It's been three weeks since the "Kelly incident". Maine and Alden felt calm and at ease. They are starting to slowly drop their guards down. With only few weeks away from their wedding, they are trying to eliminate all possible stress there is. The good thing is, now that Sam and patty are in a very much good terms, things are running and sailing smoothly. Remember that Singapore trip that Sam took in replacement of his dad? Well, that paid off too. Ivy and Tony are happy to see their friends are happy and getting along and sweet with each other. But most importantly, they understand each other.
Since it almost the end of the year, as the new year approaches, there's two more weddings to come. Alric's and Ginny's wedding. Then Sam's and Patty's wedding. Allyn will be very busy with all the wedding planning that will take place, bridal showers. Stag parties, and dinner rehearsals. It looks like everyone are getting their happily ever after, after all. They're unstoppable. Uncontrollable even.

Ivy, Patty and Jing made a plan for Maine's bridal shower. Since they are not the party goer type bunch, they decided to have a simple cupcake making party at By The Bench. They'll close  it out early for that. The party turn out well with the girls. They had so much fun. Few of Maine high school friends, close college classmates few business associates came to join the celebration of her departing a single life and greeting the marriage with an open arm and too much sweetness as they decided to make their own flavored cupcakes, made a contest for it and which ever cupcake win will be added on the shop's menu and be named after the one who made it. It was a lot of fun and a lot to clean up to do, too. It was very late when they decided to call it a night. They left the shop a quarter done. They all decided to come back the following day to clean up.
Maine and Jing closed the shop the following day because they have to do a major cleaning up to do with all the mess the left the night before. Alden had volunteered their janitorial staff to help Maine, Jing and Joyce cleanup the coffee shop.

"Wow! What the heck happen here last night?" Alden and Alric asked in chorus as they walked in with Maine and Jing. They were both amazed to what they are looking at right but at the same time wondering how on earth they manage to make this immaculately clean place in an hour so messy and so chaotic the next. The two ladie just winced at the two brothers' comments. Joyce showed up from behind the counter.

"I think the Flour Fairy and the Sugar Lord had a fight last night." She retorted with a smirk. She swayed her arms as if she's showcasing the beautiful yet chaotic mess. Traces of flour, sugar and icing can be seen from  the floor to the counter to some of the walls. She smiled when she saw the mischievous glare from Maine.

"Ha ha! Smarty pants." Jing glared at her laughing. Troy came behind her and pulled a deep sigh. Alden saw the dreading expression on his face.

"Oh. What's wrong with him?" Alden asked pointing at Troy as he continue to shake his head. Alric looked at him then to Joyce, puzzled.

"You guys need to see the kitchen if you think the lobby was a tornado path. I'd rather be in Kansas if that's the case." He said scratching the back of his neck. Alric and Alden gave each other a wincing glance and race to the shop's kitchen almost getting stuck at the kitchen's swinging door.

"Whoaw!" The two loudly uttered and stopped on their tracks and seemed like they both hit an invisible wall and bounced backwards. The two ladies, Maine and Jing, looked at each other and giggled and before they could say something the main door swung open and came Allyn, Patty, Sam, Richmond, Ivy and Tony.

"Hi, Guys!" They chorused. All of them just looked at each other and gave out a hearty laughed. In a few moment, Alden's janitorial staff came and the all started cleaning. Jing made her best gourmet coffee for everyone and Maine made a hearty sandwich for all that came to help clean up their shop. They all went and took an hour break after two hours of working.

After an almost 4 hours of no talkings but pure cleaning, the shop looked so clean, as clean as when they first opened up. Maine and Jing made a little send home package to the janitorial staff that came and helped. Alden and Alric paid them extra for the the 5 hours that they were with them. After the six janitorial staff left, they all decided to go home for the day and they will just open up tomorrow. Joyce and Troy brought a package of what Jing had prepared earlier. They said their goodbyes and locked up. Another big is waiting for the guys tomorrow.

