NELINA
"Hello there, beautiful besty." Marica welcomed me with warm hugs and kisses. It's Monday, and back to work again. Loads of work, to be precise.
"Good morning, besty," I greeted as I gave her hugs and kisses. I handed her a paper bag of chips, Royce's newly launched products.
"What's this?" Marie asked, opening the bag and holding one of the sweet potato chips, and hurriedly checking the chips' label. "Nice, organic?"
"Yes. Royce gave me a box of their assorted products. You should try them too. It's not popular yet, newly launched."
"Sure. So, what's up?"
"I missed you, besty," I said, beaming.
"Wait, I don't think you had time to think about me." Roxie's voice was smoky. Raising her chin and crossing her arms on her chest, seizing me up. "There are some transitions in you, dear. You seemed different in a way that's beyond perceivable to me."
"Marie, stop acting like you're a detective, investigating every move I make. You're like a fortune teller, and detective rolled into one. Hilarious." I tried my best not to laugh at her, but I failed.
"Well, I think my best friend here is happy. How could I be against that? Don't forget our lunch later." Marica gave me a side kiss before turning away and going straight to her office.
I shook my head, watching her disappear. We haven't agreed to have lunch together. Still, I guess that's her way of investigating or interrogating me. I'm not against it at all; as a matter of fact, I almost couldn't contempt my excitement to share my progress. I pinched my lower lip, turning my thoughts to what had happened between Royce and me. Should I tell her?
After a few VIP clients in the salon, I took a break. When I checked my phone, there were several missed calls. I put it in silent mode since I wanted to focus on my job and finish in haste. As I checked my inbox, aside from the client's message, there was one from him. Worried it would be something important, I texted him back. Hey, Sorry to miss your calls. I usually put my phone on silent while working.
It didn't take a minute when I heard my phone ring. Before I even retrieved it from my bag, I knew that it was Royce. And voila, ROYCE CALLING was marked on the screen. I swiped to answer then listened to him on the other line using the earpiece.
"Yes, sorry, I had VIP clients, 3 of them were here, and I didn't want to get distracted, so I turned my phone into silent mode. How are you doing?" I was mute again and listened to the other line. His voice is so manly and soothing in my ears that I could listen to it the whole day. I have never yearned to hear a man's voice in my life.
I nodded to every word he said as he could see me. "Very well, I just took a short break from work. Everything's fine at home too. Mom, have asked about you and our trip. I hope work and company are fine as well."
My eyes widened hearing him invite me to visit his company. "Later? I don't know if I can. If I am out as early as 6 or 7, maybe I can, but I can't promise anything."
He was content and would hope for the best. The call ended right after he said the 3 words. I didn't respond probably the way he wanted me to. Does he really mean it? I swayed my head and chose to disregard it, yet my heartbeat was racing in my chest.
Later at lunch, Marica brought me to POTION CAFE, our new favorite. This time we didn't take the table in the cubicle. We had the regular one at the rear left side of the cafe. Marica had a table reserved for the two of us.
"So, you sure have a lot of things to say. Why don't you start now while waiting for our lunch?" Marica said, eyeing me on the rim of the glass of water she sips.
"I guess I don't have any choice then. Where do you want me to start?" I said as I flipped my hair.
"Oh, besty, you seem to be dynamic today; you weren't that open before. Go ahead, start wherever you want, dear," Nelly said, smirking, giving me the wicked vibe. She loves to do this to me and teased me.
"The thing I told you on the phone about being sentimental, it's one thing I admire about Royce. You wouldn't expect this man to be that sentimental. He remembers and values simple and tiny things from his ancestors. People these days, especially the young ones, rarely do that. And the second thing I want to point out is the house. God, it gives me 70s and 80s vibes. His grandfather built it, and they chose to retain the Mediterranean style."
"What? The Mediterranean style could be modern too, but they chose the ancient style? So it does look literally old? Is that what you mean?"
"Yeah, it does, but it was like a breath of fresh air. Because we are used to seeing modern houses, even the ones we had were modern." I swung my head, remembering the old house we had to sell.
"Especially since the house was surrounded with trees and flowers. Too bad I didn't have time to explore their backyard."
"You were there for 2 days. How come you didn't have time?" She paused and rested her chin on her palm. "What were you guys doing? You were too busy?" Her voice, smoky, biting her pinky finger.
"Marica..." My voice raised in a few decibels.
"What? Just asking," she said nonchalantly. Mischievously raising her hands in the air like a defense.
I rolled my eyes at her and continued with where I left the story. "The first day, we had a house and car collections tour, and the second day Royce taught me how to drive again."
Marica fixed her gaze at me, mouth falling open. "Did you manage to drive again?"
I nodded in response.
"That's good news. I'm happy for you, besty, you're doing the right thing. You have to give yourself a chance to live again without fear and hesitation. Try new things, be with somebody who'd take care of you besides your parents and me. Nelly, that is what you deserve," Marica said while squeezing my hand. Her eyes were glossy.
Marica is so genuine; I wasn't surprised by how she reacted.
"Thank you, besty; you don't know how fulfilled I am overcoming my fears." I squeeze back her hand while exchanging looks at her. We understood each other so well.
We both had our great lunch when Nelly seemed uncontented by my story.
"Besty, tell me everything."
"I told you everything, though it was like a summary of what happened during the weekend with Royce."
"Hmmm, how about Saturday night?"
I froze between munching the food in my mouth, then forcefully swallowed it. It wasn't chewed enough to get trapped a little in my throat. My body heats up, turning my thoughts on Royce's fitted boxer's shorts, Saturday evening. His luscious shaft appeared bulky on his shorts.
"Look at you, dear. The red apples are on your cheeks now. Aren't you gonna share a steamy story?"
I rolled my eyes at her and refused to give in, pretending to enjoy my food again.
"Oh, come on, Nelly. Tell me," Marica said as she rested her hands on the table. Curiosity crossed her face.
She must have expected me to talk again. But no, I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of getting what she already formed in her mind.
"Marie, you told me you wouldn't force me anymore."
She rolled up the pupil of her eyes and seemed to think if she really said that.
"Well, I wouldn't force you. But that only means there was something you're hiding from me. Isn't it?"
"I didn't say that either."
"Hmm, but I'll take that as a yes."
I only shook my head in response.