Ian was about to grasp her hand, but Marzia was too quick to avoid it when she got out of the car and walked toward the building. Ian then slid out of his car and followed her. When he reached the distressed woman, he yanked her hand slightly, as though he wanted to explain the reason, but Marzia shoved him off in a second. She stepped back from Ian, hugging her arms tightly as soon as she felt the frosty blow of the wind on her back. Marzia thought that Ian was different from Scott, but as it turned out, he was just like him.
In the next moments, Ian huffed a massive sigh and slipped his hands back into his pocket. "I know you came from a horrible relationship, Marzia. After you told me about what that man did to you, I was livid. He doesn't deserve you and your genuine feelings for him..."
"If you're trying to sway me by using my past, Ian, it won't work." She tried to compose herself, despite her growing frustration.
"Shit, no! That's not what I was trying to make out of it." His jaw tightened and his teeth clenched. I just wanted you to know that I'm not going to force you to be in a relationship with me. Rather, I was asking if you could pretend to be with me for a while, until the time I've achieved my plans." Ian stepped closer to her and continued. "That's just it, Marzia. I won't stop you or impede you from doing whatever you want."
Marzia chewed her lower lip. "What's your plan that you badly need me?"
He opened his mouth slightly, but in a second, he stopped by giving her another heaving sigh. "I—I can't… It's way too complicated."
"If you are reluctant to tell me, then how can I be assured that you're not just using me or manipulating me in some way?" She paused for a moment to breathe and then continued, "I have told you about my past. You know how awful it is—I can't go back to that and relive that experience again. "
"Marzia. It's not like that, I swear." He turned away, as though to contemplate, and looked back at her. "I promise it won't burden you so much. You just need to attend parties and gatherings with me for the show. That's all of it. No strings attached and no baggage whatsoever."
Marzia didn't answer for a moment, pondering his offer and whether or not she would accept it. To think about it, his proposition wasn't so bad at all. She thought about it for a moment and calmed down a little.
Marzia paused and weighed his proposal. If she agreed, she could pay her debts to him by showing up as his fake girlfriend, and she could do things without having to ask someone for permission. Moreover, Marzia didn't have to deal with a crazy mother like Ruth.
In fact, Ian's proposal would also be beneficial to her. His offer would help her pay her mother's debt, and she could also save up to finally get a place on her own so she wouldn't keep on crashing here at Deniece's place.
Because of this, Marzia had already made her decision. She extracted her arms away from her chest and said, "Okay. Fine, I agree. But, I'll still get my pay for tutoring, Chan." Then, she pulled out her hand to finalize their deal.
Ian's lips looped into a glinting curve, and he grabbed her hand to shake it. "It's a deal, Miss Delta." The stiffness in his shoulders loosened up and the constriction in his face softened. "I thought you already offer to teach Chan for free though?"
She cunningly smirked. "Teaching your nephew is already tedious, Mr. Harrison. But being your fake girlfriend on the side? Now, that's too much!"
Ian chuckled. "You don't have to do anything. Just stand beside me at parties and smile. That's all you've got to do."
"Easier said than done…" she mumbled as she rolled her eyes at her new fake boyfriend.
Marzia knew that if she let her heart be careless, she might fall again into the wrong pit, where no one would catch her.
…
A fine, cozy, sunny day greeted Marzia with jovial spirits. She and Deniece were heading outside of the apartment as they walked down the stairs to the main entrance. Deniece usually drove Marzia to school before traveling to her work, which was conveniently three corners away.
Truth be told, Marzia was censured about it since she didn't want to bother her friend with this matter too. Deniece had helped her a lot, and Marzia didn't know how she would repay the former's kind soul. Nonetheless, her friend insisted and would keep explaining that she didn't mind driving her to work since she was happy to know that Marzia finally had her life together after her tedious encounters with Scott and his family.
On the other hand, Marzia urged giving Deniece her share of the gas expenses and their billing expenses. Deniece didn't push through this matter any longer as she knew how stubborn Marzia was. As the two got into the parking lot, Marzia was surprised to see Ian standing there. His car was parked on the side while his back was perched against the hood, seemingly waiting for her.
The man welcomed Marzia with a beaming smile as he approached her in his usual suit ensemble. "Good morning, Marzia. You're all ready to go to work?"
Marzia didn't know how to respond as she was still processing the situation. Meanwhile, Deniece was stunned to see the man who had paid for her friend's bailout after a couple of weeks. She had no idea that they were in contact because Marzia never mentioned anything about this.
"What is he doing here?" Deniece asked her friend, pointing her index finger at Ian.
Marzia jostled. "Y—Yeah. I'm not sure either. Ian, what are you doing here?"
"Jesus, you're on first-name basis already?" Deniece whispered to herself.
Ian smirked. He softly pulled Marzia next to him and kissed her cheeks. "I'm here to pick up my girlfriend, and good morning to you too, Miss Deniece! Marzia here talks a lot about you and how good of a friend you are. Thank you for taking care of my girlfriend," Ian said, shocking the two women to their core. Then, he leaned away and handed Deniece a cup of coffee. "I brought you some coffee, by the way. Uh, do you drink—"
He was cut off when suddenly Deniece snatched the coffee right away. "Thanks. I need coffee. It helps me to get sober in the morning…"
"My pleasure..." Ian answered reluctantly as he was taken aback by Deniece's gesture. Still, it seemed like he was able to dupe Deniece, and he could feel that this friend of Marzia was okay with him being her friend's boyfriend. Who would've thought that it'll only take a cup of Starbucks macchiato coffee to please this protective woman?
In the meantime, Marzia still couldn't say anything as her mind went blank. She couldn't find the right words to talk to her best friend and her fake boyfriend. Still, she was quite annoyed by Ian's surprise visit. Why didn't he call her first so she could at least prepare herself for this act? She likes surprises, but she isn't quite fond of this type of surprise. It made her heart leap into a sizeable gap and made her more confused than ever.
"I—What—How—" she stuttered. Marzia looked at Deniece, and she was hailed with a glowering expression. Her friend parted her lips with her eyes possessing a powerful fierceness. Marzia could only look at Deniece apologetically. With that, Deniece rolled her eyes, orating the words without voicing out, 'You'll tell me everything about this when we get back home.'
Marzia sighed in dejection and nodded at her. Just then, the three adults were surprised when they heard a couple of honks coming from Ian's luxury car. The window opened slowly, and Chan shot them an annoyed look.
"Hurry up! We're going to be late! What are you still talking about in there?!" the kid screamed.
Ian then bid goodbye to Deniece and pulled Marzia to get inside his car, to which she didn't complain and remained speechless. Deniece can only wave her hand as they watch them leave. "Damn…" she commented, staring at the rear of the blue Tesla.
Marzia turned to Ian and was still giving him an agape expression. She fastened her seatbelts and looked out at the window as Ian drove with pursed lips that are curved upwards. It was evident that he was trying to stop himself from laughing out loud. By the time they reached the intersection, he finally broke the deafening silence. "I think I have her vote," he jested, but Marzia only eyed him with a fierce glare, saying, "Next time, let me know first before you come barging in my home."
Ian chuckled. "Alrighty, girlfriend." Upon hearing his comment, Marzia shook her head and felt the creeping blush on her face.
"Did you just call my tutor your girlfriend?" Chan commented from behind, rendering the two stunned. "I knew it!"