Chapter 28: Chapter 28

NELINA

I agreed to visit Royce's company after work and spare at least 30 minutes viewing his office in the evening. Royce's white Mercedes Benz 2016 parked in front of the salon when we agreed. Thank God Nelly was out of the office late in the afternoon, or else there would be many questions for Royce and me.

When we got in the car, Royce handed me a bouquet of Tulip's red roses with a card.

"Thank you," I said, retrieving the card. It reads, "Nelina, KNOW THAT I CARE ABOUT YOU." I swallowed a lump in my throat as I looked at him; Royce winked at me as he started the engine then drove off, which didn't help my tense hands. I squeeze the bouquet a little to ease my tension.

In the next 10 minutes, we were on the 8th floor; Royce's office was located. It was not an office hour anymore; all employees had left, so the place was quiet. He gathered my right hand as we walked out of the elevator. I didn't protest and let him guide me. His touch sent tingling in my hands, and it felt weightless as he swayed it back and forth.

"This is where my staff work, IT department, social media department, marketing, and finance." He pointed in every area designated for different departments. It has a cubicle for every employee spacious enough for them to work.

"This is just an extension office created when my grandpa was gone, and uncle Philip has to manage this. By that time, I wasn't focusing on the company yet; I was at the peak of my racing career. Eventually, I decided to give my best to this company and my uncle. Philip believes that I'm ready to take charge just recently."

I nodded every time he motioned his hand in a different direction.

"Nice, minimalist, easy on the eyes, and the place is fine." The office motif was a combination of midnight black, gray, and white. The whole office was surrounded by glasses where they could view outside the building.

"I personally chose the motif of the office. I don't want it to be disturbing to our employees. I want them to focus on their job."

"I think this was a wise choice of color."

He grinned. "It's delightful to hear that from you."

I shrugged my shoulders and continued walking next to Royce; I smelled his perfume, his favorite one. We passed the cubicle spaces and their little canteen, where they get to take a break, have coffee and little snacks. A few steps away was a massive door where it said MEETING HALL.

"That's where we get to meet with the board and even with our social media department, marketing, and finance department. Basically, all-company meetings, we held them there. Behind that door used to be my playground when I was a kid. After my grandpa's meeting, he'll let me in." His eyes sparkled.

"That's cute; you really had beautiful memories with him." I was happy seeing how he valued those memories with his grandpa.

He nodded.

"But that's not the place I've longed to show you." His whole face lit up, and then he grabbed my hand again. We reached the last door where it says CEO, and we walked into a vast room. It has the same motif as the outside. The wall was white, and most of the furniture was black. It has a portrait painting hung on the left wall; it was his grandparents. His table and chair were in the rear, center part of the office. At the right, there was a set of black leather couches.

He pulled me on the couch, and I sat beside him, facing each other. "Nelly, can we talk about us?"

I froze hearing the last two words. About us?

"I'm sorry, I have to bring this up. I want to assure you that I am certain of how I feel about you. You don't have to say anything if you don't feel like it."

"Thank you."

"I love you, my little doll."

"Do you really have to keep saying that? You said you won't force me to say anything."

"I'm not forcing you, not unless you want to reciprocate. That's all up to you," Royce said the last line as he leaned on me. His breath was fanning on my face.

I rolled my eyes, stood up, and walked straight to the door. The audacity of this man. It was kind of cute, though. I hid a smile from him.

He followed, swiveled me to face him, and pinched my cheek. "I love those red cheeks."

I glared at him. He chuckled and pinched my chin. "Okay, let's go, baby doll. I don't want my baby mad at me."

As he was about to start to maneuver the car, he paused and looked at me.

"Could you accompany me to my grandfather's grave to bring him flowers and light a candle? Just 30 minutes," he said, pleading. With his deep black eyes staring right into mine. How could I say no?

It took us 15 minutes before we got to the cemetery from the office to the flower shop to buy flowers for his grandpa. The mausoleum was massive; it allocated space for chairs and a small center table. Royce lit a scented candle and stayed silent for the next few minutes. I respected his privacy and gave him a solemn moment while praying, and waited for another 5 minutes before we left.

"I'm sorry I can't have dinner with you anymore. I promised mom to eat with them tonight. I was away for 2 days, so I feel like spending more time with those two," I said, beaming. But a pinch of pain in my heart aroused, knowing he would be having dinner alone at his condo.

"I understand, maybe next time," he said as he leaned over and unbuckled my seatbelt. I sniffed the musky smell of his scent, pleasing to my nose.

"Maybe"

"You're good," he said, unbuckling my seatbelt. Corners of his mouth widen, revealing his pair of white teeth, my favorite, not the wicked smirk he'd love to show whenever he wants to tease me.

I nodded a little and pursed my lips together while locking stares with Royce. My heart was racing even from the start he leaned over to me. Royce lifted a hand and softly trailed a thumb on my cheek.

"Nelly, I love you. I really do."

I didn't know what to say. It took a few seconds before I uttered a word.

"Royce," I responded with almost a whisper.

He smiled and trailed a finger on my cheek again. "I understand; I'm sorry if this may seem so fast. I know this is hard for you. When I first met you, I was scared to venture, but eventually, I knew you're different."

"I don't know how to start again."

"Let's take this slow. Hold my hand; we'll get there," Royce said as he gathered my hands and squeezed them.

"Now, let me take you home."

"No, no, no need. I have to go; I'm so late for dinner."

"Okay, next time, I'll go with you and bring your mom some flowers."

I nodded. Royce alighted and came to my door and opened it.

"Thank you, Royce," I said, smiling.

"You're welcome; I'll take you home next time, okay?"

I shrugged my shoulders and walked away. I was in the lobby when I heard footsteps following me.

"Nelly, wait."

I frowned and turned around to check why he followed. I saw him holding the flowers he gave me.

He tilted his head and handed me the bouquet of flowers. "You left this. You sure you don't want me to take you to your unit?"

On the verge of saying no, I saw my devilish enemies enter the lobby. When Lexie spotted me, she elbowed her two friends, and they both shifted in our direction. The three of them were glaring at us.

"I've changed my mind. Can you take me home?"