Chapter 34: Chapter 34

NELINA

I woke up when my phone rang; I rubbed my eyes but refused to open them. I held up my hands, memorizing the way to the side table, and snatched my phone, answering it without looking at the screen.

"Marie? Too early," I yawned, listening to the other line. But instead of a woman's beautiful voice, I heard a man's well-modulated voice.

"Royce?" I quickly pulled myself up and sat on my bed, like I was in shock, and then put the call in a loudspeaker mood.

"Why are you calling?"

"Good morning, baby. I just like to check how your morning was; I'm sorry to disturb you. Hmm...it sounds like my baby doll is still on the bed," Royce said in his usual teasing voice, and then he chuckled.

"It's too early," I said as I glanced up at the clock hanging on the wall. Before I could even finish reading the time, I slapped my mouth.

"Oh no, I need to hang up."

"See ya."

Before I could even cut the call, he was able to laugh at me again. Royce intended to annoy me, of course.

"Mom? Mom?" I walked out of my room carrying my luggage. Sweat dripped on my temple after stuffing in everything I needed for our 3-day vacation.

"Mom...dad, I need to go." The second time I called them, still no answer, so I decided to go inside the master's bedroom to check on them. Good thing the door was left unlocked.

"Mom? dad?" My voice is soft, not wanting to disturb them if they're still sleeping. As I glanced at my wrist, the time says it's 30 minutes before 6 in the morning.

Mom slowly outstretched her arms up, yawning. She shifted in my direction and looked at me from head to foot, frowning.

"Nelly? Why are you so early today?"

"Mom, I have to go to Palawan, vacation with Marica. Remember?"

"Oh, sweetheart, sorry. I'm forgetful now," Mom said, softly slapping his head, quite disappointed about herself. She helped dad sit still on the bed when she noticed he held his hands to catch her attention.

"Honey, Nelly has to leave for Palawan," Mom said as she leaned dad against the headboard. Dad nodded and curled up his lips. He raised his hands a little higher than usual.

"Dad, there is some noticeable progress in your therapy," I said with an open lips-smile. I drew near them and sat on the bed.

"That's true; his therapist said it will be more noticeable in the coming months. What time is your flight?"

"8 in the morning, we need to be there 1-2 hours before our flight. So Marica will pick me up at 6. I need to get going, mom and dad."

Dad attempted to speak, but only gibberish could be heard.

"It's okay, dad."

I gathered his hands and squeezed them. Dad slightly nodded and moved his fingers; he must have been trying to squeeze back my hands. I was confident about leaving both of them and gave them kisses before leaving the room.

Marica's car was in the parking area when I arrived. The driver leaned on the car, waiting to pick up my luggage. "Ms. Cruz, let me handle your things."

I nodded and said, "Thank you."

"Besty," Marica squeals the moment I open the door.

"Come here fast." She hugged me like we hadn't seen each other for months.

My best friend must be thrilled about having a vacation, which I understand. Working together to grow her business enabled me to see how persuasive she was with her goals. A 3-day vacation is a luxury for both of us.

"Same feeling, dear," I said and kissed her.

We arrived at the airport an hour before our flight, and the check-in process went smoothly. As we boarded our airbus, I was halted when I saw a man who seemed familiar to me. He was wearing a white jacket, black cap, and he walked about 2 meters ahead of us, so I didn't catch a clear sight of his face.

"Nelly?" Marica shook my arm, cutting me from my thoughts.

"Yes?" I blinked my eyes a few times and cleared my thoughts of who might be the person.

"People are pushing us to move forward; let's go."

"Sorry," I said and then moved straight to our seats. I sat next to the window and Marie next to mine.

"What's wrong? Why did you stop at the aisle?"

"Nothing, I just thought I saw someone I know. Forget about it."

Marie shrugged her shoulders. She settled her head on my shoulder then I placed my head on hers. We were in deep sleep as we didn't notice we had arrived at Puerto Princesa International Airport.

