Chapter 41: Chapter 41

NELINA

I had difficulty sleeping at night as I couldn't get Royce out of my head. The touch of his hand and his soft lips brushing my skin became apparent to me as if he was in my bed. I longed to have him near me, to love and care for me. I wondered if he was thinking about me while lying on his bed.

The flash thought of Roxie came into my head, especially when she appeared behind Royce on the beach. The real score between them was unclear to Roxie, while Royce insisted that they were done two years ago. The thought of Maddox and Roxie kept me up all night. I don't want to be entangled with an unfinished relationship.

The following day I woke in my bed with Royce still in my thoughts. I hugged my soft pillow imagining it was Royce's warm body, until I remembered I had to attend an event.

I asked your mom if I could take you out tonight since we will be in Manila tomorrow for your dad's physical therapy. And as always, he allowed me. He included a wink emoji; he loves to show off that he won mom's heart.

"So he already asked mom's permission," I mumbled after reading Royce's text message. My heartbeat was racing, comprehending his message.

Am I excited? I refused to acknowledge the overwhelming atmosphere, although I would feel the same way whenever I got close to him.

After the beach vacation in Palawan, I hadn't seen him for a few days as we both had a hectic schedule following a 3-day absence. His works in their company are filling up while I have a series of events scheduled before our flight to Manila. But he didn't miss a day not calling and texting me, even a video call from Tagaytay where he recently had to focus on their factories. I admire his tenacity to pursue me like he always wanted to remark.

I was seated at the edge of my bed, typing the text in reply to his message. I only have 30 minutes before the event starts.

I'm not sure about that. What time do you want us to meet?

The message sounds like I'm not quite interested though my feeling was the opposite. I immediately sent the text message, grabbed my bag from my working table, and slid my phone in it. I decided to wait for his reply in the taxi on my way to Shang Hotel, where the event will take place.

Marica came to me in the venue, and we spent time catching up since we were both busy after the Palawan vacation.

"Besty, we should go out after our series of events. I'm sure you have many stories to share," Marica said. Showing her usual sinister smile gives me a hint of another questioning or interrogation about Royce and me.

"Of course," I replied and forced a half-smile. I tried hard not to show my uncertainty.

I was a little apprehensive talking to my best friend about the things Royce and I did. I'm sure that Royce is serious about me, but I can't trust myself anymore. I thought I might not have forgiven myself for the last relationship. And because I cannot give a clear status between Royce and me, I'm afraid Marica would freak out. She was like a sister, overprotective of me ever since we were in high school.

In the middle of my thoughts, I was interrupted by the ring of my phone. I retrieve it immediately from my bag. Corners of my lips lifted as an image of Royce appeared in my head. But when I saw the screen, I excused myself from Marica to talk privately with the person on the other line.

"I'll get this," I said and flashed outside the room. Marica just nodded when I walked past her.

Please give me important details. I prayed in silence.

"Hello, Happy? Do you have something for me?"

A small voice on the other line could be heard. I listen closely to Happy. My heart skipped a beat with her confession.

"Yes, please do me a favor, confirm that as soon as possible."

I gritted my teeth at the thought of her statement, hoping that it would help dad's case. It didn't take long before I ended the call. I let out a long breath of relief before going back inside the room.

"Who was it?"

I could tell that she assumed Royce had given me a call by her face. So I let her remain with her assumptions by showing an open-lip smile that caused her to celebrate.

Marica laughed and applauded loud enough to catch everyone's attention in the room. Our team, who are just packing things before we leave, shifted in our direction. My heart celebrates with her; having a very supportive friend like Marica is rare.

"Marie..." I begged in my husky voice as I roamed my eyes around. People seemed to understand that Marica could exaggerate things sometimes. They were all grinning, looking at my weird best friend.

I'm sorry Marie, I had to lie. This is not the right time to open up this with you. I apologized in silence.

