Maine stood at the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and gazed at the huge structure in awe. It has been a week since she arrived in New York and she's finally decided to pay the famous museum a visit. She walked tentatively up the steps and entered the vast hall. It was a very busy time in the museum with a lot of people walking around. There were several groups of students on field trips and a couple of older people looking and appreciating the art works displayed. Maine headed towards the concierge and took a map to help her get around. She studied the map for awhile before deciding to head towards a room of paintings that perked her interest based on the description written on the brochure.
She finally reached the room and immediately looked around. Thanks to all the art books that her mother in law had given her, which she religiously read for the past couple of weeks, she is very much familiar with most of the art works displayed and was able to appreciate them more now that she's knowledgeable about their history.
Maine was completely engrossed with a particular painting as she studied the swirls of the paintbrush that the painter used that she did not notice a man come up beside her.
"It's an interesting painting isn't it?" The man spoke causing Maine to jump in surprise. She glanced towards her right and found a young man with blond hair and blue eyes standing beside her. He seemed to be around her age. Normally she would be wary talking to a complete stranger but this man exuded a peaceful aura that made her comfortable around him.
"Yes, I love how the painter used his brush strokes making the picture seem ethereal" she commented as she gazed back at the painting.
"You seem to know a lot about painting" the young man commented. "Are you an artist?"
Maine blushed at his question. "No, I've just read a lot of art books, that's all" Maine explained shyly.
The young man smiled at her. "I'm Warren Hunter by the way" he said as he held out his hand for a handshake.
"I'm Nicomaine Faulkerson" she replied as she accepted his hand for a handshake.
"Do you live here in New York?" He asked curiously.
"No, I'm just here for a visit. How about you?" she replied.
"I'm a true blue New Yorker. I was born and raised here" Warren said with a smile. "How do you like the city so far?" He inquired.
Maine was silent for awhile as she contemplated on what to say. "It's very interesting" she finally said. "I like how different it is from the Philippines where I came from. I love Central Park and just walking around the streets has given me a lot of new discoveries and insights about your culture"
"I know. New York is interesting that way. The people here are very diverse and you would really meet people from all walks of life" Warren commented.
"How long would you be staying here?"
"I'll be here for a month. I just arrived last week" Maine replied.
"I guess that would give you time to really roam around the city. If you want I can show you around" Warren offered as he gave Maine a warm smile. "Did you come here with someone?"
"No, it's just me. My husband is a bit busy from work and couldn't leave the country" she answered with a sad smile as she thought about Richard.
"That's too bad. What does your husband do?" He asked curiously.
"He runs a business back home but he's really a photographer by heart" Maine said proudly.
"A photographer?" Warren's ears perked up with interest. "I'm guessing he's the one who got you interested with the arts. What's your husband's name if you don't mind me asking?"
"Richard Faulkerson Jr." Maine replied and she felt her cheeks heating up. She's been married to Richard for six months but even until now she still couldn't help but blush everytime she referred to him as her husband.
Warren's eyes widened in surprise, it seems as if he recognized RJ's name. "Richard Faulkerson Jr. is your husband?" He asked in awe. "He's one of the most talented photographers in Asia. He's a known prodigy in photography since he successfully made a name for himself at such a young age"
Maine's jaw dropped in surprise. She knew that Richard was a great photographer and he was extremely well known in the Philippines but it has never occured to her that he could be popular in other countries as well.
"You know him?" She asked in surprise.
"Well, I don't know him personally" Warren answered with a small smile. "But I have certainly heard a lot about him. You're husband is well known in the world of pbotography. It was just too bad he decided to lay low a couple of years ago. I am an artist myself by the way, a sculptor that is"
"I never realized he was that popular" Maine commented as she tried to take in the recent revelation that her husband was more popular than she thought he was. "I guess to me he's always just been Richard"
"Looks like you're very close. How long have you been married?" Warren asked.
"We've only been married for six months but we were good friends for seven years before we got married" Maine replied.
"Wow, looks like you've built a strong foundation for your relationship. I've heard that marriages have a good chance of working out if the couple started out as friends" Warren commented. "Me and my wife have been married for three years but we've been friends since kindergarten"
"Oh that's wonderful!" Maine exclaimed. "You're childhood sweethearts" she said dreamily. The hopeless romantic in her was swooning at that. "Have you always known that you love her?" She asked curiously.
