Chapter 68: Chapter 68

NELINA

Min Park went home after lunch for business, so Lucy took the chance to tour me around her vast mansion, an offer I couldn’t resist. Royce’s mom even wanted to have a friendly talk after the house tour, but I declined as Marica entrusted the Salon management to me. I was late when I came back to Hermosa Salon.

I immediately checked on the staff on how the business was going and thankfully everything seemed fine when I did my survey. I hopped on my laptop to check the latest project I’m working on. Another one after I got completed, the one I did in Royce’s condo. It felt fulfilling to attain my dreams in reality and I thank Marica for all she did to me. She believed in my talent not just as a makeup artist but also in my creative side of organizing events.

I came to my senses with the ringing of my cell phone. It was Royce, so I swiped the screen to answer.

“Baby, what’s up?”

“Everything turns out fine when I hear your voice, my love. How’s my princess?”

I giggled a bit, hearing his confession. It didn’t sound like a confession, though; it was more of his way of persuading me. He might have plans later tonight.

“That’s too sweet of you, baby. Did you have your lunch?”

“Yeah, I had my secretary deliver food for me. I ate alone in my office, baby. You don’t know how I long to have you by my side, having our lunch together. I miss you already.”

“Don’t be silly. We were literally together a few hours ago.”

Royce chuckled on the other line. “Well, what can I do? I already miss my princess.”

“Cut the act. Is there anything you want?”

Royce chuckled again. “Well, there’s something I have to ask you, but I was serious that I missed you.”

“Fine, I believe you. Tell me what is that, something you want to ask me.”

“My friends are leaving for Australia. So tonight they are inviting us to the despedida party. Marica will be there as well.”

“That’s probably the reason Marica is not around in the Salon now, but she hasn’t told me about the party.”

“Yes, I told her I’ll invite you instead and we will be at the party together. So, baby, what time can I pick you up after work?”

“Do we have to go there after work? How about I changed an outfit for the party first?”

“No, it’s okay, baby. We won’t be long there and it’s an exclusive party at Andi’s residence, so you don’t have to worry so much about your outfit. You look perfect with what you wear.”

“Alright then, I’m too lazy to do it, anyway. You can pick me up at 7 in the evening. I’ll probably be free by that time.”

“Time settled then. I’ll be there at 7 in the evening.”

At precisely 7 in the evening, I waited for Royce outside the Salon. It didn’t take me long to see Royce stepped out of the car wearing a black leather jacket. It was like a nightmare that the horrible incident two years ago flickered in my head. I held my head, as the world was like spinning around me.

“Baby? What’s wrong?” Royce asked worriedly. His arm clutched around my waist as he softly touched my cheek.

I stared at Royce in confusion. Impossible. What if? No. I ended the debate in my head and showed a brief smile.

“I think I’m hungry this early in the evening because I didn’t have an afternoon snack.” I lied, diverting the topic.

“Baby, you are working too hard; that’s not good for you.” Royce stuck my hair in my ear and then he led me to the car.

“You shouldn’t have stayed outside while waiting for me to pick you up. We’re not done with Roxie and Dennis yet. We never know when they’ll get close to you, and I don’t want that to happen.”

“It’s okay. This is not a remote area where nobody can see me if anybody tries to abduct me.”

“Oh, baby. You keep insisting. Get in the car so that we can get to the party early. You need to have your early dinner there.”

“Royce, I didn’t know you enjoyed wearing leather jackets.” I asked when we were on our way to Andi’s residence.

Royce chuckled. “Am I too hot wearing a leather jacket? That’s why you almost fainted, huh?”

I rolled my eyes at Royce when he glanced at me. “Too much bragging. You didn’t even answer my question.”

“I can wear whatever I want and still look hot and spicy,” Royce bragged again as he winked at me.

I snorted before I burst out laughing. He laughed with me as well.

“I keep some extra coat and suit for me to wear in case I urgently need them. I have a little closet in my office, so it’s easy for me to keep it there.”

”Oh, I see.”

It wasn’t a long ride to Andi’s residence. Royce reminded me to talk about the investigation report the following day since we will have a long night after the party. He has a valid reason, so I let it pass, though I badly want to talk about it since it concerns my dad and my brother’s accident.

As I was expecting, Andi’s mansion was enormous, almost the same size as Lucy’s mansion. Turning my thoughts to Lucy, I feel guilty for not opening it to Royce. I know he wouldn’t like it although I have a good intention. I heaved a heavy sigh to let go of the thoughts.

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, let’s go?”

“Yes, I’ll make sure you’ll have something to eat. You look a little pale.” Royce softly tapped his palm on my forehead like he was checking if I had a fever. I feel like I was a child that he needed to take care of. It was sweet, though.

“Hey, you’re here,” Marica greeted when we reached the place where they held the party.

“Marie…” I said excitedly and hugged her. “Did you help them set this up?”

“Yes, I did. Giving my cousin a favor and the rest of the boys.”

Royce gave Nelly a hug and the rest of the boys who came near us. Royce introduces me to some of his friends. Some are familiar to me; I probably met them from my dad’s business events before.

They held the party near the pool. It looked so vibrant with the lighting that they did, from the pool to the lanai area. Visitors started filling up the venue as we sat to have our dinner.

Andi was on the mic. There weren’t too many guests invited, like Royce told me. Only family and close friends. They announced only Leo will be left to help his parents run their group of companies. The rest of the boys will stay in Australia to study.

Each one of them had a quick talk, after Andi, Santino and Rico had the mic. The program wasn’t long followed by the guests dancing to the hired DJ’s music.

I asked Royce to have a talk with Marica as I don’t feel like dancing and he allowed me as he had a good talk with the boys.

“Marie, we have to talk. I missed you,” I said as we finally sat down at a table for two.

“I missed you too, but it seems you’re too busy with your man. I bet you have so much to share. Spill the tea.”

“I think we need to talk about it over lunch or dinner. What do you say?”

“Sounds good. How about tomorrow or the day after tomorrow?”

“Whichever day you choose, I’m good. Probably lunch would be better.”

“I see why you choose lunch. You only want to spend time with Royce at night, I bet.”

“Marica, it’s not what you think it is. I can meet you for dinner.”

“No, I choose lunch as well. I have too much on my plate at night and besides, I don’t want to disturb someone else’s affair.”

“Stop it. By the way, how was Leo?”

“Leo? What about him?”

“Marica, you can’t deny it. Not with me.”

“Fine,” she said, raising her wineglass in the air. “Honestly, I don’t feel like being in a serious relationship right now. My hands are too occupied with my business and I’m too scared to commit.”

“Hey!” Royce cut off our conversation as he approached us.

“Can I snatch this beautiful lady right here? Something tells me we need to dance before the night ends.” Royce wasn’t drunk but I was 100% sure he had a drink.

I shook my head in disbelief. I was quite embarrassed. But I love how he is showing off how proud he is to be my boyfriend. The entire experience was new to me. When I was with Dennis, it was the opposite.

“She’s all yours now.” Marica said, as he nodded at me.