"Sorry, guys," Marie apologized. Her face was unapologetic, consumed by her little celebration. When she was done calming herself, she faced our team again.

"Okay, make it fast; we had a long day. You may go home and have a good rest," she announced.

Precisely 10 minutes before 7 in the evening, I walked out of our home to meet Royce waiting at the parking area. Yes, he did convince me to have dinner with him. Although it doesn't seem like he convinced me because I was excited to see him again.

I saw him leaning against his Mercedes Benz a few meters away, wearing black slack pants and sky blue long sleeves folded on his elbow. As I walked closer, it became more apparent that his eyes were on me; he seized me up from my shoe run-up to my body. My heartbeat was racing until his eyes landed on mine. I was fascinated at how quick he could raise my heartbeat in a simple gesture.

I pursed my lips and glanced at myself to check if there was something wrong with the outfit I chose. I wore a little black dress just above my knee and paired it with 4-inch red shoes. If I could remember it right, I put red lipstick on my lips after applying minimal makeup to cover my blemishes and stressed eyebags. I wasn't sure if I was a little overdressed or overdid my makeup. But it would be a lie not to admit to myself that I made an extra effort to look my best in Royce's eyes.

"Baby, you are breathtaking," he shuffled his feet before standing straight; he maintained his eyes on mine. Something told me not to avoid his gaze, so we locked stares for a while even when I stood a few inches from him. I made myself comfortable making eye contact with him after we had an intense night in Palawan.

"Hi," I greeted.

Now, my concern is if I did smell good enough for Royce. But then again, I remember to make an extra effort; I gargled mouthwash and sprayed mint in my mouth.

The corners of his lips turned up. He gave me a pleasant smile that I loved to see from him.

"It's nice to see you again, my doll."

He trailed a finger in my cheek like he always did when I came close to him, which sent butterflies in my stomach. He is killing me.

"It's nice to see you too," I admitted.

His eyes lit even brighter. "Really? You're glad to see me? Did you miss me?"

Royce was fast to ask 3 questions; he stopped trailing his fingers on my cheek. He looked at me with his deep black eyes roaming around my face and waiting for my confirmation.

"Yeah, I mean it. And...I kind of missed you too." I admitted how I felt for the second time.

God, did I just say that? I asked myself in silence, but no trace of regrets in my heart; only a part of my head says otherwise.

His smile widened even more, and then he nibbled his lower lip.

"Thank you, baby; you know I miss you, right?"

BABY. I love to hear that endearment, but I never even say it back to him. My heart pushes me to reciprocate, but a part of my head says the opposite.

"I know. Shall we?" I asked to cut through my thoughts and divert the topic. I plastered an open-lips smile, hoping he wouldn't ask any more questions.

"We can't just stand here; we have to get going. We have reservations, as you have mentioned."

He sighed softly.

"Of course, but can I have a hug first? Please...," he begged as he opened his arms and pouted his lips. How could I refuse? I thought he was cute; he rarely pouts his lips.

I miss you. I can only scream in my head as I wrap my arms around Royce. How I wish I could say it out loud. I rested my head on his chest, he was warm, and he smelled the same musky perfume that his granny gifted him. The feeling of security and calmness prevails. I tightened my arms wrapped around him, and he did the same. I could hear him sniffing my hair as he stroked my back. I swear I could stay in his arms 'till the break of dawn.

When Royce bent over to open my door, a man outside the lobby was looking in our direction. It may sound cliche, but he appears to be the same man in Palawan. He was wearing a black hoodie, leaning against a black car, holding a cigarette. There was no way I could get a clear sight of his face besides wearing a hoodie.

The feeling of something wasn't right, and my heart jumped in my chest like I was watching a horror film. I know Palawan is hours away from us, but this man was kind of creepy that I could easily say that he was up for something suspicious. But I had too much in my head that it could explode, so I shook my thoughts away.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, I just thought I saw someone familiar. Let's go."

I gave Royce a half-smile for him to unnoticed my discomfort.