Chapter 26: Chapter 26

ROYCE

When I sat in the driver's seat, I noticed Nelly wiping her face. She didn't want to show it to me as she looked at the open window. "I'm listening, Nelly."

Only then did she shift on me. I smiled, hoping that it would assure her to let go of anything troubling her for a long time.

She took a deep breath. "When I was in high school, my brother used to bring me to a racing track because he thought I enjoyed it, which is true. He started teaching me how to drive, and I was a fast learner, as he has said. But mom and dad refused to let me drive my car. They hired a driver for me, and Mark couldn't protest because they insisted that it was for my safety." Nelly paused; she lowered her head and rubbed her hands together. I was about to reach out for her hands when she spoke again.

"I didn't understand why everything changed after the incident where I saw the car blow up. Mark and dad were in the car; I saw the car debris on the road after it blew up. I lost my brother, and my dad was left in a wheelchair. It changes our status. I was bullied in school..." Her voice was broken.

I wrapped my arms around her before she broke down. I felt her warm breath in my chest as I held her head. She whined like a child; she was suppressing her emotions and not screaming her tears out.

"Let it out, Nelly; I'm here." I stroke my fingers on her back, hoping she will find comfort with it. "Stop containing the emotion that's hurting you and keep you from defeating your fears. You need to let everything escape from your chest. It was two years ago."

I slowly unwrapped my arms around her and held her face. "We can do this; I'm here for you." Her eyes were reddened; I wiped the moisture off of them.

"Every time I'm in a fast car, the incident flashes in my head. It made me scared to drive again." She held her breath as she forcefully shut her eyes.

"Everything is in your head, Nelly. Let's try it now. You must believe that you can. I'll help you." When I trailed a finger in her cheek, she opened her eyes.

She nodded. "There's one more thing I have to confess."

"Go on."

"I had a bad experience while getting drunk before when I was still with Dennis. It was a bad experience that I've been meaning to get rid of in my head for years now. I'm sorry for acting strange when you invited me to have a drink. It's me; it's never you. Everything you do to me is just great, and I feel guilty for mistreating you almost all the time. You don't deserve it."

"Hush...I understand. Look, I may not know everything about your past, but rest assured that I am here willing to listen and would be happy to help you with all of this. You got me here, y; you're not alone."

"You are such a good man. Why me?" Nelly lowered her head as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Why not? I didn't ask to have someone like you, but you came, and I'm glad you did. You might see me at my best, but you had no idea what I'd been through before you came." I stopped myself from narrating my unfortunate past with my parents and lifted Nelly's face instead. Nelly's teary eyes looked at me, her orbs moving left to right.

"You came at the right time, and maybe I came to help you ease your pain and forget your past."

"Thank you. You're right; I should think I can do it again. I'm ready; let's do this," Nelly said as she wiped her tears away. Her face tightened in conviction; I saw a woman who believed in herself.

After we exchanged seats, I fixed her seatbelt. "Let's do this."

She nodded in response. She let out a long breath before she finally started the engine.

In the next 10 minutes, she was crying in my arms again. But this time, tears of joy as she finally conquered her fear. Nelly was able to take 3 turns in my car garage on her own. It was not a smooth ride, but she did it.

"Thank you," she said as she tightened her arms around me.

This could be the best "thank you" I've ever heard in my life. I rubbed her hair and sniffed it as she buried her head on my chest. We stayed this way for a while; my body heats up. I felt her luscious chest pressed on my midsection. I slowly unwrapped my arms around her, and she did the same.

I held Nelly's face; I was weak and had no strength to stop myself; I kissed her, my eyes closed, her lips were warm and soft. It lasted for seconds before our lips parted. Her eyes were closed, and I was tempted to do it again. Nelly jolted the second time I was assertive, but she didn't protest. My hand was on her waist and the other at the back of her head. We were both warm. My tongue trailed to enter her lips, and I succeeded. I played her tongue, and she reciprocated. I wanted to kiss her even more profoundly when she parted my lips.

We were panting; heavy breathing was the only noise heard inside the car. She touched her lips and lowered down her head. I held her chin. "I'm sorry, was I too fast?" She looked at me but refused to answer. I smiled and wrapped my arms around her again.

"I LOVE YOU, NELLY."

At 3 pm, the sun wasn't hot like usual; it was covered with gray clouds.

"Looks like it will rain anytime soon," I said, opening the car for her.

"Yeah, but no storm reported, maybe LPA. I'm not sure, not an expert," she said, beaming. Her laughter was like a piece of beautiful music in my ears. Contagious and wants me to keep tuning in with that music; I want to keep her that way, happy.

"Hey, what's this? Is this for me?" Nelly asked, holding a bouquet of flowers freshly picked from our garden.

"But of course, beautiful flowers, only for a beautiful woman like you. I personally picked them for you."

"Thanks. So sad we didn't have much time exploring your garden. I love flowers." Nelly said, sniffing at the red rose's petals."

"We will make sure we spend more time on our garden next time we visit here."

I decided to open my Mclaren 650 GT3 2016. "I like it this way," she said, her smile not leaving her lips. She raised her hands, celebrating like she had a victory.

"Nelly, you should wear your sunglasses. Even if the sun doesn't show, it's still not good for your eyes and skin. Have you put some sunblock on?"

"Yes, I always do. Sunblock is a must every day. That's what my dermatologist said before when I visited her."

"That's good. But don't you visit a dermatologist nowadays?" I said as I started the engine.

"No, I don't. I don't need derma anymore. There's a skincare routine I religiously follow, and it has worked for several years already, so I stick to it. The key is knowing your skin and trying what fits you. And besides, it would add up for my monthly expenses, no thanks." She turned away and looked to her right when we passed through the gate.

I nodded to the security who opened the gate for us, then focused on the road as I maneuvered to the left. I sped up when we finally hit the main road; the lane was wide and had no traffic jams. I looked at her when she shifted on me. The corner of her lips turned up, not the usual Nelina who was afraid of a fast car, fearful of her past. I smiled back at her. Today is the best day of my life, knowing I helped Nelly overcome her fear.

She removed her sunglasses, raised her hands, and closed her eyes. "Royce, can you feel that?"

"Feel what?" I chuckled, glancing at her and to the road, back and forth.

"The wind, the breeze," she said as she inhaled.

"I feel that too, but I can't spread my arms like that. I should be driving, right?"

She nodded, retrieving her arms, and grabbed her sunglasses. "Have you seen her?" she said as she put her sunglasses back.

"What, who?"

"I mean the woman leaning against her car. It was like a sports car parked right beside the wall near the gateway. She's tall, slim, has long dark brown hair, and beautiful."

"I didn't notice her; my eyes were on the road and you. In my eyes, you're the most beautiful." I said and slowed down. I trailed my fingers on her soft cheeks. Even if the wind was cold, her skin was warm to my touch, her cheeks flushed. She gave me a beautiful smile again. It wiped away the worries of who might be the woman she talked about. I shook away my thoughts and sped up fast again.