I came to my senses with a hand on my shoulder swaying me; I was met by a pair of brown eyes, corners of her lips turned up. "Ma'am, we just arrived at Puerto Princesa International Airport."

"Thank you," I said, showing a genuine smile.

"My pleasure. It's just you and your friend left in this airbus," she said as she shifted her eyes on the aisle. I did the same and was shocked looking at the empty seats.

"If you need some help with your things, I'll gladly do it."

She must have thought that we were quite a burden for being such a sleepy head. I nodded no. "No, we can do it by ourselves, thank you," I said and gave her an awkward grin.

"Sure, we'll wait at the door."

I started rocking Marica's shoulders when the stewardess left, desperate to wake her up.

"Marie, you have to wake up."

It took me thrice before she opened her eyes. "Marica, we have to get going now; we're the only two passengers left."

A car was waiting for us to drive to our 5-star Villa as part of the luxury accommodation. We decided to resume sleeping in our hotel room to make up for all the sleepless nights and recharge for our numerous vacation activities ahead.

I rolled out of bed like a baby and rubbed my eyes, yawning. As I checked my phone, it confirmed that I had been asleep for almost 2 hours. I grabbed myself out of bed, stretching my arms when my stomach made a noise. I'm so hungry.

My stomach was empty when I left home, not even a cup of coffee. The first thing on my mind was room service. I need food. After checking what was on the menu, I dialed a room service ordering lunch for Marica and me.

I decided to take a shower while waiting for the food. Entering the comfort room, the fresh and luxurious smell penetrated my nose; I was in awe of how modern it was, spacious, and had good lighting. The lighting could be changed from 3 various colors pink, sky blue, and white. The gold motif was prominent in the sink, toilet bowl, and even bathtub.

When I shifted to the right side, there was a massive mirror before the shower room; I gazed into it and removed my clothes. I stared at myself butt naked in front of the mirror. The corners of my lips curled up in satisfaction; seeing my toned arms and abdomen, my abs started forming in it. My hard work in the gym paid off.

I opened the rain shower and let the water flow; it felt calming looking at it. It was so inviting that I slowly stepped in the pouring water; I lowered my head and put my hands against the wall to find my balance while wetting my body. I stayed in position, eyes closed to release all the stress away.

After a while, a scene flickers; a man's face was so vivid, uttering the 3 words I longed to hear. I caught myself, lips curled up; I slowly regained my posture and shook my thoughts away. Does he really love me?

I turned off the shower catching my breath. I remember the man on the airplane. No, it's not possible; he's too busy for this.

It took me 20 minutes in the shower before I patted myself dry with the bath towel and walked out of the comfort room with a louder stomach noise. FOOD. Yes, that's the only thing in my head.

"How does it feel to take a shower in Palawan?"

I turned in the direction where the voice came from. "FRESH," I smiled. "Hey, my food."

Marie chuckled. "I didn't eat your food; I'm sure you ordered these for me," she said, pointing to her favorite pizza and burger. I know it's too much, but that's what she eats as comfort food. So I thought I would order those as we are having a vacation. We can binge eating for 3 days and forget about our diet.

"Of course, I knew you'd be hungry."

I sat in the opposite chair as I wrapped my hair with a towel then started digging in my pasta.

"Thanks," she said, eating a mouthful of pizza.

I sipped on my cappuccino. "This is divine."

Love coffee even at lunch. I'm having one.

We were mute for a few minutes, devouring our meal, a combination of breakfast and lunch when I broke the silence.

"I don't mind ruining my diet for today; I'm so hungry, besty. I didn't have breakfast at home."

I paused when I remembered who woke me up.

"Good thing Royce called me early in the morning; if not, I wouldn't make it on time."

"Oh, really?" Marica responded with a sinister smile on her lips.

I rolled my eyes. "Anyways, Royce did a good job this morning by calling me. So thanks to him."

"Why don't you say that to him, not me," Marica said, laughing with a hint of tease.

I wasn't annoyed; instead, I focused on my food. Royce never failed to surprise me.