Versailles Series Book 9: The Lawyer [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 8

E N T E N G

I looked at Zeus as he munched on his food bowl. We just got back from our morning run and I am also eating my breakfast before I shower. So far, he has been a good boy even if the housekeeper called me one time because she was afraid he'll bite her. From then on, I placed him in an automatic cage that opens up after the housekeeper leaves the penthouse.

After showering, I put on a plain black shirt, dark grey suit jacket, and slacks. I left the first two buttons open since I am not a fan of neckties. I usually put one on for investor meetings. After saying goodbye to my brooding dog who reminded me of my twin and who found a way to entertain himself already and not caring about his handsome master, I left the penthouse. Since the condominium is close to the office building, I'll be arriving in thirty minutes.

Or so I thought.

I happened to pass by a road that had an early morning crash which delayed me by another thirty minutes. Good thing I don't have an early meeting or I'll never hear the end of it from my twin. I exhaled as I parked my car. Since I was already late, I had to park across my building since no one had a reserved spot in my office's building's parking lot. It's one of the reasons why I usually come early to the office, to get the prime spot which isn't available anymore thanks to the two cars that decided to crash on each other this morning. I seldom get annoyed by things like this but I have days too that I can channel my inner Enchong, like now.

I wasn't able to give my usual smile to the guard and the receptionist when I entered and just walked directly to where the turnstiles were. I tapped my pass on the turnstile and proceeded to the elevators that seemed to be brimming with fellow latecomers so I waited for the next carriage to come. Since I couldn't keep still and the elevators took forever, I glanced around and my eyes landed on a woman in a black office suit in front of me. It's like all of my irritation went away instantly and the sensual smile curved on my lips. Her attention was on her tablet though. I wouldn't usually pay attention to any woman but I caught a whiff of her fragrant fruity smell that reminded me of strawberries. She looked like a typical office girl with her hair tied in a low ponytail and her suit devoid of any design or fringes that women usually wear as office attire.

When the elevator opened, I was about to step in when the woman stepped in front of me.

"Excuse-"

She faced me and I felt like the air was sucked out of me. Her slightly chinky eyes looked sharp and calculating it sent shivers down my spine. Even her blood-red lips seemed to invite my eyes to linger there. Who is this woman?

"Let the old lady go first, okay?" Sabi nito sa akin bago pinauna ang matandang nag-aantay rin pala ng elevator.

The three of us got in and I watched their interaction from where I stood.

"Anong floor niyo po Nay?" There was something about her voice that was captivating. Her voice sounded a little more gentle than when she spoke to me.

"Saang floor po ba iyung kay Attorney Hera Marquez?"

Oh. She's looking for Damon's partner. I remember Damon talking about her a few days ago. I haven't met her yet even when Damon and I had lunch earlier already.

"Ako po si Attorney Hera Marquez, Nay." Pinakita nito ang ID nito. "Sumama na lang po kayo sa akin. Sa opisina na lang po tayo mag-usap..."

Fuck...this is Hera Marquez? She looks far from the old and wrinkled lawyer I envisioned her to be. She is tall for an average Filipina with a slender figure that is shaped by the office suit she's wearing. Her demeanour reminds me of Enchong in a weird way. It must be her unsmiling lips and eyes that shoot daggers. Her red lips are painted in a dark red colour that seems to go along with her girl-boss aura.