Saving Each Other

CHAPTER 8 GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER

NELINA

"Not again." I turned back to look at the man behind the voice to confirm it was correct. It's him, again. How could I say NO? I can't be late.

"Hey," I said as I drew nearer to the car.

Royce raised a hand in greeting, opening the door for me. I didn't hesitate because I only had 15 minutes before my breakfast meeting with Marica.

"I'll put your bag in the back compartment."

I suppressed the guilt inside for not saying yes to his offer. Maybe tomorrow.

"Thanks, I thought I was gonna be late for my meeting," I said as I made myself comfortable while fastening my seat belt.

"No worries, I'll just drop you at your meeting place," he said as he maneuvered the car.

"Where will you meet your friend?"

"At the office in the Trinity building, can you take me there?"

"Sure," he said, meeting my eyes.

He got me hypnotized. I looked straight ahead to avoid his piercing eyes as if they would cut me in half. I don't know if he did it intentionally, but I find him so seductive. My face burned thinking about it again.

"So, are you going home or having breakfast outside?" I said, diverting the topic.

"I don't feel like eating alone outside, so I'll head home after I drop you." He showed a quick smile when I glanced at him.

Even in a second, I noticed sadness clouded his features. I suppressed the guilt again.

Why would I be guilty? I don't owe him anything. I exhaled to ease my chest. I know I'm not lying, but it seems to me that I did something wrong.

"I'm sorry about last time." I finally said it after a moment of silence in the car.

"Sorry, about what?" he inquired, without a hint of an idea in his voice.

"I mean, the last time you talked to me on the phone, I called you names. I'm sorry about that. I think I've been so hard on you since the last time we met. I didn't mean that." I narrated.

"Don't worry about it. I understand. I just thought I didn't really know you, so I don't know where you're coming from. I am not here to judge." He glanced at me and on the road, back and forth.

This is the first time I heard someone not judging me in almost two years. The only people who truly understand me are my parents and my best friend, Marica. Hearing those words from a stranger like Royce means a lot.

"Thank you. I wasn't expecting you'd say that. People these days are quick to judge."

He nodded in agreement. "Let's be different; let's not be someone who throws our opinions without knowing the whole story of people. And besides, I wasn't brought up that way by my grannies. They were the nicest people I know. They taught me to treat people equally, regardless of their status, not by measuring how fat their bank account is. And I strongly believe that we have different views and opinions about people and things around us, possibly because we were molded in different ways when we were young."

Why is it that I feel I assumed him to be like the other men I know, and now I'm proving myself wrong? "That's good to know. I have never met someone like you for ages, except my best friend."

"Really? So, how have you seen me since the last time we met? Arrogant? Gentleman? Sympathetic? or Just HOT and HANDSOME?" he said with a hint of a tease, emphasizing his last choice.