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 t

ROYCEI continuously massage my temple while pacing back and forth in my living room, waiting for the call to be picked up. Nelina wouldn't admit it, but I saw it in her eyes. She was terrified; her anxiety attacked again even though she did her best to hide it from me. "Hello, Mr. Park." Finally, a well-modulated voice came from the other line. "Yes, Jay, thanks for picking up. I know it's late, but I badly need your help," I said as I sat on the couch. Almost midnight when I took a glance at my wristwatch. It took two hours before I finally decided to call for professional help. "I am sending you a detailed format that I need for a certain person. Please give me all the details when I come home from Manila. I'll be leaving tomorrow, so hopefully, af

NELINA The conversation with Royce in the hospital keeps replaying in my head. Royce seems really happy helping my family that I could not help but be curious about his own family. His parents, he said, left him when he was little. It must have been hard for him. The thought of it crushed my heart.   All this time, it was all about me about my anxiety, my family, and my job. He always made time for me. I forcefully shut my eyes and suppressed the guilt inside. I should be reciprocating all the love he gave me; I don't want him to feel that way, not seeing his worth.   My nails raked on the bed I sat on. I felt like I'd put too much burden on Royce's shoulder. If not for his looks, I wouldn't believe that he is a 30-year-old man. Royce was way more mature in dealing with things more than any other man I know i

ROYCEA few minutes had passed, but Nelly never said a word following Roxie's encounter. I brought her to my quarter to calm down. My eyes stuck at her innocent face as she sat opposite me. Her face down as she squeezed her hands. Nelly's chest rose and fell, which is quite different from ordinary; I could hear her breathing because of the silence that dominated between us. Even if she hasn't uttered a word, I know that she's having an inner argument. The last thing I want her to think is questioning her worth just because Roxie belittled her. "Do you wanna say something? Ask me anything."I broke the silence. Only by then, Nelly lifted her head, her sight landed on mine. She straightened her body, her back on the cushion. All the while, never leaving my eyes that

NELINAA week has passed quickly, but still, the memories with Royce in the car were vivid to me. I love how he held me in his arms, the touch of his hands that sent warmth on my skin, and the way he pressed his lips on mine. My heart skipped a beat imagining Royce's face, overjoy clouded his features as he trailed his fingers on my cheek. I never thought there could be any safer place than the arms of my dad and my brother Mark. I was cut off from my daydream when the doorbell rang. It must be Marica. I threw a brief look in the mirror before I intended to attend who's on my door. I was about to grab my clutch bag when I saw the Mercedes Benz car key. The sentimental guy.