NELINA
I noticed he immediately lowered the speed. He looked straight ahead, and I did the same. "I'm sorry about that, but you shouldn't worry. I'm a professional, I told you."

"I know, it's just me. I had a traumatic experience almost two years ago," I said as I bowed my head and clasped my hands together, easing the tension.

"Care to share that?" In my peripheral vision, Royce was glancing at me back and forth.

I let out a long breath when I lifted my head.
"My brother and my dad were in a car accident almost 2 years ago." I paused and pressed my lips together. Royce seemed to be attentive as he drove the car at the right speed.

"It turns out that due to overspeeding, the accident happened. My brother drove the car, and my dad was with him on their way to a business meeting. I was there before the car blew up. I saw a man; I thought he might be helping them. But I was wrong. Right after he left, the car blew up. Whenever I'm in a fast car, I still remember how the fire in my brother's car blew up, the scattering debris. That man," I said as I hugged myself, lifting my head into a supine position to stop my tears from falling.

"That's tough. Just let it go. Nelly, I am listening."

I stayed in silence, sticking my sight on the car's roof. Royce didn't protest. The silence was deafening, and I could hear my breath as well as his.

A few minutes later, I discerned the vehicle was slowing down until it stopped. I instantly shifted my eyes on Royce when he leaned over me. We almost bumped at each other's heads. In a sports car like McLaren, there's not so much space to move. I felt his hands clasping mine while our eyes met. It was as if the world had stopped for both of us. His eyes were beautiful. They gaze at me as if they adored me. It felt like ages when someone held my hands that way. His hands are soft and gentle, with no trace of ill intention.

"Royce, what are you doing?"I stuttered; my chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.
Nelina, calm down, I reminded myself.
Only this time, he manages to blink. He tilted his head as he seemed out of his trance. "I can help," he said, now locking his eyes with mine.

I pulled my hands and avoided his eyes. "You don't have to. L-lets go?" I bowed my head and slowly pulled my hands from his. I exhaled in relief when he finally leaned against his driver's seat.

"My only concern is that you may seem to hold on to the past incident. You're too scared about it. That's why it keeps haunting you."

"I know that," I said, looking outside the window.

"Maybe you should consider counseling and face your fear of driving again. If you change your mind. Let me know I can help," Royce said as he shifted in my direction before starting the car engine.

We stayed in silence until we reached the Cafe at 8:10 in the morning. I was about to open the door when Royce hurriedly alighted the car. I was stunned, seeing him opening the door for me.

"You don't have to do this," I said as I alighted the car, pushing a smile on my face as I came closer to him—that familiar masculine scent. I paused, sniffing the perfume. I love his perfume scent.

He replied with a wink and grabbed my duffel bag in the back compartment.

"I'll take my bag. Thank you so much for the ride. I really appreciate everything." I outstretched my hands to get the bag, but Royce gripped the handle. I lifted my head to meet his eyes already looking at me. I stood 5'6, but he was still towering over me. I guess he stood 6'2 or 6'3.

"I'll take this for you; I'm going in. I'll have breakfast. Remember?"

"But you said you'd head home for breakfast."

"No, I just changed my mind."

"Fine," I said as I walked nearer to the Cafe. As soon as I stepped inside, Marie waved in greetings. I waved back and turned to Royce, and then grabbed my bag. But then again, Royce tightened his grip on the handle.
"I'll take this; Marie is on the right side. I'll join her," I said, glancing at my best friend.

"Then I'll take it there with you."

I glared at Royce. Is he testing my patience? "What?"

"Won't you introduce me to your friend?" he asked as he curled up his lips in an evil smirk. I always wanted to get rid of that wicked smirk on his face.

"Nelly?" a voice came from a few tables away; Marie called out my name.

"Yes, I'm coming."

I held Royce's hand, making sure I'm getting my bag. "Maybe next time. I must go, thank you," I said, showing a tight-lipped smile. I exerted force to grab the bag. He didn't object.

Studying my best friends' facial expressions, I knew I'm in trouble.
"Hi, sorry to keep you waiting. We had to change direction," I said, sitting on the opposite chair. I chose to start the conversation to avoid the mention of Royce.

"Not a problem, just a few minutes anyway," Marie answered. She cleared her throat and lifted her chin. "Aren't you telling me something?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Marie glanced at me and the rear left side, back and forth.

I turned to check; my suspicion was correct. It was Royce seated at the table for two. He smiled briefly as soon as he saw me staring at him. I showed a quick smile in return and then shifted back to Marica.
"About what?" I said, looking down at the menu.

"Nelly, you can't make me blind this time. I saw what happened."

Did something happen? "Did you mean the guy?" I said, narrowing my eyebrow.

"Yes, what else could it be?" Her voice raised a few decibels.

I glared at her, then leaned over and said, "Marie, lower down your voice. Nothing to talk about; he happens to head here too, so he gave me a ride from the gym."

She remained silent. By the look on her face, she seems not convinced with what I said.
"Why is it that I have a feeling that there is something you're hiding from me?" Marie pouted her lips like a child.

"Here, we go again, as I've told you. I'm not ready, and I'll tell you if someone might be interested or something. Whatever!!!" I paused and squeezed her hand.
"Can we just have breakfast and talk business?"

"Fine. But last question."

I exhaled and nodded. "What is it?

"Tell me honestly, don't you feel something naughty about that guy? I mean, he is HOT," she said and bit her lower lip to the mention of the last word.

I suddenly felt my face burn to the mention of it; I swallowed a lump in my throat when I remember Royce half-naked at the gym.

"Look at you," she said while pointing at me.

"What?" I said as I pressed my hands on my face.

"Your complexion, dear. The red apples are on your face now."
This used to be our way of teasing our friends back in college. "I wouldn't be surprised if my besty won't be single for long.

"Marie, stop. Let's have breakfast. I'm hungry," I said as I grabbed the menu on the table and covered my face with it. I feel like a roasted piglet; my face still burns. I squeeze my eyes shut as the incident in the car flickers in my mind. My heartbeat was racing at the thought of it.