Neighbors | Maichard

XVII. - Let The Games Begin -

The day of the magazine launch arrived quickly. Richard woke up early and spent the entire morning talking to his team about the wardrobe he'll be wearing for the event. He also checked on Maine and made sure that she's all set for their first public appearance together.

"Sabay kayo ni Maine mamaya?" Mrs. Faulkerson asked.

"Yup. We have to ... we're in a fake relationship, remember?"

The doorbell then started ringing. Richard got up and opened the door, only to see Gabbi standing on the other side.

"Hey, Gab." He greeted.

"Hi, Um ... can I come in? May sasabihin lang ako."

"Sure, but Ruru's not here."

"It's okay, sa'yo ako may sasabihin."

"Oh, alright. Come in."

Gabbi went inside the house. Richard closed the door quickly and sat on the couch opposite to her. He took a deep breath and asked her what's going on.

"Maine's freaking nervous right now. I don't know kung na-kwento na niya sa'yo ... medyo malala yung anxiety niya. She gets nervous kapag madaming tao. Please, please protect her tonight. Ayokong makita na mag-breakdown siya ulit."

The amount of concern in her voice made his heart pound hard against his chest. He just uncovered another side of Maine and it only made him want to protect her even more.

"Nagka-breakdown na siya dati?"

"Yes. She used to take meds for it. Just please ... promise me na hindi siya uuwing umiiyak mamaya."

"I promise." He immediately said and looked at his mom. She smiled and nodded at him.

"Thanks, Richard."

--

Maine took a deep breath and pulled the curtains together to minimize the amount of sunlight entering her room. She then turned towards the door and saw her Mom carrying a blue dress.

"Is that it?" she asked. Mrs. Mendoza nodded and gave her the dress.

Her heart continued to drum hard against her chest. The thought of being with Richard right in front of the public's eye made her really anxious.

"Maine, anak."

"Po?"

"Yung paalala ko sa'yo ah? Guard your heart."

"I know, Mommy." Maine answered and gave her a reassuring smile. After she was left along, Maine sat on the side of her bed and closed her eyes. Suddenly, she was standing in the middle of a party. The music played loudly and everyone danced their night away. Then the crowd parted and she looked, only to see a familiar face standing from the other end of the room. It was Richard.

He smiled and slowly made his way to her. Maine grinned when he touched her face. His hand felt pleasantly warm. She closed his eyes and opened them again. But the scene has changed, she's already back in her room. Maine sighed after realizing that what she saw was just an imagination.

She then heard a few knocks on her door. Maine looked up and saw Gabbi smiling at her. She smiled back and told her to come in.

"Ano na, di ka pa ba magre-ready?" she asked.

"Fine, I will. Get your make-up kit."

Gabbi let out an excited squeal and ran out of the room. Maine smiled, shook her head and reached for her phone.

"You can do this Maine, you can absolutely do this." She whispered to herself and started getting ready for the party.

--

"Do I look okay?" Richard asked his Mom right after stepping out of his room. Mrs. Faulkerson gave him an approving smile and fixed the collar of his suit.

"Okay? You look great, Richie! I really don't get kung bakit kailangan mo pa ng style and wardrobe team. Kaya mo naman mag-damit mag-isa." She commented. Richard just smiled and looked at the clock. A few minutes later, he went downstairs and walked towards the door.

"Richard, enjoy lang kayo ni Maine okay? Wag kang masyadong kiligin."

"Thanks, Mom. But really? ... I hate you." He said and smiled at her. Deep down, Richard felt as though he was heading to prom instead of a magazine launch. Butterflies flew in his stomach, making him feel all giddy inside. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the house. Richard then walked towards his neighbor's place and knocked on the door twice.

It opened right away and the kind face of Mrs. Mendoza greeted him. Richard smiled, he tried to say something but something blue behind her caught his attention.

"Is that? ..." he asked. Mrs. Mendoza then stepped aside, allowing him to have a full view of Maine. The second his eyes laid on her, the entire world stopped spinning. The butterflies in his stomach went wild. His heart started beating hard against his chest. He felt a lump in his throat. He tried to speak but not a single word would come out. His jaw fell open in awe. That moment did it for him. It solidified his feelings for Maine.

"Mukha na bang tao?" Maine asked. Richard examined every part of her. The blue body-hugging dress that perfectly captured her figure, her curly hair, her expressive smoky eyes and her luscious lips painted with pink-colored lipstick. She looked perfect, the kind of perfect that deserves to be celebrated.

"Y-yeah." He stammered and she smiled.

"You don't look so bad yourself." Maine commented.

"You look beautiful." He finally managed to say the 'B' word, something he never thought he'd say to Maine. The temperature inside the room increased rapidly. She blushed and looked away for a moment.

"Bolero. Thank you."

Richard smirked and asked her if they should go. Maine nodded and smiled at him. A few minutes later, they got onto his car and drove away.

--

After ten minutes of nothing but silent driving, Maine cleared her throat and looked at Richard. She studied his face for a moment before she asked him a question.

"Richard, do you still remember the other night? Yung nag-usap tayo sa terrace namin?"

"Uh, yeah ... I do. Bakit?"

"You told me may gusto kang sabihin."

Richard gulped.

"That was nothing ... just something stupid." He answered. Richard then took a left turn towards the venue of the launch party. They pulled up in the parking lot and an immense amount of silence suddenly fell onto them. He took a deep breath and turned to his side so he could look at her straight in the eyes.

"How are you?" he asked.

"I'm okay, why?" she asked back. Maine glanced at the entrance of the building and saw the swarm of paparazzi gathering around the start red carpet.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, tara na?" she asked and grabbed her purse. Maine was about to leave his car when he grabbed her wrist. She stopped and looked at him.

"Maine ..."

"Bakit? Tara na, baka ma-late tayo."

"Wait, I really have to tell you something."

"Fine, ano yun?" she asked and sat properly again. Her heart started pounding. Maine had to muster every ounce of courage in her body just to look at him straight in the eyes.

"I like you, Maine. I like you a lot."

---

oops .... stay tuned for more :)