Versailles Series Book 8: The Designer [COMPLETED]

PART I: CHAPTER 13

⚠️TRIGGER WARNING ON NEXT CHAPTER. ⚠️
Next chapter contains scenes of violence and rape. Please skip the next chapter if these will be disturbing to you.

~ philip ~

I can't believe how fast the time went by. My flight is tomorrow and I have to leave tonight. Manang Ising packed everything for me even when I told him not to. She told me I tend to forget things.

I was in the market with Grazie buying some ingredients for the dinner she will cook tonight. She hasn't told me what she'll cook yet but I will surely miss whatever it is.

"What are you cooking for me, my love?"

"Hulaan mo." She flashed me a sweet smile and winked at me. She has changed a bit since I met her. She's less controlled around me now. She can be cheeky and can tease me every chance she gets but still reserved at some moments.

"Hmm...you bought fish and pork. I'm guessing two different dishes. Coconut milk, chillies, lemongrass...what are you making for me woman?"

Natawa ito. God, I'll miss the sound of her laughter and the way her eyes twinkled at me. Damn, I have to stop making myself sadder than I already am. "Hintayin mo na lang, hmm?"

We also bought ingredients for Lola Lu's calamansi bibingka. When we got to their house, I helped her prepare the ingredients and just watched her cook. She insisted that she cook and just let me relax.

"Nakahanda na ba ang mga gamit mo?" Tanong sa akin ni Lola Lu.

"Opo, Lola. It's all ready. Can't believe I'm leaving tonight."

Ngumiti ang matanda sa akin. "Mabilis lang ang dalawang taon, Philip. Saka sabi mo eh uuwi ka naman. Masuwerte nga kayo at hindi niyo na kailangang sumulat. Pwede na kayo magtawagan."

"Still, having her around me brings me comfort and peace. I like myself whenever she's around."

"Alam mo naman na nag-iisang apo ko lang si Grazhiella. Pero hindi ako nagkamali na ipagkatiwala siya sa iyo. Nakikita ko sa tingin mo kung gaano mo kamahal ang apo ko. Isang bagay na hindi ko nakikita sa ibang lalaking nanliligaw sa kanya."

"She's special, I know. I felt it the first time I saw her...talked to her. She can be scary, crazy, funny, and moody. But I love her more each day."

Ginagap nito ang nga kamay ko. "Huwag kang mag-alala, hihintayin ka niya rito. Hindi naman kami mawawala rito. Lagi kong sinasabi sa iyo, bahay mo na rin ito kahit maliit at malayong-malayo sa mansyon niyo."

"Thank you, Lola."

Napatingin kami kay Grazhiella na nakapameywang sa harap namin. "Pinag-uusapan niyo nanaman ako?"

"Of course. How you'll go crazy missing me when I go." I teased her. Napalitan ang masayang ngiti nito ng malungkot na ngiti. I wanna punch myself right now.

"Kain na tayo?" Sabi na lamang nito.

I kissed her temple before looking at the table. There are steamed fish, pork with coconut milk and chillies, and the calamansi bibingka.

"Bicol Express iyan. O, alalahanin mo ha." Sabi sa akin ni Grazie.

We tried to keep the dinner light like we used to but the sadness hovers over us the entire time. Even Lola Lu went to bed early probably to give us some private time.

"Wala ka ng nakalimutan?" Tanong nito sa akin. She was caressing my nape as she looked at me.

"I packed everything already. Manang Ising made sure of that." I looked at her while she was sitting on my lap. "I wish you could fit in my luggage and bring you with me."

"Sasabihin ko sanang pag-iipunan kong makapasyal sa iyo pero ang dami ko pa pa lang pagdaraanan." She laughed trying to hide her embarrassment.

"I can just come here for you. When I start working, I'll bring you there. You can also work there as a nurse." I tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear.

"Ayokong iwan si Lola Lu rito na mag-isa."

"I know. But you can also bring her there if you want." I squeezed her hand when she didn't answer. I noticed her sassy comebacks are absent tonight. "Are you okay, Grazie?"

"Oo naman." Her smile was tight and her eyes were filled with unshed tears. "Lagi ko naman sinasabi sa iyo na okay lang, di ba?"

I tilted her face to me. "What are you feeling, Grazie? Talk to me, love."

The first tear fell. And another and another. Until she was sobbing already. It breaks my heart to see her this way. "Baby..."

"Okay lang naman ako. Okay lang naman dapat ako, Philip. Ang bilis kasi ng oras, eh. Aalis ka na agad."

I wiped her tears with my thumbs. "I can stay here, Grazie. You know that right?"

Umiling ito. "Napag-usapan na natin ito, Philip. Ayokong magbago ang mga plano mo bago mo ako nakilala. Importante ang pag-aaral natin."

"It breaks me to see you like this, Grazie."

"Ngayon lang naman ito. Masasanay din tayo." She caressed my face. "Mami-miss kita, Philip. Mag-iingat ka doon ha. Babalik ka pa rito. Babalikan mo pa ako. Sabi mo, pakakasalan mo pa ako."

I smiled at her. "I know all of those are just intangible promises for now. But have faith in me, love. That I will come back and turn each one to reality." I kissed both her hands. "Trust me?"

Her eyes lingered on me for a while before nodding.

"And you keep yourself safe too. I want to see you take that oath. Okay? The only white dress I want to see you in is your nurse uniform and your wedding dress. Understand?"

Tumango ito. I pulled her neck down and kissed her like it was our last. It will be for a while. I stayed with her until the driver fetched me from there. She was sleeping soundly while holding my hand. I missed her hand's warmth on mine the moment I stood up. I gave her one last kiss on her hair before leaving their house.

"Okay lang kayo, Sir Philip?"

Tinignan ko ang driver namin at ngumiti ng malungkot. "I'm fine." I'm not. Pakiramdam ko ay pinipiga ang puso ko. Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang sikip ng dibdib ko habang papalayo kami sa bahay nila Grazie.

"Babantayan namin siya para sa iyo Sir Philip. Maaasahan niyo kami ni Manang Ising."

I smiled. It comforts me to leave her with them around. I'll come back as soon as I can.

PART I: CHAPTER 14 >>

⚠️TRIGGER WARNING ON NEXT CHAPTER.  ⚠️
Next chapter contains scenes of violence and rape. Please skip the next chapter if these will be disturbing to you.

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