A/N: Thanks to , RKO.I.F., rory21, wAcKiEjAcKiE826, annskieesofresh, Jessica Martinez, Nina, berrycharismatic, xAttitudex, Dria-Chan and LionsLady11-09-70 all who reviewed. You guys are great.

Happy reading.


Chapter 12 – Maria's Secret Plan

"So here we are," Randy announced as he slowed down his Hummer and then parked it in his front yard. They finally arrived at his home.

"Wow. That's your house?"

"Yep. You like it?"

"Yeah it's really nice."

Randy chuckled. "Thanks."

They departed the car, unloaded their bags and brought them inside. Maria couldn't help but to be in awe, looking around the spacious living room.

"It's so beautiful," she said.

Randy smiled. "I think a tour is in order."

Maria looked across at him and nodded. "Yeah that would be great!"

After a few minutes of getting familiar with kitchen, they finally went upstairs. Randy opened the door and turned on the switch.

"Here's the guest room," he said. "You can take this one."

"Thanks," said Maria, putting her bags down and wasted little time to get into her bed as she collapsed onto it. She made a long deep sigh. "Finally.

Randy chuckled, sensing that the brunette diva may be tired from the long three hour drive.

"You must be exhausted," he stated.

"A little bit, yeah." Maria giggled and sat up.

"Well you can stay here and relax for a bit. I'm going to pick up some groceries."

"Oh okay great. Can I come?"

"For another long drive?" Randy asked jokily. "Aren't you exhausted?"

"Not at all," Maria grinned. "I'll come along in case there's anything I need."

"Alright."

They exchanged smiles with one another. Neither of them said a word. Perhaps they didn't mind the silence overtaking them for a moment.

"So..." Maria began, thinking about what she was about to say. "Your mom's birthday is tomorrow."

"Uh huh." Randy scratched the side of his head, a habit of his whenever he was distressed. "And before that we get to the party, I'll have to take care of the cake problem. I'll pass by the bakery tomorrow."

"Alright then."

Randy nodded. "So we'll leave here in about ten minutes just to rest up a little. I'll be in the living room if you need anything."

"Okay thanks."

Randy smiled once more before disappearing behind the door. Maria laid her body down completely on the bed once more and snuggled against a pillow. She let out a sigh out of satisfaction that she could get a bit of rest before she could go anywhere else.

Then a tiny frown came on her face. It would have been great for her if her life was problem-free. Unfortunately for her, it wasn't.

She knew she would have to talk to her boyfriend at some point like Randy advised her to do.

As she lifted her green eyes to stare into the ceiling above her, she sighed weakly to the idea.

It was easier said than done.

--

He was watching a movie on the television while lying on his couch comfortably. He was happy to be back at his home after weeks of travelling.

Though he was a loner since he became a superstar, right now he didn't mind the company.

In fact, it was nice to have some company for once.

Somehow he found a movie he was watching, to be quite boring.

Maybe he wasn't in a mood to watch Carter and Lee kick ass in Rush Hour after all.

Or maybe he got distracted by constant thoughts that were flashing in his mind now.

She was all he could ever think about.

He was happy that their friendship was back on track. He missed being around Maria. He missed seeing her smiles that she would give at any given opportunity. She surely had her ways to put someone in a good mood.

And surely she had her ways to make someone to not stop thinking about her.

It was unusual of him to be smiling to himself. He would do that whenever he was in a good mood.

But this time it was different. Very different.

"Watching a movie I see."

His stomach suddenly churned at the sweet sound of her voice. He sat up on the couch and turned immediately to face her.

"Yeah," he beamed. "Is everything alright?"

"Yep," she answered with a grin. "I'm ready to go shopping when you are."

"Alright. Then let's go now."

x-x-x-x-x

"Can you believe this? A huge bag of pretzels for only a dollar! What a bargain!"

"They're just pretzels."

Maria scoffed at his response and looked at him with an 'are you kidding me?' expression on your face. "Excuse me. You don't find good prices of snacks like these!"

"Alright Miss Kanellis," Randy chuckled with amusement as she grabbed three brown bulky packets. "But should you really buy all that? It's only for the weekend."

"I know. I'll eat them all, don't worry."

"With that small stomach? Now I'm starting to doubt that."

"Never underestimate a woman's appetite." Maria finished. They began to cackle with laughter.

"I'm going to get a basket for myself," she said.

"You can use mine."

