Chapter 59: Chapter 59

NELINA

"Baby, I'm starving."

"Oh, I can't let my baby starve," Royce said, kissing me.

He got the bathrobe, wore it on me, and wrapped a towel on his waist before scooping me on his arms. I squealed out of surprise.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm taking you in the kitchen to have our second breakfast."

"Second breakfast? We haven't eaten since we woke up this morning," I said, narrowing my eyebrows in confusion.

"Seriously?" Royce said with a naughty smirk on his lips.

It was then that I got a hint of what he meant. I didn't know his mind could be that dirty sometimes. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Silly."

Royce replied with a chuckle.

"What do you want for breakfast, my love?" Royce asked as he put me on the chair.

"Anything, I'm starving."

"Well then, would you like a second serving of me?" Royce asked with a wicked smile on his lips.

"Baby, I'm serious, I'm hungry," I begged in a sweet tone. And I knew I got what I wanted when Royce's face turned soft and gentle.

"I got you, baby. Sit here; I need a little inspiration while cooking."

I obeyed and let Royce do his thing in the kitchen.

The kitchen and the dining area is vast space for one person. Royce's dining table was massive, with 12 chairs on it.

I felt a sudden twitch of pain in my chest, thinking he was all alone for 2 years. The empty chairs only showed the space that needed to be filled. Despite everything he has, he was a lonely man before. But I'm here now, and I will do everything to make him feel happy and alive, living his purpose. Whatever problem he has with his family, I will find a way to ease all the pain from the past.

My thoughts went wild while watching Royce cook for us. It was amazing to see a man cooking since I hadn't seen a man do it personally in front of me as my dad and brother were not into cooking. Royce was even more attractive with an apron on his neck, chopping the ingredients and combining them.

My mouth began watering when I smelled the aroma of pancake Royce was cooking. It was so sweet that he still remembers that pancakes are my favorite. My thoughts returned to the day I met him in the famous fast-food restaurant.

I am bound to believe that it was fate that brought us together. He is a guy who's not used to eating in a fast-food restaurant, yet circumstances brought him there. We are lucky to have met each other.

"Do you need some help?" I asked as I ended my thoughts of Royce in the fast-food restaurant.

"Yes, all you have to do is sit and be cute," Royce answered with a naughty wink.

I shook my head in disbelief. He was way too silly.

"I know you're starving, but this won't be long, my love. A little patience, please."

"I can wait."

It didn't take more than 20 minutes when Royce started serving omelet, garlic fried rice, hotdog, and my favorite pancake. Royce put it one by one and didn't even let me help prepare the table and the utensils. I couldn't be more amazed and admired him for being good at it. Growing up disciplined by his grannies and living alone in his massive condo must be the perks.

"Baby, do you like it?" Royce asked, pinching my cheek.

"I do; you are so good at all of this. From cooking, preparing the table, and everything in the kitchen. I'm embarrassed you wouldn't even let me help."

"Baby, you are my princess. Let me spoil you."

"Baby, that's sweet. Thank you," I said, slowly batting my eyebrows.

I felt a little heat in my cheeks as Royce moved closer to my face. When I thought Royce would initiate a kiss, he scooped me with his arms, replaced sitting on my chair, and laid me in his lap.

"Baby, what are you doing?"

"Trying to make you comfortable so that we can start having our breakfast."

"This is what you call comfy?"

"Yeah, baby, I'll feed you for breakfast; you only have to sit and eat," Royce said as he started putting fried rice on the plate.

"This is how I spoil my princess," he added.

"I'm so lucky, right?" I said sarcastically.

"Of course, you are. " Royce mimics a child waiting to be fed by her mom, open your mouth, ahh. He was cute, though. I did the same, and then I had my first bite for breakfast.

It wasn't surprising he could cook so well; I already guessed it when I saw how well prepared the ingredients were and his cooking skills. The food tasted almost the same as mom's cooking.

"How was it?" Royce asked hastily while I was munching. He seems excited to hear my comment and a bit nervous at the same time.

"Superb!" I replied.

"Baby, I'm ashamed for not having the same cooking skills as you. I wish I was serious about learning to cook with mom before." I added, pouting my lips.

"That's not a problem. I can cook for us. I do this every day; it's no big deal for me. Baby, I love seeing your cheeks blushed." Royce pinch

I feel my cheeks heated even more.

"You're making me embarrassed."

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, my princess. Here, eat this, your favorite; you love to have this first, right?"

I tried the sweet pancake he made. It was heavenly, it melted in my mouth, and I love its aroma.

"Perfect," I said with a thumbs up. Royce's eyes lit up.

"That means my pancake passed your standard, right? You have set a higher standard when it comes to pancakes. Your mom told me."

"She did? When?"

"Well, we get to talk sometimes, you know. Even though your mom doesn't cook it at home, she knows you love having it."

"Oh, I miss mom. Later, I'm calling mom and dad to ask how they are doing in Manila."

I was full enough sitting on Royce's sofa a few minutes later, dialing mom's number. She answered immediately. We talked about dad's response and development due to the treatment. It was worth it, as mom told me. And they are expecting dad would be able to walk again after a few months.

"Baby, mom wants to talk to you," I called out Royce. He was in the kitchen fixing the things we used.

I paused and covered my phone when he came close to me.

"Don't tell her about what happened last night, especially Dennis," I whispered.

Royce leaned on my ears and whispered. "Don't worry, baby, I won't." He then gave my earlobe a kiss, making me blush instantly. He took the phone from me and then he sat beside me.

"Hello, Mrs. Cruz!"

"Royce, happy belated birthday. I wish Nelly had informed us yesterday; I would have called you to give my best wishes. I'm sorry to greet you this late," Mom's voice sounded concerned.

I chuckled a bit. "There's nothing to apologize for. I'm happy to hear greetings from you. Please send my regards to Mr. Arthur," Royce said.

"Don't worry, it will get to him. He is doing great, Royce. There are a lot of remarkable developments that I am so overwhelmed with. It seems surreal."

"Everything will be back as it was before, Mrs. Cruz. We are all hoping for the best outcome," Royce comforted mom as he pulled me close to him.

"Yes, it will, soon. Anyway, I won't disturb you; Nelly told me you both are busy."

Royce took a side-eye to me, seemingly confused why I told mom we were busy.

"Yes, thanks for the greetings again. If you need anything, just give me a call."

"Of course, we couldn't thank you enough, Royce."

"Don't think about it. Have a great day in Manila."

The call ended, and then Royce handed back the phone to me. I took it immediately.

"I'm calling Marica as well; I'm taking a day off."

"Why? Are you afraid of what happened last night? Baby, you don't have to. I'll give you a bodyguard if you need to."

"It's not that. I already told you I only want to spend time with you; consider this a late birthday gift," I said as I looked down on my lap. I felt my cheeks blush like an innocent child again.

Royce pinched my chin, making me look straight into his eyes.

"Oh, I forgot. But baby, you are getting sweeter every single hour. I wonder what you would like to offer later in the afternoon and even at night."

I gave Royce a naughty smile enough to give him hope and look forward to a beautiful night with him. Just Royce and me, alone in his condo.

"Baby, since you decided to stay with me. Would you like to go out with me today?"

"What do you mean by going out?" I asked excitedly.

"I mean like the typical girlfriend-boyfriend date. Does it sound interesting to you?"

My eyes lit up to Royce's question. It had been quite a long time since I had a date like the typical date of a boy and a girl in love. I heaved a sigh, thinking the past relationship was gone. Royce won't hurt me like Dennis did. I feel I have a sanctuary having Royce beside me.