Chapter 32: Chapter 32

NELINA

I rolled in bed when I noticed the light was on. Mom was probably here. I grabbed my phone from the bedside table when an excruciating pain cramps in my head. I pulled my hair tight, trying to ease the pain. As I checked my phone, it said 9 in the morning.

"Thank God, I'm having a day off today." I turned off the light, tucked in my blanket, and slept again. This is one of those rare times, having a long break from work.

I was woken up by my phone's ringtone. "Who's that?" I mumbled to myself, pissed off for disturbing my sleep.

Upon checking my phone, it said MARICA. I swiped the screen to answer, then put it on speaker mode.

"Hello dear? How's your head? I was woken up with one of the worst headaches."

"Same here...my head hurts like hell. What are you doing now?"

"I'm still in bed; I woke up to your call. I think I need medicine," I said as I rolled out of bed.

"I'm going out and finding some medicine. How about you? Have you had some meds?"

"Yes, I asked them to prepare a chamomile tea for me. This is what I usually drink every time I have a hangover, and it always works," Marica said, and then she sipped her tea.

"Marica, I wish you had sent me some of that; this pain is unbearable," I said, pulling my hair.

But instead of help, I heard her say. "Besty, happy birthday!!!"

"Thank you, besty, you were the first to greet me."

"Yes, as always. By the way, where's your mom?"

"Mom is usually in the kitchen by this time. But she was probably here earlier because when I woke up, the light was on. Why are you asking?"

"Well, just checking on them. I hope your parents had a good time at our victory party. Mom and dad were happy to meet them again as it's been a long time since they haven't spent time together."

"But of course, I am confident they did have a good time. Mom and dad had to go home earlier than the other guests as dad couldn't stay late at night. Marica, I hope you understand."

"Don't be sorry, I understand. And besty, enjoy your birthday with your parents now, and tomorrow is our Palawan vacation. I'm so excited. How about you?"

"Of course I am; I can't wait to get out of the cage. Feel the sea breeze, swim, dive, and body massage in the evening," I said, closing my eyes. It was like experiencing the old days when we took a vacation as a family.

"God, that's what I'm talking about. Don't worry, I'll make sure we get to experience those things on our holiday."

"Yes, please. But for now, I need to find medicine; maybe we should talk later."

"Sure, feel well."

Last night's victory party got me so drunk that I lost track of how many shots I took. Marica let me enjoy the night since she promised to give me a day off, especially since it's my birthday. I don't even remember when was the last time I was drunk. That's why last night hit me hard. I didn't regret drinking to celebrate our victory with the whole team.

I walked out to the kitchen, looking for mom. "Mom? Mom? Where are you?"

"Yes, what's wrong?"

"Mom, my headache is terrible. I got drunk last night; I had too much alcohol when you and dad left," I said, sitting on the couch.

"Don't worry about it; Marica told me about it. So I expected you to enjoy yourself with your colleagues and drink. I sneaked into your room early in the morning, but you were asleep, so I didn't disturb you. I was supposed to greet you. I had a mini cake for you. Happy birthday, sweetheart," she said, softly rubbing my cheek.

"Thank you, mom. Where's dad?" I said as I gathered and squeezed her hand.

"He's in the room; I'll get him later. Just sit here, and I'll find some meds for you."

"Mom, Marica said tea would be good for a hangover."

"Yes, I'll give you ginger tea; it would help."

"Okay, thanks, mom."

I sat on the couch while waiting for my tea. A minute later, I was supine, looking up at the white ceiling. As I tried to recall what happened last night, a man's image emerged.

"You again?" I whisper to myself. Did Royce was at the party last night? I think I saw him last night. I shook my head and sat upright; I frowned, trying to remember if Royce was there. I don't think he was on our guests' list.

"Nelly, here's your tea," she said as she handed me a cup of tea, holding a mini cake in the other hand.

"Mommy, thanks for this tea and for that cute cake. You are the sweetest."

"You're welcome, sweetheart. I'll call your dad so that we can sing you a happy birthday song for you."

I nodded, then sipped on my tea. Hoping to ease the pain in my head. I wasn't proud of the face I made after the first sip. It doesn't taste good, although mom probably put some lemon and honey. I don't drink tea; I'm a coffee person. But for my hangover, I have to.

I stopped between sipping the tea and realized that our place was quiet. This is my second year celebrating my birthday without my brother. We used to go big every year, inviting lots of guests, especially my friends and dad's business associates. My brother Mark treats me extra special since I'm his only sister. He is the sweetest man next to dad. I wiped my eyes, realizing moisture was forming on the side, and glanced up to the ceiling to stop the tears from falling.

It was when mom and dad entered the living room. Dad was in the wheelchair; his smile reached his eyes as they approached. Thank God he's fine now. After being admitted for 3 days to the hospital, we were able to check out on Tuesday.

"Hey, dad." I came close to him and hugged him right when the wheelchair stopped beside my couch. I squeezed his hand as our eyes met.

"'I'm so happy seeing you smile, dad; that's your birthday gift to me." Although it wasn't an open lips smile, Dad improved by lifting a corner of his mouth.

He nodded his head a little as his way of responding to me.

"Alright, sweetheart, we'll sing you a song. Happy birthday to you...Happy birthday to you. Mom continued holding the pink mini cake with a foundation shape at the top. Which reminds me of my profession.

"Make a wish and blow the candle, sweetheart." Mom said as she handed the mini cake to me.

I closed my eyes and made myself a wish believing it would happen just like when I was a child. I opened my eyes to blow out the candle, and then I sat back on the couch right when the doorbell rang. I looked at mom and shifted to the door back and forth.

"Who could it be? Expecting some guests, mom?"

"No."

The doorbell rang for the second time. "Okay, I got it." I stood up, then walked to the door; I opted to look at the monitor on the doorway before opening the door.

It's him. What is he doing here again? I mumbled and pulled the door open. I was met by Royce's winking. "Come on in," I said forcefully, rolling my eyes at him.

"Is that how you treat your guests?" He titled his head and narrowed his eyebrow.

"Seriously, come in," I said, showing a lopsided smile.

"Happy birthday, this is for you," Royce handed a bouquet, a bunch of chocolates, and a mini box, probably a mini cake, inside it.

I took only the flowers and sniffed them; they smelled good like the other bouquet he gave me. Tulip's red roses smell like sweet fruits that I wanted to eat.

"Thanks. Come on in; mom and dad are here," I said as I glanced at the boxes of chocolates and mini cakes he's holding.

"Thank you, I'm happy you loved the flowers. They are as beautiful as you."

Royce seriously knows how to make a woman's heart skip a beat.