NELINA
We are almost there. It was quiet, easy to tell that the police had not arrived. The only noise I could hear was the engine of my car and my heartbeat racing in my chest. The road was dark, but the color white caught my eyes. I suspect it was my brother's car, although it was not clear as the streetlight was a distance from where the accident happened.

As we drew nearer, the car was almost unrecognizable from its original design because of the damage. I froze, and my breath came in short. The car bumper cut through the electrical tower. It seemed to be struck by another car on the side as it left a mark on it, crumpling my brother's favorite Ferrari car. Before we could pull over, I saw a man running away.

Thank God someone is helping them. I let out a long breath of relief.

Despite that, I couldn't calm down even when the car stopped. My hands are sweating as I open the door. I step out of my car, maintaining my eyes in the right direction when suddenly a fire flares. A loud noise of the explosion follows and the noise of the car debris falling on the ground and snapping apart.

I close my eyes, my hands covering my head, and I refuse to process what might be happening. I can't, no, please. This can't be happening. It happened. A debate in my head lasted for seconds. Until I felt a man's hand on my shoulder, rocking me, which took me out of reverie.
"Ms. Nelly? Ma'am."

I slowly opened my eyes to gain back my vision. A pair of almond eyes with black orbs are staring at me. It's Jason, my driver.
"Are you okay, Ms. Nelly?" Jason shook me, taking me out of my trance. I look into his eyes in confusion.

I stay mute as I check what has happened—roaming my eyes around—the car debris scattered all over the road. Beads of sweat dripped on my temple because of the overheated air. I suspect what might happen to my two favorite people.
"NO," I said, my voice brittle.

I gasp in the horror sight on the other side of the road. My mind rattles, and my hands shiver, unable to decipher if what's in front of me is reality. An hour ago, I was just living a normal life. I have everything that the world could offer. But none of them matter now while watching the orange fire devour the remains of my brother's car. Never had I imagined not having my dad and my brother in my life.

Why? Why them? I can only spit out questions in my head. My heart tightens to the reality in front of my eyes that I refused to acknowledge. I took a small step to cross the road to rescue them, but Jason held my arm. I have to save them.

"NO, ma'am, it's unsafe for you to go there."

"Jason, let me go, let me go," I repeated, giving him a stern look. Poor Jason, he's done nothing terrible, but it seems he is the bad guy here. He just gave me a blank face, adamant not to let me go. I pulled my arms away from him, but it wasn't working. My strength is no match for Jason. Still, I didn't retreat. I pull my arm even harder now, as hard as I can.

"Ouch," I cried in pain as my hand hit a hard surface, which seemed strange. As I opened my eyes, my vision landed on a white ceiling and white walls. I was lying on a fiery red bed sheet. My cushion felt soft beneath my body, obviously, in a different scenario.

When I lifted my head, I realized that the hard surface was above my headboard.
No, I had a nightmare again? One hand clutched my chest, and the other rubbed my eyes to recover from a horrible scene. I rubbed down my face, where I felt my cheek was moist.
"I missed you, brother." I shed a tear at the nightmare that kept haunting me for almost two years.

When it all sank in, I helped myself adjust and lean my head on the headboard.
Why does it keep haunting me? I released a deep breath as I checked the time on the wall clock.

"Oh God, I need to call Marie." I hurriedly grab my phone from the side table, then dial Marica's number. On the third ring, I put it on speaker mode, right before Marie answered.

"Good morning, dear. Why so early?"

"Good morning, Marie. We need to talk. I'll be meeting our new client early in the morning after breakfast. Let me know if there's anything you want me to add to the proposal," I started. I placed the phone on the side table as I grabbed myself out of bed and started fixing my pillows.

"Oh... that," she answered in her lazy voice. "O-okay, let me get up first," she paused. "I remember, besty, I have to send it to you through email. There are things I need you to consider for your package proposal."

"That would be better. Send that to me now," I said and sat on my bed as I finished fixing it.

"Sure, dear. Is there anything else?"

Should I tell her? I exhaled and raked my nails on the bedsheet. I could never forget that man's back, but the problem remains: I have had no clear sight of his face. Who are you? I gritted my teeth at the question no one could answer.

"Nelly?" My best friend called out my name.

"There is something I want to share with you."

"I'm all ears."

"I had a nightmare again, the same incident almost two years ago. I am sure that there was a guy who walked away from the car before it blew up. The man could be one culprit," I said just when I grabbed my phone and prepared for a morning shower.

"What do you mean? You told me a different story before, and now I'm confused."

