Chapter 25: Chapter 25

ROYCE

"Get up, lazy head," I said as I knocked on Nelly's door. The third time I called out her name and knocked on her door, I lifted my right arm to check my wristwatch; it said 7 am.

I shook my head, realizing she hadn't been awake at this time. My grannies trained me to be the successor of their company; I was used to getting up at 5 in the morning. They say the earlier you start your day, the better. In their younger years, they woke up even earlier than 5, and they have proven beneficial, especially for business. I'm used to this for many years already, though it was difficult at first. I needed to make a huge adjustment from the lazy boy habits to a successful routine and mindset. But I should say it was all worth it.

"Nelly, we should be starting the driving lesson by now. Nelly, wake up." Still no answer on the second call.

I was impatient when an idea came to mind. I went to the kitchen and asked for the duplicate key of Nelly's room. When I returned, I used the key to open Nelly's door without a second thought. I twisted the doorknob open and pushed the door.

There she is, sleeping sweet and sound. I slowly closed the door behind me to avoid her waking up. I changed my mind and just wanted to spend time with her while sleeping. I tiptoed close to her bed to avoid making a noise and then knelt beside her when I was close enough to touch her face. She was at the edge, easy for me to hold her, touch her lips and smell her skin.

The room was so quiet that I could hear her breathing rhythm. I watch her sleeping, face an inch closer to mine. I lifted her hair to have a clear sight of her beautiful face; her cheeks and lips resemble a color pinkish. I was tempted to stroke my fingers on her face; her face was soft and warm to the touch. "Nelly, Nelly?"

I was about to repeat her name when her eyelid moved, she slowly opened her beautiful eyes. "Hi, beautiful doll." She seemed to not hear anything; her eyes were stuck on my face.

"Good morning, lazy head," I said; I chuckled as I pinched her cheek like a child.

She jolted and blinked her eyes a few times. Her eyes widened; she must have realized that she was not alone in her room. She gripped the edge of the bed and pushed herself up. I helped her sit on the bed.

"You good?"

She nodded in response while she slapped her hand on her mouth.

"Hey, I just had a shower and brushed my teeth. I don't think I stink." I lifted a hand in front of my mouth; I took a long breath and smelled it myself. "I don't stink for sure," I said as I looked at her again.

She shook her head. "N-no, it's me," she said, her hand still on her mouth.

I sat on the bed, but she jolted and went down as fast as possible. She went directly to the comfort room and banged the door behind her. After a few minutes, she went out and seemed well; she beams at me, and then she sat on the sofa. I walked to her and sat opposite her when I noticed moisture on her face.

"Did you think that you stink early in the morning? That's why you covered your mouth? And you went to the bathroom and rinsed your mouth with mouthwash?"

She nodded as an answer, pressed her lips together like she was ashamed of it. "I also washed my face; I guess you shouldn't get to someone else's room early in the morning." Her voice was soft.

So I guessed it right. I thought Nelly was so cute, thinking she should appear beautiful and smell good whenever she's with me. She has no idea.

"You don't stink okay, stop that. You are beautiful and would always smell good when you're with me." I couldn't help but laugh.

She glared at me. "You think I'll forget what happened?" She snapped as he crossed her arms on her chest.

"What did I do now?" I said as I frowned at her sudden change of tone.

"Cut the act; why are you in my room?" Who let you in?" She paused when she seemed to remember something. "Oh, well, this is your house. But don't you think it's so ungentlemanly for someone like you to get in someone else's room? Where're your manners?"

"Sorry about that, but I had to." As I said it, her eyes narrowed as she seemed not to like what I said.

"But before you get mad even more. You have to know that I stood behind your door for almost 15 minutes, calling your name and knocking on your door. I was left with no choice but to get in your room. You said you want to practice early so that we can get back to Angeles City by afternoon."

Her eyes widened. "What time is it?" She looked at the wall clock and then slapped her hand on her mouth. "Oh God, I need to take a shower now. We should start by 9."

"We still have to take our breakfast before we start the lesson. I don't mind staying here tonight and being back in Angeles City by tomorrow if it would take you too long in the shower," I said nonchalantly.

"No," she said as she stood up. "I'll be fast."

Watching her go inside the bathroom again was entertaining.

After we had our breakfast, we went directly to the car garage. Outside the garage was an ample space where we could roam around and teach her how to drive. Our in-house mechanic had already parked the Toyota Land Cruiser 2014 that I requested for us to use in our first-day driving lesson.

"This was the last car my granny bought for us when they were both alive. They want me with them every time there are family events and special occasions. I can't say no, even though I want to drive independently." I grinned, reminiscing memories of my grannies.

"That's cute. You are all they got; they loved you so much. I think you had an awesome childhood."

"Yes, but not with my parents. My parents were never with me; I lost memories of them being parents to me." I swung my head and let go of those bad memories.

She looked into my eyes; sadness clouded her features. "At least you had your grannies. Let's appreciate what we have," Nelly said, then she lifted a corner of her lips.

My heart celebrated. I hadn't felt empathy from someone else besides my best friend for a long time. "Thank you. And I do appreciate what I have, especially what's in front of ME," I said, emphasizing the last word as I leaned over to her.

Her eyebrows drew together, and then she looked away. Nelly stepped back once and twice in the car, her back on it. I pinned her to the car. I leaned close to her hair, eyes closed.

"You smell so good."

"Can we start now?" She asked, startling as she rolled her eyeballs up to look at me. Her cheeks blushed.

I trailed my fingers on her cheeks. "Sure, I'll teach you the basics before we hop inside the car."

"I already know some basics; my brother used to teach me when I was in high school." She paused, pursed her lips, and looked away again. "To be honest, I already know how to drive. I don't know much about specs, but I can drive."

I held her hands and squeezed them. "Nelly, look at me." She refused to shift her head on me, so I had to do it for her. Her eyes were dim; tears formed on them; she held herself not to cry. The color drained out of her face; I felt her hands were cold and shivering.

"It's okay, I'm here. You're not alone. You can do this, Nelly." I gathered her hands and squeezed them together to infuse warmth on them.

She nodded in response. "I need to tell you something."

"I'm listening; let's get in the car first."