Versailles Series Book 9: The Lawyer [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 44

H E R A

I woke up with the sun shining on my face. I am on Enteng's bed. Memories of our lovemaking last night gave me tingles all over. All the sweet nothings he whispered in my ear. Maybe...maybe he feels the same way. All the signs are there, right?

With a smile on my face, I wore his dress shirt since it was within reach. It was comfortable enough and covered me until mid-thigh. I tied my hair in a messy bun before brushing my teeth and washing my face. Enteng is not in the bedroom, maybe he is in the kitchen?

I walked out and immediately saw Zeus already munching on his breakfast. They must have come back from their morning walk already. I scratched his ears before giving him a treat. I can faintly hear Enteng's tense voice from his home office.

I went to the kitchen to make him his favourite caramel macchiato coffee. I even placed a heart-shaped caramel drizzle on top for him. I carried the mug to his home office. Looks like the call just ended. I can't explain the look on his face. It looked far from the affectionate one he had last night. I've never seen him look like that. Must be work? Must be his Dad?

I sat on the edge of the table like I used to and placed the mug beside me. He was walking, almost pacing around the room. His hand pulled on the hairs behind his head, the skin there almost turning red. What could have happened?

"Hey, you okay? It's just seven in the morning. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" I asked him with a small smile on my lips. Enteng doesn't have a bad temper. I've never seen him mad at all. The closest one was when he was acting jealous of Enchong but that felt like lifetimes ago.

"What does it look like?" He snapped.

My smile slowly faded and the familiar dread peeked from the corners. He won't hurt me.

"Do you know what news greeted me today? My father...has named my twin as his successor. He announced it ahead of the gala this Friday. Fuck!" His agitated eyes pierced through me. "You know what he told me today when I asked him why did he not choose me?" He scoffed, his hands balling into fists. "I didn't measure up. People will feel more at ease with Enchong in place. That it has always been him. He always saw Enchong replacing him. How should I fucking feel about that?" I jumped to my feet when he smacked his hand down on the table. "All this time, introducing you will not change anything. This charade was useless, fucking doomed from the start. Maybe it was a good thing that this is all just that, a fucking charade. I have saved myself from further embarrassment before I even introduce you. I'm a laughing stock as it is."

Napalunok ako. It feels like the Earth moved beneath me. "Enteng..."

He smiled at me but it was far from the playful one he always gave me. "We can end this now, Hera. There's no point in continuing it. I have lost the position. It's the only thing that ever mattered to me this greatly and now it's gone."

"I love you." I blurted out as if that would save me from whatever it was pulling me to the black hole. Please don't break my heart.

Enteng paused. "What did you say?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat and steadied myself. "I love you, Enteng."

He laughed until he was out of breath. "Are you fucking kidding me right now?"

I looked at him with confusion in my eyes. "Was it really just a charade to you? Ni isa ba sa mga sinabi mo sa akin, walang totoo doon? Are you ending our relationship right now? Didn't you feel something while you were with me? We had a connection, Enteng. You can't deny that."

"This isn't a fucking relationship, Hera! It's a business agreement, have you forgotten? I taught you how to be good enough to make a man happy. I don't do relationships and nothing about that has changed even with everything that has happened. Is it the sex? Is that what made you think that what we have now is because we have fallen in love?" He laughed as he shook his head. "You didn't think I would say I love you too, right? And I thought you're a smart woman." He looked at me from head to foot. "You're a good fuck, I can say that. It's a good distraction. A good challenge. Don't worry, you're way more marketable now than when I met you. I have no use of you now, obviously. The position is out of the question."

"Who are you?" I whispered. I can't believe this is the same man who sought me out, danced with me at the Versailles Ball, had burger dates with me, spent Friday nights with me, and was the first person who made me laugh again.

"This is who I am, Hera. I have always been the playboy billionaire everyone claims me to be. I fuck around. Isn't that the reason why we have this arrangement in the first place? Apparently, there's nothing I can do to change that. Don't let me fool you, Attorney Marquez. I always get what I want and that includes you."

I have to get out of here.

I found myself walking towards his bedroom. I scrambled to wear my clothes and gather my things. Memories of last night came flooding my mind and I wish to just forget everything. When I got out, I found him leaning on the back of his couch, his hands in his pockets.

"If it will help, just forget about everything that transpired between us. Don't try to imagine things that were not there, Hera. I didn't peg you for a hopeless romantic. What you saw is what you got, Hera. Just sex. I didn't feel the emotions that you've felt. I don't love you. I never did. Besides, we had an agreement. You're a fucking lawyer. You should know that more than me."

I opened my mouth to say something but I realised I didn't know what to say. His grey eyes on me seemed to mute my words. I have so many questions in my mind but his statements answered every one of those.

He doesn't love me. He doesn't...love me. I was stronger than this. Nasaan na ang Hera na pinatatag ng panahon? I've never felt so helpless.

"You're right..." My lips uttered, hearing a voice that seemed foreign to me, so weak to me, as I turned my back to him to look for my shoes. I scanned the place for my things only to realize that I didn't have any in his space aside from my bag and the clothes I was wearing now. I don't have any trace in this place. I wasn't meant to stay here for long. The thought shot arrows to my already battered heart. Couldn't it get any more painful?

His phone rang again which he immediately answered. "Hello? Yes, I'll join the meeting in five minutes." That's my cue. He's giving me the last five minutes to say goodbye to everything. To throw away everything like he said and pretend it never happened.

I slowly nodded more to myself than to him. I am accepting everything now. I won't let my remaining pride dry up. I looked at the grey skies outside the windows that looked heavy with rain. Those skies reminded me of Enteng's eyes. "I...need to go then before it rains."

I turned to walk towards the door. Blackie stood up, his tail wagging. I knelt in front of the dog, softly scrunching his head for the last time. I wasn't only saying goodbye to Enteng but to this dog who I bonded with too for the past months. "Be a good boy, okay?" I dropped a kiss on its head before standing up slowly. I can feel Enteng's eyes on me but I'm scared...scared that the only thing keeping me intact right now might shatter the moment I see his face, especially his eyes for the last time.

I went out of his unit without looking back. Walked to the elevator as if someone was controlling my legs to move, to walk away from this place. I should have just hailed a cab and went home. But no, I walked and walked until my feet ached and I was drenched in the rain that started pouring.

Maybe I was crying, maybe I wasn't.

Maybe it wasn't my tears, maybe it was the raindrops.

I used to cringe at scenes like this in movies but now I understand how comforting rain is when someone is broken. Thought it was so overrated and it would only get them sick. But I get it now. It's like it washes down the numbing pain that's taking over my body. It's like the universe is grieving with me at the moment.

Arriving home was worse. I see him everywhere because, unlike his place where I don't have any of my things, he has things in here I don't know how I'll dispose of. I have Blackie's makeshift bed, treats, and food. I have his favourite caramel macchiato pods, snacks, and of course, the Alaskan Malamute plushie he gave me as a replacement for my corgi one.

I removed my clothes in the bathroom and stood under the shower. I slowly slid down on the floor as the pain slowly sank in. The pain was numbing as it crippled me. I clenched my chest hoping it would lessen it. It didn't.

A sob slipped past my lips. Then another. Then another.

I knew I built those walls for a reason. They were to protect me from this exact thing. But they have crumbled a long time ago. So here I am now paying the consequences of my lapse in judgment.

I didn't sign up to experience love in full circle. Not like this.