Tony, Sam and Alric made a plan for Alden's stag party. It's going to be at Slinkee's since the one that they had plan the last time didn't push through due to some annoyance along the way. He guys decided to just make it a simple as it could be. Just their few friends from college, few from workplace and just them. Richmond was able to join them. Alric invited him even after Allyn fought tooth and nail.

"Hey, bro, you made it." Alric greeted him as he walked in the bar.

"Sorry, I was late. I had to finish a couple of phone calls." He apologizes.

"Since you came back from Newark, you haven't settled in yet." Alden made a notice of how he was out and about, alway busy, Always doing something.

"Yeah. Uncle Ted and I are trying to finish the garden restaurant in time for the wedding." He hushly explained.

"Boss Alden, there's a guy outside looking for you." Troy said as he came in. He was late, too.

"Come again?" Alden asked again since he didn't hear it clear. Everyone is so loud talking and laughing.

"There was someone outside for you. The guard won't let him in because he doesn't know him and he didn't have an invitation." Alden looked at Alric and Sam who just came around from making sure that everyone enjoying the night.

"Den, don't go out by yourself. I don't like the sound of that." Sam said with caution. Jon showed up unannounced from the other side of Alden.

"Hey, Guys. What's up. How's the stag party?" He asked.

"One of our guys here," Pointing at Troy. "said that there's someone outside without an invitation looking for Alden." Alric continued on. Jon looked at Troy, he just shrugged his shoulder.

"How'd he looked like?" Jon asked Troy.

"He looks good. Clean cut and clean shaven. Normal. Well built. Mestizo looking. He also said that he's MD's bestfriend." The four of then looked at each other with furrowed brows.

"Who the heck is MD?" Sam ask.

"It's Maine." Tony butted in their conversation. The five guys, including Troy, looked at Tony with an inquiring eyes. "I think I know who's looking for you." He added. He walked ahead of them, then the five guys followed right behind them.

"Rich, would you hold the fort for us till we get back?" Sam hollered across the room.

"Sure thing!" Rich hollered back.

He was the last one to leave the bar to meet the man Troy said was looking for Alden. Alden may look so calm but deep inside he heart is on a loose rampage. His chest was about to burst. He was excited and at the same time worried. Why didn't Troy get the man's name?  He then remembered that it was just a message passed on to Troy.

""Briggs, I heard someone is looking for one of our client?" Jon asked the guard.
"Yes, boss. He's out there on the bench outside waiting." He replied almost unworried.

"What do you think? Is he a danger?" Jon asked Briggs again. He wanted to make sure that everyone in the bar is safe from anyone and anything.
"Nah. He looks like he can't hurt a fly, but he's somewhat worried and anxious at the same time. It looks like something is up. By the sound of what he was saying is, something not good is going to happen and he need to let Sir Alden know about it before it's too late." Briggs wasn't sure if it was a relevant response to his boss' inquiry.

"Okay. Thanks, Briggs." He patted Briggs on the back. "We'll take it from here." He added.

Sam went out with Jon and stood close by on the left side where the mystery guys was sitting at. Then followed by Tony and Troy not too far but far enough for the mystery guy not to recognize him. Alden came out of the bar and walked straight to where the man is sitting. The man stood up as soon as he saw Alden walking towards him.

Hi, I'm Roger Chad Gonzales." He held his hand out. Alden stared at it for a while before taking it.

"Alden Richards, pare." Alden introduced back. He swallowed the invisible lump in his throat. He recognized the name. He's one of Maine's former arranged fiancee. "Why are you here?" Alden straightforwardly asked. Chad chuckled a bit. He was too forward for him and serious but he can see in Alden's eyes the love that he have for Maine.

"I'm a friend with MD... I mean Maisie Daine. I am also Keanna's fiance." The fact that he's Maine ex-fiance really rattles him. He is now standing in front of the one worth of Maine's love. He really wished her the best. He knows that his man really loves his friend. His trance was broken when he heard Alden spoke again.

