Chapter 37: Chapter 37

NELINA

The bed was soft, but my body said otherwise. It was like I'd been struck by thousands of bricks. My muscles ache in every move I took in getting out of the sheet. When I finally managed to sit on the bed, I felt a sudden sore in my stuff and head.

A strange feeling of concern occurred while I figured out what had happened last night. I tried to ease my pain by massaging my temple to my head. At the same time, I forcefully shut my eyes, urging myself to remember any clue that would help me understand my current discomfort.

I let out a breath of frustration when none of them seemed to work. I figured it wouldn't help if I stayed in bed and did nothing to relieve my pain, so I crawled out of bed. Rather than finding my flip-flops on the floor, I found my dress instead. A thought of concern aroused again like a thunderbolt.

NO. My mouth close-open in surprise.

"How? I don't remember any of it?" I mumbled to myself, then closed my eyes again, trying to recall the event after-party.

I was in deep thought when I discerned the opening of the door distance from me. I opened my eyes only to be met by a man's evil smirk with a pair of scrutinizing black eyes. He had a towel in his hand, and the other was tied on his hips, water dripping from his hair. He must have his morning shower done.

It's him. Only by then, I use my hands to cover my chest as I sat on the edge of the bed to cover my lower region with my legs. Without a doubt, it broke the record of the most embarrassing moment in my life.

I heard him chuckle while I was busy covering what used to be private, at least for some time. I glanced up at him again; he was still wearing those evil smirks on his lips.

Oh, how I loved to smash that face with my fist. No. My heart was quick to argue with my current state of mind. I was smitten by his alluring face as his evil smirk turned into an open-lips smile. The one that I adore, his pair of white teeth sparkle.

"No need for that baby; I've seen it all."

I swallowed a lump in my throat, trying to hold a stare with him. This is not possible. But my memory was fast enough to remind me; the passionate kiss with him had started forming back in my head.

"Royce?" I finally said it out loud. I can't believe what has happened, but it's done, and there's no turning back.

"Good morning, baby," Royce said; he stepped forward and patted the towel on his wet hair.

I panicked; my heartbeat was racing. Every step he took seemed a threat. As if it wasn't enough, my worry rose when the scent of an after-shower penetrated my nose. My eyes voluntarily closed, inhaling the familiar fragrance of body wash. He smells enticing. I couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed, knowing I smelled like shit.

I jolted to the touch of a finger trailing on my cheek. I saw him sitting on the bed beside me when I opened my eyes. His scent suddenly reminded me of the urge to smell good for him. Since the party last night, I hadn't had a shower, and I hadn't even brushed my teeth. I slapped a hand on my mouth, trying to inhale my own breath.

"It's okay; you smell so good," he said as he seemed to get what I did or tried to console me from embarrassment. Either way, it made me feel better about myself. I let out a breath of relief.

"Do you wanna sit in my lap?" He asked, tapping his legs. But my eyes landed on his bulge, which prompted me to think back on our late-night activity. He was huge. My body heated to its thought; my face burned to the touch.

"I started to recall what happened last night, just now. I don't fully remember everything; our plan was to meet you guys at the bar and have a talk. Can you help me?"

"Which part would you want me to narrate, my love?" Royce said, trailing his fingers on my cheek.

"Well, it's up to you, but tell me everything."

"Since you are letting me decide, I'll start with the part where you said you want me. I want you; that's exactly what you said."

"I don't remember saying that," I said, narrowing my eyebrow, recalling if it did happen.

"That's why I'm reminding you now. My love has nothing to be embarrassed about; we did it all with so much passion and affection."

"Alright, tell me about the part where we ended here in your room." My eyes roamed around his vast Villa same size as the one Marica got for us.

"You know, I got Marica's consent this time. She had a good time talking to my friends, especially Leo, my best friend. I asked you if we could talk alone, you said yes, and Marica approved it. The next thing will take us back here in this beautiful Villa."

"It is strange that I don't fully remember it yet."

"I understand, but to assure you, no forcing happened last night; it was all love and affection. If you want, we can do it all again for you to be reminded of how passionate we were last night."

