MIXED SIGNALS

Chapter 12 - Stormy

Hi guys, how was your day? I had a toxic day today, was preparing for a big event next week and it's just funny how people who have stayed in a company for so long act like they own the company. Haha, sorry medyo may angst, just couldn't wait to get home and update my story so that I can interact with you guys. 

I know you are all eager to find out about Alden's back story and it will be revealed soon, don't worry. In a few chapters, you will find out why he acts so strange, and I hope you will get to understand him better by then. For now, please be content with knowing that Maine affects him emotionally, and soon, they will have their time to be together :) 

Enjoy the long weekend my dears, do share your opinions with me on this chapter :)

In the morning, she showered and wore her clothes from last night. The power was back, but Alden was nowhere to be found. There was breakfast in the dining table; some bread, scrambled eggs and ham, a variety of jams and oatmeal. She sat on the den and scanned her phone for messages. In a little while, he arrived, looking handsome in black joggers and a yellow shirt. He handed her a set of keys wordlessly.

"My keys! You went back to Phoenix to get them?"

"Yes. I was thinking last night, people saw us leave the venue together, and might have seen your car after we left. I don't want them to start rumors."

"Why would they start rumors about you and me, knowing you're gay?" She saw his face looking offended with her words.

"Sorry......I didn't mean to be offensive. You shouldn't have bothered though, I could have been the one to get my car."

"And have someone see you dressed in the same clothes you were wearing from last night?"

"Wait. Ang praning mo naman, we're not movie stars para pag-aksayahan ng panahon nila na machismis."

"You're forgetting that the brokers have work on Saturdays, and they are the worst gossips. San ba nanggagaling lahat ng tsismis about the people having affairs in this office? Sa kanila. Sa kwentuhan nila with drivers ng company cars. I'm not doing this for me, Maine. I don't want them to have a bad impression of you."

"They already imagine the worst of me, how much worse can it get?"

"So ok lang sayo na isipin nilang you're desperate enough to pursue even someone like me?"

"Eh pakialam ba nila?"

"Maine, ano ba? Alam mo, ikaw din gumagawa ng ikakasira mo eh."

"I don't care what they say about me. I work my butt off, I deliver, that's it."

"It doesn't always work that way. Do you know why guys come after you? It's because of your reputation. They think you're an easy lay."

"Well I'm not."

"Prove it then. How will they believe you if they see you dressing suggestively? Having successive boyfriends only months apart?"

"Wow, you seem to know a lot about me. Ano yan, sa chismis pa rin? And why do you sound like you're judging me?"

"I'm just looking out for you."

"Why? You don't even want to be friends with me dahil ayaw mo ng complications diba? So ano ba talaga? Gulo mo eh."

He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his unruly hair. This woman was getting under his skin, and for the first time, he felt the situation was spinning out of control.