The Devil's Good Girl
Chapter 146: How much?

Chapter 146: How much?

Marcus.

If there was one description Fil came up with after spending time with him, that would be: a man full of layers. Each layer hid a deeper and darker part of him. It was almost scary to imagine what it would be like if he hadn’t had those layers.

What sort of monster lies underneath those beautiful covers? But the real question was, just how many layers would he willingly peel off for her?

"Whenever you’re staring at me longer than you are supposed to, it makes me wonder why?" Marcus kept his gaze on the road ahead but observed Fil from his peripherals. "Should I be worried? Or should I consider it as you slowly falling for me?"

In the front passenger seat where Fil was, she had her side against the seat and eyes on him. "Neither?"

"I guess that’s better than the former."

"It just... I’m stunned." Fil smacked her lips. "Not long ago, we barely talked to each other. Not because we had a problem, but because we had nothing to talk about. But now, we make conversation out of nothing."

Marcus smiled in agreement. "It is indeed surprising to the point it’s puzzling."

"And what’s even more surprising is it feels natural," she continued knowingly, lowering her gaze. "It feels like I can talk to you about anything without fear that I’d get judged. Nor do I feel I have to tread on eggshells."

The corner of her mouth curled up subtly, her eyes on his side profile. "It’s liberating to have someone who doesn’t make me scared of being myself."

Marcus took the quick opportunity to cast her a sidelong glance. He smiled a short smile, setting his eyes back on the road.

"The feeling is mutual," he said. "It does feel so natural and... right."

"That’s why I got you the cufflinks," she confessed. "It’s not because I don’t want to owe you, but I feel nervous about tomorrow. It’s kinda weird, but knowing you’d be there calms me down."

"I’m flattered. Though I’m surprised you’re still coming."

"The chairman invited me himself. It’s rude to turn down a personal invitation."

"Does he know about you and Vincent?" he asked out of pure curiosity because he still had no idea. "Because if he doesn’t, I’m afraid he would announce an engagement that isn’t happening. That would be embarrassing."

"He knows."

Marcus cast her another quick look. "You told him?"

"Mhm." Fil drew a deep breath, setting her attention on the windshield. "That time I got the call, Mr. Chairman was also there. He was so sweet, telling me how pleased he was that after all these years, I finally accepted his invitations."

A bitter smile turned up on her face, detailing what went down that day to keep him updated. After all, she needed Marcus’s interest and he might find this scenario interesting.

"Turns out, I was always invited to his parties, but Vincent’s mother stopped them before they would even leave the manor," she summarized. "So, I got angry and told him I never received an invitation and that I hadn’t accepted the first invitation I got since Vincent and I broke up."

Fil forced a smile as she cocked her head to look at him. "I feel bad that he felt so embarrassed about it."

"Wow."

"Do you know about that?" she asked quietly. "You’re Vincent’s best friend. Did he not mention his mother had been withholding invitations?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"You think I’m lying?"

"No, but if you are, then I’m giving you another chance." She smiled. "After all, during those times, we are nothing but people in Vincent’s life. I am his naive fiancee and you were his best friend. You have no responsibility in telling me, nor you were in the position to step in."

Marcus didn’t answer immediately, lowering his head to check for a stoplight. Fortunately, there was one ahead, and was about to turn red. Hence, he followed the car in front of them and stopped when it did. As soon as he stepped on the brakes, he turned his head and faced her squarely.

"I don’t," he repeated once again. "And it’s not a lie. Though, I’m sure I asked him once or twice why you weren’t there. I forgot the answer he gave me, and it’s not an excuse to protect him, but because I wasn’t actually interested in the answer back then."

"If I knew the two of us would be engaged in such a manner, I would’ve poked my nose in his business more," he continued quietly but sincerely. "I could’ve saved you a few years, or maybe things would’ve been resolved much sooner. So, even if I want to feel bad about it, I don’t."

Silence fell on their shoulders, staring into each other’s eyes without a trace of looking away.

"Marcus, do you really like me?" she asked after a moment with her eyes brimming with pure curiosity.

"Yes."

"Why?"

He shrugged. "Do I need a reason?"

"You seem like a man who always has reasons for everything," she returned. "I get it. In the beginning, it’s out of pure curiosity. But now? Is it still out of curiosity?"

"Yes and no," he answered after a minute, readjusting his position to drive as the stoplight turned green. "I don’t want to sound calculating."

"Being calculating isn’t that all bad, is it?"

He glanced at her and smirked. "Well, you were right. I was serious when I said I wanted to go out with you to know what’s truly bothering me. Also, I thought you’re quite a fun company. But then, when you invited me to your place, I wouldn’t lie that I found it small for even one person."

"Ouch."

"Haha. No offense."

"None taken... or maybe, just a bit?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "But then, somehow, the longer I stayed there, eating a warm home-cooked with a beautiful and smart lady to accompany me... I felt at peace. The place felt bigger and more comfortable to be in."

His eyes gleamed with gentleness at the memory and feeling he felt that day in her place and with her.

"The difference was more indisputable when I went home that night," he continued. "I never felt that a presidential penthouse could feel so cramped and suffocating. So quiet it was deafening."

"But that is just another reason why I like you," he added and smiled, pressing the hazard button before slowly pulling over to the side of the road. When he shifted it to park mode, he slowly faced her and added;

"The main reason is because of you," he stressed, stretching his hand to tuck a portion of her hair behind her ear. "I never believed in marriage, Fil. And I never believed in true love. But you... you are giving me these silly ideas and making me want to believe in them. You are making me want to settle down, which I used to call settling for less."

His eyes softened as his smile appeared more affectionate. "I keep having these thoughts that if it’s you, it will work, and that love might not be as lame as it sounds."

"So yes, I like you. How much? That, I don’t know. That’s why I’m dating you with the thought of marrying. Because if I consider that, then asking for your hand answers the question of how much."

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