Richard holds Maine's shoulders and gives her a tight squeeze while kissing her cheek. He's off for a quick errand.
"....I'll see you later....gym...."
"Yes....are you passing by the grocery?..."
"I can, why?"
"Can you pick up a bag of pasta....I'm making carbonara...."
"Anything else?"
"Uhmm...none..."
"Okay...see you..." Richard presses another hard kiss on her cheek before straightening up and waving to the people around.
Richard arrives at the gym a few minutes before Maine; He is already doing some exercises as Maine signs in. They workout separately, each with their own coaches; he's working on his legs and kicks, while she does some whole body conditioning. An hour and half later, they were both showered and ready to go home.
"Did you bring a car?"
"My driver just brought me here.....I gave Oreo cab fare to go home na...."
"Ah...wait....I'll just give Mama Ten and Kuya Erick their cab fare...." Richard and Maine walk towards Richard's car where Mama and Kuya are waiting.
"Ma, sabay na kayo ni Kuya umuwi....eto o....ako na bahala...."
"Okay....bukas nalang...." Mama Ten receives the money and walks away.
"Sige, boss..." Kuya Erick follows Mama Ten.
"Bye Ma.....Bye Kuya....ingat...." Maine says, waving at the two before getting into the car.
It's a short 8 minute drive back to the condo. Ate Sally is waiting for them and takes their gym bags as soon as they arrive.
"Ate....paluto na rin nung pasta....al dente..." Maine instructs Ate Sally after giving her the paper bag and removing her shoes by the foyer. She walks to the kitchen barefoot and proceeds to open cabinets and the refrigerator for other supplies and ingredients.
"Do you need help?" Richard asks.
"Can you please set the table?"
"Okay....are we having wine?" Richard asks as he gathers utensils and glasses.
"I think we have some left....."
"Meron pang konti...." Ate Sally says.
"Sige...ubusin nalang namin...." Maine replies.
"....Lovey, there still is some daw.....let's finish the bottle nalang...."
"Okay...." Richard gets some wine glasses and sets them on the table. He "disappears" for a while into the bedroom.
"Dinner's ready...." Maine calls out a few minutes later.
Richard busses a kiss on her cheek before sitting across her at the table. They eat the pasta that Maine has cooked, sipping wine, and feeding each other.
The house is now dark. Candles light the whole bathroom as soft music plays. Richard and Maine are soaking in the bathtub with their wine glasses.
"How was your workout?" Richard asks. "I watched you spar....your kicks and punches are getting stronger..."
"Really?"
"....no bruises?"
Maine puts up her hand and looks at her knuckles. "Wala naman....you did good taping me up...."
"Dapat lang....I don't want to see you bruised...."
"How about you? How was your workout?"
"Okay naman....I just can't seem to get that round kick they were asking me to do kanina...."
"You looked fine..."
"Yeah? But I was getting hilo every time I turned....and my shin hurt a little...."
"Ay....wawa...." Maine reached down and started rubbing Richard's shin. "I'll massage it later...." she says.
They soak for a little while longer, until their wine is gone. They rinse off and get ready for bed. Maine gives Richard a body massage until he falls asleep; this has been their routine for some time. She snuggles next to him and they sleep in an embrace.