"Actually, it took me awhile to realize that I loved her" Warren admitted sheepishly. "I think we were already in college when I finally came to my senses. I had been involved in one failed relationship to another and couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. Finally I realized that I was looking at all the wrong places and that the one that I've been looking for was right in front of me all along"
Maine could feel her eyes tearing up as she listened to Warren's story. She couldn't help but think how similar his story was with hers and RJ's. The only difference about it was that Warren's story had a happy ending while her story still had an uncertain future ahead.
"That's a beautiful story Warren. I can't wait to meet your wife" Maine said with a wistful smile.
"Why don't we go out for lunch some time? I'm sure you guys would hit it off. I'll give you my number and you can give me a call when you're free" Warren suggested.
"That's a great suggestion" Maine agreed excitedly. She was happy to be finally making friends.
That night Maine was clearing up the dishes after having dinner. She glanced at the watch and checked the time. Richard would be calling in a while. Since their phone conversation at Central Park, Richard started calling her regularly usually during the evenings. Maine always looked forward to these phonecalls as it lessened her loneliness quite a bit. It was true that she still missed him very much but at least hearing his voice every night eased the pain a little. Just as she was putting the last dish away, her phone rang and Maine rushed to answer it.
"Hello" she answered breathlessly.
Richard's laugh was heard from the other line. "Missed me? Looks like you couldn't wait to talk to me" he teased her.
If RJ was standing in front of her she would have stuck out her tongue childishly at him. Her husband can be so annoying sometimes. "Richard Faulkerson Jr. stop teasing me!" she exclaimed.
Richard chuckled in response. He did enjoy having Maine worked up. He loved teasing her just to see what her reactions would be. He's always found her reactions so adorable.
"How was your day hon?" Maine asked as she tried to change the subject before he could think of teasing her any further.
"It was pretty tiring" RJ said. "We're trying to acquire some pottery pieces from the 17th century for the museum and the paper work is killing me"
"Honey, that's too bad" Maine remarked sympathetically. She wanted so much to reach out and give him a hug. She has always been there for him everytime he has a stressful day and it was killing her right now that she could not be there physically to support him and make him feel better. "How can I help you?" She asked in concern.
"No need to worry about it, just enjoy your trip. You don't have to worry about matters concerning the company. Mom is giving me a hand since this is a delicate acquisition for us" he assured her. "Anyway, tell me about your day"
"Oh, I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art today" she recounted excitedly.
"That's good" RJ replied approvingly. "How did you find it?"
"It was very beautiful and all the art pieces were very interesting. I think I spent my entire day there just looking and making my way through the exhibits" she said. "Oh, and by the way…" she added.
"What?" Richard asked curiously.
"I met someone today and he's really nice" Maine said enthusiastically as she remembered her meeting with Warren. She was very excited in telling RJ about the first friend she's made that she did not notice her husband's sharp intake of breath.
"You met someone?" Richard said in a distressed tone but Maine was too fired up about her story to notice.
"Yes" she confirmed. "He's a sculptor and I met him at the museum. His name's Warren Hunter and he's really friendly. I think he's the same age as me. He accompanied me the whole day at the museum and shared a lot of facts about most of the art pieces"
"I can do that too honey" Richard responded defensively.
Maine gave a small laugh. She didn't seem to notice RJ's distress. "I know. You know what? You have a lot of things in common, I'm sure you're gonna hit it off"
"What does he look like?" Richard asked warily. He wasn't very comfortable with the way his wife was talking about this Warren guy.
Maine was a bit surprised with RJ's question but answered him anyway. "Well, he has blond hair and blue eyes and I think he's around six feet"
Richard was quiet so Maine decided to continue with her story. "He offered to give me a tour around New York"
"He what?!" Richard shouted.
"Honey is there something wrong? Why are you shouting?" Maine asked innocently.
Richard took short labored breaths as he tried to calm down. No need to be over reacting. He reminded himself. But he was starting to feel numb all over and his head was slowly aching.
When Richard did not respond Maine continued. "He invited me for lunch and he said he's going…"
"I have to go" Richard interrupted. What's wrong with RJ? Maine wondered.
"Are you okay?" Maine asked tentatively.
"I'm fine. I just remembered I have to finish something for the museum and it's needed by tomorrow. I'll just call you again" he said as he tried to act normal as possible.
"Okay" Maine said sadly. She was disappointed that their conversation was cut short.
When Richard finally put the phone down Maine wondered what has gotten into her husband. Why did he end the call so abruptly? She was just about to tell him that Warren was bringing along his wife to their lunch and she couldn't wait to meet her. Oh well, maybe there really was an emergency at the office. Maine sighed as she looked out the window. It looks like she has to wait for another day before she can hear her husband's voice again.