Versailles Series Book 5: The Barista

CHAPTER 49

~ tabi ~

The first episode was a hit. I initially thought it was just Calhoun but apparently, people loved us as a couple. When we read the comments in the video, maraming kinikilig sa kanila at gustong bumalik pa si Calhoun sa mga susunod na episodes.

OMG! Ang cute naman nila!

Sana all may jowa...

Gusto ko lang naman manood ng nakakatawa. Bakit may ganito?

Akala ko cooking series ito. Bakit parang television series in the making?

More Tabi and Calhoun interaction!

Sobrang bagay nila!

"Sabi ko kay Chael na cooking series ang ginagawa namin."

"Don't you want to create a movie with me?" Tanong ni Calhoun sa akin habang kumakain kami ng dinner.

"I'm not an actress, Cal. Akala ko ba aalis ka na sa pag-aacting?"

"Looks like I found a new love team." He winked at me before caressing my hair.

"Guess, what? This love team will be your love team forever." Nang ma-realize ko ang sinabi ko ay napatigil ako. "I mean —"

His eyes softened and he kissed my knuckles. "I like that, Tabi."

"Ang ibig kong sabihin —"

"I know what you meant. I just want you to know that I am headed there as long as you are. I'm with you, always."

I smiled. "I know it's still early in our relationship and I don't want to pressure you. I just blurted it out..."

"Baby...you're my endgame. I don't know what you're denying but you're the one I want to spend my life with. As if the thirty years of my life, which is all my life, is not yet enough to spend with you. I look forward to discovering more of myself, of my life, with you. Tabi, I don't know what you see in your future, but you are what I see in mine. I don't want to scare you, babe. I am ready when you are. Keep that in mind, okay?"

I nodded. "I don't want you to think that I am not sure about you. I love you, Cal. Let's get used to this relationship thing first, okay?"

He nodded and kissed my forehead. "Okay, babe."

***

Months have passed and I am now finalising my guest list for Tabitha's opening. I have placed in my friends at Versailles, my staff from Drunk and Sober and Tasteful Trails, and Calhoun's friends and family. I'm having second thoughts about inviting my family. I caressed the envelope and ended up writing my family's name anyway. It was an invitation-only event because it was the opening day. The restaurant is a two-storey building that has a 200-seating capacity indoors and 100-seating capacity outdoors. It is a Filipino fine-dining restaurant that only serves the seating capacity during lunch service and dinner service so we don't have over 300 guests per service.

I consulted with Chael on some of these dishes and he was happy enough to help me out. In return, I will help him out in his next restaurant too.

I looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a modern Filipiniana. Calhound stood beside me and kissed my neck. I felt him sniff the scent he gifted me last weekend. He looked ravishing in his Barong Tagalog.

"You look delicious." He whispered.

"Calhoun..."

'"I know...I know...we might run late. I'm just appreciating this beauty."