Chapter 40: Chapter 40

NELINA

I entered our villa, pressing my lips with Royce in my mind. Royce made leaving him hard; I almost gave in to another heated move between us. He was simply irresistible.

I fixed myself when I saw Marica standing on the balcony, especially my messy hair. I don't want Marica to think anything negative about Royce and me. Though, I still didn't know where to start when she would ask what we did last night after leaving the bar.

"Hey!"

Marica shifted at me. "Oh, good morning, my beautiful best friend. How was your night?"

"Good morning, I'm fine. It was a long night." I kissed Marica on the cheek as I greeted her.

"Oh, that sounds exciting. Would you like to talk it over?"

"Marica, it was a long night in the bar before we got home. You know I was with Royce, right? Royce said, you know I was with him in his villa. I don't remember much about last night."

"Yeah, I know you guys were together. But are you sure you don't remember leaving the bar, and how about sleeping with Royce? How would you be able to share it with me if you don't remember anything?" Marica said, showing a wicked smirk.

"Marica, please, we've talked about this. Remember that you said you won't force me to say anything I'm not ready to talk about?"

"Fine," she said, raising her hands like giving up.

"I'm not forcing you, but whenever you're ready, you know I'm all ears for you," she added, winking at me, an evil smile not leaving her lips.

"Thank you. And I'm sorry for leaving you at the bar last night."

"Don't mention it. I had a good time as well. For now, we should get started with our water activities; we can't waste more time. But first, before I forget, I must admit I'm a little bit jealous about this maxi dress you have. It's beautiful."

I heaved a sigh of disappointment; I thought Marica wouldn't notice my dress. Although it was too obvious, I hoped she'd let it pass.

"Royce got this for me, including swimwear and scuba diving suits."

"Mr. CEO seems very persistent, huh? And girl, these are all good stuff; he has good taste," Marica said. Checking all the swimwear and scuba diving suits Royce got for me, she's admiring each of them.

"Nah, I don't think so. Royce said he wasn't into styling; he probably let the stylist choose them for me."

"Well, not bad. What's important is that Mr. CEO made an effort. I am really impressed."

"Me too. Anyway, let's go now; I'm excited to stroll around and start scuba diving later. I'll just change into swimwear."

"Sure, dear, I am just as excited as you."

Marica said as he jumped a little and then went to his room to change.

We went to the beach wearing a red two-piece; I chose the one Royce bought as Marica agreed it suits me well. She wasn't mad for not wearing one of the swimwear she bought for me. Marica was surprisingly very supportive of Royce and me; she must have trusted Royce after proving last night that he wasn't lying. Marica never did with the previous guys linked with me.

We decided to have a drink first before starting our scuba diving lessons. According to the instructor, we needed a new class, as we haven't been scuba diving for quite a while already. My heart became erratic when I saw Royce and his friends approaching. Of all the places they could go to, they chose the place we're staying.

I was confident Marica wouldn't notice as he was not facing Royce's direction. But then, my expectation faded when he looked back, facing the beach.

"The water is so inviting; it's tempting us to have a dip. Isn't it, Nelly?"

"Yeah, I agree."

I prayed in silence that Marica would overlook Royce and his friends.

"Oh, look who's coming? The young CEO is here with the rest of the gang."

I suppressed my disappointment and showed a half-smile looking at Marica and then shifted on Royce as they drew nearer.

"Hey, ladies? I hope we're not disturbing you." It was Leo who approached us first.

"Of course not; come on, join us in a bit," Marica invited.

"Really? Can we join you guys later?" Leo said with trace excitement.

"No, scuba diving is just for the both of us. We have this vacation to catch up on since we haven't had this for years. So, I hope you guys understand."

"No problem," Royce answered. I caught him staring at me, and we stared at each other for seconds. I thank him in silence for understanding our situation.

Leo sat beside Marica, and Royce sat beside me while the other guys, Santi, Andi, and Rico, were standing with their girls. Probably the ones they had last night. I wondered if Royce and Leo are the same and just showing off because they are trying to get Marica and me. A part of me wished that they were not.

"Thank you, we will be starting the scuba diving class in a few minutes. What about you, guys? What's in store for you today?" Marica inquired.

"We will do scuba diving as well, but don't worry, we will not disturb you both," Maddox answered.

Marica nodded. "I see. Well, what are we waiting for?"

"Hey! Guys, I didn't expect to see you here. Marica," Roxie leaned on Marica, probably to give her a kiss on the cheek, but Marica stood up.

Marica adjusted her two-piece mesh top. Only by then, I recognize she was gorgeous in a yellow two-piece.

"We were about to start scuba diving, Roxie. We don't have much time to talk. Sorry, but we have to leave you."

"Yeah, we must go," Maddox said as he helped me out of my chair. Royce didn't even throw a look at Roxie.

Roxie's eyes are sharply staring at me while Maddox's hands are on my shoulder. She was speechless until we left her alone as we went to change in a scuba diving suit. Royce's friends didn't care about her, which made me wonder how bad Roxie was when she was with Royce. They seemed to hate her existence.

"Royce, wait, I wanna talk with you."

"Roxie, I don't have time."

I saw how sour Roxie's face was when Royce declined his request to talk to her. I am a woman, and I didn't enjoy seeing Roxie in a desperate state, so I looked away.

"Royce, we have to go. We'll leave you here. Guys, we'll go first," I said, nodding to Royce's friends and their girlfriend.

"It's okay, baby; I'll send you both to your scuba diving lessons."

I wasn't expecting Royce would say his endearment in front of his friends and my best friend, Marica. My hands were clammy as I rubbed them together, preventing them from shaking. I didn't think it was the right time to expose our relationship.

Roxie glared at me when he heard Royce's endearment of me. Her look alone was like a threat.

"Yeah, I can see that."

"Guys, let's go," Marica said as she walked ahead of us.

Roxie was silent when we left her and walked to the site to catch up on scuba diving lessons. Andi, Rico, and Santi were already on the site when we arrived; they prepared their diving suits with their girlfriend.

"You look so hot in that red two-piece," Maddox whispered before we separated. I replied with a smile while I was burning inside. My body heated to his compliment. I could only imagine how red my cheeks were.