Chapter 35: Chapter 35

NELINA

So, what's your plan later?" I asked Marica, savoring my favorite pasta. We were almost done with our lunch when I asked her.

"Well, we have to go shopping for our beach outfit tonight and the next day. I'll take a shower, then shopping begins."

"That sounds exciting; hurry up."

After getting dressed up, I enjoyed the incredible view of the Villa while waiting for Marie dolled up for our swimwear shopping. Being in a tropical country at 3 O'clock is extremely hot. Looking afar is the sky blue ocean, circled by mountains. I closed my eyes and felt the heat breeze of the wind as it touched my skin. This is life.

It was a long seashore of luxury resorts, and one of them is our Villa. A lot has changed after almost 2 years of not visiting the Island. I shifted my gaze to the next Villa when I heard a noise; a couple of men were chatting. I sharpened my stare as I saw a familiar man; his haircut seemed familiar and the body built.

"Turn around...turn around," I mumbled. I felt frustrated, waiting for the man to turn his head in my favor. The guy was talking on the phone when he shifted on the right side enough for me to take a sneaky look at his side face. Is that...how could it be?

I slapped my mouth, not wanting to voice out what was on my head.

"Nelly?"

I jolted as I turned my look to my best friend.

Marie walked closer and rocked my shoulder. "What's wrong? I called out your name thrice."

"Nothing, are you done?"

"Yes." Marica turned around, showing her flowy floor-length floral yellow maxi dress.

"What do you think?" She asked, adjusting the halter strap in her neck.

"Fabulous, we're matchy, summer vibes," I said as I turned around in a circle, showing the floor-length floral maxi dress in pink.

We high-fived and giggled like kids. "Shall we?"

"Sure," Marie entwined her hands on mine, leading the way.

I sneaked a look at the left Villa, but the man wasn't there anymore. I forcefully snap my eyes shut, forgetting what may seem impossible.

We walked on our way to the boutique. I noticed the sand was so white, almost like a sugar crystal. I was tempted to indulge, so I removed my flip-flops and touched my feet on the sand.

"Marie, look," I said, grabbing her attention as she walked ahead of me.

I motion my hand on my feet, soaked in the powdered-like white sand. Marica did the same, and we enjoyed ourselves like a child.

"This is life, Nelly," she said, inhaling the summer breeze while holding her vast summer hat.

"I know; this is why we're here."

Arriving at the bikini boutiques, I noticed a man wearing a black jacket; his face was hidden with his hoodie. It was the same man standing outside at our Villa. I just ignored him there, but it seemed suspicious to me this time.

Who wears a jacket with a hoodie at this temperature? It's scorching hot during summer in the Philippines. I stayed with Marica entering the first boutique but remained vigilant as a certain feeling of anxiety surged when the thoughts in my past came rushing. I let out a deep breath and then enjoyed being a shopaholic for a day.

"Hi Ms. Lopez, Ms. Cruz, it's been a long time. Welcome, let me show you our new collections." The sales lady pointed and led us to the new arrival. I was amazed that the sales lady still recognized me.

"This is the trend for this summer; feel free to choose, and if you have any queries, just let me know. I'll be right here."

"Thanks," Marica nodded. "Nelly, we should choose more of this, then try it together in the fitting room."

"Sure, just like the old days," I said, and then we giggled like a child.

We started to scrutinize the latest luxury swimwear available. Same old days, when we were in college, we used to have a vacation alone together, and we got to pick new swimsuits.

It was about 30 minutes when we decided to try the swimsuits in the fitting room.

"I'd like to have 4 two-pieces and 4 one-pieces, with prints and no prints. How about you, Nelly?" Marica said, picking the swimwear one by one. She's like hoarding the bikinis like an innocent child afraid to be stolen from her.

I flipped my hair, trying to decide which design I should choose.

"I'm having a hard time picking." I slouch my shoulder in frustration; it's confusing. There are too many styles to choose from.

"No worries, just grab all your favorites; let's just try them on."

"Okay," I said, picking another 3 pairs. "I'm done."

"Let's go."

A minute later, we were butt naked inside the fitting room and started trying the swimwear we chose. "How do I look, besty?" Marie showed her bare behind.

I was shocked; I slapped my mouth to refrain myself from squealing.

"Oh dear, you look so hot. What about me?" I turned around, showing my red high-cut underwear paired with a bra.

"You are too demure, besty. You should wear more revealing swimwear. You are sexy; flaunt it."

