The Devil's Good Girl
Chapter 76: Ice cream

Chapter 76: Ice cream

"Do you think Vincent still loves me?"

A seemingly long silence followed Fil’s question. Marcus couldn’t answer immediately, observing the expectant look on her face in his peripheral.

"Of course." His answer barely escaped his mouth, feeling a little guilty he couldn’t tell her the truth. "He’s just busy. But I know he’s working hard for your future."

’Same old script,’ she thought upon hearing his answer. ’And I had fallen for it many times.’

"Is that so?" she whispered, lowering her eyes. "Then I guess feeling neglected is normal?"

"No."

Fil raised her brows, lifting her eyes to him once more.

"Your feelings are valid. I understand that Vincent is working himself to the bones for your future, but I also think he should make time for you." Marcus slowed down as he saw a traffic light ahead. When their car stopped for a moment, he faced her squarely. "He might not have realized it, but I think he should treat you better."

"Really?"

"Mhm."

"You deserve more, Fil," he remarked sincerely. "More than just a good future, but also in the present. If not, he’d regret it when someone else did it for you."

His lips stretched as he chuckled weakly. "Of course, that’s impossible. You will never break up with him."

"What makes you think that?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think I cannot live without Vincent?" she tilted her head to the side, watching his eyes swirl with curiosity and confusion. "I love Vincent, but I can live without him, Marcus. It’s just that I don’t think someone else will like me."

"Why would you think like that?"

"Because all the good men are either married or have someone with them." She shrugged. "Is there even someone else interested in me who can respect my boundaries like Vincent had?"

"Oh."

"See? You agree." She arched a brow playfully. "Even if they show interest in me, I don’t think they could wait until we get married to have sex."

Marcus almost choked when he heard the last word coming out of her mouth. It wasn’t like there was something wrong with it, but he least expected to hear it from her. But she had a point. If there was something that everyone "admired" about Vincent, that would be he never forced Fil to get to bed with him. However, he found alternatives to quench the call of flesh.

"Haha. That look on your face is funny." Fil laughed as she shook her head. "But well, on a serious note, it scares me."

"Scare you — why?"

"Because he might break up with me. It could be now or tomorrow. I’m scared that he’d realize I’m not worth waiting for."

Marcus assessed her face even when the stoplight turned green. She might be smiling, but he could see the worry peeking out in her beautiful eyes.

"Did I say you’re pretty?"

"Hmm?"

"Even if Vincent breaks up with you, that’ll be his loss," he continued, ignoring the honks behind them. "It’s not your fault entirely, Fil. Vincent is still waiting because he hasn’t married you yet. If I were him, I would’ve married you months after proposing. We would’ve been married. You’re a wife material, you know? So, stop blaming yourself for things that weren’t even your fault."

Fil and Marcus held each other’s eyes, watching the different emotions shimmering in their eyes. Slowly, a thin layer of tears coated her eyes as they softened. It appeared she was about to tear up at the sight of salvation in the darkness she never talked about.

"Cheer up," he brushed her cheek with his knuckles. "Things will be better."

"Mhm." She hummed softly. "Thank you."

"You’re always welcome."

"I’m glad I thought of you today. If not, I still might be in the town, waiting for the last bus and probably still sad with the thoughts in my head."

Marcus smiled in relief, still caressing her cheek with his knuckles. It took him a few seconds to realize how naturally he touched her just now. And Fil didn’t even see it maliciously. If anything, it brought him a relief to cheer her up.

"Tsk." As he withdrew his hand, he clicked his tongue in irritation at the car honking behind them. "People nowadays have no patience at all."

Fil chuckled as she looked back. "Let’s go. I don’t want to get you in trouble because you have to comfort me on top of driving me home."

"I want to see them try," he humored, repositioning himself. "Anyway, aren’t you hungry?"

"A bit?"

"Should we eat first on the way?"

"As long as there’s ice cream," she returned, earning a look from him. "Ice cream makes me feel better."

"How cute," he commented with a laugh. "You’re lucky you called me today. I just happen to know a place that serves the best ice cream in the world."

Fil giggled while he chuckled, smiling at each other as he drove her to the best ice cream shop he knew. The awkwardness they had for many years suddenly disappeared, feeling more comfortable with each other’s company. However, strange as it may appear, they looked more like a couple than friends. Not that they held each other’s hands or did more than that. But Marcus felt so comfortable with her presence that he couldn’t stop humoring her to make her smile.

*

*

*

After forty minutes of driving, Fil and Marcus stopped at the ice cream shop he told her about. Sitting across from each other, he chortled as soon as he saw her eyes light up after one bite.

"It’s good?" he grinned proudly, watching her nod profusely. "Want to try mine?"

"Can I?"

"Of course." Marcus scooped a spoonful and offered it to her, expecting her to take the spoon. He hadn’t used it, so he didn’t mind offering it to her. Much to his surprise, Fil moved her face closer and ate the mouthful without taking the spoon from him.

"Mhm! This one is good too!" she exclaimed excitedly, looking down at his ice cream to check what flavor it was. "I’ve never tasted something like this before. What flavor is this... Marcus?"

Fil trailed off as she looked up at him, only to see him staring at her in a daze. "Hello? Is everything okay?"

"Uh. Ye — yeah." He laughed nervously, clearing his throat to act natural. "It’s good, right?"

"Hehe." Fil pretended not to know the reason behind his surprise. He surely didn’t expect what she did. Though she wondered; did it make his heart flutter? Looking at the tip of his ear, Fil smiled even brighter.

The tip of his ear was all red, and it was funny.

"You should start eating it," she teased. "It’s not good if it’s melted."

Just as Fil ate another spoonful, she heard her phone ring. She hurriedly took her purse to check the caller, only to see it wasn’t as important as she thought it was. It was just Vincent.

"I’ll just take this call," she said to Marcus before answering the call. "Yes?"

Fil listened to Vincent, and she slowly gazed at the man across from her. "I’m sorry, Vin. I can’t tonight."

"Huh? Why not?"

"Because..." She flashed Marcus a smile, cupping her cheek, eyes fixed on him. "... I’m already eating ice cream."

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