Chapter 39

Reese noticed Maine suddenly stopped eating and looked about. She heard her mutter, "He's here" before she saw her eyes widen in surprise. Reese turned towards the door and saw two men enter the restaurant. The younger of the two had the same description Maine mentioned awhile ago. She wondered how she knew he was there before actually seeing him.

"Well damn, Maine," Reese exclaimed. "He is cute! But how did you know he's here?"

"Would you think me crazy if I told you I felt that he was near?" Maine replied, her face unsure.

Reese didn't reply to what Maine had said. She just told herself to observe. She also noticed that the younger man was looking around, as if he also sensed that she was there. Finally, their eyes met and she saw Richard smile. His companion also saw them and also had a bright smile on his face. He was the one who called out.

"Maine!"

They went to their table and introductions were done, after the pleasantries, it was Reese who suggested that they share the table. Pleasant conversation followed between Reese and Martin. Maine and Richard just kept silent, happy enough to just listen in to the conversation.

Richard was discreetly watching Maine during lunch. He kept coming back to the conversation he had with Martin awhile ago.

'Is he right, Rich?' He thought. 'Are you really giving me your blessing?'

He remembered that night, the day before Alden had his accident. The night he sang his first composition for Maine. The night Alden found out he liked her too.

Richard just woke up and was in front of his computer. He could see Rich on his monitor, he was pacing.

"Rich," he said. "Stop that. You're making me dizzy. If you don't stop I'll just go back to sleep."

"Maine had a relapse, RJ," his brother said worriedly as he stopped pacing and sat down on the chair in front of his computer.

"How is she?" Richard immediately asked, concern could be heard in his voice.

Rich pushed his glasses at the ridge of his nose before he answered, "she was asleep when they let me see her. I was only allowed to stay for five minutes. She looked so pale..."

Richard saw the worry on his brother's face and he wouldn't be surprised that he mirrored his expression. From what he had noticed when Rich leaves the webcam and YM open for him to see Maine at a distance was that Maine was a strong girl, full of hope and determination. But those moments when her condition kicks in, you can't help but worry for her. These were those moments that Richard wished his parents weren't separated and that this stupid arrangement of theirs wasn't implemented. He wanted to be there for Maine, the same way his brother did.

Suddenly, he heard clicking on the other line and Rich was holding the two-way radio.

"Hey!" He heard Rich exclaimed. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," she answered. "But the pain is still here."

"Is there anything I can do to help ease the pain?"

Maine paused and thought for a moment. Then she said, "do you have your guitar back?"

"My what?"

"Your guitar," Maine replied. "Did your friend give it back to you?"

"Why?"

"I was hoping you'd sing for me."

"Hold that thought."

Rich suddenly looked at him with pleading eyes. Richard knew that look.

"Seriously?" He exclaimed. "You still haven't told her that you can't sing? You don't even have a guitar!"

"RJ please," Rich pleaded. "Just this once."

"Rich," he answered. "This isn't a first time. This isn't even your fifth time. I've been playing for her eversince you've met her. When are you going to tell her about me?"

"I told you," Rich replied, impatiently. "You'll meet her when you visit on your summer vacation. We'll tell her everything then. In the meantime, please. Just one song. She needs it."

Richard sighed and raked his hair with his fingers. He bit his lip and scowled at his brother. He sighed once more and stood up to get his guitar. He sat back down in front of his PC as he plucked the strings making sure they were in tune.

"I have one song ready," he finally said.

Rich smiled and pressed the talk button in his radio.

"Sorry," he heard said. "I was just grabbing my guitar from the other room. Give me another moment."

Rich looked at him once more and Richard nodded to tell him that he's ready. Rich placed the radio in front of the speaker and pressed talk. Richard started playing...

"This time away brings me even closer

So much to say, I've been thinking over

All the things you do to make me smile

I see your face around every corner

Each passing day gets a little longer

Can't fall asleep, so I count the miles

As sure as the sun going down

I'll always be around

I'll always be around

I'm afraid of living here without you

My years were made to wrap my life around you

When I'm away, our souls are tied

As sure as the waves crash to the shore

I'll always be yours

I'll always be yours, oh

I'm in the dark, and there's a light that's shining

In Central Park, where all the ghosts are hiding

This city spark starts to fade

As sure as there are stars up above

You'll always be loved

And as sure as gravity pulling us down

I'll always be around

I'll always be around..."

Richard finished playing, but before Rich could pull the radio away from the speakers, he said, "do you like it?"

"It's beautiful," she answered with a sigh. "You made it?"

Rich pulled the radio away and looked at him with a scowl. He replied, "It's an original composition."

Richard typed on the message window, "PUT THE RADIO BACK ON THE SPEAKERS. I HAVE SOMETHING ELSE TO SAY."

Rich reluctantly followed, hitting the talk button once more.

"The song's for you," Richard said over the speakers. "I really hope you liked it, Maine."

"I love it, Alden!" She exclaimed. "Thank you so much!"

There was a pang on his chest when she said his brother's name. Rich smirked before speaking on the radio once more.

"I'm glad," Rich replied. "Do you think they'll let me see you tomorrow?"

"I'm sure I'll be well enough to take visitors," she replied.

"Great! I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yes!" She exclaimed. "See you tomorrow. And bring more ice cream."

After he turned the radio off, Rich once again faced his brother.

"What the hell was that, RJ?" He looked at him.

"What?" Richard remarked. "You asked that I sing to her. So I sang to her!"

"Yeah," Rich said incredulously. "You sang a song you apparently composed for her. I listened to the lyrics, Arge. It's a love song. When did you start liking her too, RJ?"

Richard couldn't look straight. Instead he replied, "it doesn't matter. She thinks it was you."

"She'll eventually find out you've been singing to her when you get here, Arge," he said a bit defeated. "So, spill. When did you start liking her?"

He sighed and confessed, "since that first day you've invited her to your room."

He saw Rich sigh and shook his head. He heard him mutter, "unbelievable!"

"Rich," Richard said. "I won't pursue. I won't get in the way. She just have to accept the fact that you can't sing even if your life depended on it."

"I can't believe you didn't tell me, Arge," replied Rich. "You've just complicated things..."

Did Rich change his mind after that? Richard wondered. When he told his brother that he wanted to pursue Maine, did Rich finally give his blessing? He was pondering on that when he felt a hand tapped his. He looked up and saw Maine's worried face looking at him.