Running with Scissors

Three

Welcome back, Kalyeserye!😍😍😍

Strike 3

After two years of being the top celebrities, Alden and Maine's stars have no sign of waning. Fans still clamor for them like zombies on an eating frenzy. They remain the top celebrity endorsers for two straight years. The first loveteam or artists, for that matter, to do that.

They both could live off their earnings from their endorsements alone. But both still have regular tv stints plus movies at least twice a year. Life cannot get any better for these two. Except they don't have time to do anything else. It's all work!

Alden haven't had any decent vacation for two years. But he learned to slow down the pace of his hectic life. A chunk of his time is spent with Maine for their private time. This is something he requested to be in his contract - quality time with Maine. Non-negotiable, they can take his vacation time or rest time away, but if he begs off his schedule to be with her, it should be a green light.

Both their managements know the real deal. They are a couple and they are hopelessly in-love. Everyone knows they are destined to be together forever. So even if they don't admit it, people just accepted & assumed that they are. Most especially their loyal fans.

The past few months, the fans have been agitated by a number of faux pas from both their managements. Rumors abound regarding pairing him with another actress, not Maine. This rumor was somewhat validated by a PR manager through his posts which quickly irked Aldub Nation.

The third part of the 'Holy Tritnity' is not happy about the developments at all. They rarely see their fave loveteam together, they've made two movies together in addition to their first blockbuster movie. But that's it! Aldub Nation had to contend with seeing them in commercials and non-televised appearances. In short, the fans are not happy about how the careers of their superstar icons is being handled.

Unknown to everyone, Alden and Maine are not happy either. And being under different managements is making it more difficult, more complicated. They are both feeling they are being pulled in different directions, and being pulled apart.

The last straw came when Alden was forced to accept a project pairing him with another actress. He was told he cannot turn down yet another project just because it's not with Maine. He walked out from that meeting! A first!

The nail to the coffin - since talks with GMA is not progressing, APT on the other hand, wants to help an up & coming wannabe actor, who's a god-son of Mr. T. And what better and quicker way for this unknown actor to be in the radar than to be paired with Maine?

"All I'm saying is, our loveteam is still very popular, I don't see the point of pairing us with other people."
He said vehemently.

"And I've said it before, I'm not comfortable with any other actor except Alden. Kahit wala na akong projects, kahit Bulaga lang work ko, ok lang. Just don't make me work with another guy and act kasi di ko pa kaya yon." Maine finally found her voice.

There was silence. Both the GMA people and the APT team are looking at each other. Finally understanding what the meeting is all about.

"Ahh, the only reason why we are pairing you with other actors is we want you to be strong individually. Separately." One of the top GMA executives said.

"Why? AlDub is still very strong." Alden quipped.

"We just want to experiment, try new things, move stuff around."

"What if we say no?" Maine asked, feeling emotional all of a sudden.

"You are bound by a contract, both of you." Mr Santos piped in.

The couple felt the hostility will escalate if they continue. So they tried to veer the conversation away from the touchy subject of working with other people.

They ended the meeting with no resolution. It felt like they just stirred something up, and now the murky water refused to settle, leaving it darker, stormier.

The goodbyes were short as A&M were rushing to Bulaga. They rode in Alden's car. Maine slumped in her seat, staring blankly into space.

"Hey, okay ka lang?" He asked softly.

Instead of answering, she just turned to him and melted on his chest. Her boyfriend gives the best hugs. She finds her center there.

"It's just so sad that everyone's up in arms against us. Parang wala tayong pinagsamahan. I was trying to look for a hint of the people I used to know but I only saw strangers looking back at me. Ba't ganon?"

"Welcome to show business, love!" He said sadly.

"I think it's time for plan B." She whispered quietly but firmly.

Alden's hug tightened around her, then he rubbed her back, kissing her forehead before releasing her to look in her eyes.

"I'm glad you agree."