. After what she did to you then. How she treated my mother all this time. How she pushed...women to me."

I never thought he's capable of getting mad at his grandmother. He always spoke fondly of her.

"What do you mean? Did something happen?" I almost bit back my tongue when the words slipped out of my mouth. We weren't the same people we were back then.

"I overheard her talking to Georgina. She faked being hospitalized to makes us follow her every whim. She told me everything she did to you back then because I threatened her that I won't give her a grandchild. If there is anything else my grandmother wants, it's for our legacy to continue. I am the only grandchild that will pass down the name despite forcing my sister to retain the family name in hers." His stare was cold and distant. "I should have known when I realized she had a strained relationship with my mother. She was all smiles when I was around but when I'm not...I can't imagine the words she could have told you. It may be too late but I'm sorry for not knowing back then. For not being able to defend you from her."

I shook my head and smiled. "I appreciate it, Juan Miguel. It has been a long time. You didn't have to apologize for her." I looked out the window. "When I decided to let go of our past, it included all the painful memories. I forgave the people who have hurt me including you. I have never felt lighter...happier. And those sad memories have been weighing me down all this time." I looked at him. "I am finally living my life."

"I am happy for you. Truly. I am starting to live mine. I'm trying to be happy."

"Really? Your eyes says otherwise." I took a sip from my drink.

"I don't know how to prove that."

"We promised each other to live our life and be happy, Juan Miguel."

"I am. I am trying, Alexandria. I am more than glad to see you like this. But for me, I have to come into terms with all the things happening in my life right now. I though I made progress, you know? But seeing you again proved otherwise. I am far from it. As much as I hate my sisters to connive against me, I am happy to see you." He took a deep breath. "I missed you. I missed this version of you."

I looked at him. He looked agonized. I didn't wish for him to go back to this.

"Alexandria..." His eyes looked straight at me. "I want to be happy. I'm sorry if I have to break another promise to you again." My forehead knotted. What promise is he talking about? He gently held my hand. "I can't stay away. You can push me away or slap me or kick me for doing this again but...maybe I am here for something. I'd like to win your heart again."

Kumabog ang dibdib ko. "Juan Miguel..."

"All I'm asking is eight dates with you. One for each year we've been apart. If you won't take me back by then, I'll leave you be."

"I don't think..."

"Just eight dates. After that, I'll stay in Ireland permanently if you won't take me back. You won't see me again and my sisters won't bother you too. Please?"

I stared at our hands. I admit I missed the feel of his hands on mine. Iba rin ang pakiramdam ko sa aming dalawa ngayon. Hindi siya pilit. There's no pressure.

"Just eight dates..." I whispered.

He nodded. He looks eager and determined. "I want to hear you say that you're giving me a chance. I will kneel if I have to. I'll beg on my knees if you ask me to, Alexandria. You know what, I'll do that now." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang lumuhod nga ito at hinawakan ang mga kamay ko. "All I'm asking is eight dates. Please, give me this one last chance."

I swallowed hard as I looked at him. I just found myself nodding. "Eight dates. I am giving you a chance but that doesn't guarantee a positive outcome, Juan Miguel."

"That's all I need to hear."

CHAPTER 56 >>