Bente-Quatro 2 - Star Witness (Completed)

12 - 0400H

A/N: Patatawarin mga mam/ser pero alas-quatro na ng umaga. Wala ba kayon balak mahiga... at matulog? Take note po, matulog. hehe

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'Sir, hindi na kayo magtatanong kung nakauwi na si ma'am. Kasama n'yo na pala.'

Maine did a double take upon hearing what the guard said. And why the salute? Pero sige, wag na lang magpahalata.

Richard for his part, widened his eyes at the 'guard' in warning, but the guy just continued smiling before motioning them to proceed without getting his ID.

Driving on, the cool early morning air must have done a number on him. Because try as he might to stay awake, Richard now feels the tiredness starting to set in as he waits for the question that will surely come from her.

He'll handle the consequences of his actions later. But for now, he's quite happy and contented that he was able to clear the matter between them.

They're good. That's all he cares about at the moment.

Momentarily lost at the sudden silence inside the car, Maine refused to begin digesting everything she's heard beyond the fact that he did not 'walk away' that fateful night.

And then there's still the curious slip of the tongue of the guard. So after a few more silent minutes of traversing the now deserted roads of the subdivision, she asked so very casually, "Kilala mo?"

"Sino?", he asked back innocently. He knows the way to her townhouse like the back of his hand but he still need to concentrate to prevent a yawn from escaping. But escaped it did. He's really sleepy now.

"Oh you know what I mean! Yung guard! Should I add stalking to my charges against you?"

It took a few seconds before he understood her question. Richard lighlty shook his head to ward away his sleepiness. "Sorry, pero hindi ko kasalanan na kilala pa 'ko ng guard n'yo kahit ilang buwan na ang nakakaraan. At hindi stalking ang pagtatanong lang, I'm not even close to your house. At dito ang daan ko pauwi."

"The last time I checked your address is on the opposite direction, not this way. Is this part of what you need to confess next?"

Richard took a deep breath. It's another matter altogether, making the last turn to the right to reach the familiar cul de sac. "Maybe Atty, but not now. Now, you need to sleep and so do I. Andito na tayo. Safe and sound." And that's all that matters. He stifled another yawn. Not once but twice, before putting the gear on parked mode and pulling the hand break.

Another yawn. "Excuse me, my body clock is already complaining. I've been up for almost 32 hrs now. Akala niya yata dapat tulog siya ng mga oras na 'to."

Maine cannot help but be concerned when she obserbed his drooping eyelids. "Delikado kang magdrive."

He tried to keep his eyes open and blabbered on. "Why, are you going to invite me in? Just kidding. I'll survive. Been there, done that in the call of duty. You better go in. It's already 4am."

He was about to get out to open her door when she touched his arm to stop him. "No, stay here.", she clearly hesitated for a split second on what to say next.

Richard was in suspense, hoping against hope, and felt a little constriction in his chest with her next words. "I'll make you a strong coffee that you can drink on your way home."

She got out of the car then turn around to bend at the open window. "Don't go, wait for me!"

"I've been waiting for you." Richard mumbled incoherently, the drowsiness loosening his tongue.