Versailles Series Book 5: The Barista

EPILOGUE

~ calhoun ~

"The Best Director award goes to...Calhoun Esteves!"

My wife embraced me before I went to the stage. I stood on the podium and looked at the love of my life.

"Here I am again, as always, thank you for giving me a chance. This is my first award as a director. It has been a journey for me. It wasn't easy. I had a lot to learn in this space even if it is in the same industry. Thank you to my mentors and all the people who worked with me to get to this." I smiled at Tabi who nodded her head. "Thank you to my family and friends. I offer this award to my beautiful wife and to our first child she's carrying right now. Baby, this is for you. I love you both."

The audience gave me a round of applause with some hooting on the side. It was the first time we were announcing our pregnancy with Tabi's permission of course.

Our life after marriage was nothing but blissful. We made things work between our busy careers. Her key to success was to invest in her people. She sponsored some of them to study at culinary schools locally. That made more employees stay in her restaurants longer. She has partnered with Chael on some of his ventures too.

I on the other hand am directing and managing the subsidiary that Philip gave me. I am doing movies and docuseries. Some of my movies have entered some international film festivals to my delight. I am also learning how to be a good scriptwriter now. I have a few projects lined up but I am laying low on international shoots. I want to be here for my pregnant wife. I want to be on the journey with her.

***

"Daddy! I want cookies!"

My two-year-old daughter who is a replica of her mother smiled at me hoping I'll give her another one. Rule at home, they are not totally banned from cookies but one is enough for a day. I can't blame her though. Her mother makes one of the best cookies which I am a fan too.

"Mommy gave you one already."

She pouted her lips at me. I clutched my chest. This kid knows how to get around me. I sighed. I broke a cookie in half and gave it to her.

"It will be our secret and you'll do an extra good deed today so Mommy won't get mad, okay?"

She nodded before she ran to play with her toys. We decided to let our daughter grow here in Baguio just because it is more quiet than the metro. Tabi stays here most of the time while I only take on special projects and do more executive things. We want to be hands-on while taking care of our daughter. We will take on more work once she grows up and goes to school.

"Hey, babe." I hugged my wife after we tucked in our cute daughter in bed.

"Don't hey babe me. You gave her another cookie didn't you?"

"Baby..." I ran my hand across my face. "Fine, yes. But she fixed her own toys today. We made a bargain."

It was her turn to sigh before turning to me.

"You always have a soft spot for her."

"I always have a soft spot for her and you. I kinda have two Tabis in our house."

She chuckled. "Are we a handful?"

"No. Never." I kissed her on the lips. "I missed you."

"We did it this morning."

"And we'll do it again now."

She chuckled but answered my kisses anyway. I'll never tire of this woman.