Versailles Series Book 9: The Lawyer [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 71

H E R A

"Are you warm enough, Hot-torney?"

I smirked at Enteng who was fixing my coat. "Do you know how funny that sounds?"

He stopped for a bit before smiling when he realised what he said. He pinched my cheeks until I swatted his hands away. "My girlfriend is being cute."

I bit my lip when he said 'girlfriend'. It feels surreal to be called that now especially with everything that has happened.

"Girlfriend? You two are back together?"

Sabay kaming napalingon nang marinig namin ang tinig ni Diosa. She was clad in winter wear just like Enteng and me. I seldom see her in pants but she looks equally graceful in them. Enchong had his arm around her waist as they walked towards us.

I nodded and placed my arms around Enteng's. "Yes. I think I found everything I'm looking for."

She clasped her hands and hugged us. "I'm so happy for you guys!"

"Is that why you're late? We were waiting for you guys." Enchong's face was blank like he was annoyed at us.

"Don't spoil their happiness, Enchong. Let them be."

Enteng and Enchong changed their minds and decided that we just take trains as we tour each of the cities. Being one of the biggest banks in the world with headquarters in Switzerland, they have properties in each of the cities and that's where we will be staying.

The first place we went to in Zurich was the Lindt chocolate factory. Enchong and I stayed behind our partners as we watched them go crazy over the chocolates.

"You're not a fan of sweets too?"

Enchong shrugged. "I can eat one or two." He tipped his chin towards Enteng. "He has the tastebuds of a four-year-old. He always loved sweets since we were young. It's a miracle he isn't diabetic yet."

"Can you believe how much caramel macchiato he drinks?"

He shook his head. "He loves drinking shit coffee that's what."

"Oh, a purist. I like mine cold and unsweetened."

"With Diosa with me most of the time, I had to stock my fridge with cakes or some pastries to eat with her tea. Good thing Javier makes some for her because she gets cravings in the weirdest times and places."

I grinned. "Have you ever been bothered by your differences in taste? Personalities?"

"No. Never. I'd like it to stay that way. I wouldn't want it any other way."

"Enteng told me how similar you were when you were young. With Diosa with you, will little Enchong make a re-appearance?"

Enchong sighed as we walked and followed Enteng and Diosa to the next station of the tour. "I have been like this for years, Hera. It isn't as easy to just revert to that younger version of me. I may have forgotten to be like that."

I nodded. "I used to be a fun kid too. My biological father became an alcoholic and eventually, he started abusing me and my mother. He sucked the life and happiness out of me. I get it when you say that it isn't easy to revert to that previous version. It comes out now and then. Enteng makes me do some of the things I usually did."

"Diosa and Enteng, they bring out the children in us. All the fun and excitement we felt we were deprived of when we grew up, they compensate for that. They make our lives brighter somehow. Don't tell my twin I said that."

I chuckled. "He won't let you live that down."

"I know I haven't said this and I don't need to but I want to thank you for giving Enteng another chance. When I think about his match, I envision a strong but affectionate woman. Strong enough to keep up with his antics and affectionate enough to show him the same amount of love he showers everybody."

I tapped his shoulder. "You're a good brother, Enchong. I think Enteng knows how much you look after him."

We smiled at each other before turning towards Enteng and Diosa who were still busy with chocolate samples and discussing their ideas with each other.

After our chocolate escapade, we went into the Christmas markets where I bought a lot of stuff for my parents. When we got home, we had a sweet and savoury fondue. Diosa thought that we could share rooms for the night much to the guys' dismay.

After both of us showered, we put on face masks and lay on the bed to wait for a few minutes. I've never had this kind of relaxation before. Diosa pulls me from work sometimes to go to a spa or salon. I indulge her just because she's not in the country most of the time and she's really a great company.

I never thought I'd enjoy her presence because of the differences in our personalities. With Enteng, it's different because he's the love of my life. With Diosa, it's like finding a soul sister. Despite being a happy bubble, her life is full of sad and tragic stories.

"How did you stop your bad experience from darkening your life and perspective?" I asked, my eyes closed because of the masks on our faces.

"I knew that was their goal, Hera. If I let myself spiral down, I am helping them win. It sounds easier than doing it every day, believe me. But I make sure to choose myself whenever I wake up and when people try to break me."

"I wish I was as strong as you."

"We both are, Hera. It doesn't look the same but we are." I felt her hand on mine. She intertwined our fingers and I felt my heart jolt. "I have a feeling that we're going to spend a lot of time together. I want you to know that you can be safe and vulnerable with me. I hope one day you can tell me your secrets and stories you don't tell Enteng. I have sisters but I never really had sisters if you know what I mean. I feel like I have one when I'm with you. You are not as scary as people make you out to be. You're cool."

"I can be that, Diosa. We can have each others' backs if you want."

I felt her squeeze my hand. "I'd like that."

I sighed. "What do you think the guys are doing now?"

"Not drinking I suppose. When Enteng stopped drinking, Enchong gradually stopped drinking too."

"Wh-why would he do that?"

"Because you're family, dummy. He knew of my traumas and all that. When Enteng told him about what made him stop hoarding and drinking bourbon, he understood."

"I never knew that."

"That's my man."

"I thought you weren't dating yet?"

Diosa chuckled. "It's a secret but I guess I slipped."

"Enteng will lose his mind."

"Hindi pa ba?"

We laughed and even after the masks had dried up, we were up talking about anything under the sun. I slept with a smile on my face knowing I not only had a new soul sister, but a great brother-in-law too.