Saving the Villain

Graduation came and Rocco, Maynard, and Conrad marched to get their degrees. Since Maynard and Conrad graduated the same day, and Rocco\'s graduation was after a week, the two courteously waited for Rocco to graduate to celebrate another milestone they achieved together.

Grand and a money spender as Maynard was, he took Conrad and Rocco to a high-end bar. Everything was set, as he already booked the presidential suite for the three of them. Having no choice and not wanting to spoil the celebration, Rocco and Conrad let it be.

It wasn\'t like this was the first time the two would drink. Hence, instead of lemonades, they accompanied Maynard and enjoyed the hard drinks served to them.

"Hah…" Maynard plopped down the soft leather seat, spreading his long arms on the back of the couch. "Man, if this isn\'t friendship goals, I don\'t know what is this called."

Rocco laughed, gazing at his friend. Maynard\'s cheeks were already burning, drinking the alcohol faster than he would usually drink.

"You look like you were having so much fun —"

"Of course! It only means I don\'t need to wake up early to attend my morning class! Man. School is hell!" Maynard cut Rocco mid-sentence, which the latter didn\'t mind.

"But it\'s real." Rocco pointed out, smiling subtly. "Something up with you and Stella?"

Maynard opened and closed his mouth, but he shook his head and shrugged. "Since when did you care about me and my girl, eh?"

"I always care. I introduced you two, after all," said Rocco nonchalantly, leaning back with the glass in his hand. Rocco had drank a few shots and was a little tipsy, but he was still in the right mind. "It\'s just weird that you are twice hyper than you usually are lately, so I\'m concerned."

"Nah, man. I\'m good." Maynard grinned triumphantly, leaning forward with his elbows on his thigh. "Just say I\'m nervous."

"Nervous?" Rocco cocked his head to the side. "Why?"

"He wants to propose." This time, Conrad, who kept his eyes closed to rest, spoke. "He wants to get married the moment he graduated."

"What?!" Rocco\'s eyes popped out of their socket, gazing at Maynard in disbelief. Of course, he was aware that Maynard and Stella somehow got together, but he didn\'t pry too much into it. He was too busy with his studies as it was a crucial time for him and he didn\'t have spare time for dating; he didn\'t have the same connections as Maynard Quinn.

Stella and Maynard were Rocco\'s dearest friends, so he was a little surprised at Maynard\'s plans. Not like he was against it, but wasn\'t it too early? They just graduated.

"Hehe." Maynard chuckled, seeing the surprise dominating Rocco\'s face. "Well…"

He shrugged, leaning back, gazing up. "Man… Stella is — she\'s an angel. I wanted to marry her as soon as possible. But every time I\'m with her, my heart feels like it\'s about to explode and I fail to propose."

"What? Haha!" Rocco laughed, staring at Maynard in disbelief. "You? You were nervous to ask her hand in marriage."

"This is why I don\'t tell you about it." Maynard clicked his tongue in irritation, glaring at his dear friend Rocco. "You will not understand since you never dated anyone."

"Oy, don\'t speak as if Conrad had experience."

"He\'s going on blind dates."

"What?!" Rocco gasped, turning his head to Conrad, who was just sitting on that chair like a dead tuna. "Oy, Conrad, is this true?"

"I was forced to." Conrad reopened his eyes slowly. "Until I chose not to be filial anymore."

Rocco opened and closed his mouth, rendered speechless. As far as he knew, he would still hang out with these two at least once every two weeks, but never once did he hear about this. But then again, it wouldn\'t be surprising for Conrad to go on blind dates because he was also an heir.

"But anyway, Stella is different." Maynard let out a deep sigh, lowering his eyes. "She\'s just like you, Rocco. I don\'t think she has marriage in mind just yet. I mean, she\'s ambitious and wants to build a career."

His eyes softened as a subtle smile appeared on his face. "I love her enough to stop myself from proposing and let her do the hell she wants."

"You\'re just afraid she will reject you," Conrad commented monotonously, warranting a glare from Maynard. "But you\'re doing the right thing. Don\'t pressure her into marriage or anything like that. You two are still young and —"

"Are you saying my feelings are shallow?"

"No." Conrad blinked and then corrected. "You\'re a shallow person, is what I\'m saying. "

"This little shit!" Maynard sprung up to his seat, riled up at Conrad\'s bluntness. Fortunately, Rocco was quick to react and blocked Maynard.

"Hey, hey! This is a time to celebrate, eh?" Rocco laughed awkwardly, hands firm on Maynard\'s chest. "We\'ve been together since high school. Seriously. Aren\'t you used to each other by now?"

"Never." Conrad casually closed his eyes. "I\'m drunk. Don\'t bother me."

"This motherfucker." Maynard ground his teeth, glaring daggers at Conrad\'s nonchalant figure. "One day, I\'d get even with you. Mark my words!"

Maynard huffed angrily, sitting down and chugging his beverage in one go. That night, Rocco accompanied Maynard and listened to his rants while Conrad kept his eyes closed, not sure if he had fallen asleep. They talked about anything they could bring up, something random, or fun.

But mostly, Maynard just couldn\'t stop talking about his girl, Stella. Seeing him talk about her put Rocco\'s heart at peace that his friend would never hurt his friend. After all, it was Rocco\'s first time seeing Maynard be so passionate about something or someone.

Maynard and Stella\'s relationship lasted for years, and with each passing year, Rocco, now an adult, would tease Maynard for not being able to muster the courage to propose. When another year came by, Maynard and Conrad\'s relationship suddenly changed.

Rocco didn\'t know the reason until he heard Maynard was getting married to a woman that wasn\'t his longtime girlfriend, Stella. And what more? The woman was pregnant with Maynard Quinn\'s child.