You Belong With Me

Seven

DISCLAIMER: -see previous page-

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WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Maine stared wide-eyed when she saw Ike walked up to the booth she, Alden, Pao, Jules, Ryan, Sam, Danny and Aicelle claimed as their own for their usual Saturday Gimmick Night at the back of the karaoke bar.

After a stressful (sa isip niya) week dealing with secret admirers, deadlines and demanding clients, Maine figured their small group deserved a night out to have some fun; let loose and forget about their worries this week. Also she felt like she needed a distraction while she tried to find out who Alden's secret admirer was. So far this week, after the expensive watch, Alden received front row seats tickets to the upcoming Coldplay concert; Maine was desperately trying to convince Alden to take her with him to the concert since Coldplay was one of her all-time favourite bands, pero nagpapatulpik-tulpik pa ang mokong at pinahihirapan siya masyado.

"I believe I was invited," was Ike's smug reply, slipping in to the seat beside a still surprised Maine and accepted the bottle of beer Pao handed him.

Maine's eyes moved from her ex-boyfriend-slash-current-boss to her cousin who seemed to be expecting Ike's appearance. She was about to question him, but Pao caught the look she was giving him and held up his hands to stop her from saying anything.

"Hindi ako ang nag-invite sa kanya, but he sent me a text asking me where we're going tonight so I knew he was going to join us," he quickly explained.

Maine looked back at Ike and raised an eyebrow, obviously expecting him to tell her who invited him since she was the one who sent out the invites for tonight's gimmick and she wasn't told there was going to be another person added to their group. Not that she minded, of course. Now that she and Ike made it clear that there was no way they'd ever get back together again, she was less weary when he was around.

"Your boyfriend invited me," Ike said teasingly when Maine wouldn't stop looking at him.

"Sinong boyfriend?" Maine scoffed.

Jules and Aicelle exchanged bewildered looks before bursting out laughing. Even Sam and Ryan joined the two women as they eyed a peeved Maine and a blushing Alden who remained silent the entire time the debate on who invited Ike was happening. Pao, Ike and Danny didn't join the laughter, but they each were wearing knowing grins as they sipped their beers.

"If you're referring to me, hindi ako ang boyfriend niya kasi hindi pa niya ako sinasagot," singit ni Alden before popping a chicharon in his mouth.

Maine quirked an eyebrow when she heard what he said and elbowed him in the ribs since he was seated on her other side.

"Nanliligaw ka ba para sagutin kita?" she snapped at him.

Seven pairs of eyes rounded in surprise when they heard Maine's comeback before each of them dissolved to a chorus of "Uuuuuuuuyyyyyyyyy!" and more jostling and teasing.

Alden's blush deepened until his face looked purple. Maine sat back and sipped her fruity girly drink, smirking at the very uncomfortable Alden. At the back of her head she was patting herself on the back; good idea itong naisip niyang gimmick this weekend. Everyone was having fun, kicking back, relaxing and she and Alden were back to their usual safe-flirting selves.

Walang makakasira nitong gabing ito...

"Alden?" A petite mestiza stopped by their table and was looking at Alden with those pair of soulful puppy brown eyes that were currently as wide as saucers.

Napatigil si Alden sa pakikipagkainisan niya kay Sam who kept on teasing him na hindi pa siya nanliligaw busted na agad. He slowly turned to look at the person who just addressed him.

Maine watched Alden's face slowly open up to a genuine smile as soon as he recognized who the girl was that approached their table. She couldn't help herself from frowning as she watched Alden scoot out of the booth and engulf the newcomer in an all too familiar hug, which the girl returned with matching kiss pa sa cheek ni Alden. He and the girl seemed oblivious sa mga kasama ni Alden as they chatted after pulling away from each other's embrace.

Everyone's eyes kept on glancing at a suddenly quiet and glaring Maine the entire time Alden was ignoring them and chatting away with the yet-to-be-introduced girl. From the chilled stance of the two obvious naman na magkakilala sila. Eh ang anong is, sino si girl?

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know, I know, this chapter is short, but I needed to spew it out to get the ball rolling. Anyway, any guesses on who this girl might be who seems to know Alden real well and vice-versa?