The Devil's Good Girl
Chapter 134: Dating to marry

"So, where are we going now?" Marcus inquired as soon as they got back in the car. "Do you have other plans?"

Fil rubbed her chin. "None. Do you want to go somewhere?"

"I didn’t think much about it because I thought we’d stay longer in here," he shrugged. "Do you want to go shopping?"

"Shopping?" she blinked cluelessly while he furrowed his brows. "Why would I want to go shopping?"

Seeing her reaction, Marcus was rendered speechless a little. The suggestion was a habit he picked up from all the women he dated. All of them liked retail therapy.

"Marcus, have you been on a date before?" she asked out of pure curiosity as he started the engine. "Not the kind of date where you eat in a fancy restaurant or do all these fancy activities. What I mean by date is something like a real date that you planned yourself."

"Do I need to plan a date?" he replied curiously. "Spontaneous trips and dates are much better."

Fil frowned. "They could be fun, but an actual date is something you put your heart to make the other person happy."

"It doesn’t matter if it’s a fancy trip or a simple one," she continued. "What’s important is that it was planned. Things could go as planned or turn into a disaster, but that’s what makes it more exciting."

"I see." Marcus nodded, but still barely grasped the idea she was spewing. "So, if I asked you now to go on a trip with me, you will... refuse?"

"I will refuse because I have work tomorrow, but I probably won’t appreciate it much," she corrected and grinned. "I like it when people think of me or consider me on something."

Slowly, Marcus smiled in understanding. "I think I understand what you mean by that."

"Heh." Fil buckled up her seat. "I’m going home."

"Can I come?"

"Not a chance." She shook her head, giggling. "One lesson I learned today is that I shouldn’t invite you just because I want to be polite."

Marcus arched a brow. "Are you saying you regret inviting me to your place?"

"Not really, but I don’t want to create memories in a place I live because it will only remind me of the good things I will probably miss if we didn’t work," she explained rationally. "Can we add that to our short list of clauses in our verbal contract?"

A moment of silence dominated the two of them, with Fil looking at him as if she was unaware of how her remarks could affect the receiver. Marcus, on the other hand, simply stared at her. Slowly, his lips curled up as a short laugh escaped him.

"Filomena, I didn’t know you can be quite the jerk sometimes, huh?" he laughed, more amused at how she unhesitatingly drew the line when necessary. "I’ve always thought you never know how to draw the line."

"I never forgot how to do that." She smiled. "It’s just that, instead of drawing the line, I adjusted my boundaries. Since we’re going out — unofficially — it’s better if I make that clear now."

"And I’m glad you did," he hummed. "If you didn’t, I’ll keep taking advantage of it until you say no."

"Are you sure you should be telling me that?"

"We’re in the getting-to-know stage," Marcus cast her a quick look. "And I told you, I won’t make the same mistakes Vincent did. One of them is that I won’t portray myself as a saint. I’ll show you who I truly am. I won’t hold back, just like what you’re doing."

Fil blinked, making him chuckle as he glanced at her again.

"I’m not perfect and sometimes, I am a jerk."

"Sometimes?" she asked, and he laughed.

"Most of the time," he corrected. "I say what I want to say and do what I want. And what I want now is for you to see me for who I am."

Fil pondered for a second before she spoke again. "Marcus, isn’t that a little... uhm, how do I say it? Too honest? What if your honesty backfires on you?"

"Then it backfires," he shrugged. "It only proves we are not meant to work."

"Wow." she blurted under her breath, looking at him in disbelief. "Just yesterday, you like me. And today, you’re okay if we don’t work out?"

"You consider this as an unofficial dating, but for me, I’m officially dating you..." he trailed off as he slowed down by the headlights, facing her squarely. "... with the thought of marrying you someday."

"Pardon?"

He chuckled, but his eyes showed seriousness. "Don’t be scared. I’m not asking you to marry me now. All I’m saying is, I like you the more I know about you or see another side of you. I like the fact that I can’t read what you were thinking or can’t predict what will come out of your mouth next."

"Above all, it’s the first time I liked the idea of coming home to someone and eating some home-cooked food," he added. "I’m taking this very seriously, Fil."

’So quick!? Just one invitation to my place and he immediately had such thoughts?’ she mentally gasped, utterly surprised at how he confessed about this so quickly. It hadn’t been even a day since they unofficially started dating. But here he was, talking about her future career.

She opened and closed her mouth, but before she could think of any clever reply, she heard her phone ring. Fil snapped her eyes at her purse, offering him an awkward smile before fishing her phone out. As soon as she saw the caller’s name, she narrowed her eyes.

"Vincent’s mom is calling," she whispered and then looked at Marcus worriedly. "What should I do?"

Marcus slightly furrowed his brows. "Accept it and listen to what she got to say."

Fil pursed her lips into a thin line as she gazed at her phone. Reluctance showed in her eyes, thinking about all the awful things and harassment Vincent’s mother put her through in the past.

"It’s okay." Marcus reached for her hand, ignoring the honk behind him as the stoplight turned green. "She’s no longer your future mother-in-law, but it might be important. If it’s not, hang up on her."

She nodded at him before she reluctantly answered the call. Fil was expecting a yell from the other end of the line. Hence, she was careful in moving the phone close to her ear. Much to her surprise, Vincent’s mother wasn’t yelling.

"Auntie..." she whispered, brows furrowed. "Alright. I’ll go."

Fil drew a deep breath and faced Marcus. The latter partially narrowed his eyes upon seeing her expression. Just looking at her face was enough for Marcus to narrow down the reason behind it. And whatever that was, his gut feeling it was not good news.

"Marcus, I need to go to the hospital," she announced quietly. "Vincent had an accident."

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