Chapter 44: Chapter 44

NELINA

"Yes, you are," an old man appeared on the door. He was probably in his 60's.

"Dennis, don't degrade your family's reputation. This is such a disgraceful act. And also, we have plenty of valued customers tonight. I can't let you ruin our restaurant's reputation." The old man reprimanded Dennis. He then nodded to the security guards to dismiss them.

The security started to drag Dennis again.

"You can't do this to me, old man."

"Of course, I can. You better obey if you don't want your father to know about this." The old man said; his voice didn't trail off.

Dennis froze at the mention of his father, he was taken aback and obediently followed the security guards, and the old man left with them. When Dennis was finally out of sight, I noticed that Royce's hand was holding my wrist.

"It's okay, he's gone," he said as he swiveled towards me to face him.

I glanced up to meet his eyes, his wary eyes were there, but he suppressed his questions. Instead, he pulled me in his arms. I buried my head on his chest like it was the only safe place I could hide. I sniffed his scent to help me soothe my pain. Everything about him felt good. He slowly stroked my hair as he tightened his arms on my waist.

Oh, how I love to stay this way. Would this thing last? When? Questions started popping in my head. My heart rate spiked up to the thought of trusting a man again, which made me slightly pull myself away, making Royce startled.

"Baby?"

"Let's go, please, I wanna go home," I said, my hands clasped together in the hope of stopping them from shivering.

Royce held my arms again when a knock came on our door. We exchanged looks before we turned to the door.

"Royce, it's me." It came from an old man's familiar voice.

"Uncle, that's unlocked. Come on in," Royce answered.

I shifted on Royce, my eyes asking in silence. I wasn't expecting that he knew the old man personally.

The door was pushed open, and then a smiling old man stepped in. "I'm sorry about what happened. It's our fault the security must have mistaken him as a valued customer."

Royce frowned. "Uncle, did you mean he is not allowed here?"

"Yes, Dennis Tan cannot enter any of our branches. He did several shameful things in 3 of our restaurants, that's why we banned him. Not unless he is with his family."

"To be honest, I am not familiar with Dennis. Frankly, I don't know him personally," Royce chuckled, rubbing his temple.

The old man was confused, the crease in his forehead folded even more, his eyebrows narrowed.

"If you don't know him, why did he invade your room?"

It was then that I decided to confess.

"I know him." They both shifted in my direction.

Royce's eyes dilated, and I saw questions forming in them. Although he might have hinted who Dennis was to me, he chose not to disclose it to the old man. He might have done it to protect me. But I don't want to hide it anymore. It wouldn't do any good to the both of us, especially me. I have to move out from the dark side of my past. It was such a liberating feeling to confess, though.

"Uncle Theo, this is Nelly, my girlfriend," Royce placed his right hand at the back of my shoulder.

My eyes darted to him when he mentioned the word girlfriend. We haven't talked about it yet. Do we have to? Maybe it was clear to him.

I had another internal conflict when the old man proposed a hand in my peripheral vision. I gladly took the old man's hand for a handshake. He had a pleasant smile on his lips that you usually see on every grandfather's face.

"It's so nice to meet you, and finally Royce found someone who he truly cares about," he said all along, shaking my hand. By the look in his eyes, he seemed really happy to meet me.

"My pleasure, uncle Theo," I responded with a genuine smile on my lips.

"Uncle Theo, thanks for coming up and fixing things for us. For now, I just want to take Nelly home. Let's catch up sometime."

"Don't worry about it, as I have said it was us who are at fault here. Maybe we should have a more complex security system. Let's spend some time together soon. Have a good night with your girlfriend." he paused, then glanced at our table.

"Don't worry about the bill; just leave it to me."

"No, it's okay; I got it, please." Royce insisted.

Uncle Theo opened his mouth, but he froze at what he was about to say. Instead, he closed his lips again and pressed in a thin line. "Well, I'll make it up to you next time." He nodded before he left.

Royce left a check on the table before we walked out of the room. His hand entwined mine until we reached his car. A deafening silence followed on our way to Grand Villa Residences. I folded my arms on my chest to help me calm and prevent me from shivering.

The inhale and exhale exercise that I did when we left the restaurant worked to help me slow down my heartbeat and dry my sweating hands. I could only hope that this would last until I could finally break down in my room. I don't want another sympathy from Royce. He had too much of me. I have to fight on my own and fix myself.

The car stopped at our destination, but still, I was unable to move from my seat. Royce did the favor of unbuckling my seatbelt before pulling me into his arms. I didn't protest and let my tears pour; all the last pain escaped. Royce chose to be silent while stroking his hand on my hair. I understand that he was in a difficult position since he is way too tall to be leaning on my seat.

"You can sit beside me," I said, breaking the silence.

Giving Royce space when he moved close to me. Our eyes met. I didn't see what was coming when he slid his hand under my things and the other on my waist, pulling me up before taking my seat and then placing me into his lap.

"Way better," he said, letting out a wicked smirk.

I wasn't annoyed; he swept me off my feet again. He pulled me into his chest, which became my hiding place to find comfort.

I wanna stay this way for a bit. I refused to say it aloud, but I don't think it was needed. Royce knows so well how to help me at peace. He strokes his hand in my hair, like what mom used to do when I was little.

"Everything is gonna be okay; I am here for you. I love you, Nelly," Royce's voice made a comforting assurance.

But it wouldn't take long. I know Dennis won't let what happened to slip away. My heart rate spiked again to the thought of what he might have in mind.

"I love you too," I muttered as I buried my head in his chest again. Our arms wrapped around each other even tighter.