Maybe

Chapter 45

Louise's POV
I'm in the library right now. As I take a break from studying, I found myself scrolling through Mama and Papa's Facebook and Instagram accounts. The pictures, their smiles.. I've never seen the two of them this happy in years! Especially Mama. I smiled at this thought. Dati, pangarap lang namin ni Paul na at least magkaayos sila. Ngayon, sila na uli. I commented on their recent selfie, "Naks, paselfie-selfie na lang kayo, Ma, a! Hehe, miss you guys 😘" Then got back to studying. I can't wait for the day that I finish med school. The day when they can say that they have a daughter who's a doctor.
It's Mama's birthday na pala next week! I better call Paul.

Paul's POV
It's Mama's birthday next week. Ate and I already have a plan set up. Nothing big but I'm surely she'll love it. Can't wait!
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Back to Manila.. (Narrator's POV)
     Today was just an average day. Work then home for them, basically. They both had a stressful week after Valentine's day because both of their companies have been consulting investors, day in and day out.

Richard picked Rachel up for lunch today.
She sighed when she hopped in the car. "Why?" Richard asks.

"Can you just please drive us somewhere to eat? I'll tell you later, Rich."

He wasn't as surprised by her attitude. He knew she was exhausted and she just wanted to get out of there. He drove to The Venice Grand Canal at The Fort.

He parks. "You okay?"

"Yeah." She replies.

"Investors?" She nods. "Rough day?"

"Obviously."

He goes down and opens her door. "Baba."

"Bakit ba, saglit la-"

"Baba na kasi." And she does.

He holds her hand, thankful that she lets him. He takes her to a wine store. "Choose a bottle." She looks at him for a second then looks around.

She goes for champagne instead. Richard sees her with a bottle of it and gives her questioning look. "Ito na lang so it's lighter. We still have to go back to work. You don't wanna deal with your last bit of investors tipsy, do you?" She smirks at him.

"Sus, 'yan lang pala magpapasmile sayo. May pa-Can you just please drive us somewhere to eat ka pang nalalaman kanina." He chuckes, "Akin na, I'll pay na."

She smiles at him a bit. But heads to the counter instead, "This one's on me, Mister."

     He just smiled, remembering how this was how it was even before. They always took turns on paying things like this because, as much as Richard wanted to always treat her, she also wanted to libre him.

     Rachel was about to settle down at a table but he took her hand, "I have a better idea."

     He led her to their car and she followed him in. "Why are we here? Paano tayo iinom?" She wondered.

     Richard reaches for a black bag under his backseat. He unzips the bag and takes out two champagne flutes. He offers one to her. She laughs. "Uy, tawa ka diyan?"

     She takes the flute from him, "Boy scout, laging handa."

     "Ay, grabe siya saakin. It's just that before, I didn't have time to go out and buy. So, what I would do is have a bottle in my office tapos I have flutes in that bag na so I can just easily grab."

     "So lasingero ka habang nagtatrabaho, ganon?"

     "Grabe ka naman sa lasingero. No, a. I barely touch the bottle. I just drink a glass or two when my day has been really stressful and I just need a break. Tsaka dati, I drank red wine." Richard explained.

     She just nods and takes a sip.
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     They each finish two glasses before deciding it was enough for the day. Or mamaya ulit, as what Richard said.

     He drives her back to her office. She goes down but he calls her back. "What?"

     "Kiss ko?" He pouts.

     She smiles and shakes her head. "Parang bata." She chuckles but goes back and give him one anyway.

     "Don't stress too much, Love."

     "Ikaw din. Pakabait ka." Rachel eyes him.

     He mocks a salute to her, "Yes, Ma'am!"

     She shakes her head, "Drive safely. Ingat ka."

     He nods, "Text me when you're all finished?"

     "Yeap!"

     "Okay! You go na, you said you have a meeting at 3:30, di ba?" He glances at his watch, "Mag-2:30 na, o. Mag-aayos ka pa ng ipepresent."

     She looks at her watch too, "Oh shoot! Sige na, I have to go. Ingat ka, I'll see you later."

     "Rach!" He calls out.

     She turns around with her eyebrows raised, "I love you!" Then he drives off before she could even say anything. She smiles and shakes her head before turning around, finally going in the building.
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     She ends up with a vacant hour after her before her 6:10 meeting. She scrolls through her phone and sees a picture that he tagged her in on Instagram, which he also posted on Facebook. (Naks naman)
" Richard Gomez tagged you in a post"
"@//richardgomez mentioned you in a post."

She opens the Instagram post first. It was a picture of her looking at the wine selections, side view. The caption says:
@//richardgomez: "Thank you for letting me annoy you everyday for how many years now 😜 . But seriously, thanks for being amazing. ❤️ #stressedpadawsiyasagandaniyangyan #blessed"

     She smiles and likes it then opens the Facebook post. It was almost the same picture from a slightly different angle then a selfie that they took in the car. It captioned:
"Thank you for always helping me through stressful and busy days like this one. The best ka. ❤️"

     From then on, she couldn't wipe the smile of her face. Then she remembered another selfie that they took but on her phone, meaning he doesn't have it. She decides to post it on Facebook with a simple but sweet caption. She types:
"It was nice to be able to spend lunch time with you on such a busy day. Thank you, pogi. ❤️"