Benefits

VII.-Ex's & Oh's-

Song for this chapter

1. "Ex's & Oh's" - Elle King

Warning: rated SPG

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Richard went to the office earlier than usual to fix some work papers , he needs to make his time as free as possible so when the moment Jenna arrives, they'll be able to spend a lot of time together. But much to his surprise, Maine is already in there typing some data into her computer.

"Never thought you could be an early bird" he teased after seeing how serious she is.

"I can't sleep ... that's why I decided to just come in early" she answered before asking Richard to open the folder next to his suitcase. After doing so , the lad then asked Maine if she wants to grab some breakfast.

 "Breakfast? No, I don't want to"

Richard let out a sigh, it's now more than obvious that something is bothering her. And so he grabbed a chair and sat right in front of the young lady. "What are you doing?" Maine asked, shooting him a glimpse.

"I'm not going away until you tell me what's wrong. That's what friends are for, they annoy each other but will never abandon each other during their hardest time" he replied but there's not a single word that came out of her mouth.

Knowing that Maine is not the strongest one in the patience department, Richard just sat there and looked at the young lady until she couldn't take it anymore. "Fine! Gosh you're annoying" she uttered, making him smile. "Now, tell me" he told her, and so she did.

"It's Nathan okay? he wants us to meet at lunch" Maine said before keeping her head down.

"Let me guess, you don't wanna meet him?"

"I want to , it's just that I'm a bit scared"

"I can come with you" Richard quickly offered. Just last week, he suggested to make Nathan jealous by pretending to be in a relationship with Maine. Now is the perfect time to execute that plan.

"Are you sure?" she asked. "Yeah, let me help you with him ... well, unless ... you still love him?" Richard asked before pulling out a licorice stick from her candy jar. "No ... at least that's what I think" she replied before opening her bag to get her purse.

"Okay then ... come on?" he asked and so she nodded. The young lady then got up and followed Richard as they walked towards the cafeteria.

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Lunch time came. Richard and Maine made their way towards the restaurant where she and Nathan agreed to do a meet up. Right before they enter, he first asked her if she's ready. "I am" she answered. Much to her surprise, Richard leaned in and kissed her forehead.

"What was that for?" she asked.

"Good luck"

"Oh okay"

Maine then held his hand as they walked inside the restaurant. There, she looked around and quickly saw Nathan sitting by the window. Her heart started pounding. "don't look nervous, he'll figure out that we're faking it" he whispered at her. Maine then took a moment to do some quick breathing exercise to feel calm. And as soon as she felt that it's starting to work, they walked towards Nathan.

"Hey Maine ..... hey ..... you" Nathan uttered, looking confused.

"Nathan .. this is Richard ... the guy I'm dating" Maine introduced the taller lad to her ex. Judging by Nathan's reaction, it's more than clear that jealousy is already on the table. "This is working, it has to work" Maine thought to herself before sitting opposite to him.