Vera Anderson's POV

When I got into my room, I threw my bag on my bed and slumped on the mattress in a prone position. I buried my face in the pillow and poured out all the emotions that I was trying to hold back a while ago. I'm sobbing like a child because I am really hurt. And I don't know why I'm feeling this way. I haven't experienced this in my entire life. If this is what they called 'love', then, why it's so painful? 

A few minutes have passed and tears have run dry, but still, I'm thinking of that kiss Royce and Roxette shared together, causing my heart to ache so much. Suddenly, my phone rang, and it was Royce. Maybe Alexa gave him my number, but I don't want to pick up the call. But the phone kept on ringing at certain intervals, so I grabbed it and clicked the accept button.

"Hello", I spoke softly.

"Hey, are you okay? I am so worried about you, so I asked your number from Alexa", Royce's sweet voice soothes my ears.

This heart of mine was beating again at an abnormal speed even just by listening to this man's soothing voice. And I hate it! It's not gonna work, so it's better to forget everything than to expect that something serious would happen between us.

"Vera, are you still there? Are you alright?", he asked again.

"Please tell me you are alright and I won't bother you anymore...Please...", he uttered. I can feel the sincerity of his voice and I admit, I am deeply touched. But no! I had to suppress it as much as I can before I completely fell for him.

"I'm fine Royce." I stuttered. 

"Vera, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry", he said seriously. There was sadness in his voice when he apologized to me.

"I don't know why you're saying sorry but it's okay. I'll go and hang up now. Goodnight Royce", I said then pressed the end call.

What I feel for him is not good. If this is love, then I wanted to get rid of it Maybe, I deserve someone better than him. I stood up and grabbed my towel. I'll gonna take a warm bath for me to be relaxed. I prepared the tub and fill it with steamy hot water. I add some bubble bath and a few drops of essential oil like eucalyptus peppermint for extra relaxation. Then, I began soaking in the tub.

After fifteen minutes, I got out of the tub and took a grip of my towel, and put it around my bust line. I dried my hair with a blower because I wanted to sleep now that my eyes are getting droopy.

Suddenly I remembered what Alexa told me before that it made her feel more relaxed when sleeping in a buff, so I wanna try it this time. I don't know if it will work but I hope so. I lay down on the soft mattress, naked and only a blanket was covering half of my body. I placed two pillows on my side and I grabbed another one to snuggle. Since I was a kid, I used to hug pillows when I sleep because it makes me more comfortable, and I carried this habit until I grew up and become an adult.

Silence enveloped the whole place as I closed my eyes.

******

I woke up at exactly 9:00 o'clock in the morning. Gladly, I got enough sleep after what I had gone through last night. I stood up and got dressed. My stomach kept on rumbling so I need to take my breakfast. I noticed Nanny wasn't around in the kitchen so maybe, she was doing her laundry work. Foods are already served at the table but I don't have much appetite since my brother is not around yet. Hmm. I remember he will be home in the next two days. I already missed my brother. He is the one who stands as a father to me since dad left us. Until now, he is still taking care of me to the extent that he had to sacrifice even his own happiness because he promised not to settle down not unless I will find someone who would love me and take care of me. 

After I'm done eating, I went outside to visit my flower bed. You know I love flowers since I was still a kid. My mom used to plant different varieties of flowers and I was also there helping her, putting soil in the pot. How I wished my mom is here so I could confide to her what I'm feeling right now. I started to get emotional again. Oh my gosh! I really have these shallow tears and It's my greatest weakness. 

I continued my way to the flower bed that was located around our house, but I was startled by the beeping sound of the car. I looked over and find out it was Alexa's car. She rolled down her window and grinned at me. I smirked at her, pretending to be pissed off. Until she had gotten out of the car and approached with a wide embrace. It seemed we haven't met for a long time when in fact, we saw each other last night.

"Hmm. I know, what that means. Obviously, you slept with Vince", I said and rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, right gurl. And I'm so happy!", Alexa shrieked.

"Uhm, LIBERATED! in capslock", I uttered and smirked at her. But Alexa just kept on laughing like she was enjoying my reaction. Well, she knows that's only a joke. We're always teasing each other even before so, we are already getting used to it.

"CONSERVATIVE in capslock!", Alexa responded and we both chuckled as we're heading inside the house.

I brewed a cup of coffee for her and prepared two slices of sandwich. I know, Alexa doesn't take her meals in the morning, so a cup of coffee and a sandwich would be enough for her.

She took a sip of coffee and a bite of sandwich before she spoke again. Then she let me sit beside her on the sofa bed.

"Uhm girl, let me see your eyes", Alexa spoke, and lifted my chin to look at her.

"I guess, you were crying a lot last night. You have puffy and swollen eyes", she said intently.

Oh, how could I deny it when Alexa knows me very well. By just looking at me she already understood what's in my heart, and vice versa. I can exactly know how she feels even by just looking at her facial expression. That's how closed we are. Alexa is like a sister to me and so I am to her.

She pulled me a hug and patted my back.

"Are you alright? I'm sorry for not driving you home last night", Alexa said in a sad tone of voice while taking away some strands of my hair that were covering my face.

"It's okay gurl".

"But.. you're in love with Royce gurl, I'm sure of it,  because you feel hurt, and jealous when he kissed Roxette.", Alexa spoke intently.

I thumped her hand and smirked at her.

"Don't mention his name anymore gurl. I don't want to hear it!", I uttered in annoyance.

"Hmm. I think Royce is in love with you too. I can see how he stared at you and how he smiled at you", Alexa giggled, obviously trying to tease me again. 

"You brat I told you not to mention his name anymore. But you keep on repeating his name.", I glared at her.

Alexa was just laughing out loud like she was enjoying what she was doing.

"But seriously gurl, Vince told me that Royce was attracted to you back then that's why he kissed you, three years ago. And to think that he was so persistent in asking your phone number from me. That means----"Alexa softly giggled. 

"Gurl, shut up okay? How could someone like him fall for me?", I scorned.

"And why not? You're pretty and sexy gurl. You have an irresistible charm that makes him fall for you!", Alexa shrieked so loudly and it echoed the whole sala.

"Enough gurl. I don't want to expect too much. I decided to just move on and find someone out there", I responded as I rolled my eyes.

"Maybe, I need to start dating someone gurl. I'm not getting any younger anymore so maybe it's time for me to get into a relationship", I said with an emphatic voice.

Alexa was just listening to me while intently looking at my eyes. I know she is trying to find out if I am really serious. 

"Hmm. Though I am not fully convinced, but okay if that's what you want. So who are you planning to date with? Simon? To be honest, I don't trust him.", Alexa said harshly. 

Simon is my avid admirer since college. Until now, he is still courting me even though I already told him that I'm not yet ready to enter into commitments but he told me he is willing to wait. Although he doesn't come from a well-off family but I think he's better than Royce. I just don't understand why Alexa doesn't like him. He is a good-looking man and has a stable job already. He is now working as a bank accountant, so maybe it's okay if I will give myself a chance to get to know him better.

Well at least, he is not a womanizer like Royce Miller!