ROYCE
I checked on my wristwatch as I arrived at our company building parking space. Still on time, as always. When I turned off the engine, a shiny thing on the passenger's seat caught my attention. I chuckled, apprehending it as Nelly's phone was left in my car.
"Forgetful little doll."

I took the phone and tried to open it, but Nelly set it with a password.
"Okay, let me try to enter two passwords. Hmmm… let's try 143444 - I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, BABY." I cracked up at the thought of the meaning of the numbers. CRAZY.

"Wrong password? Let's shoot 333314 - YOU ARE THE ONE I LOVE." I breathed a sigh of frustration after I took a second shot. But on second thought, I can make use of the IT expert in my office. So anyway, I only made fun of it.

When I reached the 8th floor, where my office was, I remembered to ask for help with unlocking a phone. "Good morning Jerry."
My secretary stood up when I walked over to his cubicle.

"Good morning, sir. Is there anything you need?"

"Can you ask someone who knows how to unlock a phone to come to my office? I need it right away."

"Yes, sir, I'll have someone in our IT department report to your office. And by the way, Mr. Park, the board members are waiting in the conference room."

"Thank you; you may continue with your work now," I replied and went directly to the conference room.

The board members were all present when I arrived at the meeting room. The gentlemen seated on the circle-shaped table nodded as I made my way to my chair. As I sat, I nodded in return while my uncle raised a hand to start the meeting. We tackled the transfer of the President and CEO's positions, including the lower hierarchy of the company. It lasted for almost 2 hours before we adjourned and separated ways. The board members left the room one by one, leaving me and my uncle Philip all alone.

I settled my feet on the table and gave a little thought to how things are going. Anywhere I look at the room reminds me of my good grannies. They were the most beautiful people I have ever known in my life. Beautiful inside and out.

"Time flies so fast, Royce. You were so little when aunt Margaretta and uncle Miguel used to take you here," Uncle said as he poured two glasses of scotch.

My eyes roam around the room, which used to be my playground when I was a kid. But, then, I was innocent and fragile, the reason my grannies mold me to be brave and independent.

"I knew that you'd take over this company one day, and that day has come," Uncle said, then he passed a glass of scotch to me.

I gladly took it and sipped a little. "Thanks," I mouthed as I raised the glass.

"Cheers," Uncle Philip raised his glass, then took his first sip. The fold on his forehead revealed as he raised his eyebrows. His temple creased when he looked at me. He smiled before he looked away and remained silent.

I stared at him. All these years, he's been with me even when both my grannies were still alive. I just realized that he had aged so much. The silence was deafening, so I started a conversation. "I still need you."

Uncle Philip jolted and shifted his gaze upon me; surprise crossed his face. He lets out a long breath before his expression hardens.
"I taught you everything you need to know. It's up to you how you took all of those lessons. We have different life principles, but I hope you'll take your grannies' words on how to run a business." He paused, his eyes fixed on mine.

"But seriously, I am still here for you. Call me anytime you want me." His entire face lit up as he gulped the glass of scotch. Uncle Philip stood up, leaned closer, and tapped my shoulder, right before when he turned to leave.

His last few words stay with me. It was like an echoing tape that keeps playing in my head.
So I hope you'll take your grannies' words on how to run a business. After all, I am here for my grannies; it is my pleasure to run their business and continue their legacy.

"I'm done," I muttered as I stretched my arms and I rubbed my neck, releasing all the tensions in my muscles. My working chair is my witness of how hardworking I am since the day I got to the company I inherited. As I check my wristwatch, it's quarter to 12, lunch break. When I was about to grab myself out of my chair, I noticed a shiny thing on my table.
OH, the forgetful little doll's phone. Instead of heading out for lunch, I settled on food delivery from my favorite Korean restaurant.

Browsing was easy, with no need for a password.
"Let me see who I can contact," I said under my breath as I browsed on the phone. The first name on the phonebook got my attention; it seems she chose the person to be the first on the list. So I dialed the number, then put it on speaker mode and placed the phone on the table. I waited until the owner would pick up the call, until... I lost hope.

Maybe I should try another one from the contact list. I grabbed the phone from the table when I heard a silvery voice on the other line.