"Okay, I told you he was helping dad and my brother. But the question is. Why didn't he show up after the incident? Something is missing here. He could be a criminal." I pinched my eyebrows when I grasped how bad the guy could be.

"Yes, that's right, Nelly. But the police have found no trace of that man. And criminals? How did you come up with that theory?"

"I know it's kind of hard to believe, but I still want to get to know this man. There is something he needs to tell me. I can't take this for granted, Marie," I told her, my voice hardened with conviction.

Marica let out a long breath on the other line. "No... Nelly, what are you thinking?"

I closed my eyes and pushed away from the other thoughts in my head. Marie doesn't have to know. "Nothing, it's just that my nightmare is confusing me. For almost two years, it kept haunting me. But, Marie, I need to go. I can't be late for my meeting, right?"

"Take your time, besty. Don't overthink. Let me know if you need my help with your proposal, and the same goes for your family. Okay?"

After the call, I wasted no time and took a shower for 15 minutes. I settled with my prepared outfit to meet a VIP client. Put my make-up on, then spray my favorite body perfume. Carrying a shoulder bag out of my room, I saw mom and dad at the dining table, having breakfast. I was lucky enough to have dad survive the accident. I said under my breath, my way of consoling myself from missing my favorite person. However, my brother was irreplaceable.

My eyes stuck on Dad, and a pain in my heart arose; it opened up the past wounds knowing that he was not the man I used to hug and kiss before. An influential leader and legendary Arthur Cruz. The breakfast was quiet as mom fed dad with a bowl of porridge, like their usual meal routine. Dad was left paralyzed from the accident; he could barely move half of his body.

"Mom?" I called out her name as I made my way to the table.

Mom shifted in my direction. "Nelly, are you going? Come, join us for breakfast first."

"Yes, I have to go. And I can't have breakfast now, mom; I'm running late for my meeting with a client," I said as I drew nearer to kiss her and then turned to dad and gave him a quick kiss as well.

"I have to go to work, dad. Get well soon." Dad showed a brief movement on his upper lip, and a smile reached his eyes. There was an improvement in his physical therapy, and I was happy to witness that every day.

"Take care, Nelly," mom said as I stepped out of the door.

I immediately hopped into the taxi that was waiting outside the building.
"Drop me at the nearest fast-food restaurant," I commanded the taxi driver. "And please, don't drive too fast." The driver nodded, then he maneuvered the wheel.

I intend not to have breakfast with my mom and dad. My nightmare about the accident almost two years ago leads to anxiety, especially when I see dad. I can't pretend in front of them, nor do I want to appear weak.

I rushed to the restaurant. On the verge of opening the door, somebody grabbed it first.
This guy may be in a hurry, like me. In my peripheral vision, I saw a man towering over me. He must be 6 footers as I stood 5'6; the corner of his lips curled up. I fell into a trance.

“He is handsome,” I said under my breath. Slow down, girl, you're not into this.

"Sorry, ma'am. The restaurant is busy. I needed to evacuate my post for some customer's concern," said the security. He apologized for not opening the door for us. I shook off my thoughts and shrugged my shoulders. "No problem."

The fiery red is the color of the month. It is also present on the streets to the restaurant entrance and inside. The same color as heart-shaped ornaments hangs on the ceiling. Some of them are not in a perfect heart shape, showing that it's been there for quite a while. The wind was wallowing in the heart-shaped balloon as I went upstairs. A swift tingling feeling in my heart emerged. This is the season of the year that I dislike. I am of no participation at all in the celebration and am pleased that it will end soon.

While waiting at the table, out of the blue, my mind voluntarily recalls what happened in the doorway. Opening the door, I brushed shoulders with the man and threw a quick smile at him, my way of saying thank you to the guy. He is a gentleman. I sniffed the sleeve of my dress as I closed my eyes.
"I like the masculine scent," I muttered. He must have an expensive perfume to think that it lingers in my clothes by brushing shoulders with him.

"Here's your order, ma'am," said a young man's voice as I heard the tray placed on the table. I opened my eyes to check on my meal. Only to find out that the man in my mind is now holding a gaze at me. We locked stares for a moment.

"Is everything here, ma'am?"

Observing the service crew's confused look, I tried to compose myself and forced a fake smile. "Yes, everything's okay, thanks," I said and nodded to dismiss him.

My eyes tried to scan for the man and found out that he was heading to my table if I was not mistaken. He was in a semi-formal look, wearing black slack pants, paired with a baby pink long sleeve folded in his elbow.

