Chapter 43: Chapter 43

NELINA

"That's very unwelcoming Nelly, it's not like we had a good time before," he said, a disgusting smirk spread on his lips.

When I first met Royce, I was annoyed with his wicked smirk, but with this man, I felt disgusted.

"Did we? I don't remember," my voice firmed as I stood up beside Royce.

Royce looked at me in confusion but didn't say a word. His narrowed eyebrows and wary eyes were enough statements that he wanted to know what was going on. Royce grabbed my hand entwining with his, a smile escaped on the corner of his lips. I took it as an assurance that everything would be fine. He squeezed my moist hand with my sweat.

"Sweet..." Dennis said in his low tone voice as if to tease us, and then he took a step forward.

"Don't even think about it," was Royce's threat just when Dennis was about to take a second step closer.

"So you have a new superhero now?" He snorted as he raised his chin.

It didn't surprise me; Dennis was still the arrogant rich man I've known. My heart hurts at that realization. Perhaps because he wasn't like this when I first met him. I squeezed my hand to the thought I'd been working hard to get rid of my system for a long time already.

Why? I questioned myself. Two years is a long time for me, but it seems it's not enough to erase those bad memories in my head.

"Nelly," Royce whined as he held our hands up.

I cut it off from my reverie when I realized I was squeezing his hand hard. Without a second thought, I loosened my grip on his hand.

"Sorry, Royce," I wasn't thinking straight. I stroke his hand, my way of soothing the pain I've caused him.

"Don't say that I'm fine," Royce stroked my hand before shifting on the man in front of us.

"You heard her. I don't know who you are, but we don't need an intruder here. Please get out," he said, his voice being calm. He gave a dismissive wave in his hand to the door's direction.

However, by all means, Dennis didn't show any trace of moving out in the room. He stood firm.

"Wouldn't it be nice if we get to know each other well? How does that sound?"

I squeezed Royce's hand again, but this time just a brief squeeze. Royce looked at me and gave me a quick head nod. Before Royce could utter a word, Dennis voluntarily introduced himself.

"Dennis Tan," he told Royce as he stretched a hand to propose a handshake.

"You expect me to take that after you disrespect my girlfriend?"

Girlfriend? My girlfriend? It replays in my head. My heartbeat became rapid to Royce claiming me as his girlfriend. We haven't talked about it, but it's more of what we do than what we say. Actions speak louder than words.

Dennis burst out in laughter. His voice was like a rumble of rumbling thunder echoed in the room. He had gained too much weight since the last time I saw him; it affected his voice, making it sound more deafening.

"You got the nerve to talk to me like that? Boy, you should know who you talk shit with. Do you know who I am?" Dennie asked, pointing his finger at himself. His eyes were stabbing, intently looking at Royce.

However, Royce didn't give him the satisfaction of backing off. He stood firm.

"Does it matter? I don't give a shit about who you are. As far as I can remember, this is our room, and you magically appeared on our door without our permission. What do you want?"

Dennis let out an evil laugh that gave me chills. I found myself reminiscing about those days we used to be together. The second-year wasn't as good as the first one. I watch him with my very own eyes ruin his life. He transformed from a man of respect to a horrible person, which I don't dream of getting close to again.

I shiver at the thought of him placing his hands on me. I thought I was good enough to face him when this day would come, but I'm not even close to it yet. He left scars that haven't been healed.

"I can do whatever I want; you or Nelly are in no position to stop me. I want to talk to her alone, so you better go outside before I kick you out myself -"

"Why don't you try me?" Royce cut Dennis off. His voice was firm; he was clearly challenging Dennis. I was quick to clutch his arm to stop him. I nodded no when he shifted on me.

"Dennis, you better go, please," I begged. It didn't feel right, though.

Why would I beg him? I haven't done anything wrong here.

"You've never changed, Nelly," Dennis snorted.

It hit me. I have to learn my lesson, and I have to stand independently. I saw Dennis staring at me like a lion ready to devour. I gathered the right words and then swallowed a lump in my throat.

"Get out." My words came out like almost a shout in his face.

I pointed to the door where he should be stepping out but what followed was the opposite.

Dennis started walking close in my direction, biting his lower lip. I know I made him angry; his eyes were fiery, intently looking at me while his hands were clenched into fists. Right then and there, I felt my hands start sweating, beads of sweat on my temple started forming, my mouth was dry, and I ran out of words to say.

I felt a hand on my arm, which happened to be Royce pushing me at his back as he faced Dennis. They were a few inches away from each other. I knew Royce, 6'4, which is taller than Dennis, 5'10. Even if I wouldn't take a look, I knew that he was glancing up to meet Royce's eyes.

"So it's you, her new superhero." I heard Dennis snort.

"Your height won't matter and will never prevent me from getting close to Nelly."

Arrogant. I refused to say it loud and chose to stay behind Royce's back. My anxiety was unstoppable, my eyes closed, and I let the pain sink in. But something in me felt right and soothing. I knew that Royce would never allow me to get hurt.

Oh no, did I just trust another man again? No. Yes? I argued in my thoughts until Royce's fury voice cut me off from my reverie.

"Get out; I will not repeat it." His statement was firm, which adds insult to injury.

The next thing I saw was Dennis fist targeting Royce's jaw but missed it when Royce was quick to block it. Royce caught Dennis's fist and twisted his wrist, which made the bulky man whine and swiveled in the door's direction. Royce took the opportunity to push Dennis close to the door. Before they reached the door, it was twisted open, and then two men appeared wearing a security uniform.

They were quick to take Dennis's hands.

"We'll take care of this, sir." One of the security guards said.

Royce didn't protest, but Dennis tried to pull his hands, and when he failed, he shifted his anger to the security guards.

"You don't know me? You two, take your hands off of me. I will sue you for harassment."

When the guards didn't give a fuck of his threat. He faced Royce again.

"You don't know what I'm capable of," he said, gritting his teeth.

"I don't have interest in what you can do. Judging by how you look, you are a brat who only depends on your parents' willpower. You're not even in the right mind to manage yourself. Do yourself a favor by fixing your own life instead of dragging us into your grave."

The reality hurts, as they say. Dennis pulled his arms with all his might that his face reddened, but his strength was no match to the security guards.

"We are not done. I am not done with you two."