Rj was looking around his now empty restaurant. The last of the guests of the blessing earlier had left and it was just his staff and some family who were there.
"Sige po, Sir. Congratulations ulit. Bukas po ulit." His most senior staff lead the group to say goodbye to Rj for the night.
"O sige, salamat....salamat!" Rj waved at the people as they left.
"O, J....di ka pa uuwi? May SPS ka pa diba?" His Dad, Richard, asked as he too, was leaving.
"Pauwi na rin po, Dad."
"Okay, mag-ingat kayo pauwi."
"Congratulations!" some of his relatives said as they waved goodbye.
"Thank you! Bye!" Rj waved at them from the top of the steps. He watched as their cars left the parking lot.
Just as he closed the door behind him when he re-entered the restaurant, car headlights shown through the front windows.
Rj peeped through the window but was blinded by the light.
The door burst open and in walked Maine. She walked straight into Rj's arms and embraced him tightly.
"Congratulations, Love!"
"Congratulations din!" Rj replied before kissing her on the lips. What started off as a gentle peck on her lips, ended in a passionate, heartfelt kiss. "I saw pictures of the crowd and tweets about the event.....ang galing!"
"I was so scared!" Maine replied as she rested her forehead on his.
"Bakit naman?"
"You know how I am around people....."
"But you overcame your fear.....good on you! I'm so proud!" Rj said and kissed her on the forehead. They stayed locked in an embrace for a while.
"So, how was the blessing? I wish I could have been here...."
"You're here now...."
"No, I meant, kanina....."
".....ang daming tao.....friends, family and fans.....bukas, soft opening na...."
"I'm sure it'll be fine...."
"Sana...."
"It will...." Maine said and kissed him on the cheek. "Are we ready to go home?"
"Yes....wait, let me just send Mama Ten and Kuya Erick home to Laguna...."
"How about you?"
"I'm driving us home to the condo..."
At the condo, Rj and Maine are now in bed, cuddling, Maine's head resting on Rj's bare shoulder.
"I love you..." she says as she plants a soft kiss on his breast
"I love you, too..." he replies and kisses the top of her head. His hand, gently stroking her bare shoulder.
