Can We Start Over Again – 13

Can We Start Over Again – 13

Maya bumped into Liza on her way out of the building. “Ms. Maya aalis ka na po?”

“Ah yes Liza. Aalis na muna ako. Tumawag kasi yun friend ko and I’ll meet her first. Wala pa naman si Richard. Babalik na lang ako.” She tried her best to sound normal, not wanting Liza to notice the chance in her voice and not wanting her notice any change in her expression.

“Naku sayang naman po Ms. Maya. I’m sure malulungkot yun si Sir Richard kapag nalaman nyang pumunta at naghintay ka sa kanya tapos umalis ka. Maiinis yun. Miss na miss ka na nun eh.” Liza added which at least lessened the pain Maya was feeling.

“Babalik naman ako Liza.” She simply said.

“Sige po Ms. Maya. Sasabihan ko si Sir Richard na pumunta ka at babalik ka. Pwede ko pong mahingi yun number nyo just in case he asks for it?”

“He has my number Liza. Atsaka tatawagan ko na lang siya.”

“Sayang talaga yun surprise nyo sa kanya. Ang tagal naman kasi ni Sir Richard.” Liza was really disappointed as well.

“Okay lang yun. I’ll just call him. I’m sure Richard is busy. Hindi rin naman niya alam that I’ll visit him. Thank you ha.”

“Naku wala naman akong naitulong. Si Sir Richard naman kasi ngayon pa talaga natagalan bumalik. Sige po Ms. Maya. I’m very honored to meet you po. Napakaganda nyo talaga. I am a fan of yours and I always watch your movies and teleseryes. Si Sir ganun din.” Liza added.

Maya smiled. At least Liza made her feel good with what she said.

“Thank you Liza. Thank you din for taking good care of Richard. I have to go na talaga. Bye.” She even gave Liza a hug.

She managed to keep her emotions at bay while in front of Liza.

But the moment she left the building where Richard’s office is located, Maya could no longer control herself from crying.

She walked aimlessly along the busy streets of Manhattan.

She could no longer think straight. Her eyes were blinded by the tears she tried so hard to contain.

The reason why she came home was to focus on her life.

She wanted to start building a life with the people important to her.

She enjoyed her showbiz life but she already fulfilled all her dreams career-wise.

She realized that no fame, no awards, no glamour and no wealth could give her the happiness her heart searches for.

She vowed to prioritize her goals and think of her future, the future she thought would include him.

He was the main reason why she quit her career.

She wanted a life here with him, build a family with him.

But she found out that she could no longer be part of his life.

Someone was already making him happy.

Someone far better than her was in his life.

She couldn’t compete with her, not with the woman in Richard’s life.

Not with someone who is sophisticated, an achiever, someone as successful as him.

She felt so unworthy even of his attention.

He deserves someone like Rafi Alcantara.

She doesn’t deserve him.

She doesn’t even have a college degree.

She is only an actress, an entertainer.

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“Why are you smiling Liza?”

Richard arrived thirty minutes after Maya left. Liza met him with her teasing smile.

“Sir someone visited you kanina. A very lovely lady was here.” Liza added then couldn’t help but be giddy for her boss.

But Richard doesn’t want being teased. He gave Liza an annoyed look.

“Liza sumimangot na naman ang boss mo. Naku Chard ha! The more you react that way, baka mapagkamalan ka na naming gay.” Rafi joked.

“Stop it you two. I have no time for nonsense at kung sino man na bisita yan let’s keep it in a professional level. I don’t want being teased.”

“Ay ang sungit!” Rafi was still laughing.

“Sino bang pumunta dito Liza?” He was now impatient.

“Sir calm down. Alam nyo naman na hindi lulusot sa akin ang kung sino lang. Mahihirapan sila to get an appointment with you. Sir, your best friend was here. Ms. Maya was here kanina pero umalis muna. Ang ganda pala nya sa personal at sobrang bait.”

