NELINA
"Nelly, who is it?" Marica asked casually.
"It's the same number as yesterday."
"Take it; let's hear what he has to say this time," Royce said.
I swiped the screen to answer the call and then put it on speaker mode. We were all attentive in listening to the other line.
"Nelly, you didn't listen to what I said the last time I talked to you. Let's make a deal. You stop the cases against Mr. Robert Gonzalez and the other executives, and we will withdraw the case against your boyfriend. You surely won't like having your boyfriend locked in jail. Do you?" The man, in a rough voice, laughed. He sounded like he was mocking me.
His confidence in getting Royce in jail was on another level: he scared me to death and could not speak. Royce gently squeezed my shoulder; it took me out of my trance. He grabbed the phone from my hand.
"You cannot threaten us just like that. If you think you have what it takes to win this war, show it in court, not here. Mr. Chairman, you won't be bragging about that name tag for long. Mark my words."
Marica and I exchanged looks as Royce named the caller. Royce might have found out who the man behind the rough voice was.
A silence followed on the other line. "Mr. Royce Park, are you not afraid of living in jail?" He didn't deny he was the chairman. Royce didn't have to mention his name; we are confident it was Mr. Robert Gonzalez.
"I'll see you in court, Mr. Gonzalez; we'll see if you still have the nerve to brag in front of me," Royce thundered, then he cut the call.
"What now? How did you know it was the chairman?" Marica asked.
"I have a reliable investigator; he works very well in everything I asked of him. Mr. Gonzalez was bluffing; he has no substantial evidence to get me in jail."
"Baby, I'm scared for you. I don't want you getting locked in jail."
"I won't. I promise," Royce said, his words reassuring.
"Nelly, chill; I'm sure Royce knows what he's doing. Besides, you have a strong legal team, not to mention Royce's parents. Everything will add up for a great fight in this case. We got your back," Marica said as he patted my back.
We had our dinner silently. Leo came back at around 11 in the evening. He was grinning wide when I opened the door. He looked fresh in a newly shaved beard, wearing a plain sky blue shirt and dark blue knee-length shorts.
"Thank God you're back."
"Are you bored here?"
"Nope. We had a good talk, and besides -"
"Hey, brother. It's good you came," Leo said as he walked over to Royce. Leo saw Royce sitting on the couch before I could finish what I had to say.
They bumped each other's shoulders as their way of greeting, and then he walked close to Marica and kissed her. Marica didn't show any hesitation in kissing Leo back.
"Yeah, I knew Nelly would visit, so I thought of joining the girls since you are away for a while," Royce answered.
"Thank you, brother. What did you guys talk about? Anything new regarding the case?" Leo asked as he looked at me.
"Yeah, we already filed charges against the executives."
"That's good. Marica might file her charges tomorrow as well." Leo sat on the edge of Marica's bed. "I dropped by at the nurses' station asking about your records. They told me there is no problem in your laboratory and X-ray. You can discharge tomorrow."
"Seriously?" Marica asked excitedly. She hugged Leo tightly. Leo's cheeks blushed instantly. "Thank God, I badly want to get out of here."
Leo cuddled Marica like no one was watching them. Royce and I were giggling on the couch, glancing at Leo and Marica. Royce cleared his throat, which jolted Marica and Leo, unwrapping their arms from each other. They were shy and speechless, and the blush on their cheeks was evident.
"Guys, we gotta go; it's getting late," Royce said.
"Sure, thanks for taking care of Marica while I'm away."
"Don't mention it, Leo," I said, walking over to Nelly and kissing her. "We have to go, besty. I'll see you when you're out in this hospital. We should spend time together."
"Of course, looking forward to that. Take care on your way home."
We waved goodbye and headed out of the room, giving Marica and Leo privacy. The four bodyguards waiting in the hallway followed us. I dislike having someone tailing me, so I tried to ignore them as much as possible.
"Baby, let's go to my condo."
"What? It's getting late; maybe next time. I told mom and dad I'll be home tonight."
