Chapter 9
"Thank you everyone! See you again tomorrow! Please don't forget to do your little homework!" muling pagpapaalala ko sa kanila. Nilingon ko naman kaagad si Adeline na nag-aayos ng gamit niya. Binuksan ko muli ang message ni Cashel sa akin saka ko pinuntahan si Adie sa kanyang table. "Adie, can we talk?"
Her expression suddenly turned worried. "J'ai fait quelque chose de mal, Mademoiselle?" (Did I do something bad, miss?)
Agad akong umiling sa tanong niya. Gano'n ba ang tingin niya sa akin? But I know she won't need to worry about me. Kilala ko ang kuya niya and it seems like she's my little sister too.
"No, Adie. You didn't do something wrong," paglilinaw ko sa kanya saka ko hinawakan ang balikat niya para pakalmahin ang kanyang nararamdaman. She must be feeling thrilled right now. Siya lang kasi ang nilapitan ko bukod sa ibang students na umaalis na at sinasalubong ng kanilang mga magulang. "Your kuya message me earlier and I would like for you to know it."
Tumango lamang siya sa akin at pinatong sa kanyang lap ang kanyang bag. She's too precious and fragile. I'm also wondering kung bakit silang dalawa ni Cashel ang magkasama. Cashel's too busy with his so-called-job at feeling ko hindi na niya minsan natutuunan ng pansin ang kapatid niya. He's too fond of his fame, claiming all of his sponsors, and the money. Inaaasa niya lahat sa house helper nila which isn't good pero kung iyon ang ginagawa niya, I can't be against it.
"Your kuya asked if I could go with you back home? Your house helper took an emergency leave raw kasi. Would that be fine, Adie?" I creased my forehead and hoping that she'll be okay with the idea of it. Pero kung hindi siya pumayag, kasalanan 'to ni Cashel dahil pinipilit niya ang sitwasyon. On the other hand, I feel like Adie won't be that much of a girl who will push me away. She's kind and pretty and so active in my class.
"Oui," she confirmed her excitement by nodding furiously.
"Tres bien, Adie," I gently rub her hand. "Wait for me okay? I'll just prepare my things and then I'll sign out." (Very well, Adie.)
I quickly headed back to my desk to clean it out and grabbed my stuff. Hindi ko na naman inartehan at binilisan ko ang pagkilos ko. Ayokong paghintayin si Adie sa akin. It only took me a few minutes saka sabay na kaming lumabas ni Adie ng room. I had to sign out fast and we both walked out of the building. She seems fine and doesn't worry about anything at all.
When Adie's service driver meets us halfway, kinuha niya 'yong bag ni Adie at pinagbuksan din naman kami ng pinto nito. He didn't ask kung bakit ako kasama ni Adie ngayon. Siguro naman ni-relay na ni Cashel sa kanyang driver kung anong gagawin ko.
As we settled inside the car, may kinuha si Adie sa gilid niya at inabot niya sa akin iyon. It is a piece of a chocolate minibar.
"Pour toi," she offered and I gladly took it from her. (For you.)
"Oh wow! Merci beaucoup, Adie. I appreciate it so much," I said. I didn't really expect that Adie will be too comfortable around me. I guess, she just knows how my relationship with his brother and being her teacher differs from a situation. Though, hindi naman ako nababahala. Adie doesn't really do anything wrong and she's nice to me. (Oh, wow! Thank you so much, Adie!)
Most kids hated me for being the extrang palaka in some of the shows I made back home. Kung hindi kasi leading leady, kontrabidang extra pa ang mabibigay sa akin. Though I don't mind people saying stuff to me, mas nakaka-attract ng attention ang bashers.
Also, Adie didn't bother to ask where would their house helper be going. It would be my second time heading back to their apartment. Their place is immaculate. The dream apartment for me, I guess. It has the perfect view, it's near my work, and especially, it has an elevator. Oh, God! I wish we had those in my building too!
It also doesn't take us too long when we reach their place. As we jumped out of the car, the driver left us so he could park the car in the right place. And I'm wondering now how many drivers and cars he has? Para namang sobra sobra na sa kanya ang tatlong sasakyan na mamahalin pa ang brand. Pero hindi na ako magtataka kung sponsored din ang mga iyon. Cashel is quite exquisite with his things. Normally, hindi siya 'yong taong picky but then whatever the intention is, dapat maganda ang resulta no'n. And I think what he's trying to do with me now, he's starting to throw a pity party to me.
Sabay na kaming pumasok na ni Adie. I send Cashel a message na nakarating na kami sa apartment pero hindi siya nagreply. I'm not sure kung anong pinagkakaabalahan no'n ngayon. I just hope he's not making out with anyone right now. Sa akin na siya ngayon. Ako na lang dapat ang lalaplap ng labi niya. It was our deal, our agreement kaya hindi siya pwedeng lumandi sa ibang babae or that will blow our fake show. Or if he really meant it, hindi siya gagawa na ikapapahamak naming dalawa.