Richard couldn’t believe what he heard. His face beamed with happiness and excitement at what Liza said. He can’t contain what he felt. He’s smiling from ear to ear but the smile turned into a frown when he realized that Maya already left.

“Oh my God Chard umuwi si Maya! Maybe this is what you’ve been waiting for, the one she mentioned remember? Maybe she’ll be staying for good. Tamang tama yung pagcheck natin sa bahay nyo.” Rafi couldn’t contain her excitement as well. She was so happy for her friend.

“Where is she now Liza? You should have told her to wait for me. Sana tinawagan mo ako.”

“I tried to call you Sir pero unattended yung phone nyo.”

He realized that he forgot to charge his phone.

Liza added, “Babalik daw siya Sir so don’t worry.”

He now smiled when Liza mentioned that Maya will be back. “Liza san daw siya pupunta?”

“Sir, Ms. Maya said that her friend called her. She said that may pupuntahan daw siyang kaibigan but she will be back. I asked for her number pero meron ka naman daw pong number nya.”

Aligaga na si Richard. He’s excited, nervous, and very happy. He’s overwhelmed that Maya visited him.

“Alam mo Chard, this gives you time to freshen up. Aba galing tayo sa labas. You should change your clothes and look your best.” Rafi suggested.

Then she instructed Liza as well, “Liza free mo na ang schedule ng boss mo for this afternoon and the following days. I’m sure they have lots of catching up to do.” Rafi suggested.

“I already did Ms. Rafi. Pagkaalis ni Ms. Maya I already rescheduled Sir Richard’s meetings to next week. Yun bukas naman I already requested your secretary Minerva to insert it in your schedule. Kayo na lang Ma’m Rafi ang kumausap sa clients ni Sir Richard tomorrow.”

“Sure no problem. Wag lang nating iistorbohin tong Sir mo. Hindi na nga mapakali akala mo first time manligaw.” Then Rafi laughed then added, “Ay oo first time nga talaga pala nyang manligaw.”

Then both ladies were laughing at him.

“Stop it Rafi or else I won’t introduce you to Maya.”

“You’re so grumpy. Sige ka you won’t look handsome in front of her. Binibiro ka lang namin pikon ka na agad. Sige na freshen up at magbihis ka na.”

“Wait Liza I need to order flowers. Can you do it for me?”

“Ako na Chard. I will personally choose the flowers for you. I don’t trust these online florists. Sunflowers yun favorite ni Maya right?” Rafi volunteered.

“Yes Rafi. Thanks!”

“Anything para wag kang maging matandang binata Chard.” Then she laughed at him. Liza was also laughing. They both were so supportive of Richard Lim’s lovelife.

“Can you both leave me now? Mang-aasar pa kayo. Sige na I’ll better prepare now.”

Both Rafi and Liza left Richard who proceeded to take a shower in his own bathroom inside his office.

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The flowers had been on his table for more than five hours now.

It was already 7pm and Richard had been waiting for Maya for hours already. He couldn’t contact her number.

Rafi already left. She wanted to wait for Maya but she had a date with her fiancé, Charlie.

Liza insisted to stay for she pitied her boss who had been so excited to see Maya dela Rosa for the past hours but who’s now looking very much worried.

Just an hour ago, Richard instructed her to cancel the dinner she reserved at a nearby restaurant then he ordered her to go home. She couldn’t argue with her boss anymore.

He tried to call Maya’s parents but they were not answering their phones as well.

If he was excited hours ago, now that excitement turned to worry especially when he was unable to contact both Maya and her parents.

After a few more minutes, Richard decided to go to Maya’s house.

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Preview:

“Are you okay? Why do you sound like you cried? Do you need me there?”

“Wag na Ricky. Dadamayan ko na muna etong kaibigan ko. Nalungkot lang ako sa kwento nya. Pupuntahan na lang kita kapag okay na siya.”

“But Maya …”

“Sige na Ricky. Bye.” Then she ended the call, not allowing him to say more.

Teresita dela Rosa just stared sadly at the handsome man she already treats like her own son.