The Bridesmaid [MaiChard AU]

Breakfast

Maine
She wordlessly eats breakfast, a lot of it, realizing how hungry she is since the last time she had something was at lunch yesterday, while the bridesmaids get their hair and makeup done. She only ever had flute after flute of champagne at the wedding after seeing her jerk of an ex-boyfriend and his sexy big-boobed date. All the while, this stranger before her watches her amusingly as she forks bacon into her mouth.

“Kumain ka kaya? Kasi maraming akong tanong and I swear I will cut you kapag di mo ko sinagot ng maayos. Baka kasi last breakfast mo na.”

His eyes widens and raises his hands up in surrender, his lips protruding in defense. “Huy, promise, I didn’t do anything.”

She laughs softly and tilts her head down slightly to hide her blush at the sight of his biceps and pectorals’ sinewy muscles directly in her line of sight. “Fine. But could you please put on a shirt? Nakakadistract eh.” She says, covering her face with her hands.

“But you kindly are already wearing my last one. Sooo…” He smiles sheepishly, revealing that deep dimple, distracting her even more.

“Magkumot ka, kahit ano. Jusme.”

He laughs as he stands up to take a towel from the bathroom while her eyes following him and admiring his shapely backside. She quickly turns back to her food when he sees him draping it over his shoulder like a table napkin and walking back to her.

“Oh ayan ok na? Anyway, I’m not sure if you got my name last night kasi nagtali lang ko ng sintas ng sapatos, pagtingin ko sayo tulog ka na.”

She furrows her brow trying to remember anything. “Hmmm, no but now that you mentioned it. What is your name? Para alam ko kung anong pangalan ang sasabihin ko sa mga pulis.”

“Grabe naman to. Richard Faulkerson, Jr., 28, single. Hindi ako manyak. But you can call me RJ.”

“Ok, Richard Faulkerson, Jr., 28, single at hindi manyak. I guess I have to thank you for not leaving me sa lobby last night.”

A smile slowly creeps up RJ’s lips when Maine interrupts. “Hep, that doesn’t mean you’re already off the hook. Anyway, I’m Nicomaine Mendoza, 25, hindi lasengga. Maine for short.”

“Talaga ba?” He smirks at her with raised brows.

“RJ, right?” She starts then picks up the fork from her plate, and pointing it at him. “Gusto mo pa bang makilala ang mapapangasawa mo?”

“Joke lang kasi. Sorry na, ito naman.” He chuckles.

“Joke lang din. Di ako bayolente.” She smiles innocently, almost like an angel would, rendering him breathless. “At since inumpisahan mo na. Maguumpisa na ko din ako. Where’s my gown?” Her eyes reduce into slits as she stares at him, waiting for him to answer.

“Ahm, nakasampay sa may shower curtain. Nilabhan ko.” He explains, scratching his head.

“Nilabhan mo?! Why the heck would you do that?” She isn’t sure if she’ll be impressed or be mad because the gown was made of delicate silk fabric and he may have just ruined it.

“Ah eh kasi po, sinukahan mo po. Pati nga coat ko eh.”

She gasps loudly, dropping the fork. “So are you telling me na ikaw ang naghubad saken nung gown ko para malabhan mo?!”

He opens his mouth to answer but is luckily saved by the bell.

***

RJ
They both look at each other, wondering who could be visiting him at this hour. Nevertheless, he hurries to the door and opens it to find his grinning secretary, Jerald.  “Morning, Bossing!”

“Oh, Je. Anong ginagawa mo dito?” He asks nervously, totally oblivious to the fact that he has a bath towel draped over his chest and that his face and neck has now blushed crimson and has already probably reached the roots of his hair. He had the mind though to rest his arm across the door effectively blocking his friend’s way.

“Una muna, bakit ka nagbablush, Boss? At bakit may tuwalya sa dibdib mo?” He asks as he cranes his neck to get a better view of the room. “Aha!” At bakit may heels na sandals sa may kama mo? Ikaw ha!”

“Wala yan. Ano ba kasing kelangan mo?” He starts to get fidgety, his fingers playing with the hem of his towel.

“Dala ko yung papeles na need mong pirmahan pero since may iba pa kong kelangan sayo, I decided to dumaan na lang dito.” Jerald knows because he booked this suite for him for Tuns’ wedding last night just in case he gets too drunk to drive home.

“Ah ok.” He visibly sighs in relief. “Sige, Akina, I’ll sign it. Whatever you need to tell me, pagusapan na lang natin bukas, ha. I’m kind of in the middle of something.” His hand is already gripping the door, ready to close it after signing the papers but Jerald and the playful grin on his face tells RJ his secretary has plans to stay  and chat.

“Middle of something… Hmmm, may nakilala ka kagabi no? One night stand ba?” Jerald pats his friend’s shoulder proudly. “Naks naman!”

“Gago, hindi ganon si Maine. Tska walang nangyari kahit na ano! Gentleman ako no.” RJ explains defensively, yanking his friend’s hand off him.

“Huy, kalma. Oh sige, hindi na. Maine pala ha. Hi Miss Maine. Jerald nga pala.” He waves and smiles at something behind his boss and RJ panics. His eyes widen and almost has a whiplash as he too abruptly turns to the direction of the veranda where Maine is peacefully having her breakfast.

“Joke! Huli ka, balbon!” He laughs boisterously while all RJ could do is shove his friend’s shoulder lightly and rub his nape shyly. “Oh sige na, bukas na lang tayo magusap. Ipagkakalat ko pa sa buong pamilya mo na may girlfriend ka na.”

Just when he thinks he is out of the woods, seeing Jeral take a step away from his door, out comes curious Maine, unmistakably wearing his shirt because it goes all the way down to her mid-thigh. “RJ, everything ok?”

RJ freezes from where he stands and blushes a shade of red even brighter than earlier at the sound of her voice.

“Yes, Miss. Dahil dumating ka na sa buhay ng Boss ko. Jerald, at your service, Madam.” He interjects before RJ could even get a word out.

“W-wag mo syang pansinin, Maine. Je, diba aasikasuhin mo pa yung papers? Go ahead. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Maine.” he says, taking her hand and is about to kiss it had RJ not slapped Je’s hand away. “Aray ha. Bakod agad?”

“May asawa ka, huy!”

“Wushu! Don’t me, RJ. Sige na, Boss. I’ll go ahead. Whatever you were doing bago ako nang-istorbo, carry on…” He salutes and winks, smiling wryly as he walks away.

Maine looks at him with raised eyebrows and her hands crossed over her chest.

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