I trust him on this so sana hindi nga talaga ako nagpauto sa kanya.
Adie and I took the elevator. Mabilis lang din naman at nakarting din kami sa penthouse. Cashel hasn't replied to me yet kaya hindi ko alam kung hanggang anong oras ako mananatili rito. I have to cancel my plans with Victor tonight. Mag-shopping pa naman kaming dalawa but I guess we have to postpone it once again.
When we entered the room, Adie and I were attended by their house helper. And an unfamiliar smell that made my stomach growls.
"Salut," she greeted. Mabilis din naman niyang inasikaso si Adie. Kinuha niya ang gamit nito habang gulong-gulo naman ang isip ko sa nangyayari ngayon. "Voulez-vous que je vous aide, Madame?" (Hello! Do you need some help, ma'am?)
Umiling ako sa sinabi niya. "Non, mais merci!" (No, but thanks!)
"Attendez-moi Mademoiselle, je vais juste changer de vêtements," Adie said and she immediately run towards her room. (Wait for me, miss. I'm just going to change my clothes.)
Idinala naman ako ng kanilang house helper sa living room. She even insisted if I needed anything or something that will make my time. Titig na titig pa ako sa kanya. If I'm not mistaken, Cashel told me that she has an emergency so she had to leave early pero anong ganap ang meron ngayon? Did I just misread his message or inuuto na naman ako ng lalaking 'yon?
"Uhm... can I ask a question?" pagtawag ko sa house helper at saka niya ako nilingon sabay ngiti ang binungad niya sa akin. "Uh, I'm sorry, I didn't get to know your name, would you mind telling me?"
She shakes her head. "Bien sûr que ça ne me dérange pas. I'm Salve. Corprews house helper." (Of course, I don't mind.)
"Ah, okay. Enchantee, Salve. Though I've been here before, I didn't get to meet you. It's nice to see you here though. But... Cashel told me you had to leave because you have an emergency to attend to. Did I get it wrong or not?" (Nice to meet you, Salve.)
Kumunot ang mukha niya. Sabi na nga ba e. Ako ang nauto no'ng lalaking 'yon. If Salve has emergency stuff, wala na dapat siya rito and she seems fine. Wala siyang inaalala sa kung anong ginagawa niya ngayon. She even wanted to serve me even though I wasn't the priority.
"Je n'ai pas," Salve answered but still concluded co much confusion in my face. "Sir Cashel just told me to prepare some dinner for his girlfriend and I guess that's you, Madame." (I don't know.)
"Oh, s'il te plait, call me Cosette. Cosy or Et-et would be fine. I don't really mind." (Oh, please... and-and.)
She nodded wilfully. "Sure, Ma'am... I mean, Cosette."
I cheered for it when she mentioned my name. "That's great! Uh, do you also have an idea where Cashel would be home? He's not answering my messages or calls e."
"He only told me that he's going somewhere and then prepare something for you and Adeline," she said. "Do you need anything now? Water? Juice? Anything you would like to eat? If you already smell it before you came in, Boeuf bourguignon is ready to serve you."
"Should we wait for Cashel to get home?"
"We can but I think he's going to come home late. Well, most of the time he when he has too much appointment. I'll call Adie to join with you on the table, okay?"
I nodded at her. "Sure, merci!"
"Pas de problème, Cosette," she said and then left me on the couch to check Adie in her room. (No, problem!)
I send Cashel a message again pero wala pa rin siyang response sa akin. Saglit lang din ng tinawag ako na ako ni Salve at dali dali rin naman akong sumunod sa kanila papunta sa dining area. I'm fascinated how much spacious it is. Parang wala pa ata sa kalahati ng room ko ang dining area niya. Parang pinagsama na 'yon para sa akin. Maliit lang ang kitchen area ko then sa paligid no'n ay ang dining table na but I guess having money and sponsors simply living a life like a Billionaire.
I saw Adie settling on the chair prepare by Salve.
"Please, feel at home, Cosette," she said and her tone makes me really feel at home.
"Merci, Salve," I giggled. (Thanks, Salve!)
I joined Adeline at the table and then we watch Salve prepares what we'll be eating. Salve puts a plate of crepe on in front of Adie while she put the platter of the dish, I couldn't remember the name, now in front of me.
I creased my forehead and looked at Salve. "Won't Adie be having the same food as I'll have? I mean, this is too much for me. Why don't you join us, Salve? Eat with us."
"No, you guys have it alone," she said.
"And I can't have the boeuf bourguignon, it has wine," Adie said as she started devouring her crepe. She almost quite made a mess in her mouth.
