NELINA
"Hi, Nelly, we meet again," he said, bending over to get my wallet from the floor. I dropped it when he bumped into me.

I didn't say a word, except I tried my best to calm down. Did this man mean to bump at me? I know he looks on his way.

"Are you okay?" he asked, still wearing the evil smirk. "I'm sorry for bumping at you." His grin almost confirmed that he meant what he did. His beautiful pair of white teeth flashed. I don't know why, but this is my favorite among the smiles he showed me. But still, he bumps at me.

The audacity. Is he admitting that he means to bump at me? The red apples are on my cheeks now, for sure. "It's okay," I said as I grabbed my wallet. Calm down, Nelina. I reminded myself.

"Royce, nice to meet you again," I said, showing a thin lip smile. I refused to be smitten by his charm. "I need to go," I said as I walked, intending to head to the locker, but halted myself halfway. So I stopped, paced back, and looked at him. His eyes met mine, and curiosity crossed his face.

"May I know which way is the locker? I said as I bit my lower lip; I'm embarrassed.

"Take right, and then straight ahead is the locker," he said, curving a smile on his face.

"Thank you." I nodded, then paced to the right. I rolled my eyes as I passed by Royce—enough of this cuteness. How come it seems that he'd done nothing much, yet he's setting the room on fire?

I walk as fast as I can. As soon as I found my locker, I wasted no time and stuffed all my things in there. I took my key with me before I made my way out of the women's locker room. When I curved to the left to reach the gym, Royce was on my way.
"You're still here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

I caught him pinching his chin and holding her head high, showing his prominent jawline.
"Yes, I was wondering if you want to join me for breakfast after working out? He asked as he leaned closer, looking down at me, meeting my eyes.

I felt like the gap between the two of us narrowed. I swallowed a lump in my throat.
"I'll try to think it over while working out. I'll tell you later," I said, avoiding his gaze. I didn't wait for him to say another word; instead, I walked on the other side. In my peripheral vision, I saw him following. What do you want, idiot?

"I'll be waiting in the lobby after our workout session. Let's have breakfast together, okay?"

"That's not for you to decide," I replied but didn't bother to look back, heading to the women's gym. A footstep stopped before I heard a little chuckle. Stop teasing me, idiot.

After an hour of the sweating session, I finally felt better about myself. Although I am aware that I haven't shed some pounds yet, the thought of a new beginning is fantastic.
"Thank you, Jessie, it was such a good start. I love it," I said, stretching my arms.

"I'm glad you liked it; I am hoping you'll be back tomorrow or the next day after tomorrow," Jessie said. My fitness instructor was very accomodating that adapting to the new experience wasn't difficult. She stood about 5'5 tall, just a little shorter than me. Medium muscular body built.

"Yeah, I'll definitely be back tomorrow," I said, glancing at Jessie's 6 pack abs. Looking at her midsection makes me motivated to work out every day. I exhaled and forcefully closed my eyes for seconds to envision myself having 6 pack abs. My lips curled up to the thought of it.

"But for now, I really must go. Thanks again." Am I excited about the date? Is it a date? No, I'm not going.

As I was descending the stairs, my phone rang. I retrieved the phone from my jacket pocket to check on it. The screen displayed Marica's name. I swiped to answer and put it on speaker mode. "Hey, why so early?" I said as I stopped in the middle of the stairway.

"Nothing, I just wanna check on you. How's your first day in the gym?" she said in her broken voice.
"Good...really good, I liked it. Jessie was very reliable; thanks for recommending her. I think I'll be back tomorrow, and I'll get Jessie as my regular coach," I narrated. A smile crept on my lips as if Marie could see me.

"Good to know that. Keep it up. I want to see you back in shape, sexier. But, Nelly wait, I'm rolling out of bed," she said and released a long lazy breath.

"Yes, please, it's about time. Get up, lazy ass," I said and giggled. I was confident, laughing at the stairs since there was no sign of other people going and from the women's gym.

"Nelly, stop it." There was a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"By the way, I need you to be early in the office, my dear. We have to talk."

"Sure." Now I have a reason not to join Royce for breakfast. I don't have to lie.

"Okay, bye then, see ya later, besty."

On my way back to the locker, Royce halted me. I was forced to stop, and by accident, my eyes fell on his midsection. Royce was only wearing his workout shorts. I swallowed a lump in my throat and composed myself. I suddenly felt my body temperature turn up. My face burns, looking at the man in front of me.
It must be the workout session I just had—Convincing myself to ease the tension of having him near me.

"Hey," he said as he drew nearer while patting the towel on his moist body.

I lifted my head and met his sharp eyes. "Hi," I tried hard not to stammer, but I failed. I'm sure the red apples are in my cheeks now.

"So, are you joining me for breakfast? he asked. His eyes surveyed my body-hugging workout outfit. Making me a little bit conscious about how I look. Under my jacket, I was wearing a neon pink sleeveless with a black print logo on the right chest, and black leggings paired with black and pink rubber shoes.

"No, I'm sorry, I need to go to work early, so I couldn't join you for breakfast," I said. Casually closed the zipper of my jacket.

His facial expressions dulled up. "Oh, I was kinda expecting you'll say yes."

I noticed he didn't hide his disappointment. I didn't lie anyway. What can I do? I have to work. "I can't; I have work to do."

"Well, maybe tomorrow we could. What do you think?" Royce said, rubbing his nape.

"We never know," I said as I walked past him.

"The last time you said that was when you were alighting my car. And we did meet again. Perhaps tomorrow you will join me for breakfast," he said, halting my way. He held my arm and slightly pulled me on his face, then he winked.

I rolled my eyes at him. He burst into laughter. "I…" Before I could continue, Royce's phone rang.

"Oops," he grabbed his phone in his pocket and looked at the screen. His expression hardened, looking at his phone screen.

"You should take that. I must go." I nodded and left.
Could it be that his girlfriend was the one calling him? Of course, but he scowled, seeing the caller on the screen. I shook the thought away and headed fast to the locker.

It was peak hour when I was out of the gym. I settled on comfortable faded blue ripped jeans, a white shirt, and high-cut rubber shoes. Carrying my duffel bag on my shoulder, shifting my foot to the other, patiently waiting for an empty taxi. It's hard to ride a cab this time because people are in a hurry for work.

"Do you want a ride?" I heard a familiar voice.