"Hello?"

"Yes, is this Marica?" I responded quickly.

"Yes, speaking...is this Royce?"

Oh, she knows already. "Yes, it's me. Did Nelly tell you she left her phone in my car this morning?"

"Yes, she did. But I wasn't expecting that you'll call me. She was a little anxious, anyway."

"Ms. Marica, I'm sorry about that. It's just that I have loads of work to do that I forgot to check on her phone right away. And also, I had to ask an IT expert who could open Nelly's phone because she locked it with a password."

"Ah... don't think about it. I was reminding Nelly to just wait for today. And thank you for taking the time to call me. My best friend will be happy to know this; she is just working now. Should I call her to talk to you?"

"No need. Can you just tell Nelly to meet me after work so that I can return her phone? I'll send you the address." A sudden feeling of thrill arose to the grasping of meeting Nelly again. I felt my face temperature rise.

"Sure, no problem, Royce. Send it to me; then I'll have Nelly meet you after work."

It was on time that there was a knock on my door. I held the phone away from my mouth.
"Come in."

And yes, I guessed it right; Jerry came to bring me food. I pointed out to put the food on the table and waved my hand in command that he could leave.

Jerry left, and I held the phone near my mouth again. "Thank you, Ms. Marica, so I guess that would be all."

"Yeah, Royce; I really appreciate this for my best friend."

After cutting the conversation with Marica, I called on a reservation for two in my favorite Italian restaurant and then texted Nelly about the details.

Later that night, I ended my day with my tasks perfectly finished. I ease all the stress away by stretching my arms and rubbing my neck. My eyes closed while listening to the cracks in my neck as I rolled it left to right. When swiftly, a beautiful lass entering the lobby of a building flashed through my mind. Swinging her knee-length floral dress and her beautiful dark blonde hair swaying in tune. Rushing to step forward to the building like a catwalk model carrying her white pump shoes, making her look taller.

The forgetful little doll. I said under my breath. I then remember our scheduled dinner for tonight, so I opened my eyes to check on my wristwatch. My watch says it's 6 in the evening. "I think I should go; it would be better if I arrive first and wait for her."

It was a 30-minute ride from our building. I took off my suit and folded my long sleeves at my elbow-length, just like when I was in a fast-food restaurant. As I headed to the front door, I heard someone calling my name.
"Royce." The voice barely reached my ears. But I could never forget her fruity voice—the forgetful little doll.

I shifted to where the voice came from, and my sight landed on her perfect body. I was astounded. She had used herself as a brand of what she does. This time she settled on a body-hugging, knee-length black dress paired with a black stiletto. She appeared to have pinkish cheeks even at night, and I don't know what she did; she had more defined eyes.

Oh, women, they would never run out of ideas for adorning their faces. I concluded she was stunning, more than enough to be exact. Which made me conscious of how I looked; I still wear the same clothes. I let out a heavy sigh before I responded.

"Hi, I thought I was just too early, but you're here now." I checked on my wristwatch; it was quarter to 7.

"Yes, I don't want to be late, so I came early as well."

"Shall we?" I showed her the way and let her walk ahead of me. A server opens our door and gives us a warm welcome.

"Good evening Mr. Park; your table is on the usual spot you reserve," said the server.

"Thank you." I nodded and then shifted to Nelly. "This way, please," I pointed out the table I usually take every time I have my dinner alone. Although it's been 3 months since I haven't visited the place, it hasn't changed. The typical Italian restaurant, checkered tablecloths, wooden furniture, and earth stone motif interior give the restaurant an elegant and intimate vibe at the same time.

"Thank you." She was so polite when I pulled a chair for her.

"You're welcome," I replied as I sat on the opposite chair when a server came to give us the menu. I pretended to check on the menu, but the truth was I intended to order the same dishes just like usual.

Fortunately, Nelly was occupied looking at the menu when I stared at her, having an internal argument. Should I talk about the phone? Maybe later, after dinner. But this is what she came for. So the questions in my head go on and on.

"I'll have bruschetta, mushroom risotto, and affogato chocolate mousse." Next, Nelly narrated her dishes as she glanced at the server and menu, back and forth. And last, she instructed how she wanted to have her food. She had good taste, I could tell.