"She's right," Salve giggled. "It is a staple dish for most of the restaurant here in Paris but I've learned to cook it when I was still living in the East of France. I've had my own recipe for it but mostly boeuf bourguignon is a stew made from braised beef, a half cup of red wine, beef broth, and notable vegetables such as mushroom and pearl onions. It is good while it is still warm. I made so hopefully it's good for you too."
"I'm sure it will be," I warmly gave her a smile. "Ne voulez-vous pas nous rejoinder?" (Don't you want to join us?)
She came to me and held my shoulder. "Merci, ma cherie. Bon appétit." (Thank you, dear. Eat well.)
I bow my head. I didn't why I did that but that somehow made her smile.
Iniwan kami ni Salve sa dining area at kaming dalawa lang ni Adie ang kumakain ngayon.
"Adie," I called her and she keeps eating. "Have you had any idea where could be your brother now?"
She shakes her head. Of course, the usual response. "I don't know..."
"Oh, okay, that's fine." I scrunched my nose and sipped on my glass of water. "So do you speak tagalog?"
"Un peu," sagot nito sa akin. (A little.)
"But you're speaking English fluently, too. Who decided for you to go to school and learn English? You know what, I'm fascinated by you and your brother. Y'all are multilingual. Both can speak English, Tagalog, and French at the same time. I mean, I can be multilingual too but I'm not really fluent in French so that's it... how about you?"
"Kuya," she answered then take a bite of her crepe. "Il veut que je parle plus couramment."
"I see, I mean, at a young age, you're quite good at everything," I complimented.
"Merci beaucoup," she sang it happily. (Thank you so much!)
"Bien sûr," I giggled. "And oh, remember we have homework? Do you want me to help you with it? In case you might need some help?" (Of course.)
She furiously nodded at me. "J'adorerais!" (I would love it!)
"Tres bien! We should finish our dinner first before we proceed on doing it, okay?" (Very well!)
We continued eating our dinner. Adie shared her crepe with me so I can taste how Salve made it and I think it's the tastiest, delicious crepe I've here eaten. I'm also wondering how special the dish Salve made for me. Isang message la ni Cashle ay naghanda na agad siya ng kakaibang putahe. I think I wouldn't forget the taste of it. Nanunuot talaga ang sarap no'n. Hopefully, I can learn to cook it too.
When we finished, Salve attended us to clean the table for us. Ang sabi ko pa, tulungan ko siya sa paghuhugas ng pinggan o kaya naman punasan ang lamesa but she insist that I should be with Adie. As I've comfortably roamed around their house, Cashel's little sister and I walked into her room and started helping her do her homework.
It is actually not hard, she just needs to translate french words to English in its correct spelling. I mean, that's already hard enough for them when they didn't grow up in an English household.
Nakaupo si Adie sa kanyang mini study table while I'm sitting next to her. When she couldn't understand it, I'd help her. Hindi ko naman agad binigay ang sagot baka sabihin ng iba ko etudiants, dinadaya ko na sila.
"Does your brother helps you with your homework, Adie?" I asked out of nowhere.
"Sometimes," sagot nito sa akin. "He's not home most of the time and we play together when I don't have homework and when he comes home early. But I don't mind what he's doing, it's his life...."
"Yeah, it is his life. But I hope your brother knows what he's doing right now."
Tinigil niya ang pagsagot sa kanyang homework at tiningnan niya ako. Her face scrunching with full of questions in it.
"What do you mean by that?"
Ako ang na-confuse sa kanya.
"No, I don't mean anything. I just hope that your brother knows his priority. Him, coming home late might not be a good thing but don't be confused about it. Concern lang ako sa inyong dalawa."
"That's okay... I mean, kuya never bring any girl in the house before."
"Oh, really? So was I the first one?" I asked. She nodded confirming it. "So, where are your parents? Do you have any other siblings?"
"Just me and my kuya," she said. "They're in Lyon in Beaujolais."
"I see... that's. But what made you come here with your brother?"
"Uh... Pouvez-vous m'apporter un verre d'eau?" Adie requested. (Uh... can you bring me a glass of water?)
I nodded quickly and stood up from my chair. "Sure, I'll be right back."
I walked out of her room and then headed to the kitchen where I can get a glass of water for Adie. Habang pabalik naman ako sa kwarto ni Adie, naagaw naman ng isang frame na kasabit sa wall. I leaned closer to see it closely at doon ko lang na-realize na family picture pala nila iyon.
They were standing in a vineyard. Cashel and Adeline were there together with--I'm not sure but must be their parents. I may not know Cashel at all but I'm interested to know him more deeply and might be affectionate? But I'm not sure how long our fake show would last. I just hope it won't hurt me at the end of the day.
"Mademoiselle!" Adie shouted and I hurriedly get back to the room and gives the glass of water to her. (Miss!)
Maybe, our fake show isn't a bad idea after all.
***
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