"Excuse me!" Alden called out trying to wake him up or something.

"I'm sorry. Md is really lucky to have you. She loves you so much, bro." He stated the fact. He knows, Maine told him.

"Did you came all the way over here just to tell me that?" Alden asked in annoyance. What the hell he wants?

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to bother you right now. I know it's your stag party but I just wanted to know if my fiance, well, if I she's still one, is here? I had been calling her since the other day, she hasn't been home and I am very worried of her." Chad saw the guys that were standing farther them are now slowly walking towards them. Alden saw the panic in his eyes.

"Don't worry they are my friends." He told him. "Guys, it's okay. He's looking for Kelly." He said.

"So, you're Kelly's fiance." Sam asked arrogantly.

"Yeah. I don't know. I'm not sure anymore." He said looking down on the ground, shoulder shlump. "She hasn't been the same Keanna I knew. She had changed since she attended her high school reunion and she's been drinking." He doesn't know why he's telling them his load. He doesn't understand why it is so easy to unload his worries to these people.

"Wait. are you talking about Keanna Lilly Valdemonte?" Tony asked. Chad looked at him.

"Yeah. You know here?" He turned to Tony.

"Yeah. she's my wife's cousin. If I am not mistaken, Ivy's dad was a brother to Kelly's mom. She hasn't gone back to Spain?" Tony asked. He was wondering if Ivy knew that Kelly is still here.

"I think so, I am not sure. She told me once that her mom still have a brother here in the Philippines." He responded. He need to go back to the reason why he's here. "Mr. Richards, I need to find Keanna. I don't think she's thinking clear. She is so upset that your fiancee is keeping you away from here, which is if you ask me, is good. MD is my friend. I don't want her hurting. She's been hurting for years." He looked at Tony. He was intently staring at him. Trying to see if he knew him from somewhere. "Aren't you Maine's....." He left it hanging.

"Use to. I was Maine's ex. I was the guy that always have to back off every time her dad arrange her with someone." Tony said straight up. Chad blinked twice. Three time... trying to absorb everything all at once.

Wait. So you're the Anthony Samaniego?" If he's not mistaken this is the man that Maine shed too much tears back in college. "The one that broke her heart after she fought her father tooth and nails?" He is now feeling amaze how their world are getting smaller.

"Tony is my bestfriend since high school and yes, he is Maine's ex-boyfriend." Alden answered clearing it all up. But Chad was still a little bewildered and amaze at the same time. The past and the present. How do they function well in front of each other?

"Don't worry. We are long gone broken up and I was already married to my wife, Keanna Lilly's cousin before Alden and Maine met up." Tony briefly explained. He still have this weird look in his face. Everyone was quiet. They are waiting who to speak first.

"Okaaayyyy..." Jon took everyone's attention. "What is this all about? I know you guys have your own language, but I will not have anything bad happening in my Resto Bar. This is a friendly and homey place so, walang awayan, please." Jon added with arms folded across his chest, eyeing everybody.

"I'm sorry, dude. I am not here to make trouble with anyone. I love Keanna with everything I have, I was just stupid. I didn't realized that till we got here in the Philippines. And now, I think I'm losing her to you. Alden, she have this idea that she can have you back like she used to." He said. Everyone could see the pain in his eyes.

"Bro, i'm sorry but I do not know where she get the idea of me and her. We were never a thing back then. We were just friends. She's the youngest of us all." Alden tried to lighten up the mood.

"Dude, kelly was a sister to all of us up until she left to go with her parents in Spain. She was never a girlfriend any of us let alone Alden." Sam said, then Alric showed up.

"There was only one girl back in the days that Alden was so infatuated with. It was Ginny, Maine's cousin." Alric may not know much of was going on but he could surely try. "Who is he?" He asked.

"This Roger Chad Gonzales. He was once arrange to marry Maine." Tony's short explanation.

"Oh. Okay. So what's the deal? Why is he here?" He asked. Looking at each and everyone. All of them but Chad shrugged off their shoulders.
"Beats me." Sam replied.