"I already asked your mom; I told her you'll be coming home with me tonight since my condo is nearer than yours. She didn't oppose it."
I narrowed my eyes, looking at Royce naughtily smirking. "You always have to come up with ideas and have my mom as your backup, huh?"
"Besides, I don't have my car with me; it's still in the shop. My secretary just dropped me here after work. Baby, whichever condo we go home to, I'm sleeping beside you. You choose."
"Fine."
"Fine, what?"
"We're going to your condo."
"Yes!" Royce celebrated like a child, punching his fist in the air.
I got a call from Ms. Lucy on our way to Royce's condo.
"It's your mom," I said, showing the screen.
"She must have missed you. Mom likes you a lot."
"Yeah, she told me." I swiped the screen to answer. "Hello, Ms. Lucy."
"Nelly, how are you, sweetie?"
"Ms. Lucy, I'm doing fine. Thanks for asking. How have you been? I haven't heard from you since we met with mom and dad."
"Oh, sorry, I'm so caught up with my business. It's about time I face all my duties."
"Don't be sorry; I know how demanding running companies could be. When my dad was the Chairman of Sunny's Corporation, he barely had time for us. The only time we could spend with him was dinner several times a month."
"Your dad was surely a hard-working man. Rest assured, I did what I promised. The chance of winning is very high."
"I couldn't thank you enough, Ms. Lucy. My parents and I will forever be grateful."
"No. It's a small favor for a friend. By the way, how are you coping with the new set-up of staying at home? It's unsafe for you to go out alone."
I smiled, looking at Royce. "Actually, I'm out with Royce. We visited our friend who was confined in the hospital. We're on our way home now."
"Oh, Royce is with you," Ms. Lucy said, her voice raised a few decibels out of excitement. "Can Royce hear me right now?"
"Yes, I'm putting this on speaker mode. You can talk to him if you want."
"Hello, Royce? How are you, baby?"
I chuckled a little bit, hearing Ms. Lucy call Royce baby. Royce is Lucy's baby, but I wasn't expecting that's what she used to call her son.
Royce instantly grabbed the phone from me. "Mom, I'm not a baby anymore. Call me by my name," Royce said, quite annoyed.
"Alright, son, you don't have to be mad at me. I miss you so much. For so many years, we haven't talked as casually as this, so it's a relief for me. I miss you, and I love to be your mother."
"Fine. You don't have to be sentimental while people are listening, you know. We are not alone in the car. We have a driver and bodyguards with us."
"Oppsss, I forgot about the new set-up of having a driver and bodyguards. Anyway, it wouldn't last so long. You guys always keep safe. And son, I will be leaving for South Korea soon because I need to run my company. I hope you and Nelly will stay strong while going through these trying times. Rest assured, your dad and I are by your side."
"Thank you, mom. Take care of yourself. I'll see you before you leave. I have to cut this now."
It was a heartwarming short conversation they had. Royce was silent after the call, so I let him be.
The city was calm and peaceful at midnight. Only a few cars are on the road, and some lights are off. We were having a cold beer while enjoying each other's company. Having Royce beside me was the only thing that mattered at that moment.
"Finally, I can have you for myself alone. Baby, I miss you," Royce said when we were on his balcony overlooking the city lights.
"Royce, we see each other every day."
"Could you be romantic for some time?"
"I am romantic sometimes. Too bad you haven't noticed."
"I'd love to have that now. Can you please sit here," Royce asked, tapping his lap.
I glared at him. "I'm not a pet; you can command anytime you want." I knew I should feel guilty, but sometimes I loved seeing Royce beg.
"Baby, please... I'm not commanding you; I'm begging you."
Royce placed down his beer, and he stood up. My heart became erratic when he kneeled in front of me.
"Perhaps, you'd want to see me beg like this," Royce said, trailing his hands from my legs to my thighs.
Royce's husky voice sounded romantic. When his hand touched my thighs, it sent chills to my bones. I was out of my sanity. The next thing I noticed, he scooped me with his hands, heading to his room. Because his love was ecstasy, I didn't oppose it.