Girlfriend For Hire || maiden. (Under Editing)

XXV. - Finally -

Songs for this chapter:

 1. "I Was Made For Loving You" - Tori Kelly and Ed Sheeran

2. "Kiss Me" - Ed Sheeran

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A few more days have passed and the night of the pageant finally came. Maine pulled Alden away from their classmates to ask how he's doing.

"Nervous as fuck." he replied.

"Oh come on, I know you can do it." she said and looked at the amount of people already gathering in front of the stage. Alden already told Maine that his parents won't be able to come and so she took it upon herself to give him all the moral support he'll need.

"You think so?" he asked.

"I know so." she said and smiled at him. Suddenly, he pulled her close for a hug. Maine smiled and wrapped her hands around the upper part of his body.

"Thank you for everything." he whispered.

"You're welcome." she replied.

---

After doing a quick bathroom run, Alden started walking back towards the waiting area. While on his way back, his friend Andrew approached him.

"Hey man." he said.

"Hi bro."

"You're really doing this huh?" he asked.

"Yep." he said proudly.

"All because of Maine?"

"All because of her."

"You know what, I think you like her." Andrew said.

"What? no ..." he muttered. Alden looked away and saw a glimpse of her talking to some of their classmates. He smiled, admiring her beauty from afar is definitely something he could do all day.

"I don't believe you, I think you fell for her."

"Fuck you man." he said, still in denial.

"Then why are you blushing?" Andrew teased.

---

Maine took a deep breath after the lights dimmed. She held Hannah's hands and watched the start of the pageant. The young girl quickly saw Jake and Alden standing in a single line. She and Hannah are holding banners for the two lads and they raised them up as high as they can. The emcee then started introducing each candidate. Maine's heart started pounding, whatever happens tonight she already willed herself to the possible fact that he'll get carried away with his emotions and say something he shouldn't have.

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After they're introduction, the rest of the pageant commenced. Alden and Maine walked together as Ken and Barbie for the costume round. After that, the question and answer portion started.

He stood next to the host and answered the question that was given to him. Alden looked at Maine and listened closely.

"Are you in a relationship?" the host suddenly asked. Alden nodded and the crowd went wild and pointed at Maine.

"That must be the lucky lady huh? Okay ... here's your question. What would you choose ... your girlfriend or a million dollars?"

Alden smiled and thanked the judge for the question even if deep inside he thought it's a stupid one. He gazed directly at Maine's eyes and started speaking.

"Of course I'm gonna pick my girlfriend. Why? Because I wouldn't be able to live without her, she's too important for me. I can work my ass off to get money but I will never find someone like her." He said and everyone clapped.

Alden returned to the line and watched as Jake take his place. The rest of their fellow contestants were then asked and a break was announced. During the break, Alden quickly rushed to get to Maine.

Something inside him definitely changed. The question proved it, broke down the wall of denial he built around him. Everyone went "oohhh" at the sight of them hugging. After a moment, he pulled away and smiled at her.

"What was that for?" she asked.

"Nothing." He replied and kissed her on the forehead. He's done pretending she's not special.

--

"That was gross." Hannah told her after Alden left.

"Gross? You guys make me puke." She said and so the young girl giggled. Maine smiled because of what Alden did. A few moments later, Vanessa and her friends showed and approached them.

"What do you want?" Maine asked, feeling extra brave this time.

"I want you to leave him alone."

"That will never happen, Vanessa. Now get your chicken legs away from me." She said.

"Ugh ... oh my God don't worry because I will. Your cheapness suffocates me." She said and her friends laughed.

"I will shave all of your eyebrows." Hannah threatened.

"You're so little, you can't even reach my head."

"Let them be, Hannah." Maine said and held her best friend's hand.

"That's right, just go away and take that cheapness with you."

"Fine I will. But mark my words Vanessa, you will never get him back. He's mine." She said and the smile on the taller girl's face faded. Maine grinned and pushed their way through her group.

"This ain't over!" Vanessa yelled.

"Sure it ain't, you're not crying yet."

--

Alden took a deep breath after the host said it's now the time for him to announce the winners. He nodded and Jake and his frenemy nodded back. There are only five of them now. All of them will get an award but the grand prize will still be the goal. He looked at the audience and smiled.

"4th runner up ... " the host started. A guy by the name Kyle was then called. Third runner up is Jake. Second runner up went to Morris. Alden and another guy were then called to the front.

"I'm Alden." He whispered.

"Martin." the other one replied.

Without further warnings, the host declared Martin as the first runner up. That means Alden won. His mouth fell open and his heart sunk. He looked at Maine and saw her crying tears of joy. After the host announced that he is the winner, a flower necklace and a trophy was given to him. He then took a step forward and gave his speech.

"Wow ... oh my God. I ... I don't even know what to say. So I think I'm just gonna have to thank the Queen of my life ... thank you for believing in me ... thank you for supporting me even if I couldn't support myself. This is all for you my love ... this is all for you Maine."

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that's it for this part guys ^^ stay tuned for more.