Lights, Camera and Alden Richards ➣ AlDub/MaiChard

twenty-five

Author's note: I DO NOT CLAIM TO OWN ANY SONG USED IN THIS CHAPTER. ALL ARE MERELY USED FOR BETTER IMAGERY.

Songs mentioned in this chapter:
All I Wanted by Joseph Vincent

If You Stay by Joseph Vincent

Ho Hey by The Lumineers (MY FAVE SONG OK I JUST HAD TO PUT THIS)

Wake Me Up by Ed Sheeran

Can't Help But Falling In Love by Elvis Presley

Amazed by Lonestar (BUT LISTEN TO SCOTTY MCCREERY'S VERSION I AM IN LOVE)

Anyway, I've been gone for a few days, but I AM BACK MY FRIENDS. Thank you for the 33.5K reads and all the lovely comments from the recent chapter!! 💛 Also!!! New book cover!!! I'm shit at editing but, hey, I tried. Thanks for everything, bub. Love you!! 💛

Tweet me (@)lolmaine about this chapter with the hashtag: #ALDUBAngAtraso

All the love, F.

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AUGUST 2016
Maine patiently waited for her turn to perform at the backstage.

Her hair and makeup was done like the usual. She was wearing a long, teal and sleeveless jumpsuit that ended on her ankles and a pair of silver heels that Faye had gotten her. She sat on her own stool and she's supposed to be going through the setlist for tonight, but then at this point, she couldn't do anything.

She had been shuffling on her stool over and over again, trying to find a comfortable position-but couldn't.

She promised Alden that she'd dedicate the whole show to him tonight. And she wasn't even sure if he was even coming.

"Nicomaaaine," she heard her best friend's voice from behind the curtain. He peaked his head and smiled at her, only to frown when he saw the look on her face. "What's wrong?"

Maine shook her head. "Kinakabahan lang. As usual."

"I know about your anxiety," he sighed. "And I also know that you're getting better with the whole performance thing. You're getting better each gig. What's wrong now?"

"Do I look worse than I did before?" she asked. "Kinakabahan lang talaga ako, promise."

Jacob chuckled and pulled a stool beside his best friend. "Well, you look like you're about to sing in front of the President."

Maine gulped.

"It's not like anything's new. How many times have you performed in front of this crowd and in the same stage? Around 10 na siguro no?" he asked and Maine nodded. "Eh bakit ka pa kinakabahan? Wait, are you singing in front of the President tonight? Joke lang 'yun, uy."

Maine sighed. She had to tell him; it wasn't like he wouldn't find out.

"Well..." she trailed off.

"You're kidding," Jacob interjected. "You're really performing for the president? Bakit hindi ko al-"

"Jacob," she interrupted. "It's worse than that."

"What? Bakit sino-"

"I invited Alden Richards. Here. Later," she slowly said. "And I also might have promised to dedicate the whole show to him," she muttered under her breath.

"What?" Jacob asked, confused. "I thought you called off the publicity stunt."

"I did," she nodded. "This isn't for the publicity stunt."

Jacob frowned. "I thought you... loathed his whole being."

Maine sighed. "I did."

"Did?" Jacob asked, standing from the stool, only to be pulled back by Maine. "When did you form a certain bond with him? Bakit hindi ko alam?"