The Boss' Nerd

Truce

Maine was able to get back to the party without being notice.  She will have the complete report tomorrow in their meeting.  She wanted to check everyone's loyalty! She don't want this mission to be jeopardize lalo ngayon na nakita na niya ang isa sa mga taong pagbabayarin niya!  She is walking back into the party, when she was caught in the arm by Richard.

"Dei??? Ummm, can we talk?" Richard asked.
Maine was about to refuse his request when she remembered the events day before.  He was there when that raid happens and she wanted  to know if Richard is part of that syndicate! She needs to be more critical to every person she have encountered in the underground race, especially Richard was there before the raid!
"Okay, follow me!" Maine said and lead the way towards the other side of the garden.  Richard followed her. 
"So what would you want to talk about, Boss?" Maine asked casually and sit herself in the grass! With her dress and all...
Richard was surprised but he smiled! He found it refreshing! Babaeng walang pake, walang Arte! Kung iba yan, malamang pa-demure or pa-cute pa yan, samantalang itong si nerd, parang bata lang!

Maine, think that talking to her boss is also an advantage for her! She just carelessly dropped herself into the grass, kasi napagod din talaga siya sa ginawa niya! Her adrenaline rush was already up.  Ngayon niya naramdaman yung panghihinayang ng tuhod niya! She spoke right away para masimulan na ang pag-uusap!

Richard, hesitantly sit beside her.  A foot for a distance in between them.  He looked at her and notice that her eyes are closed, para bang isang malaking kaalwanan sa kanya ang pag-upo sa damuhan.  He patiently waited until she opened her eyes...

Maine can't help but closed her eyes after she felt total relief! When she opened her eyes, nagulat siya ng makitang nakatitig si Richard sa kanya.  She can't help but stare at those sad eyes! What's the story of his sad eyes? Why does she felt a slight pain for that sad eyes?

Richard, can't help but notice how her eyes held sadness but there is also defiance on it.  Napakagandang mata! He can't help by stare at her deep brown eyes! 

"Boss, so what's your story?" Maine can't help by asked, taken over by her practical side, her curiosity as an investigator!

"What do you mean by what's my story?" Richard asked, he felt that there is something deep on that question. 

"Ohhh, sorry! I mean what do you want to talk about?" Maine asked, trying to ignore that curiosity on her mind.

"Ummm, gusto ko lang, ummm, ummm...!" Richard falters.

"Hindi tayo matatapos kung paputol-putol ka magsalita... Fire away! Kaya ko pang tumanggap ng mga insulto, boss! Bring it on!" Maine said sarcastically.

"No!!! I am here to say sorry!" Richard said surprisingly.  He himself was also surprised and he can't help but felt awkward.  Kinakabahan din siya sa magiging reaksiyon ng dalaga!

"Don't you dare laugh, nerd or you'll be dead!" He suddenly warned...

Pero mas nagulat siya ng nag tanong ang dalaga!

"Sorry para saan?" Nakangiting sabi ng dalaga...

"Ummm, sa lahat ng pang-iinsulto at malamang salitang nasabi ko sa iyo???" Richard said, hesitantly.

"Seryoso ka?" Maine asked, eyes boring on to him, as if gauging his sincerity...

"Yes, I want a truce!" He said, meeting her penetrating gaze.

"Ummm, okay, Boss!" Maine said casually, shrugging her shoulders.

"What??? She had just forgiven me like that?" Richard said inwardly. 

Maine just shrugged her shoulders and nod. 

"What is for me kung aawayin kita? Stress? Mas marami pa akong dapat paglagyan ng energy than having petty quarrels with you, isa pa, we could plan on how to stop this mock engagement! Two is better than one.  At least same tayo ng galaw para makawala dito!" Maine said casually. 

Something clicked on Richard's heart, a not so good feeling upon hearing her plans.  But he dismissed it.  Mas mukhang okay nga yun at least they both of them with be spared from the blame of the parents!
Maine felt weary.  She needs to regain her strength but she can't say goodbye to the party yet, hahanapin pa siya ng mga magulang niya. 

"Ummm, can I ask you favor?" Maine asked out of nowhere...
"Kaya ba pinatawad mo ako dahil hihingi ka ng pabor? If that's the case, wag mo na lang akong patawarin, I am not your slave!" Richard said casually.
"Shut it, Boss, hindi no! Bumalik ka na sa party, distract them, I need a power nap, kasi malamang late na matatapos ang party.. Kahit 15 minutes lang... Dito na lang ako sa swing.  Dodge every person who will come to this direction, Boss! Pwede ba yun?" Maine asked.
"Ano gagawin mo akong guwardiya mo? Sobra ka naman, Dei!" Richard said, poker face.
"You can flirt to anyone, I don't give a care! Okay lang sa akin yun, malay mo makita mo diyan si the one!" Maine said, puzzled with a bitter taste on her mouth, but she dodged it...
"E di nabad-shot pa ako sa parents mo?!" Richard said.
"E di maganda, mas mapapadali ang end ng mockery na to!" Maine said, as if explaining to a five year old kid. 
"No, I don't want that!" Richard protested hard.
"And why not, Boss? It can be an easy way out, for all we know!" Maine said.
"But I don't want an easy way out!" Richard contradicts her right away.
"What???" Maine asked...
"I mean, there is no easy way out on this engagement, ummm, unless both of us agreed to it right?" Richard asked.
"Yap, so that's why we need a foolproof reason to discontinue this charade!" Maine said.
"O, siya sige na do your power nap na saka na natin pag-usapan yan, babagsak na yung mata mo oh!" Richard said, changing topic.
"Make sure na wala lang kalokohan gagawin sa akin! No pranks OK? Or else...!" Maine said, threatening Richard.
"Oo na, walang manggugulo sa iyo! Ako na bahalang magbantay!" Richard said.
"Okay ka din pala e, sige power nap muna ako! No hanky panky, Boss or...! Maine warned him again before she position herself comfortably on the swing for her power nap... Richard stayed there while Maine is sleeping...