"Y-You what?" Ivan asked in disbelief after RJ admitted his feelings for Maine. Even RJ himself couldn't believe the words that came out of his mouth. Two weeks ago, he hated Maine with his guts. But after seeing how kind and caring she was, things inexplicably changed. RJ couldn't explain it, but there was something about Maine's kindness and imperfections that drew him in. Her personality was infectious and her presence became like a drug he couldn't get enough of. Maine turned out to be RJ's personal brand of cocaine.
"I .... I like her," RJ answered before glancing at the two who were still inside his car.
"Since when?"
"I ... I don't know ... I was in denial I guess." He replied.
"Does ... does this mean I'm no longer allowed to see her?" Ivan then questioned him. RJ removed his hands from his friend's shoulders and threw them up in the air.
"No ... of course you can. It's not like she's my girlfriend or anything ... the only condition I have for her is to finish all her chores before she could do whatever she wants." He answered and saw how Ivan's face lit up.
"Nice ... wait, wouldn't it be weird that she's still working for you even though you like her?" Ivan asked RJ. The other guy got into thinking and confessed to his friend that he still hasn't opened his feelings to Maine.
"Why?"
"I don't know ... I guess I don't have the guts to do it."
"You? Richard R. Faulkerson Jr. aka KAMA's resident womanizer ... tongue-tied and all shy about his feelings?"
"Yes, Ivan. Maine's got that effect on me." RJ said with a half-smile on his face.
"She really is something, then."
"I agree. Remember when our mates used to call me Superman back then? I think I found my kryptonite." RJ uttered, referring to Maine.
"Dude, I'm still here you know ..." Ivan then whispered in a more serious tone.
"Oh yeah ... Ivan, bro ... you can come here anytime you want, okay? I don't think I have the guts to tell her the truth anytime soon. But when that time comes ... you should know that I won't back then." RJ told him.
"Cool ... may the best man win then."
--
After RJ and Ivan talked, Maine's boss opened the gate and drove the car into the driveway. She and Kirby then hopped off the vehicle and walked straight to the front door. Maine glanced at the two guys and noticed a bit of awkwardness between them. It made her realize that whatever it was that they talked about must have been serious.
"Watch ka muna ng T.V. Baby Kirbs ... may gagawin lang ako, okay?" she told Kirby. The little boy then nodded and so Maine went outside to be with Ivan. She sat next to him on the garden bench and asked what he and RJ talked about.
"I can't tell you ... its top secret," Ivan replied and Maine scowled.
"Sus ... kahit naman English yung pinag-usapan niyo eh maiintindihan ko pa rin naman eh. Sige na ... tell me." Maine insisted.
"I'm sorry, I can't ... I promised Richard. Uh, Maine ... did you think about it? Can you give me the answer now?" Ivan then asked her. Maine straightened up and looked at the orange sky above them. It was the question she has been trying to answer for the past two days. And finally, she came up with one.
"Okay ... pumapayag na akong ligawan mo ako." Maine said, making Ivan show his smile that immediately turned her knees into boneless lumps
"You won't regret it ... I promise!" He said happily.
