The Flight

The Call

It's been a week, and twitter is still abuzz with the latest "mystery girl"-slash-flavor of the week debacle that Cristina Permi started. Some said Maine as the "longterm girlfriend when Alden was away to study", while some thought she was a cousin. RJ's management has also been intrigued with the mystery lady because they know how secretive RJ is with going out with women. In fact, she has been the first girl he's seen publicly in two years. The last time it happened, he was out with a long time childhood best friend who came home from Singapore.

"Ma'am Maine, someone delivered flowers po. Saan ko po iiwan?" Lia entered Maine's office leaving a bouquet of pink and yellow carnations with a card that says, "M. It was a pleasure being your date despite the circumstances.  -R." 

Maine dialed RJ's number, and with three rings, RJ picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hi, RJ. Thanks for the flowers, I appreciate it. Don't worry about everything, I'm a big girl, I can handle myself."

"No, I feel like I'd need to apologize kasi nadadamay ka. I was around the area, since I have a shoot in BGC, but are you free later? I can get a private room in a restaurant if you'd prefer that?"

"Like what time? I was planning to leave the office early today since I have a meeting near the house at 4," she responded.

"My shoot ends around 6-ish, so 7 or 8?"

"Alright, pick me up in my house instead."

When RJ got to the gate of her house, he never expected her to live in such a grandiose house. For such a simple girl, she was more the condo living type, with nice carpeted rug in her living room, and maybe a cute, little dog. A guard went near his car. His name was Walter, and let him in to the circular driveway of what seems like a modern Mediterranean mansion. Colleen greeted him as she was making her way out to the gym, and led him to the living room. He waited until a slender Maine dressed in a pale pink, flowy dress descended down the stairs. She looked damn sexy, he thought. His cheeks started to blush at the thought of her being this beautiful.

"Huy. You there?" Maine waved his hand on his face trying to get his attention.

"Yeah, sorry. Are you ready to go?"

"Yup, let's go!"

***

RJ led her to this hole in a wall fine dining restaurant his friend Erwann owned. It was a difficult place to get a reservation at, and it only accommodated 30 people in one sitting. They sat in a private room, and was poured with red wine before they can start with their seven-course meal. The restaurant, Butter, was known for being too exclusive. Dishes were personally prepared by Erwann, and the staff are known to be super private. Anyone who worked in Butter signed a non-disclosure agreement with regard to whatever transpires with the guests. Usual patrons include politicians with their mistresses, rich businessmen meeting for a deal, and of course, movie stars who begged for privacy. The price tag for privacy, however, was a whopping five digits.

"RJ, this place seems too much." Maine begged.

"Maine, I do value your privacy and I feel bad about the last time. I'd like to get to know you without anyone trying to take your photograph, or making you uncomfortable, or eyes that try to pry about whatever we're talking about," he reasoned out.

"I'm okay with it. I wouldn't have gone out with you if I didn't know the risks. That's part of you. I've come to terms with the fact that I'm a Mendoza and people are intrigued about the unknown daughter, and you're you."

Before her date started, Maine and Colleen have talked about the lack of privacy the Philippines has. Being part of the Mendoza clan, reporters will always be intrigued about her and how she's never been around for the past ten years. This is on top of the fact that she's Alden Richards' mystery girl. She has come into terms about the privacy she won't be getting in the next how many months. For her, it seemed like RJ was sincere enough, and thus, for her to try wherever this friendship is going. 

"I guess I was just 'praning' at first, because there's a reason why we left for New York, and why we were kept hidden all this time. Plus, my last relationship in New York didn't go so well because privacy was also a bit of an issue. But don't worry about me now. I'm fine. Can we start over?" she continued.

They spent the entire dinner getting to know each other. RJ described his lifestyle, about his family, that he has two sisters and an older brother, his mom is away, and his dad is managing all his assets and businesses. He also spoke about his love for Ironman and that he enjoys hiking up the mountains of the Philippines. While they feasted on their courses, Maine also spoke about how she loved Coldplay and Keane, and that she has met Chris Martin while shopping in WholeFoods in New York. She told stories about how she enjoyed going to their summer home in Palos Verdes, because she and Colleen would ride their horses, and go to the beach. Their worlds were definitely different. One was born with a silver spoon, while one just earned his way to the one percent, but still, they seemed to be getting along just fine.

The long drive back home from the restaurant gave them time to play twenty questions. RJ and Maine each had a turn to ask twenty questions, and for them to answer truthfully.

"Okay, first question.." Maine started.

"Go."

"If we didn't meet on the plane, do you think we'd cross paths?"

"I'd like to think, yes. Even if we hadn't met on the plane, I'd still be endorsing for your dad's company and you'd still work there, one way or the other our paths would cross," RJ answered.

Then it was RJ's turn to ask.

"What do you fear the most?"

"Hmm.. Getting my heart broken? I've never had my heart completely broken. Back then, I always had my walls up. Trust issues, maybe? I'm working on it though.. Oh and uhm, spiders."

"Ah, I see."

"My turn, if you weren't an actor and if you didn't have priorities, what would you be doing right now?"

"I'd be a pilot or a film-maker in New York."

After a series of nineteen or so questions about first relationships and first kisses, likes and dislikes, favorite movies and favorite music, RJ pulled over in Maine's driveway. It was RJ's turn to ask the last one.

"Maine."

"Yeah?"

"Last question. Would you still go out with me?"

"Yes."

RJ opened Maine's car door, and led her to the front door, when it was finally Maine's turn to ask the very last question.

"RJ, my turn."

"Go."

"Will you kiss me goodnight?"