NELINA
I woke up at exactly 6 in the morning when my alarm rang. It was the same bed as the other night, the master’s bedroom. It became a habit sleeping in Royce’s bed. I never planned to do it again but then last night I found myself in the master’s bedroom’s door and twisted it open.
It was like I found comfort in Royce’s bed. I can peacefully sleep at night with the illusion that he was beside me. I shook my head out of reverie, reminding myself that Royce was a liar. Although I kept asking myself since that day that my judgment was correct. I have to admit there was a place in my heart that screams the opposite.
I squeezed one of the pillows and hugged it tightly like I was hugging Royce. That’s how badly I missed him. But I can’t be with him, my mind told me.
I grabbed myself out of my bed and headed to my room to prepare for a morning workout. It wasn’t hard to work out as Royce’s condo has its gym. Fully-equip and spacious just like the one in Angeles City. I hit the treadmill to help me sweat and divert my mind from thinking Royce.
I wonder if Royce will suspect me of visiting mom and dad. Will he visit us here if he gets a chance? I hope not, I’m not ready to see his face.
I finished my morning workout with Royce in mind. Getting Royce out of my head was impossible.
“Mom, where’s dad?” I asked mom who is cooking in the kitchen. It smelled so good, making me crave to have my morning meal.
“He’s doing a little morning exercise with the nurse. How was your workout?”
“Great,” I answered, tapping the towel on my sweaty face. “It’s a relief, I haven’t exercised for quite a while now.”
“Good for you, sweetheart.”
“What are we having later for breakfast mom? Is that my favorite?”
“Of course, for my baby."
"Baby?" I asked, a little bit uncomfortable. I wasn't used to mom calling me baby anymore. As far as I could remember she stopped calling me baby when I was in college.

"You know you'll always be my baby, right?” Mom answered as she left the kitchen and drew near me. “Sweetheart, is there something wrong between you and Royce?” Mom asked as she sat beside me.
“Mom, what kind of questions is that?” I answered, trying to hide the guilt inside of me.
“Come on, Nelly, I am your mother. I know something is bothering you since the first day you came. Sweetheart, I’m listening.”
Mom looked into my eyes and I couldn’t look away. She knows me so well that I can’t lie to her. “Mom, not now, please. We can talk tonight, just the two of us. I’ll just have to take a shower.”
Mom nodded as I left her in the living room. “Breakfast will be ready after you shower.”
“I’ll be quick.”
The day had gone by quickly. I spent my day searching for more people I can talk to. Most of them are working in our company when dad was the chairman of the board. Sadly most of them have changed their number and the one I’ve talked to on the phone refused to cooperate.
What was even more surprising was that Apple is unreachable as well. I was supposed to talk about the USB she gave me. The only man I can ask for help was Royce since dad was not an option.
Still, I didn't want to get reconnected to Royce so I decided to call Marica instead. Marie has experience in the business so I thought she might be knowledgeable in the information on the USB.
"Nelly, it's good that you call. I was supposed to give you a call tonight. How was Manila so far?"
"Well, having mom and dad beside me is good enough to be here. But you know I badly miss you and my job."
"Just me and your job? Are you sure you didn't miss the other one?"
I rolled my eyes like Marica was talking just in front of me. I knew who she was referring to. "Seriously, I have to ask you another favor, if that's possible."
"Anytime, say it."
"Regarding the USB that Apple sent me. I have to send you some files and let me know your interpretations of them. There's no one I can run to, I don't want dad to know about this yet."
"I can't promise anything. I know someone who can surely help you with this," Marica said, teasingly.
I knew she was referring to Royce again. The thought of Royce makes me smile unconsciously but I pretended to be annoyed. "Marie, please..."
"Fine, I'll see what I can do tonight. Send it to me."
"Marica, you're the best. I love you, bye!"
Like we agreed, mom and I had a private talk in my room at 10 in the evening while dad was already in bed.
“What do you want to talk about Nelly?”
It took me a while to answer. “Mom, Royce, and I broke up.”
“WHAT?” Mom asked in surprise. “Is that the reason why you’re here? What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“Mommy, you have to promise not to tell dad yet. We will tell him at the right time, not now.”
Mom nodded as she seemed too curious to know. “Sure.”
“I broke up with Royce after learning he was there during dad and Mark’s accident. He was the man in the nightmare that keeps haunting me every night after the incident.”
“Why did you have to break up with Royce just because he was in the accident?”
“Mommy, I always have this theory that the man in my nightmare was one of the culprits planning to kill dad and Mark. I don’t believe what the police told us. Until this day, I’m not convinced that it was an accident.”
Mom held my shoulders tightly, making me face her. The tensions are visible in her eyes. “Nelly, don’t do this to Royce. I am convinced that he is innocent. Your dad and I know his grandparents. They raised Royce in good values, he can never do what you think he had done to your dad and your brother Mark."
The sincerity in mom's eyes was visible but I feel some terror in there as well. I can feel that mom was hiding something. "Mommy, is there something you're not telling me?"
Mom hugged me tightly. "Nelly, stop whatever it is that you're doing. You don't know the whole story. All I want now is you and your dad."
"Mommy, I don't understand. For two years, I never stopped seeking justice for our family. That's what we deserve and I need you now, mommy."
"We will talk about this at the right time. For now, sweetheart, I think you need to talk to Royce."
My heart celebrated that mom didn't believe that Royce could do such a devilish thing.
In the middle of the night when I was about to prepare for bed my phone beeped. It was a message from an unexpected man. I longed to have him call me although I knew I wouldn't answer it. Still, my heart skipped a beat reading his message.
“I hope you are doing well, my love. I miss you terribly. I constantly think about you every single hour. Baby, we will be together again very soon, I am still fixing things that are getting in our way. Wherever you are now, please take care of yourself while I’m away. I love you so much, my baby doll.”
I wiped my tears as soon as I was done reading Royce’s message. Thankfully, I was alone in my room. I knew right then and there that I made a mistake. I felt bad for judging Royce too fast. He had to suffer from the past trauma that is still punishing me.