Versailles Series Book 9: The Lawyer [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 23

H E R A

I stared at myself in the elevator mirrors. I was wearing a peach-mauve wrap blouse with a pleats skirt dress that ended mid-calf. I wore some nude pumps to finish the look off. I gathered up my hair in my usual low ponytail. The ladies even bought me some accessories to go with the clothes. Sa group chat namin ay nag-send ng mga attire na pwede kong pagkuhan ng ideya ng susuotin.

I glanced at my watch and it was almost ten in the morning. While waiting in the building elevator to take me to our floor, I smelled Damon's familiar scent. When I glanced to my right, I saw him standing.

"You're late, Damon. This is new." Damon has always been the first person in the office and that's because he drops Jeremiah off at school himself. He's never late.

He took a double look at me before looking at me from head to toe. "Who are you?" The expression on his face showed how he was taking in every new thing I was wearing right now. I look far from the dark-coloured ensemble he's used to seeing me in.

I shook my head as I got in the elevator. "So why are you late?"

Tumikhim ito. "I had a drinking session last night."

I squinted. "On a Sunday night? Damon Olivares drinking on a Sunday night? Who are you?"

He chuckled then nodded. "It...has been happening for quite some time. I have been having drinking sessions with somebody."

I can't help but smirk. "So...this drinking buddy of yours is not Philip I assume? Are you dating this...drinking buddy?"

He sighed before going out of the elevator after me. "I don't know if it's even dating. It's more like hanging out, you know? I would date her though...if she would let me."

I closed his office door and leaned on that as he circled his desk and slumped. "Damon-"

"I know...I know. But she's really nice, beautiful, and smart."

"You really like her. I can see that. Your eyes are making these hearty-hearty things."

Damon chuckled. "I am taking it slow. I don't think she's ready."

"And you are?" I crossed my hands over my chest. "Can I get a name?" I have a feeling who is it but I want it to come from him.

"I'll keep it from you for now." His eyebrow cocked. "What about you? You look different. So different. You have more than one colour on you. And it's not dark. Even your hair is coloured. It suits you, Hera."

"I'm trying to date. So far, it's not doing well. Mas naniniwala akong tama ang desisyon kong huwag makipag-date."

His eyebrows furrowed as he powered his laptop. "What changed?"

"It's lame but I think I can understand my clients more if I...fall in love. Someone told me I enjoy breaking up marriages and that I don't know how to love someone romantically. I don't know what love is and why people are making stupid choices because of it. I have worked on high-profile cases and not one client questioned my capability just because I'm single and I've never fallen in love. I just need logic to win a case, Damon. If I know the law, I can use that to win my case. What does my personal love life have to do with it?"

"Hera." I looked up at Damon. He has a soft smile on his face. "You are at your prime. Enjoy life. Meet as many people as you can. Maybe it is time for you to at least try, you know? Whether or not it is for a case."

"Have you fallen in love, Damon?"

He went in front of his desk and leaned on it as he crossed his arms. "I thought I was in love with you. But now...I don't think love was what I felt for you then. Attraction maybe. But not romantic love. Not quite like how I feel for this woman I'm hanging out with."

I nodded as I realised something. "I guess, both of us are trying to fall in love now?"

Binigyan ako ng ngiti ni Damon. "Brace yourself. I'm just here if you want me to punch someone if he hurts you."

"I'll hold on to that."

I went out of his office and my steps slowed down as I saw the gang waiting for me at the entrance of my office. "Did I miss a memo? What are you all doing here?" I shoved them aside.

"In fairness, Attorney ha. Ganda mo today." Sabi ni Irene sa akin.

"Kung lalaking-lalaki lang ako at hindi kita boss, ide-date kita." Nakangiti namang sabi ni Quinn sa akin.

"Taken na ako, Attorney." Sabi naman ni Cath sa akin. "Pero chicks ka today."

"Crush na kita, Attorney!" Sigaw naman ni Karina at niyakap pa ako.

I shook my head. "Don't you guys have work to do?"

They scrambled at the sound of my voice before I got myself busy. Ryan was on an assignment and I'll probably see him tomorrow. He sends me his notes from time to time and I give him feedback on his work.

When the afternoon came, I went out for a walk and fetched myself some cold-brew coffee from the nearby cafe. The cafe was busy as usual — for some reason even if the coffee wasn't really good — but the ordering line wasn't that long. I was fourth in line. I froze when someone stood beside me. His scent was a giveaway.

"Nagpapaganda ka ba sa akin?"

Fucking deja vu.

"No, Jericho. Get lost. You're suffocating me."

"Jeez. You are so good at playing hard to get. I miss seeing you in the courtroom."

"Maybe because you're not getting any new clients?"

He chuckled. "I am choosing my cases wisely. Why don't you dress like that more often in the courtroom? Maybe I'll let you off the hook easier."

"I won't even be on the hook, asshole. You keep losing, remember?"

I paid for my coffee before leaving him babbling on the side. I prayed that my coffee would arrive soon because I can't endure another moment with this douchebag. Ugh. Why am I surrounded by men I want to strangle?

"Tignan mo, sayang naman ang bihis mo kung hindi ka makikipag-date ngayon. You know, Hera. I am available tonight. I don't have any dates."

"I'm not surprised but also, I'm not interested."

"Who are you dressing for anyway if not for me? You know I'd be here."

I placed my hand on my hips. "I don't know where you're getting the audacity to think I'm dressing up for you or any woman for that matter. For your information, Jericho, I am not dressing up for any man. And if there is another coffee shop closer than this, I'd rather go there than run into you here."

"Deny, deny, deny-"

"Hey, Hot-torney. Fancy meeting you here."

My senses heightened at the sound of that smooth and sensual voice. His sandalwood scent floated through the air and filled my lungs with it, replacing Jericho's strong scent.

"Enteng, what are you doing here?" He's wearing a dark grey suit this time. Somehow, even with the warm Manila weather, he still looked fresh.

"Getting my caramel macchiato and a caramel bar." This guy really has the tastebuds of a child.

"You again? Sinusundan mo ba kami?" Sabi ni Jericho rito habang nakapameywang.

I shook my head. This man is hopeless.

Enteng smirked at him. "I'm just here to remind Hera of our date tonight. She seems to have forgotten."

My eyes widened at him. Date?

"Pare, pwede ba? Ako ang makakadate niya mamayang gabi-"

"Sure. I'll see you tonight." Sabi ko habang nakatingin kay Enteng. I grabbed my coffee before heading out. I guess I have a date tonight?

I bit my lip to stop myself from grinning. I am actually...excited. I don't know what changed but...going out with him than weird guys seemed like a better option at the moment.