Maine now regularly worked at Rj's house. She arrived at around 8 o'clock morning and leave at 5 o'clock. Most of the time, she commuted going home. On other days, Mang Jose, the Faulkerson's driver, would bring her home. (Although she always insisted that he just drop her off at a street corner where she would take a tricycle home). She became a regular "visitor" in the kitchen and a friend to the household staff. She worked well and Mommy Chat and Daddy Ricky liked her and her work ethics.
Rj now seemed to be a constant presence wherever Maine was. He would pass by the area where she was even if he could just go straight to where he wanted to go. The house helpers noticed this. He owned a small business but was working more from home than actually taking care of his business; he let his bestfriend and business partner, Andy, do all the work.
"...Jay!....Jay!..." Yaya Caring called his attention one time while he was seated at the veranda while Maine walked past from the home-office to the kitchen. "....Jay!....Aki!" she called loudly.
"Yaya! Wag mo akong tawaging Aki! Please!"
"Eh ayaw mo akong pansinin dito...."
"Bakit ba?"
"....saan ka nakatingin dyan?....." Yaya said as she looked toward the direction where Rj was looking. "....hmm....si Maine pala....." she nudged him on the shoulder, smiling.
"Ano ba, Yaya!.....bakit ka ba nanggugulo?....."
"....pangatlong tawag na ni Andy....pinapatanong yung tungkol daw dun sa inorder nyong mga turntable na binebenta nyo....."
"...ahh...sige....sige....." Rj said as he stood up to go inside to call Andy.
"Hi" Maine said as Rj entered the office. He went straight to the telephone on a small table beside her desk.
"....Hello Ands...o, ano?.....oo....tatlo yon....hindi.....yung isa, order ni Alden....sige, sige.....ako nag mag-d-deliver basta ready na.....tapos yung limang Beatles na vinyl, dadaanan daw ni Mel mamaya....forward ko sa yo yung message....oo....lima....sige dude, bye!"
"...so nagbebenta ka pala ng stuff...." Maine said without looking at him.
"....turntables....vinyls...." Rj replied as he put down the phone and took out his cellphone.
"hmmm...." Maine nodded. "Uhmm....Rj......sorry....." Maine said as Rj turned to go out of the office.
"...sorry?.....saan?"
Maine was caught off guard a little -- Rj was talking in a regular voice and didn't sound angry.
"....sorry dun sa pagpansin ko ng lakad mo.....last week....."
"...ahh...wala yun...."
"....sorry talaga....."
"......"
".....Pero parang mali talaga size ng brief mo e....."
Red-eared Rj stormed out of the office and stomped his way back up to his bedroom and slammed the door.
Maine just chuckled.
