The Devil's Good Girl
Chapter 131: Deeper than skin deep

He valued friendship made of sand and connections more than the idea of settling down.

Not that Fil was convinced Marcus was not trying to take her to bed. However, after his confession, she noticed something else, aside from lust. His eyes brimmed differently as if he was looking at her because he was looking for something. His touches were also warm and caring; sincerity would often peek into his eyes and his complete aura simply gave off a different temperament than usual.

People could fake their smiles, how they react, and even their tears.

But what she felt during Marcus’s confession was nothing but sincerity. He put his heart out there for the first time, taking a risk he wouldn’t usually do. Fil didn’t realize this until this morning while thinking about her ’mistake’ in the shower. Hence, her reason for inviting Marcus to her home.

She wanted to confirm if her theory was right.

It was dangerous, considering Marcus was surprisingly more cunning than she thought he was. Fil made a mistake, but that wasn’t inviting him to meet Kenzo or inviting him to her home. Her mistake was underestimating him. He was smart, and this required more mind games. She had been on this "mission" for quite some time now. Taking risks should be fine, especially since she had been working hard not just on her scheme but also on her wellness and protection.

"Do you want any?" Fil asked, facing Marcus while they were standing in line at the cashier counter. "What flavor do you want?"

"I never had that." Marcus looked up at the menu board before shifting his eyes to her. "Do you have any recommendations?"

"Should I order for you?" Fil grinned, making him arch a brow. "I promise. I don’t have any ulterior motive."

"Now that you mention it, it makes me suspicious," he humored. "But fine."

"Alright!" Fil excitedly leaned over the counter when it was their turn to make their orders.

Marcus stood just a step behind her, eyes fixed on her. She had her hair tied up into a ponytail with small portions of strands dangling on her nape and side. Her eyes twinkled as they dilated a little while talking to the barista, smiling genuinely as she made a long request.

’Her place was small yet, it was cozy,’ he thought, recalling his time with her in her place and right now. ’She is truly different. No wonder he wouldn’t let her go.’

As mentioned in the past, Marcus lived quite a frivolous life. He dated many different women. And not just any women, but all those that caught his eyes. Models, celebrities, successful businesswomen, elites, doctors — he explored all of them.

Yet, he never felt this feeling he had with Fil from those women.

’If this was before, there’s no way we’re leaving that place without sex. I don’t think I would even want to chat,’he thought, eyes still on Fil. ’But somehow, even when there’s only the two of us, the thought of making such advances didn’t cross me. She kept me entertained just by... talking.’

A subtle smile had been cemented on his face the more he thought about it. It was amusing that she could keep him entertained and engaged without having to bring up that topic.

"Here’s your order."

"Thank you!" Fil smiled from ear to ear, but before she took her orders, she leaned forward and asked, "Did you add extra pearls to the matcha? My friend really likes chewing them until his jaw hurts."

The barista chuckled and nodded. "I added more than you paid for extra."

"Sweet!" Fil excitedly accepted the order, facing Marcus excitedly. "Let’s go?"

"Sure." He nodded, reaching for her hand. "Let me carry those."

Fil only maintained her smile and let him carry their orders back to the car. When they reached their ride and sat in their respective spots, Marcus raised a question.

"Does he really like that many pearls in his drink?"

Fil paused as she held the strap of the seatbelt around her. "Mhm," she nodded. "He likes chewing them."

"I see." He smiled. "So you always go out and grab a drink together?"

"Kenzo and I are workmates. And were also friends!" she shrugged, smiling innocently. "So, yep. Whether or not we want to, we’re kinda stuck with each other."

Marcus chuckled weakly. "You spent more time with him than your ex."

"Are you jealous?" she asked while buckling her seatbelt. "Is this gonna be our first argument?"

"I’m not jealous."

"Are you sure?"

"I will tell you if I am." He winked at her playfully and confidently before he started driving.

Fil, on the other hand, kept her eyes on his side profile. She studied him quietly, amazed that he seemed to be telling the truth.

’Why?’ she wondered. ’Not only he wasn’t jealous, but he... looked like he found my friendship with Kenzo satisfactory. Why?’

"I can feel your gaze drilling a hole in my temple," he joked after a few minutes. "Were you expecting me to get jealous? Are you into the jealous type?"

"No." Fil smacked her lips. "It’s just that... this is weird."

He arched a brow and cast her a sidelong glance. "What’s weird?"

"I don’t want to bring up Vincent, but he doesn’t like Kenzo," she confessed, which was true. "He’s always wary of him for some reason. It’s not like there’s anything that he could do since Kenzo and I worked in the same department. Even so, I expected that you’d also find it... not pleasing."

"Hahaha!" Marcus laughed, shaking his head mildly. "Really?"

"Is this what you meant when you said you won’t make the same mistakes Vincent did?"

"Maybe?" he shrugged, casting her a knowing and confident look. "I’m not insecure, Fil. I know you don’t see him more than just a friend, so that is good enough for me."

"Really?"

The corner of his mouth curled up into a smirk. "Of course. If anything, I think it’s a good thing that you two were good friends."

Fil offered a short smile in return while he set his attention back on the road.

’It’s a good thing I made that mistake last night,’ she thought. ’Or I would’ve failed this scheme just because I’ve only been looking at him on the surface.’

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