Versailles Series Book 9: The Lawyer [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 67

H E R A

I'm downstairs. Come down whenever you're ready.

Tumingala ako nang may marinig akong bumuntong-hininga sa may pinto ng opisina ko. Nakasandal doon si Irene at Karina habang nakatunghay sa akin.

"Dati akala ko masungit si Attorney."

"Ngayon, ngumingiti na."

I stood up and fixed my things. "How's the dating life?"

"Ganoon pa rin, Attorney. Malas yata talaga ako sa dating apps. Naubos ko na iiyung nasa area. I think, magre-relocate na ako sa Europe."

Napanganga si Karina sa sinabi ni Irene. "Ang layo ah. Bakit Europe?"

Nagkibit-balikat ito. "Kung sex na lang ang option ko, bakit hindi pa doon sa mawawasak ako."

I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing out loud.

"Gaga ka!" Hinampas nito ng mahina si Irene. "Isama mo ako."

Napailing-iling ako sa dalawa. I walked out of my office with them in front of me. "I can't offer you any advice on that, sorry."

"Basta ba masaya ang lovelife mo, Attorney."

I stopped by their cubicles and looked at the flowers that came from Enteng's bouquet today. "It is. I haven't thanked you guys for helping me. Why don't we get some dinner with Enteng one time?"

"Basta ba libre niyo, Attorney."

I smiled and nodded. "Of course." I glanced at my phone and saw Enteng's stream of emojis. "Naiinip na ang sundo ko. I'll go ahead."

They waved at me and made my way to the elevator. As expected, Enteng was sitting in one of the lounge chairs waiting for me. He immediately looked up and smiled at me. He gave me the kiss of the day on my forehead before giving me a tight hug.

"I'll never get tired of your scent, Hot-torney."

"I just hope they don't stop manufacturing my shampoo and soap then."

"I like your natural scent too, baby. Shall we?"

He got my satchel from me as we made our way out to the parking on the other side of the road when I spotted a man underneath one of the trees. Blood furiously ran through my veins and my eyes started to see red. How many years has it been since I last saw his face, a younger version of what I am seeing now? He definitely aged. I never visited him when he got in jail. Never even thought about it.

"Anak..."

"Wala kang karapatang tawagin akong anak." I clenched my fist, hoping it could rein the anger I am feeling now.

I started walking away from him only for him to block my way. I felt myself pulled back until Enteng's back was in front of me.

He looked up at Enteng who was way taller than him. "Sino ka ba? Gusto ko lang kausapin si Heraclea."

Enteng didn't speak even as my father looked up at him. He squeezed my hand as if that would help comfort me and calm me down.

"Umalis ka na." Sabi ko. My voice was flat but anger laced it and I hope it hit him like he did with me when I was young.

"Anak...alam kong galit ka pa sa akin. Ang tagal na kitang pinapanood at sinusundan. Anak, patawarin mo ang tatay. Nagbago na ako. Bumalik na kayo sa akin ng nanay mo. Hindi ko na kayo sasaktan." That's what he always said before he hit us again before the scars even fade, even before the broken bones heal.

I walked in front of Enteng and I am thankful he let me. He remained close enough that I could still feel his warmth behind me.

"Ang tatay lang na kilala ko ay si Tatay Ferdie. Nawalan ka na ng karapatan mula noong sinaktan mo kami ni nanay. Ikaw ang sumira ng buhay ko. Ng buhay namin. Kung ako ang papipiliin, dapat habang-buhay kang makulong. Wala ka ng lugar sa buhay namin kahit na anong pagbabago ang ginawa mo sa buhay mo. Kinalimutan ka na namin at wala ka ng magagawa para makapasok ulit sa buhay namin."

"Anak-"

"Huwag ka ng magpapakita sa amin ni nanay. Bumalik ka na lang kung saan ka nanggaling." I looked at Enteng and he immediately placed his arms around my shoulders. "Tara na." I gave the man I once looked up as the greatest man in the world one last time before turning back and walking with Enteng to the parking lot.

I remained silent in my seat as Enteng went to a drive-thru, probably to get us dinner, until we stopped in front of his house. We went inside his house with his hand on the small of my back. He let me sit on the couch and then kneeled in front of me. My hands were in his as he tipped my chin to make me look at him.

"I know you're not okay. I...let me know what you need. If you want space, I'll give you that. I'll leave you here-"

I hugged him tight and tucked my face in his neck. My eyes warmed and tears started flowing out. I felt Enteng sigh and rise up to fix our position until he was the one sitting on the couch with me on his lap. His hand caressed my back as I poured my heart out.

"He didn't have the right to show himself to me, Enteng. Or to Nanay. He lost his right years ago." He wiped my face with a soft tissue paper and made me blow my nose. "He used to be this amazing father, you know. We weren't rich but I was proud of him. Lagi ko siyang pinagmamalaki sa eskwelahan noon. Pero sinaktan niya kami, Enteng. Hanggang ngayon naiisip ko pa rin ang mga pasa at sugat na binigay niya sa amin ni Nanay. Hindi mabubura ng panahon lahat ng nagawa niya. Hindi ko siya mapapatawad kahit lumuhod siya."

He leaned his forehead on my temple and hugged me from the side. "You don't have to forgive him if you don't want to, Hera. You have all the valid reasons to be angry at him. No one deserves to be hurt in their own home. No daughter deserves to be broken by her father."

"Sabi nila, wala akong utang na loob sa ama ko. Na kung hindi dahil sa kaniya, wala ako sa mundo. Na binuhay niya ako kahit papaano. Hindi nila alam ang sakit...ang takot. Bawat gabi, hindi namin alam kung matutulog ba kami dahil sa sobrang sakit o kung pasa ba kami kinabukasan. Hindi pa nila naranasan mabuhay sa takot, Enteng."

"They don't have a say in your life and your emotions, Hera. If you are angry at him, nothing they'll say matters. If you are still hurting from what he did, then let your heart grieve, and be angry. It's part of the process, my love. And there's no definite timeline in moving on."

"I don't want him in my life anymore, Enteng."

"Then he won't." He turned my face towards him. "I'm sorry if at some point I managed to hurt you and break your heart like he did. I realize more now how valuable another chance with you is. I won't waste it. I know I'm promising you so much at this point and you are still in the process of building your trust with me, but I want you to know that I am not your father. I won't hurt you like he did. Especially like that." His hand brushed the skin on my forearms.

"I'm sorry our date night got ruined. I didn't know he'd show up."

His fingers slowly stroked my cheek. "I'm happy I was there with you. I couldn't imagine your state if I wasn't." He brushed the strands of my hair from my face. "I'll heat up the burgers."

I nodded. "I'll wash up."

He kissed my forehead again. "I love you, Hera." I love you too, Enteng. My words stayed at the tip of my tongue as he immediately turned back and walked away to prepare our food.