Chapter 42: Chapter 42

NELINA

I wouldn't get tired of visiting this place to eat. I said to myself when we walked into my favorite, or should I say our favorite Italian restaurant. Amazingly, we shared the same sentiment in this place. How odd is that to people not related to each other?

His granny and my brother left us almost simultaneously, and this place reminds us so much of them. Thoughts after thoughts came to mind. I've visited Bocca Felize many times, but I didn't recall seeing Royce; he is not a familiar face to me. I would love to believe that there's a suitable time for everything. The right time to meet the right person.

Is he the right person? Some parts of me argued in my head.

"Welcome, Mr. Park, Ms. Cruz." We were greeted by the receptionist. Royce nodded at the woman, and I smiled briefly at her.

Immediately one of the waiters came to attend to us.

"This way, please," the waiter motioned his hand to the right hallway. We followed as Royce's one hand on my waist pushed me a little to catch up with him. The hallway leads to what seemed to be the back of the main restaurant and ends up at a place with rooms.

The waiter twist opens the doorknob of the second room.

"This is the room you reserved for Mr. Park," he nodded as we stepped inside the room.

I eyed the spacious room Royce got for us. Yes, just the two of us. He wanted more privacy, as he had mentioned on our way to the restaurant. The interior was nothing distinct from the main restaurant. The noticeable difference is that the room's ceiling was surrounded by pink LED light, but it wasn't bright. The waiter came to the table and lit the candles. It made sense to me; they did it on purpose to use the candle to give more light to the room.

Sounds romantic. It only had one table for two, although it could hold four tables inside it.

"Beautiful," I praised as I shifted on Royce.

"This is for you," he said as he playfully pinched my cheek, which heated my whole body. As simple as that, he could stir up my emotions and senses.

"This is for us," I corrected him.

Ryce chuckled. "Yes, baby, for us."

Royce pulled me a chair that I gladly took before he sat opposite. We didn't even look at the menu as we had the same orders as the last time we visited the restaurant.

"I should thank you for making this possible."

"No problem, I also thought that it would be best if we used this time to talk about things. And please, I should thank you for this," I said as I roamed my eyes around.

I caught him frozen before he sipped a glass of water. His eyes widened a bit; he opened and closed his mouth, waiting on what more I had to say.

"Things?" He asked after a silence passed by, but it seemed he was not done yet.

"Yes, like bringing dad to a new hospital tomorrow, maybe you can talk about your business, I can talk about my job and..." My voice trailed off, thinking what to add next. We both froze, our eyes locked.

"How about us? Things between the two of us," he finally voiced out what's on his mind as he placed back the glass of water on the table.

My heart skipped a beat to the thought of his question.

I don't think I'm ready to talk about it.

I looked at his eyes, my heart pain knowing I was why he appeared a little bit helpless. His puppy eyes said it all.

Should I confess now? Not now. Then when? I was cut off from my reverie when Royce spoke again.

"Only if you want to, I'm not forcing you," he paused and let out a soft sigh.

"Nelina, if something is bothering you, let me know. I want to work out things between us. I understand this is hard for you, so it is for me. Let me know where you draw the line. So that I would be reminded what to and not do," he added.

I nodded in agreement. Royce reached out for my hands and squeezed them.

"Baby, I don't want to ruin this night. Just try to..."

"That night, I said I love you, I mean it," I said in one breath to cut him off before he could finish his line. I swallowed a lump in my throat, realizing I did say it aloud.

"Say that again?"

"I said it," I hissed.

I could not afford to roll my eyes at Royce; he was way too cute or handsome and hot. Whatever it was, he was everything I wanted.

Royce stood up and flashed in where I sat. He swiveled me in his direction, making me face him.

"You're not kidding, aren't you?"

"I said what I have to say." This is me being stubborn.

His beautiful smile never left his lips as he wrapped his arms around me for the second time tonight. I could only imagine him in an evil smirk, declaring himself victorious.

"Baby, I love you."

"I love you, too." There, I repeated it.

He loosened his arms around me, making me face him.

"Baby, say it."

"I said it."

"NO, you should say, baby."

My eyebrows narrowed, trying to comprehend his words. I frowned, realizing he only wanted to hear the word in return.

So awkward in my ear or my tongue. I can't say it now.

"I can't say it now. I'm not a child, don't teach me," I pouted.

Royce laughed, pinching my cheek.

"You are so cute, baby doll."

I swear the red apples barely left my face when I got close to Royce in the parking area. My face remained warm. I pursed my lips, a smile escaped from it when a knock came on our door. Royce shifted to where the door was.

"Come on in," he announced.

The waiters came to serve our delectable dinner. Royce gets back to his chair.

"A bottle of champagne, please, something came up that we have to celebrate," he said, his eyes were on mine all along.

Ten minutes later, we enjoyed our food when I broke the silence.

"So, everything's been set up for tomorrow and the following days?"

"Yes, nothing to worry about the new doctor and treatment."

"Thank you, I owe you."

"Uh, baby, don't think about it."

"But still..."

I was cut off when a noise came on our door. A knock that sounded louder than usual. I'm sure the waiter wouldn't come again since they had already served our food and wine. Royce and I exchanged looks before we shifted to the door's direction. Right on time that the doorknob was twisted open.

A tall, bulky figured man appeared wearing a black suit. His hair was messy as well as his beard. It seemed he hadn't shaved in months. But despite all the changes, I was able to recognize him.

Dennis?

I was breathless for seconds, realizing I was right.

"Dennis? What are you doing here?" I asked in fear; my voice was brittle. Royce must have noticed that I was displeased by the man's sudden appearance. He stood up then flashed beside my chair.