Note: First off, sorry talaga! I didn't mean the past chapters to be painful, but the story won't be complete if I don't include it.
Still, super thank you for reading this! Sorry talaga!!!!
Also, sorry if I haven't responded to comments. I read them promise 😊
Don't hate me,
Maia
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"Hey!"
Alden enveloped her in a hug, relieved that Maine decided to show up. He pulled back to look into her - his - eyes. "Kamusta ka?"
"Better. What's our plan for today?"
"Ikaw? Pwede tayo mag-beach or dito nalang, I rented the pool for the whole day. Everything is prepared."
"Beach. The drive will clear my head. Okay lang ba kung ikaw na magdrive?"
She stayed quiet during the three-hour drive to Batangas. Once they got there, she also requested that she be left alone for a bit to walk along the shore.
She got back around lunch time.
"Let's have lunch near the shore." She suggested.
"Meng, I'm sorry ulit about yesterday."
She nodded. "I understand that you want to keep some connections in this business, but Rj, sana filter mo din. Hindi mo naman kailangan ng validation from everyone. May mga tao na whether they say good or bad stuff, hindi dapat pinapakinggan."
He nodded. "Ang hirap, but you're right. Can I make it up to you?"
"I doubt." She sighed. "I don't want to take it against you, but I really don't understand your need for her to be on our side. I'll get over this, but I don't know if we'll get through it unscathed."
"It's my fault."
"Yes, it is. I'm not taking an iota of blame on this."
They shared a quiet smile.
"Maine, how are you feeling?"
"Tired. Sana malapit na tayo matapos dito sa pagpapalit natin. Pagod na talaga ako and I miss being with my family and friends. Ikaw?"
"Guilty, more than anything. I'm finding out just how much I took you for granted."
Silence.
"Maine, hindi mo kailangan makipag-balikan sa 'kin. I don't deserve you."
"Huh?"
"Ako na bahala kumausap kay Lola at sa kung sino pang dapat paliwanagan -"
"WAIT. STOP. HOLD IT."
Alden looked at her.
"Ako ang magdedecide okay?"
"Oo nga."
"No, you don't get it. Look, all this time, I felt like ang passive ko with everything. I just accepted what was given. I'm glad I took chances but I never really pursued anything. Binigyan ako ng chance to audition, I accepted. Binigyan ng chance to be your onscreen partner, accept. Niligawan mo, okay. Nadecide mo mag-break, payag ako. This time, ako ang magdedecide - itigil mo yang okay okay mo kung hindi kita balikan. Ako ang magsasabi. This time, ikaw ang maging quiet. Liligawan kita if I decide that's how I want to go about it."
