AMA-Con: The Compilation

The Sum of Love: Promise

6:55pm

July 12, 2018

Baler, Dinalungan City, Aurora, Philippines

It has been two days since Richard talked to Maine. She went back to her room immediately after listening to the phone call between her father and him. He let her leave not knowing how to rectify the situation without compromising her safety and his investigation. He let her assume the worst about him and fervently hopes that she will understand him later once he is finally able to explain.

"Maine?"

Richard knocked on the door while balancing a tray of food with his other hand. Fortunately, even though Maine has been avoiding him and refusing to speak to him, she started eating albeit in small bites. She didn't answer his call as he expected. He opened the door and entered the room. He frowned when he didn't see Maine on her usual perch on the bed. He was about to call out to her again when he heard a whimper. He looked to his left and found her on the floor nursing a bloody hand. He immediately dropped the tray he was carrying and the resonating sound of broken glasses and plates enveloped the room. He kneeled in front of her and grabbed her wrist to inspect the wound. He found a gaping gash on her lower palm.

"What happened?"

"I... I was just... moving the plates... and I... I dropped... them. I was going... to clean-"

"Shh."

Richard placed a finger on her lips to stop her. She was crying and hiccupping as she told her tale. He grabbed the pillow on the bed and used its case to wrap and stop Maine's hand from bleeding. Once secured, he lifted her into his arms and kicked the bathroom door open. He placed Maine on top of the counter before turning the faucet on. He then unwrapped her injured hand and placed it under water letting the blood flow down the sink. Richard grabbed the first aid kit, and started to clean and bandage her wound. Once he finished several minutes later, he patted her hand and smiled. He was satisfied with his work.

"Now, it's all good." He said before looking at her. He frowned when he noticed her pained expression. "What's wrong, Maine? Does it hurt?"

"Yes, Richard. It hurts."

Richard knew immediately that she didn't mean the wound. He looked away and kept his silence. He didn't know what to say. When Maine called him again, she used his nickname. He flinched. He hasn't been referred to with that name for a very long time. He looked back at Maine and found her crying again. This time forlornly.

"Tell me, Chard. Was it all a lie? The two years that we shared together... was it all-"

"No!"

Richard vehemently denied while shaking his head. He took her hands between his and brought them close to his lips. He kissed them with all the love and reverence he can muster to show her that what he felt and still feels for her was not and never a lie. He wanted to tell her the truth but continued to hesitate.

"Then please, Chard. Please! If you really did love me-"

"I do... still love you, Maine. I never stopped."

"Chard?" Maine reeled upon hearing his confession. She used her uninjured hand and placed it on his face. She palmed his cheek softly. "Then please tell me."

"I... I... do you remember how much I wanted to become an agent, Maine?" He waited for her to answer before proceeding. When she nodded, he continued. "I did it. I got the job. I was promoted, Maine. They made me into an agent after five fucking years of waiting."

"When? You... you never told me about this."

"I couldn't. I wanted to but they would not let me. They told me to keep it confidential, Maine. I wanted to let you know so badly." He paused and looked at her before smiling sadly. "Do you know what's the first thing I bought with my paycheck after being promoted?"