I rolled my eyes at her. "I'm good with this style; besides, it still shows my curves. I'm covering my tummy; I still don't have abs yet. Am I not sexy in this?"

"Of course you are; you will be sexy whatever you wear. What I'm saying is that maybe you should level up your style. There should be a massive number of men on the beach for the rest of our stay here." Marica winked, showing a sinister smile.

I let out a deep breath, turning my thoughts to Royce. A guilty feeling of being with other men twitched my heart, though I am not committed to him. But emotionally, I know I've invested in trusting him a little bit.

"Thanks for your suggestion but I'm good, really. But I'll keep that in mind."

"You should. Who knows, you'll have a beach vacation with Royce, so you know what to do," she said, a naughty smile not leaving her lips.

"Marica..." I shook my head in disbelief that she was so confident about Royce for me.

"What? I'm just thinking about your own good, dear," she said, raising an eyebrow.

When we finally decided which pairs to buy, we dressed up and stepped out of the fitting room. Marica and I waited on the couch while the sales lady processed our payments. I was hovering on my phone when a woman approached Marie.

"Marica? Hey, what's up? It's been a while."

"I'm good; a pleasure to meet you again."

They kissed each other's cheek.

I listened to the conversation, shifting my gaze from my best friend to the woman strange to me, back and forth. I don't think I've seen her before; she seemed familiar to me.

"Nelly, this is Roxie. I met her in a conference before, Roxie; this is Nelly, my best friend," Marica said, pointing back and forth.

I stood up, meeting her hand she proposed to me. "Nice to meet you, Roxie," I said as I shook her hand. Her eyes were piercing like they had a hidden dark message in them. I chose to ignore my thoughts and showed an open-lip smile.

"I'm glad to finally meet you, Nelly. So you're Marica's best friend?" She said, a sinister smile plastered on her lips. She squeezed my hand a little bit harder before she retrieved hers.

I nodded and avoided her piercing eyes.

"So Roxie, are you here for shopping?" I asked, flipping my hair.

"Yes, but I'm alone."

"Why?" Marie chimed in.

Roxie shifted on Marica. "So sad, my boyfriend is busy, that's why he can't be with me now." She paused, moving her eyeballs up when she seemed to process thoughts in her head. "Oh, maybe you know my boyfriend; he's famous."

"Who? I know a lot of guys inside and out of the City."

"Royce Park? Do you know him?"

"Hmm," I cleared my throat as I choked on my own saliva. Did I hear it right?

Marica and I stared at each other. A sudden pain of hatred surged in my chest. The last time I felt it was when someone betrayed and abused me.

"Did I hear it right, Roxie? Royce Park?" Marie repeated it.

"Yes, Mr. Royce Park, the car racer? Sounds familiar?" she said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, but I don't know him personally. But I think I know someone who might tell me something about Royce." She looked at me and pressed her lips. "I think we should go, we need to continue shopping. Nice to meet you," she nodded, then grabbed my wrist.

"Nice to meet you, Roxie," I said as I turned to her.

But instead of a response, she gave me a middle finger. Marica wasn't looking at it as her attention was on our way to the door.

"Marie, let's go to the next store."

Marica stopped walking and held me on the side of the next store.

"No, don't pretend that you don't care what that bitch says. And I want you to know that I don't believe her."

"Marie, why? She's your friend."

"Of course not; we just met once; she's not my friend. But you are my best friend; we will find out the truth." She held my hands.

"Don't defend that liar, Royce; he's a liar," I said as I crossed my arms in my chest. But a part of my heart wished that Marica was right.

"Okay, one of Royce's close friends is my cousin. We will find out the truth."

"What? I know all your cousins Marie. How could it be?"

"No, Andi is my distant cousin, and I haven't introduced him to you. Let's not talk about this here; let's go back to our Villa."

I let out a long breath and obediently followed. My heart was pounding.

What do you want from me, Royce? I'm trying to move on from the past; those memories are coming back again. I can't, and I don't want to ever go back on that cycle again. Those times that I'd rather be alone, I realized that I no longer wanted to live anymore. You disappointed me, Royce.

Despite the questions running in my head, there's a place in my heart that said Roxie lied.

As we walked out of the boutique, the man in the hoodie was staring at us again. I fell into deep thinking but still, I don't recognize where I first saw him. I shook my head and forcefully shut my eyes.

The moment I opened them again, I was met with a handsome man's face. Prominent jawline, sparkling eyes, and red lips, an evil smirk plastered on them. My eyebrows narrowed, looking at him, wanting to get rid of the wicked smirk on his lips. "ROYCE?"