"No it's okay," said Maria with a beam. "Thanks anyway."

"Alright if you insist."

"I do, really. Catch you later."

He watched her skipping away and was gone out of his sight as she turned the corner. Randy made a soft chuckle and then looked at his shopping list.

Pushing the cart forward, he went in search for the particular items.

x-x-x-x-x

She hadn't thought of this idea before. To her it was the greatest idea she could ever think of.

The idea only came to her while she was looking at the wide variety of cake mixes.

She had to keep it a secret from him.

At least for now until tomorrow morning.

She looked at the sign hanging above her to be sure she had come to the right aisle. She entered the aisle and searched all around her to find what she was looking for.

"A-ha."

She stopped in her tracks and turned to the display of the tiny bottles containing liquids. But they were not just any liquid. Each of them was colored.

And the pink and green ones were including in the group. Just the two colors that she needed most.

Perfect.

Maria dropped the two tiny bottles into the small basket along with other items she picked up earlier. She also saw a packet containing a plastic white bag and silver tips that came along with it. She added to the basket as well.

Just one more thing she had to get.

Maria continued on to the end of the aisle, smiling to herself. She knew that she was going to succeed in her secret mission. As she got to the back of the supermarket, her heart made a jump as a sign of warning at the sight of a familiar figure placing down a gallon of milk from the large refrigerator.

"Oh crap."

Randy wondered if he had seen someone familiar at the corner of his eye. He looked up only to see a flash of reddish brown curls disappearing in the second she saw them.

Curiosity started to grow on him. Had she just passed by?

He pushed the cart forward to the aisle where he thought a certain diva was.

Only to discover that no one was there.

"I swear I thought it was her," he told himself. Then he shrugged to himself. "Oh well."

Maria made a breath of relief as she got to the next aisle. "That was close. So where can I find…oh here it is!"

She picked up a packet of icing sugar from the shelf and then squealed with excitement.

"I can't wait to get started! I better get to the cashier quick before he sees me!"

x-x-x-x-x

About an hour later, they returned to his house. Maria helped Randy unload the bags to bring inside.

"That was a good trip," Maria said with a giggle.

"Yeah it was," said Randy with a chuckle. "I got something for the both of us."

"What is it?"

Randy pulled out a box and displayed the front to her. "Ever heard of DiGiorno?"

"Of course!" Maria clapped her hands together in a joyous manner while she bounced up and down. "And you got the pepperoni one! My favorite!"

Randy laughed. "I guess I made a right choice then?"

"Totally." She smiled broadly. "You pop that in while I help with the unpacking."

"Okay," Randy said as he began his task of opening the pizza box.

After dinner Maria went to her room to get ready for bed. She just had her shower put on her baby pink pajamas. She was brushing her hair when a knock on the door was sounded.

"Just a minute!"

She grabbed the bag of her groceries, or in her case, secret groceries that she bought from the supermarket and hid them in the closet. She dashed toward the door and shone a smile for Randy once she opened the door.

"Hi Randy."

"Hey. I just want to say good night."

"Okay. Well good night Mr. Legend Killer," Maria said with a smile.

"Good night."

Once she closed the door, Randy walked slowly to his room. He turned and looked back as if he expected it to be open again. It didn't.

But he smiled anyway as he walked to his room.

She let a sigh escape from her lips as she closed the flip of her phone. He didn't call or text to say that his flight had arrived on time or that he had arrived to Florida safely.

There were times when he would start to get on her nerves. But in the end she would always forgive him easy.

"I guess Mickie and Candice are right. I am too soft."

Maria put her cell phone back on the bedside table. Then her attention turned to the closet. She smirked and went to take out the bag she had hidden from Randy.

Pulling the door slightly she made sure the door didn't creak so much before creeping out of the bedroom. She looked around to make sure that the coast was clear before heading down the stairs and into the kitchen.

Maria turned on the light and rested the bag on the counter. She searched inside the cupboards and drawers to find the necessary items she needed as part of her plan.

"Perfect. That's just what I needed," she said, taking out a cake mixer from the bottom cupboard. A smirk played on her lips as she was satisfied by the discovery.

"Tomorrow should be really fun. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he finds out that he doesn't need to order a cake for his mom after all."

And the thought of Randy with a look of surprise on his face made her giggle.

"Can't wait."


Preview of next chapter: Randy gets a surprise; Bob gets the wrong idea of Maria; later on in the chapter somebody dreams of someone. . . .