Lights, Camera and Alden Richards ➣ AlDub/MaiChard

eight

JUNE 2016 

"Opo, Tay," Maine sighed. "I will. Kayo rin, ingat din po kayo. Love you po."

Maine ended the call before her father can even respond. It wasn't that Maine did not like talking to her father. She loved her family dearly; that's why she's doing this. It was that she's had enough negative vibes for the past weeks. She didn't want to start crying now because she missed everyone at home. 

"Miss mo na sila, no?" Faye asked. Maine nodded. "Hayaan mo, when everything works out, makakauwi ka na at makakatulong ka na sa sitwasyon niyo sa Bulacan." Maine just kept silent and continued walking with Faye. They were on their way to Kim's office at the Supernova records. Maine just got a call from Kim about her date with Alden tonight. 

Kim told her this morning to get used to this, because it was a part of the deal. Whenever Jen needed Maine to be seen out with Alden, she had to be there and likewise, whenever Kim needed Alden to be with Maine, he'll be there. It was simple, really, but the consequences were difficult. Maine had to lessen her time in the social media because Kim thinks that it's stupid to read negative comments about yourself. She was no longer allowed to tweet anything nor post Instagram photos of Jacob during rehearsals.

One thing that Maine hated about this was the fact that she had to spend less time in public with Jacob. 

This morning, she called Jacob and told her that she was going to watch Civil Wars with Alden tonight. Jacob was upset, obviously, because they've been movie buddies for so long. Maine couldn't remember a movie she watched in the cinemas that she wasn't with Jacob. The thing was, Jacob made her watch violent action movies and she made him watch sappy romantic films. It was fair and Maine enjoyed every second she spent with her best friend. 

Kim also suggested her to delete photos of Jacob from her Instagram and Twitter. Maine refused, for the first time, because her friendship with Jacob was none of the public's business. Kim clarified that the moment she agreed to this, everything about her was now the public's business, whether she liked it or not.

When Maine and Faye got to Kim's office, Alden was already there, sitting at the corner by himself as usual. Faye caught up with Jade the minute they walked in and Maine was left standing by the door, looking at Alden. Kim pulled her towards the couch and asked Alden if he was ready to leave.

"Kanina pa," the man answered with no emotion at all. "I expect you to be punctual if we're going to keep on doing this, newbie."

Maine nodded nervously. "I'm sorry. Kinailangan ko kasing magco—"

"You don't need to explain yourself," he interrupted. "Let's get going. The movie starts in half an hour."

Maine just nodded and started walking towards the door, receiving a good luck look from Jade. 

The ride to the cinemas was the usual. Maine stayed frozen in her seat, literally holding her breath and staring at one place from the beginning to the end of their long, suffocating ride. Alden did not speak as well; he was just driving, not even glancing at Maine—not that Maine enjoyed his intimidating glares.

Alden made sure that he parked somewhere no one would think a celebrity would even go to. He got out of the car, not saying a word and waited for his date outside. Maine didn't want to make him angrier than he already was for being late, so she unlatched herself off the seatbelt and got out of the car as quickly as she could—only to be greeted by Alden's frown. 

"Move faster, bago pa tayo maabutan ng paps," he mumbled and started walking towards the entrance of the cinema. Before he could actually get to where a small crowd was, he waited for her.