"Can we cut to the chase. We have a stag party to get back to." Alric said annoyingly. These whole thing is irritating him. "Ever since Kelly had shown up things are becoming.... Unpleasant. That's putting it nicely. She wasn't the sweet girl we used to hang around with. Oh. and tell her to back off of Alden and Maine because if she won't..." He left his words hanging. You can sense the annoyance and irritation in his voice. Well, who wouldn't.

"That's one reason why I am here. I overheard her telling someone on the phone this morning that tonight is the Alden's Stag party here at Slinkee's, that's why I came to give you all a heads up. She might have paid someone to either get Alden by force or Maine. I am not sure which one. Look guys, I love her to death but I can't just there at home not doing anything. I owe MD a lot and I love her. She's my bestfriend. Nobody believed in me the way she did. I don't want her to go through another heartache." For some reason, everyone believed what he said.

"Sam. Call Trish. Tell her everything and have her stay with Maine till we all get back with Alden in their condo." Alric commanded as Sam pulled his phone out and dialled Patty's number. "Tony, do you think Ivy can call kelly to distract her till we get done here or Alden, do you want to do your stag party some other time?" Alric looked at Tony and Alden. Tony just stared back at Alric then Alden.
"Let's cut this party. I don't need to be in this stag party. I need to be with Maine." Alden declared without hesitations.

"Okay then. Let's all go inside and let everyone know that there is an emergency and we'll just inform them next time." Alric said and walked ahead of them but then he turn around to face Chad who was still sitting on the bench by the side of the bar. "Thanks, bro. Try to find Kelly. She needs you." He finish off then left.
"I'll go ahead." Chad said. He got in his car and sped away. Everyone just looked at the red tail light of his car disappearing on the dark side of the highway.

"Den, let's go inside." Sam tapped him on the shoulder. He turn to him and nod.
"You guys go ahead now. I'll just get my phone from my car. Sam, Tony, Troy, and Jon nodded and went inside ahead of him.

Alden was left there standing. He turn to the direction of where he parked his car. It was an eerie quiet night since the music are now gone. His brother was right. He needs to go home to Maine and stay there. He is ore safe in his condominium building than being out here. He can not let anything bad happen to him.

He stopped for a little bit when he heard a commotion behind him. He turned around. He was surprised when he saw Kelly smiling at him. He wasn't able to say a word. Was she here all this time that Chad was here, too? Does he know she was her?

"Hi, Alden." She greeted him so sweetly.

"What are you doing here? Why are you here?" Alden asked her trying to be calm. She just  giggled.

"I am here because you are here silly." She stepped forward. Making the distance between them closer. He stepped back.
"You need to go home, Keanna Lilly!" He said sternly. The smile on her face went away.

"You can't tell me to go home when you know for a fact the you are my home." She uttered without stuttering. Alden thought that maybe, just maybe, she's losing her mind already.

"Kelly, let's be rational here okay. I am getting married now...." She cut him off.
"But you are not married yet. You are making a mistake, Alden. You don't love her. You love me. Remember? You said so yourself when we were in high school. You told Sam that you are so in love with your bestfriend." She pause for a little bit. Alden was trying to remember what was talking about, then a light bulb lit up, he remembered saying that.

"Yes, I did." She smiled so sweetly but was quickly erased as Aden continued. "But it wasn't you." Anger was written all over her face.

"It wasn't me? Then I am going to make it me!" She yelled. "Take him!" She said afterwards. Two big guys came out of nowhere and held Alden on both arms. They covered his face with some kind of cloth. He was struggling at first, then all of his strength was gone so as his vision then he blacked out.

"If I can not have you, nobody will." She said as she drove away with Alden in the backseat, unconscious and tied.

What is going to happen now?

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End of Chapter 15: Take Him

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💖~Ms. J~💖
11.19.17

Parting Time
Arrange Marriage: Destined? 2
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First Published: October 9, 2016