Versailles Series Book 9: The Lawyer [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 42

H E R A

"Kayo pa rin ba ni Enteng Llamanzares?"

I stopped in my tracks as I heard Jericho's voice. We have once again found a case where we are representing opposing sides. I don't know how people do it. Based on the rumours in our circle, if there is anybody who can beat me in a lawsuit, it's gonna be him. That is based on four cases I lost on him during the first years of my practice. There came a day when I vowed that I'll never let this asshole beat me again and the streak continued.

"I didn't know I had to update you on my dating life."

Where are you? I'll pick you up? A quick glance at my watch told me it was a Tuesday and it was just four-thirty. What is Enteng up to?

I typed in a reply for him. Just leaving the courthouse. Is there a problem?

Sumabay ako kay Ryan papunta rito dahil excited itong subukan mai-drive ang bagong sasakyan nito. Damon helped him get a loan for a car to help him get around. He was supposed to drop me off back at the office.

"I was just wondering. Ang mga katulad niya ay madaling magsawa. His reputation precedes him. It shocked me that he's interested in you."

Tinaasan ko ito ng isang kilay. "Because what? I don't look hot enough like the women he dated?" It was my insecurity speaking. Frankly, I am out of his league. Even I was wondering before why he kept asking me out if he had tons of women waiting for him on the side. Although circumstances have changed since then, it still made me wonder what is it in me that caught his eye.

"I'm not saying that but since you brought it up, maybe you think of that too." He may be an asshole but he is a lawyer for a reason.

"I don't know where you're getting at."

Nothing. Just asking you out on a date. Pick you up in ten.

"I'm just saying that if you two break up, my offer still stands. I mean, he would probably get tired of you in a few weeks. You'll need someone to heal you up."

I cringed at him. "You are delusional. Even if we break up right now, you're the last person I would date. If I wasn't clear when you asked me for the hundredth time — No, I don't like to date you and would never date you. Get it?"

I walked away from him to find Ryan. He was standing at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me. "Hey. Susunduin na raw ako ni Enteng dito. You can go ahead. I'll see you in the office tomorrow. Send me your notes tonight, okay?"

"Sige po, Attorney. Bukas na lang po ulit."

I nodded and waved at him.

"What's not to like about me? I'm rich, handsome, smart, good in bed-"

I placed my hands on my hips. "If you are confident in what you claim to have, then why do you keep begging me?" I exhaled as if that would lessen my frustration with him. "Bakit mo ba ako pinagti-tiyagaan? If you are so marketable then women should be flocking over you."

"You know what I realised just now, maybe you liked dating him because it will boost you up. I mean a fucking billionaire no less. Men will go crazy over a billionaire's ex."

I was about to reply to him when I heard a voice behind me.

"The fact that you keep asking her out definitely shows who needs a boost here." A hand snaked around my waist and pulled me by his side. "Which also means I ran after the right woman." He kissed my temple and squeezed my side. "Ready for our date?"

"Uhm..."

He bent down to whisper in my ear. "Let's eat earlier so we can have more time in bed later." I felt my cheeks blush before he started pulling me away. "He's still bothering you, huh? You must be such a good catch. Too bad you're already mine."

Already mine.

I cleared my throat to distract myself from my thoughts. "A date on a Tuesday?"

He nodded. "I saw this good birria place a while ago-"

"A while ago?"

"I was browsing my feed and came across this shop. It's a whole in-a-wall place that just opened."

I smiled at him as I watched him cross a streetlight. "Weren't you supposed to be working?"

"I was having my five-minute break. Have you heard of the Pomodoro technique? You work for twenty-five minutes then take a five-minute break after."

"And you want to try this place out?"

He nodded. "The food looked good but it was fairly new so not so many reviews yet. The prices are affordable, not too pricey for the portion. I'm trying to see if is it all just pictures or do they really deliver."

"And if they do?"

"Well, if they need someone to invest in them to get a better location, why not? Did I tell you I invested in our favourite burger place? They are currently negotiating the lease of another location. They didn't want to close down the original one."

My heart swelled up with what he said. This is the guy whose father doesn't see him like I do. He is not just some happy-go-lucky guy who seems to not care about anybody. He actually looks out for people he can help grow. Now that I know I have these feelings for him, everything he does makes my heart beat faster, and my love grow fonder. Every word, every touch, every kiss means differently to me now.

"What do you want to do after dinner?"

"I want to watch a movie."

His eyebrows rose slightly as he parked on the side of the road. "What movie?"

I shrugged. "They told me Notting Hill is nice."

"Do you have a crush on Hugh Grant?" His face was dead serious I had to choke a laugh.

"No. I liked the premise of the story."

"Okay." His teasing smile came back and he kissed me briefly before we got out of the car.

The shop was located in an alley where other shops were also located. The majority of the restaurant is coloured in a certain shade of yellow with the face of a man I assume must be the owner.

"Sir, welcome po!"

I looked down at our clothes and we looked somehow out of place. We are still dressed in our office attire while most of their customers are students and some are dressed in more casual clothes.

We took a seat by the window and we got handed the menu. Simple lang ang menu nila at may mga kasama ring litrato. The shop specialises in Mexican food so there were burritos, quesadillas, churros, and enchiladas. Enteng ordered the birria tacos he was craving and I got the same too.

I rolled my sleeves when the food came. The aroma of the food made my stomach growl. Enteng as always watched me dig in before he did. He told me he wanted to see my reactions whenever he invited me to a new place.

"What's your judgment?" He said while wiping the side of my mouth.

"It's good. I liked the slow-cooked pulled pork. How was the beef?"

"Delicious. We should go to Mexico to taste the real thing."

My hand tightened the hold on the tissue. Did he mean that?

"Are you done eating?"

I nodded and fished out my wallet but before I could ask him how much was everything, he was at the counter chatting with the owner. No one would think he's a billionaire with the way he talks to people. He knows how to adjust depending on who he talks to. Right now, he sounds like he grew up in the streets. I saw him hand out his calling card and shake the owner's hands.

He entwined our hands as we walked back to the car. I moved closer to him, almost hugging his arms as we walked. Am I the only one thinking that what we're currently doing now is more than what we have agreed on?