NELINA
Nothing feels better than sweating out all the extra calories in my body. I was soaked wet after almost an hour of heavy workouts.

"You're doing a great job, Nelly. Your determination and discipline are remarkable. I commend you for that." My instructor Jessie was nothing but very supportive. No wonder Marica recommended her.

"Don't mention it, Jessie. I'll never drop you for another instructor. You're the best for sure," I said, patting the towel on my moist face.

Jessie cracked, hearing my praise. "Thank you for that. You know, I noticed, if I may say. You are pretty much different from your best friend, Marica. She is so bubbly, and you are a little quieter than her. Marica and I, we're like we could talk all day."

"I agree, Jessie. Marie was the voice of our group when we were in school. And she would act like our big sister even though we were all the same age," I said, turning my thoughts to Marica. "I am lucky to have her."

"Indeed, you are. Please send her my regards, Nelly. Tell her I missed her. The dumbells are waiting," she said, glancing at the workout equipment.

"Don't worry. I'll let Marica know. I just don't know when I'm not familiar with her schedule. As you may have learned, after starting her own business, her schedule has been hectic."

"I understand. So, I'm gonna leave you here and attend to my other clients," Jessie said. She then tapped my shoulder as she walked away.

I rested my hands on my hips as I released a long breath. I roamed my eyes around, looking at the shiny workout equipment. They were so enticing that it adds up to my motivation to workout 5 times a week. The place doesn't look crowded, which I love. They made sure to put enough space for everyone to move. It feels like every client has their own privacy.

It took me a few minutes to recover the right breathing rhythm. When I finally got finished catching my breath, I headed out of the women's gym. On my way to the stairs, I remember Royce's, our paths crossed in the lobby. He invited me to have breakfast together.

He could be done by now. Should I say yes for breakfast? I'm confused.

I paused a little and thought about what might be his motive in inviting me for breakfast. I slapped my hand on my mouth when a thought came to mind. Does he want to remind me about the car racing practice tomorrow? I haven't even decided yet if I should go with him.

I walked fast to the stairway and jogged on my way to the locker, almost running. Maybe he is still at the Men's gym. I was headed in the right direction when a tall figure suddenly halted me. I was forced to stop, but I lost my balance.

"Whoa." The guy was fast enough to wrap his arms around me. His hands voluntarily held tight on my waist, making his face close to mine. My chest rose and fell with rapid breaths as I looked straight into his eyes. Those piercing black eyes could kill me.

"Royce, I want to move up," I pleaded as I avoided his gaze. I couldn't bear locking stares at him. It wasn't a comfortable position; I was reclining while Royce held my waist tighter. Making him an inch closer to me. I swallowed a lump in my throat as I could feel his breath fanning on my cheek.

I could see him in my peripheral vision letting out an evil smirk. "I thought it's comfy like this," he said. His voice was soft with a hint of tease.

My face burns, hearing his answer. I shifted and glared at him, but our lips nearly touched.

"Oh, almost," he said as he winked at me, a wicked smile never left his lips.

Does he need to tease me every time we meet? This must be a man's habit. "Royce, I want to stand on my feet."

"So, are you joining me for breakfast?" he said, his arms still wrapped around my waist and ignoring my request.

"Ah..." I was unable to think of an alibi. "YES," I agreed. I'm starving anyway.

The corners of his mouth curled up the moment he heard my answer. His eyes sparkled as they gaze at me. "I'll see you in the lobby, okay?"

"I'll take a shower first," I said as I forced myself to regain the strength in my legs and pull myself up. Thankfully, the idiot Royce helped raise me up as he held on to my waist. I immediately scan my eyes left and right, to see if someone was looking at an odd situation. Thanks, GOD, it seems quiet. But I knew the red apples were on my cheeks.

As soon as I was on my feet, I walked fast to the women's locker. I patted myself with my towel as I was soaking wet with sweat again. It was unclear to me if it was because of my workout or the intense situation with Royce.

My heart was still racing when I was in the shower room. I pressed my hands to my cheeks, my face burned to my palms. I let the water run to my body freely for a minute before I started scrubbing with my favorite strawberry body wash.

I thought I was fast, but Royce was faster. He was already sitting on the couch when I arrived at the lobby.
"Royce, are we going?" I asked, standing in front of him.

Royce jolted a bit; he removed the magazine he was reading, then lifted his head. His eyes were stuck on mine; he stared at me as he adores me.

"Shall we?" I asked again.

"Sure," he answered, putting the magazine on the table, and then he stood up.

In five minutes, we were in his Mclaren sports car, the one he drove when we first met. I had no idea where he was taking me. But after almost 10 minutes of driving. I had a hint of an inkling. Is he taking me to the fast-food restaurant?

Without a minute, I confirmed that my guess was correct. We park in front of the famous fast-food restaurant in the city. "I knew it," I said as I shifted to him.

"Really? Right from the gym, you knew I'd take you here? Are you a mind reader?" He said as he unfastened his seatbelt and then leaned closer to me. Which was way too much for my comfort zone again.

Turning my thoughts to what happened in the Fit Me gym. My face burns. Not again. "No, I guessed it when we were approaching the last street to this restaurant," I said as I avoided Royce's eyes. I hurriedly unfastened my seatbelt on the verge of opening the door. He interrupted.

"Wait, let me," he said. He stepped out of the car, went directly to the passenger's side to where I was sitting, and opened my door.

"Thank you, you didn't have to," I said as I avoided his eyes, but my nose caught his musky scent. He wore the same fragrance. There must be something special about his perfume.

The place was not crowded like the usual Saturday that the security guard got to open the door for us.

"I got this," Royce handed his card to the cashier to pay for the orders.

I glared at him. Like what? Did I ask him to pay for my meal? He seemed to get my message the way I looked at him.

"Can you let me pay now, and maybe next, you can pay for our meal too."

"Next time?" I asked with a trace of sarcasm. So he's planning to have the next date? I don't even know if this is a date. I swear, this is one of the weirdest dates ever. But he didn't seem to get it or may be intended not to take my message.

"Yes..."

"Ms., can I accept his card, or we'll use your card?" The cashier chimed in.

"Okay, take his card," I said as I let out a long breath of frustration. When I shifted on Royce, he plastered a wicked smirk on his face. As if to declare that he won—the audacity.