From A Distance

Oscar

Richard runs across the hallway holding a mistletoe in his left hand. He reaches the living room, filled with people socializing with each other. He frantically scans the room, trying to find a home for this plant. He finds the perfect spot, it was the entryway from the receiving area to the living room. He rushes over there and in his pursue to get this up as soon as possible he bumps into Maine. Maine's face crashes into his chest while his arm is still raised up holding a mistletoe.

Wait. Is he? No. Why is he? Does he want us to?

They were both startled by this, and Richard was about to say sorry when he sees Maine starting to close her eyes. Her face was slowly getting closer to his. Inch by inch she moved, without any hesitations, even pouting her lips.

Why is she? Oh. Richard naman! Bakit kasi itinaas-taas mo pa yung mistletoe? Akala niya yata.

Richard lets out a cough, which instantly sends Maine to open her eyes. Their faces were so close, that they became crossed eyed as they looked into each other's eyes. Maine quickly pulls away and she instantly feels heat escape through her cheeks and ears. 

"Dun. Dun mo lagay, sa malapit sa entrance," she says while using her lips to point.

Richard simply gives her a nod, and quickly makes his way there, Maine following him from behind.

Ang assumera mo talaga Nicomaine.

Maine couldn't help but look him over from head to toe. She didn't understand just what went through his mind when he chose his outfit. He was wearing an ugly sweater, skinny jeans, plus some white converse sneakers.

"Ano ba yang suot mo? Parang kang hipster na college student. Where's your suit?"

"Akala ko ba ayaw mo ng itsura ng suit ko? Bakit ka nagrereklamo ngayon?" he asks as he pins the mistletoe on the wooden frame. 

"It's not that, you just look...weird," she states, rubbing her chin and tilting her head sideways. 

"May weird, weird ka pang nalalaman. If I know, naguwagwapuhan ka sa akin eh."

"Totoo naman eh," she accidentally blurts out.

Maine covers her mouth and runs away from Richard. 

"Menggay!" Richard shouts from across the room. 

Maine doesn't look back but instead she continues to run, making her way to their backyard. She goes into the garden, and is now making quick steps back and forth a small section. She really didn't understand what was going on with herself. She has never acted or felt this way before. She remembers Richard and her always being so cold to each other, and she wonders how it happened that they have become so close. How she actually enjoys his company, how she always looks for him every single day, and how she always feels giddy whenever he was near. She tries to make sense of what is going on, but she can only think of one thing on her mind. 

She might actually be falling for him. 

She doesn't want to admit it to herself, but she just can't help feeling that way. She feels so safe whenever he's around, and that's not just because he's her bodyguard. Richard has such a loving personality, that Maine couldn't help but feel love herself, whenever Richard shows her signs of concern. 

"Menggay," Richard whispers as he pants.

Maine stops walking and looks over to him. She didn't realise that she already had tears dripping from her eyes. Richard is alarmed by this, and hurries over to her. He places both of his hands on her arms and he starts to rub them, to try and make her feel any better.

"Anong nangyari? Bakit ka naiyak?"

"RJ, I'm scared," she says as sincerely as she could. 

Richard pulls her into a hug, squeezing her as tight as he could as if it would aid in making her fears go away. She is now sobbing into his shoulders, her own shoulders bouncing up and down. She is truly scared. Scared, because she's uncertain of what he feels for her. She doesn't know if he genuinely cares for her, or if he's plainly doing his job. And if it's the latter, then she doesn't know what she'll do because she's already hoped so much that he reciprocates her feelings. 

"Shhh, it's ok, Maine. Don't worry about your Dad. He'll be fine, I'll keep you guys safe, that's what I'm here for. Diba nga kaya ako ang kinuhang bodyguard ng Dad mo?"

Maine abruptly pulls away from his hold. She quickly wipes her tears with the back of her hands, and crosses her arms. Her fears are now coming true.

"Is that all I'm ever going to be to you? A responsibility?"

He didn't know where all of this was coming from. She's been acting really strange since they saw each other in the morning. Her, only saying 'good morning', and nothing else afterwards. Her, pouting at him at the sight of the mistletoe. And also, her admitting that she thought he was good looking. 

"I'm sorry?"

"Nagloloko ka ba or sadiyang manhid ka lang?" 

"A-Ano? S-Sandali lang naman. What are you on about?"

"O baka naman, pa-fall ka lang talaga."  

"Wait, are you saying?"

"Yes! That is what I'm saying!" 

"I never-"

"You never thought I felt that way? You never meant to make me feel that way? Sige, ano pa?"

Richard didn't know what to reply. He never thought that his actions - that didn't have any malice at all - were going to be taken the wrong way. However, he has to admit that he does feel something towards her as well. He just doesn't want to confirm or deny anything because he still isn't so sure. 

"You know what? Bakit ko nga pa 'to sinasabi sa'yo? Bodyguard lang naman kita diba? And because of that, sige, do your job and go find me."

She starts to run away once again, but instead of running after her, he lets her get away. Because he knows that what they both need right now is space. Space to calm down, and most of all space to figure out what it is they truly feel for each other. 

A/N: This is a shorter-ish update since I didn't want to ruin it even more by adding nonsense. Thank you so much to all of you for continuing to support this story. We now have 320+ votes! Like WHAT?!?! That's just crazy! 

I hope that you all have a Merry Christmas. God bless you all. Let's all remember the true reason why we celebrate this day, and that is the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! 

Next update on Wednesday!