"Don't be silly. I talked about what happened in the bar and how we got here."

"You mean, you remember everything we did in this bed?" Royce said, tapping the mattress.

"You know, I think I'll have to shower first," I said as I pointed at the bathroom door. I didn't wait for an answer; I stood up. As Royce had mentioned, my bare body was exposed to his eyes as I didn't have anything to hide from him.

Halfway to the bathroom, I heard him whistle. Of course, he loved to annoy me. As if he wasn't satisfied, he called out my name when I was on the verge of twisting the doorknob open.

"Nelly, baby, what do you want for breakfast?" He asked.

I patiently turned to look at him, trying to formulate a better answer. But none came to mind.

"Anything," I answered. I'm hungry anyway; I could eat anything.

"What about me?" he said as he plastered his wicked smirk on his face again. His arms were wide open, assuming I was up to his offer.

I closed my eyes and pursed my lips as I lost my patience. I didn't throw him a glimpse again and entered the comfort room.

"Take your time, baby; I'll be waiting." Royce was obviously not tired of teasing me; he did it every time he had the chance.

My stomach was rumbling on my way out of the shower room. I turned my thoughts to Royce, curious about what he got me for breakfast. I directly headed to the dining table where the food was already set; Royce seated at one of the chairs, browsing through his phone. He must have waited for me to have breakfast together. I lifted a corner of my lips to the thought of it.

"Hmm," I cleared my throat loud enough to hear that he glanced up at me as I pulled the opposite chair.

"Let's eat?" I asked and started my breakfast with the pancake. He knew that I love pancakes, and I always have it in reverse.

"Sure," he answered; I saw him eyeing me in my peripheral vision. It must have been my bathrobe; I ignored him. I didn't have time to change; I was starving.

A few minutes had passed when he broke the silence between us. "Baby, I found the right hospital and doctor for your dad. They have the most sophisticated physical treatment facilities we could think of," he paused when I glanced at him.

"They have wearable robotics which could help your dad walk again. Patients who had little or no hope of walking found help through this invention," he added.

"That's interesting; I hadn't heard that before," I said as I set aside my fork and focused on him. What I've heard gives me a glimpse of hope of seeing dad back to normal.

"Well, this hospital we found was the only one in the Philippines with a doctor specializing in assisting this kind of paralyzed patient. I mean, like your dad, a patient with spinal cord injury. I can't elaborate enough but to my understanding, the robotics exoskeletons require special training. This was developed by the doctors focusing on spinal cord injury research in the US, specifically in Virginia."

"Wow, that sounds promising. I can't wait to take my dad there and have him checked."

He nodded. "Sure, I suggest we do it as soon as possible. We can't waste more time. I will have my secretary arrange everything so that we're all set to go to Manila when we get back to Pampanga. You can call your mom later to discuss things. How does that sound?"

"Yeah, I'll talk to mom later. Thank you." I showed him a genuine smile as an appreciation. He seemed to have it all planned. Despite his hectic schedule in business engagement, he managed to spare time for my family.

"Baby, are you happy?"

"I am. Let's eat? I'm not full enough." I wasn't embarrassed to admit it.

He laughed as expected. "I understand last night's activity was a laborious one. If you need some workout later, I'm here," he said with a tease in his voice.

I shrugged my shoulders and rolled my eyes in response. In my head, I was annoyed, but my heart said otherwise. A strange concern came to mind, but I shook the thought away. It's a new beginning; forget about the past, Nelina.

After breakfast, we stayed in the living room; I sat opposite him, talking to mom on the phone while he patiently waited. When I ended the call, he stood up, and I thought he would go on the balcony. I frowned, seeing him come close to me.

"Let's have a game?" He asked as he sat beside me.

"Game? What game do you have in mind?" I raised my eyebrow, trying to guess any wicked idea he might have.

He leaned over my ear and whispered. "I'll tell you, but you have to sit in my lap first."

"Excuse me?" Does he think he can do anything just because this is his Villa? No fucking way.

"You heard me, or how about a kiss?" He leaned over his lips, pouting. I was fast enough to cup his mouth with my hand. I didn't know what was in my head, but I chose to sit on his lap.