NELINA
It's Saturday weekend, but I have to grind for my family. Marica and I are set to prepare for the significant coming events in the company. I love working with her when it comes to bettering the business. It doesn't feel like working at all. Being my best friend's number one support system, I'm all for the company's progress.

We started as a salon company, and now we offer make-up packages for events. This is a massive step for us, being a young company that started just over a year. I have never been happier for Marie.

Between fixing my things for my lunch meeting with Marie, Royce's sad face flickers on my thoughts. I paused, realizing that I might have helped him if I asked what was wrong. He seemed too disturbed after he received a call. I shut my eyes close and shook the thoughts away. There's no reason for me to feel guilty. I don't reserve the right to intervene in his personal life.

Later that day, at 12 noon, I was at the potion cafe where I agreed to meet Marie. The place is our new favorite, easy on the eyes, and more convenient to have a short meeting. In addition, they offer a private cubicle where their clients can have privacy in discussing personal and business topics.

Marie wasn't there yet when I arrived. I waited for her while having my favorite lemon black tea. I couldn't resist it; it was a refreshing and light treat for my taste bud. In 10 minutes, comfortably sitting at the cubicle, Marica came wearing her signature look. A body-hugging halter dress, flexing her perfect biceps. "Hey, been waiting for almost an hour," I said, glaring at her.

"Sorry,besty." Marie leaned over and gave me a cheek kiss.

"Kidding, just a few minutes. Should we eat first? I'm starving." I didn't wait for her reply and picked up the menu. Marica did the same.

When we were having a beautiful lunch when Royce's invitation came to mind. "I have something to share with you."

"What is it? If that's business, hold it until we're finished."

"Nope. Care to listen?" I said, wiping my creamy lips with the table napkin.

"Sure, dear. Spill it out. That sounds interesting, huh," Marica said, with a hint of tease in her voice.

It seems to me that she already has an idea of what I'm about to say. "I'm going out with Royce tomorrow," I said. Marica's mouth fell open. "He will have a racing practice and wants to show me his car collections."

I haven't even finished what I was about to say when Marica chimed in. "Really? Nelly, I'm happy for you. You guys are so good together."

"Nah, you overthink," I replied. "I only want to join Royce in memory of my brother. The racing field was the place Mark used to bring me for car racing events. You know I missed those days when we were able to hang out together and worry about nothing in life," I added. I lifted the corners of my mouth, recalling those beautiful memories with my brother like it was yesterday.

My best friend held my hand and pressed her lips together as she looked at me with the same sentiment. A few people in this world know me well, and she's one of them.

"I love you, Nelly; I wish you nothing but happiness in this life. Whatever it is between you and Royce, you can keep that and share anything you feel like sharing with me. I am here for you."

"Thank you, I don't have to say it anymore. I feel like it will never be enough of how grateful I am to have you in my life," I said as I pressed her hands and let go of them. I wiped my eyes as my vision became blurry. "Let's eat, and we have a business to talk about later."

In the middle of our lunch, my text message ringtone rang. I ignored it at first, but then it rang back for the second and third time.

"You should check; it must be important," Marica urged me.

Hearing her urge made me stop and retrieve my phone inside my bag. I almost choked when Royce's name appeared on the screen. I patted my chest a little bit to make myself feel better.

I had fun having breakfast with you this morning.
I wish we had talked more.
Thank you so much for your time, Nelly.

He could have sent his message all at once, but he cut it thrice.

"You okay? Is that urgent?" Marica asked, putting down her fork and knife.

"Yeah, nothing urgent, just a client reminding me about the schedule," I said, sliding back the phone into my bag when it rang again.

Are you kidding me? I patiently retrieve my phone back from my bag and read his message.

I can't wait to show you my collection of cars tomorrow. See yah!! And he chose to send it with a kiss emoji. Of course, he loves to tease me. The thought of the word love felt different now. It used to be a pain for me. And now I'm confused. My heart was racing, imagining Royce in his car.

"Are you sure? Your face flushed."

I immediately pressed my palms to my face. My cheeks burn to the touch. "Nothing, maybe the spicy food," I said, trying not to stammer. I bowed down and didn't bother to look at Marica's eyes. She'll notice I lied.

"If you say so," she said, and then I heard her sigh.

Marica and I are satisfied with our lunch, full enough and ready to discuss business. I was hovering over my presentation on my laptop to start the business expansion agenda and the victory party in the coming month. When Marica brought up the topic of going out with Royce.

"Besty, I know I said that I'll just wait when you would be comfortable talking about your date. But I hope you don't mind me asking. Have you told your mom about this?"

I paused and looked her eye to eye. "Honestly, that didn't come to mind. So what am I supposed to say? We're just friends, we barely know each other, so I think, no," I said, sliding the laptop screen in between us to view the presentation.

"So, let's get down to business?" I asked, glancing sideways as I started to open the presentation I prepared. Marica tilted her head in response.

"Well then, let's start with the new package proposal that we have and the second victory celebration that we will hold next month," I said, looking at her to confirm.

"Sounds good to me. Let me know what package would you suggest to innovate our business expansion. Something that would give our clients more options."

Our lunch meeting ended before 3 O'clock in the afternoon. My thoughts shifted to the investigation I started; I'll have enough time to proceed with my little investigation. Although the results are awful. Especially that I dug into the dirt of my dad's friends, or shall I say, former friends. It wasn't surprising why they haven't shown up after the terrible accident. I won't let those people get away; I swear in the name of my brother Mark. Justice will be on our side.