Good morning guys, here's an update that some have been waiting for. I kind of struggled with this after all the stress in Twitter and admittedly here also in Wattpad. Please do not worry, I will finish the story. I want to thank all those who were encouraging and understood where I was coming from.
I may take a rest from making Maichard fics after this story. Maybe it's time to do fics with a different set of names, to avoid readers getting stressed because they think it is still Maine and Alden who are in my stories. In an alternate universe, it is just people with their same name and face, but of course it is not them. That is why these stories should not be taken too seriously.
In my mind, my peg will still be the both of them as my main characters. They have been my muses for writing all this time. But maybe the names confuse so next time I will be using different names na,
So hope you like this chapter. Thanks in advance to those who are still reading. Have a great day, guys :)
March 2, 2017 - Japan
Dei got off the plane at Fukuoka Airport, close to five in the afternoon. Richard had taken a morning flight earlier and arrived around three earlier. They were no longer irritated about the setup, instead they were thankful to be able to take this respite from their busy schedule. The shoot would be wrapping up in two weeks and soon, the promotions would be underway. It would be only a matter of time before she and Richard would get their lives back.
But how would that adjustment be like? The fans were currently happy with the photos they see, even if they were just consultations and script readings showing Richard and Kat discussing with Inigo or Dei. It was funny how people read too much into what were really innocent photos, with no romantic innuendos at all. Creative fans came up with photoshopped photos of Kat and Richard together and it kind of unnerved Dei to see how realistic those photos look.
As a precaution, their personal social media accounts were on private mode, and thankfully, not one of their contacts ever betrayed them about their true status. She and Richard had separate social media accounts for work, and for these accounts, their relationship status was hidden.
She was waiting in the baggage carousel area when a pair of arms wrapped around her. She smiled and felt lips kissing her cheek. She turned and smiled, putting her arms around Richard's neck.
"Freedom at last," he said, smiling widely. He caught her luggage as it passed them, and pulled it while tucking her close to him in the crook of his arm.
"I got a car rental, we'll be traveling for two and a half hours to get to Kurokawa. We can take a nap while traveling, but if you're hungry we can catch a meal somewhere along the way."
"Not hungry I ate during the flight. Ikaw?"
"I ate when I arrived. Let's go then."
It was already dark when they got to Kurokawa. They had dinner at one of the restaurants near their inn and took a walk outside in the coolness of the night, their clothing thick enough to keep them warm against the spring air. It was wonderful to be out and about holding hands and with no one recognizing them.
"I could live here," Dei said, snuggling closer to him.
"It's wonderful here, isn't it? No traffic and noise."
"I miss the kind of life we had in Evanston when we visited there. We were practically anonymous, it was nice to live as you wanted without worrying about being on social media next day."
"Are you sorry about getting my story made into a movie?"
"I didn't expect so much attention, kasi nga it's an indie movie and I thought people wouldn't really take THAT much interest. I underestimated my sister's popularity. Her cult following is remarkable."
"Dei, I want to go out in the open about our relationship. I don't like this hiding around."
"I don't either. I'm just doing this for Kat, sayang pinaghirapan niya for her name if she gets flak when the movie isn't even showing yet. I'm sorry if nadamay relationship natin, I did not foresee na people would ship you both."
"Looking back, we should have nipped it in the bud from the start, Dei. I know I gave conditions, but sana hindi na ko pumayag from the start. Kaso I was also thinking about Kat, I understood that buzz for the movie would benefit her and Inggo."
"Di bale, we have about a month left, Jay. This is a lesson learned for both of us. Never again, I will never subject our relationship to this kind of situation ever again. I know it will benefit us but I don't think we're cut out for this industry together."
"How are we going to stop the people's impression of Kat and I as a couple?"
"Maybe once the movie is over it will die a natural death. Kat will have other things to do that will interest her fans. Malay mo, once they see her with Aaron in the movie, they'll forget about you both."
"Sana."
They turned in early for the night, tired from the traveling and the walk. They slept soundly till dawn and woke up early to enjoy breakfast and another walk around the beautiful village near their Inn.
"Happy Birthday baby."
There were flowers in the room and a bag that contained several small gifts. There were three different pouches of Pandora charms, a birthstone charm in the form of a heart,
a Japanese doll,
and the third, Richard mysteriously took back to be opened for later. He also gave her a beautiful set of Pink Drop earrings also from Pandora.
"Thank you for the gifts, Jay. How'd you get to pick such pretty gifts?"
"I asked Kat to help me with them when you and Inggo were talking. The earrings were her idea."
"I love all of them. Thank you."
They had breakfast at a nearby roadside restaurant, shopped for a few souvenirs to take home. They took selfies together like normal tourists, had lunch at the Inn and went back to their room to rest.
"This is the life no? Kain tulog hahahaha."
"Well-deserved break. You want to try the Onsen now?"
His voice dropped several decibels as he said that. She felt warm all over, remembering their conversation about this trip.
"Ok. I'll.......get ready."
-----
There were traditional Japanese Kimono for them both, complete with Obi. They wore them after the shower and went outside to take photos of each other. At some point, Richard took her to a wooden bench and sat her down against the greenery, admiringly snapping photos of her.
"Jay, enough na, I look terrible with wet hair."
"Of course not. This is how I want to see you whenever I remember you about this trip."
"Bakit parang ang lungkot naman nung sinabi mo?"
"This trip is very significant for us, Dei. What I am about to do will either make or break me."
He pocketed his phone and took out the Pandora pouch he asked to be opened later.
"Before you put that in your bracelet, I need to tell you something."
He sat beside her and took her hand. His hands were cold and he looked nervous. She suddenly got scared with all the nostalgic things they were doing, as though they were building memories to store for later.
"Jay, are you breaking up with me?"
"What gave you that idea? No, baby. Senti lang ako today, please humor me."
"What is all this about then?"
"I don't know how to tell you Dei. I don't know where to start. Kinakabahan ako."
"Tell me what?"
"I prepared a speech and rehearsed it in my mind, over and over. Now that we're here, I'm......wait. Ganito na lang. Please open the pouch now."
She opened to find a charm resembling a heart-shaped jewelry box with a ring inside it. She felt her heart race, tears water her eyes.
"Jay.........is....is this what I think it is?"
"Baby, if you like the idea of this charm, we'll put it in your bracelet to mark this day that you agree to become my wife soon. Natatakot ako kung ready ka na. I don't want to be selfish, there's that movie and all the fans, I know. Pero in the midst of all that, I want to marry you. I want to see you sign your name with Faulkner at the end. Pero kung hindi ka ready, I will understand. Itago na lang natin yung charm and bring it out pag ready ka na."
He took a velvet box from his pocket and opened it to reveal an emerald cut engagement ring set in gold.
"Dei......I bought this ring with the eternity ring I gave you when we were in Evanston. Noon pa lang, I already set in my mind that you are my end game. There's no other woman I'd like to spend the rest of my life with. Will.....will you marry me?"
She was already crying even before he opened the box. It was like her life flashed before her eyes. A montage of events, from the time she met him and got kissed that very first day, to their split-up, reconciliation, the many instances he proved he loved her. The answer was inevitable.
"Yes, Jay. I don't deserve you but I swear, I will try to be the best wife ever."
She pulled him closer and kissed him. Forehead to forehead they took a deep breath and wiped each other's tears. She gave him her left hand and watched as he slid the ring through her left ring finger, which now sported two rings.
"Baby, let's put the charm on my bracelet."
And so her Pandora now sported four charms, her left ring finger, two rings. On the day she turned twenty-five, Dei felt her life was complete.