You Belong With Me

Two

DISCLAIMER: - see previous chapter -

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II.

IKE WASN'T SURPRISED TO SEE ALDEN show up at his usual running route Saturday morning. Ever since they called a truce, they both found out that they both like each other and agreed to work on becoming friends. Since their common interest was Maine and her happiness, they found their common ground.

"Don't you have something better to do than stalk me?" Ike couldn't help himself from teasing his companion.

"You wish," Alden scoffed. "Ikaw ba ang may-ari nitong daan at bawal ang tumakbo dito kasabay mo?"

"You're not really good at being subtle, are you?"

"I don't know what you mean," Alden frowned.

Ike threw his head backwards and laughed, but he didn't slow either. Alden kept up with the pace he was already on and for the next few kilometers they jogged in silence.

"So, talaga bang hindi ikaw yung nagpapadala ng flowers and chocolates kay Maine?" Ike asked as they neared the parking lot where they both left their vehicles.

"What makes you think na ako naman yung secret admirer niya?" questioned Alden.

"Just wondering, bro. Maybe you're doing it to spice things up between you two," he shrugged.

"Spice things up?" Alden echoed. "Anong pinagsasasabi mo jan?"

Ike made a face at his clueless companion. "I'm not stupid, bro. I know you like Maine, although why she's still not your girl even after that kiss you two were caught sharing a few months back I have no idea. Clearly she likes you back otherwise she won't be thinking of strangling Barb every time she hangs around you."

That was news to Alden.

"Barb and I are just friends."

"Tell that to Maine. I think she only let out a sigh of relief when she heard that Barb quit after finding a better position sa ibang company."

"I didn't even know na nagseselos siya kay Barb," Alden mused.

"That only shows you how clueless you are, bro," Ike gave him a light pat on the back. They both slowed down to a walk now as they neared the parking lot. They needed to cool down before completely coming to a full stop after their run. "Akala ko you decided to make up to Maine for putting her through all that unnecessary jealousy by sending her gifts anonymously."

"If I need to make it up to her, I won't be sending her anonymous gift just to tell her I'm sorry," Alden argued.

"That's what I thought too, but like what I said, akala ko you are trying to spice things up hence why you donned on the persona of a secret admirer."

"If I am her secret admirer, I won't be showing up here this early on a Saturday morning to ask you if you have any damn idea who this guy is that's trying to win her," snapped a very irate Alden.

"What makes you think na kilala ko kung sino yung secret admirer ni Maine?"

"You work with her. You see her every day. You take her to meet with clients from time to time," he listed.

Ike cocked an eyebrow. "So what? Just 'coz we are always together at work alam ko kung sino ang gustong pumorma sa assistant ko."

Now that Ike said it out loud, Alden realized how stupid his reasoning was. Of course hindi rin alam ni Ike kung sino ang secret admirer ni Maine.

"Look bro, imbis na mag-waste ka ng time trying to figure out who is this guy sending her gifts, bakit hindi mo na lang kasi ligawan si Maine," Ike suggested.

Alden almost tripped over after hearing Ike's nonplussed suggestion. If Ike wasn't short on breath from their run he would've laughed his head off at the expression on Alden's face. It was a mixture of dread, anxiety and something akin to hopeful but he wasn't quite sure.

"What makes you think gusto kong ligawan si Maine?" Alden asked after he composed himself.

Ike cocked an eyebrow at his companion's obvious denial. "Bro, for someone not interested in her, you seem so damn territorial every time someone else gets near her." He didn't wait for Alden to reply to that comment. He left him staggering to a full stop while he continued on his way back to his vehicle. Ike glanced over his shoulder after a few steps and hid a knowing grin when he saw the aghast look on the ad execs' face. Clearly someone was having cold feet about making the next move in his relationship with the lovely and infectious Maine.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yes, I know, short chapter. But I feel that for this particular "talk" between Ike and Alden, it deserves a chapter of its own. And I'd like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all of you reading and enjoying this second installment to my ALDUB-inspired story. It means a lot to me that you guys are reading it, reacting to it, liking it, and heck, maybe you are even sharing it! LoL