The waiter took our orders and left. I grabbed the phone from my pocket and took the chance to give it back.
"Here's your phone," I said as I handed Nelly her cellphone.

Her mouth curved into an open lip-smile. It was the first time I saw her smile this big right in front of me. "Thanks," she said as she extended a hand to retrieve the phone.

"No problem. I'm sorry if I had to have someone open it. It's the only way to find a person connected to you."

Now, she has her eyes on her phone, browsing it. Nelly was like a child who just got her favorite toy.
"Don't worry about it. I am sorry for taking too much of your time just to return my phone," she said as she shifted her eyes to me and her phone back and forth.

Suddenly, Nelly stopped scrolling and slightly bit her lower lip. She appeared to have something to say, so I waited. Finally, she slips the phone into her clutch bag and says.
"Let me repay you with this dinner tonight."

Oh boy, that explains why she didn't protest having dinner. She could have canceled the dinner this afternoon. I wondered why she was open to having dinner with me while she used to be aloof when we parted ways.
"You are so thoughtful, and I must admit that it flatters me to hear that. But I cannot let a woman pay for my meal. Never done that before."

"Well, as they say, there's always a first time," she said, flipping her hair, and she gave me an open-lip smile again. Her eyes shimmered, which surprisingly appeared to be seductive to me.

"No, I'm sorry, but just let me pay for dinner. I invited you here, anyway. So let me pay."

"Yes, you invited me because you want to return my phone, right? What I want is to return the favor you're doing. I mean, you can't just waste your time for nothing, right?" She held her head high and put her arms on the table.
Oh, I'm sensing tensions here. Why can't she just let me? It's not that I spent the entire day returning her phone. "Royce, I insist."

I let out a heavy sigh when the waiter came to serve us.
"Can we have our dinner now and talk about it later?"

Nelly glanced up at the server. "Okay," she said while giving me a death stare.

Hey, what did I do? Uh... women. This woman is hard to deal with. I don't regret not having one and have no plan to be with someone soon.

The food was delectable, as expected; they serve distinctive dishes. Only Bocca Felize restaurant can. I sneaked a look at the woman in front of me; I presumed she enjoyed her food. "How do you like the food so far?" I asked as I put down my fork and used the table napkin to wipe my creamy lips.

She shifted her gaze to me when she was about to devour her pasta. "Good, as always," she responded. Her eyes darted to her food.

What? As always? "Do you eat here often?"

Nelly stopped munching her food. I assumed she was mad again, but the spark in her eyes faded when she looked at me. She wiped the smudge on her lips.
"My family and I used to eat here."

I am not good at reading people, but I could confirm that I saw the pain in her eyes. From what I've heard, I was curious to know more. But I didn't have the nerve to ask her.

"That's good to know; my grannies and I used to eat here together. I missed those days," I said, my lips pressed into a thin line.

Her mouth fell open in shock. "I can't believe this. But, I also missed those days with my family," she said, and the shimmer in her eyes turned dim again.

"I'm sorry, but did you lose them too?" I can't help myself but ask her.

"No, not all of them, just my brother. We lost them because of a car accident almost two years ago." Her voice was brittle, but she had pulled herself off. She flipped her hair and forced a smile again.

I feel for her; the pain and grief are still in me now. I don't know if it shows, but I remain broke. Suddenly, I feel carefree with her. "I know how it feels. I do; the pain remains. When people we dearly love left us, they left a mark that no one could erase. Not even time."

"I'm sorry to have brought up this topic. Let's eat," Nelly said, then forced a thin smile once more.

"That's okay; at least we know we have something in common. Enjoy your food."

The food was great; we were both full enough, and we had a friendly talk. After spending almost two hours with Nelly, it felt like I knew a bit of her, and I feel like she's not that annoying, anyway. We just can't judge people quickly if we don't know them deeply.

The server handed me the check. I extended a hand to reach for it when Nelina grabbed it first. "Excuse me, dinner is on me," she said, giving the server a charming smile before she shifted her gaze to me.

I sighed in response. I thought we're good. What can I do? She insisted on paying the bill.