Chương 30: Bonding With Friends

Maya's POV

It is already Friday, and another week had passed, and I don't receive any text messages and call from him, so I lost all my hope that Adonis was true to his words, as usual, he tricked me again, and for what? I wonder why he needed to get close to me and just broke my heart in the end? I hate him again, but I hate myself more thinking about him all the time, hoping he will come back. This time I am certain, I should close my heart for the Monleon Heir. He made me so happy for how many days, and he will make me miserable the whole year-round. I hate Adonis and it is now final, I should be firm with my decision.

I tried to cover up the truth by believing Rich, but now I can conclude the reason why he is not texting or calling me because of Cassandra. Well, they belong together, and who am I to feel this way? Rich is right, I don't have any right to get angry with Adonis because I am not yet his official girlfriend, and I blamed myself, maybe if I accepted him the last time he asked me to be his girlfriend, then we could be couples now, and he didn't give a chance to Cassandra, it is too late now to look back at those times. All I need to do now is to focus on my work so I can save more. I am so shocked to find Lisa and John waiting for me on the porch of the Hernandez Hacienda. They are both dressed like they are going somewhere, the moment they saw me approaching them to walk going in my direction.

"Maya, you need to move faster." Lisa yelled at me, and I can tell she is in a hurry, and I suddenly felt nervous if something happened with my grandmother.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, and I can't hide my nervousness.

"Hey, don't be silly, everything is okay, we are here because we are going to take you to the town capital." She said excitedly.

"What? And why? " I asked, confused.

"Maya, you don't need to ask why, because I know what you are going through all this time." She responded.

"Lisa, you know I just can't go somewhere after work because I need to go home to prepare dinner for my entire family." I answered.

"Don't worry about anything, I already asked Mary to cook dinner, and she is so excited to do it." She said and handed me a paper bag.

"Take this, Maya, go back to the staff house and wear that dress, that is new, and I know you will love it." She declared, and I want to protest, but I felt shy because John keeps on staring at my face as if I have some dirt on my face. So, I don't have a choice, but take the paper bag from her hand, and I turned around saying nothing.

I am stunned to look at the gorgeous mini dress, it has a floral design and I love the way it emphasizes my curves, and I can't stop admiring my reflection in the mirror. My best friend was right, I fell in love with my dress, and for the first time this week, I smiled genuinely at the mirror. I felt so happy and so thankful to Lisa for making me feel this way. And I can't believe she also bought me a pair of sandals, I felt ashamed because she keeps giving me gifts, and I only give her a gift during special occasions. I get out from the back house when I cross paths with Rich and I can see the look of appreciation in his eyes.

"Wow! You look so lovely, Maya. Are you going somewhere? He asked.

"Thank you, Rich, Lisa wants to take me to the town center." I replied.

"Really? Would it be okay if I tag along with you since I am already finished with my chores? " She said, and I can't stop myself from feeling so excited.

"Okay, it seems you are ready to go because you already changed your clothes." I said and I noticed he has a different set of clothes a while ago.

"Yeah, because I was planning on going to the town capital." He responded and he offered his arm to me and I linked my arm with his, and I can see the look of surprise in Lisa's eyes, but I can see John suddenly looks like he is hurting, is he jealous of Rich that I am gripping on his biceps.

"Are you coming with us, Rich?" Lisa inquired, and Rich just nodded his head as he pulled me to his pickup truck and I can see Lisa smile. Is she crushing Rich again? I wonder I will ask her later tonight there is no way she is going to get away from my inquiry. I saw they got inside their car as I settled myself in Rich's truck.

"Thank you, Rich, for coming with us, I don't want to go, but you know Lisa, she can be very persistent, and she always gets what she wants." I declared, and he laughs, then he drives away from the Hernandez Mansion.

"Yeah, but I am glad that you always have her back, she cares so much about you, Maya." Rich said and I agree with him, Lisa is a sweet and reliable best friend. She always helps me in any way she can.

"I know, Rich, that is why I am so happy that I have her in my life, actually there are three of you that I felt so blessed to be friends with, and I hope you will never get bored of me." I said, and I looked at him sideways.

"Of course, I promise you I will always be here for you, Maya." He said and look at me for a moment before he returns his gaze on the road, we are behind John's car.

They brought me to the Barbecue Grill House, which is known in our place, and I can't stop myself from grinning because it has been a while since I last tasted their barbecue. Rich ordered our food and he pays for everything I insisted on paying, but he gives me a hard look, so I just put my money back in my wallet. I couldn't believe I ate so much, and Rich took us to the nearest ice cream parlor, and I became even more full.

John continues stealing glances at me, and I just smile at him every time I caught him looking at me. And I can't stop myself from grinning every time he blushed, it only means one thing, John Dexter still likes me. I hope someday he can find someone who can reciprocate his feelings, and I felt guilty that there is nothing I can do to help him, and I noticed Rich was so amused with John's demeanor.

I thought we would only eat dinner, but they bring me to the KTV Bar where Lisa asked me to sing along with her, this is her favorite past time singing Karaoke. She has a beautiful voice, I can sing, but I am not as good as her since I don't have time to sing because I focus on my studies and part-time jobs, that is why she always reminds me to have time for myself, and I hope she knows how tough it was for me to work every chance I can get just to make ends meet.

Lisa is still singing and I can tell Rich enjoyed listening to her sweet voice. I like her voice, and for how many times I encouraged her to join the singing contest, but she always chickens out, but I hope someday she will try to use her talent for a good cause. At first, she sings love songs, then she shifts the genre of her music to disco, and I am thumping my feet on the tile floor, while John and Rich raised and swaying their hands while singing along with her. She pulled me up, but I used all my strength to remain seated on the couch, but rich helped Lisa, and it left me no choice but to dance with her.

I didn't realize I start dancing, and I know it is one of my greatest talents. I know I can dance, and I love dancing that is why I don't want to start since I know I can't stop myself from dancing the moment I feel the beat of the music. And I realized I love it, then I notice Rich stands up and he danced with us, I am having so much fun that I forgot about Adonis, and I felt so glad Lisa forced me to join them. I know she always bugs her brother to take her to the Karaoke Bar to sing.

I can feel beads of sweat on my forehead and in my entire body, and I can feel my body feels so warm even though the air conditioning is low in temperature, and I know because I dance too much. After two hours we agreed not to extend our time, as usual, Rich paid for everything, then our next stop is the town plaza. The whole place looks so cozy because of its lighting, and I can see lots of couples having a date, and I can't stop myself to feel lonely. We sit on the bench while waiting for Rich and John, who buy boiled peanuts, Rich knew I love peanuts.

"So, what is your plan now." She asked.

"There is no plan, Lisa, and I don't want to talk about it." I said, and I can't stop myself from feeling so angry with Adonis.

"Okay." She said, and I am just glad she stops talking.

"How about you? I can tell you are crushing Rich again. " I asked, and her smiles widened, and she nodded.

"Yes, who could not fall for him, he is the epitome of perfect faces and character." She said, and I can't stop myself from laughing at her.

"Why are you laughing, Maya, Rich is very down to earth, and I am afraid this time I will be like you." She said and I realized my friend is serious, and I am glad that she likes Rich, and maybe there is a chance that they could be together in the end, because I didn't see Rich dated anyone, I know he is so busy, but I hope someday he will find someone he likes and I wish it would be Lisa.