I admire men who wear clothes in pink shades. So I said under my breath. My lips curled up in a warm smile. His mesmerizing black eyes darted to mine, which sent butterflies to my stomach.

"Is this seat taken?" he asked, a smile trailing on his lips.

"No," I replied and was expecting him to sit, but then.

"Can I sit here?" By the look on his face, he was pleading.

Too cute. Is this guy trying to beg for this seat in front of me? "Sure."
I need to return the favor he did to me at the doorway. Don't overthink, Nelly. I shook the thought in my head and focused on my food.

After not eating in a fast-food restaurant for a while, I missed the pancake since my mom didn't encourage me to make it a habit. But today, I had an excuse. I'm eating my pancake first—a little self-treat for today. So I was savoring the taste, like a child—my usual way of eating pancakes, having it in reverse.

I never expected a plate of pancakes from the guy in front of me. I laugh at my thoughts. It's the first time I've seen a handsome guy who loves to eat pancakes in the morning. My dad and brother don't like pancakes, perhaps because mom doesn't make it at home. A few seconds later when I realized a grin trailed on my lips on such a shallow thing.

"What is it?" He said, intensely looking at me.

I wanted to burst into laughter, but I couldn't. I don't intend to offend the guy, but my mind doesn't cooperate. Except by being honest. "Ahh…"

"I knew it," he interrupted, a smile crept on his lips.

He cut me when I opened my mouth to speak out. I pursed my lips into a thin line as I waited for him to talk. Did he know? I bit my lower lip at the thought. I'm sure the red apples are on my cheeks now.

"You can have a piece of my pancake," he said, licking his lips.

"No, it's okay. It's not what you think it is." I told him, trying to be as calm as possible. "I have mine," I said as I looked down at my plate, but the pancake plate was empty.
Was I that hungry?

The guy pressed his lips into a thin smile. Was he disappointed with me for not taking his offer? "Oh, it's empty." I forced an awkward grin when our eyes met.

In a flash, his face brightened. "You can have one of mine." He didn't wait for my answer and used his fork to transfer a pancake onto my plate.

I was starving for more pancakes, so I didn't refuse. "Thank you." I showed a genuine smile and then continued to devour my breakfast.

"You're welcome," the guy said as he scrunched his shoulders.

I nodded and then fixed my eyes on my food. The guy hadn't talked after that, so I kept quiet then. But it was noticeable that some women were stealing a quick look at our table. I'm sure it's not me they're looking at; it should be the hot guy in front of me.

I stared at him for a moment. Yes, he's hot. A prominent jawline marked on his beard, which was left unshaven for days. He sneaked a few glances at me. I paused at the awkward feeling of having someone around with that I'm not familiar.
Eat, you can't be late for your appointment. I reminded myself. I gripped my fork and devoured my meal again.

My phone rang when I was about to finish my breakfast. Marica's name appeared on the screen. I immediately swiped to answer.
"Hello, Marie?" I answered and listened to the other line.

"Oh, thank you, dear. It will help a lot. We will surely get this deal. I'm just having breakfast; I'll get to the appointment from here." Marie wishes me luck before I cut the brief conversation.

We both had our breakfast in 15 minutes. Knowing that it was a busy hour, retouching in the powder room was not an option. To mingle with people in the powder room is not one of my favorites in a fast-food restaurant. But the handsome gentleman was still at the table.

Please leave now. I prayed in silence. If I wait for him to go, I could be late by then; as a make-up artist, retouching is a must. So, I retouched my make-up.

Possibly realizing the awkward moment, he wiped his lips with the napkin. "I should go first," he said with a smile on his lips.

I paused and responded with a smile. "Yes, thanks for the favor at the doorway."

"No problem, I must go. I have a meeting to catch up." The guy nodded as he stood up.

I finished retouching my make-up in a rush. By the time I reached the first floor, the guy was on his way to the parking area. His back was on me. A scene flickered like lightning; I closed my eyes and pinched my eyebrows. "Have I seen him before?" I muttered.

Who is this guy? He seems familiar. Do I know him? I had a lot of questions, but it wasn't the right time to entertain them. I shook my head out of the reverie before I walked out of the restaurant to find a taxi.

The hustle and bustle of the city welcome me like the usual hot weather. Then, reality kicked in again. While I waited for the taxi to come by, I pressed my lips in frustration as I glanced at my wristwatch. If only I could have a car.

The second time I looked at my wristwatch, I was impatient. Being in a tropical country that could get as high as a 40-degree Celsius heat index, my sweat was dripping down my spine. But, OH GOD, please, I can't be late.

"You want a ride?" I heard a familiar voice.