Days passed and Cecilia was still in the house of the Gonzalez not knowing the day she'll be free from the position of Miguel's stand-in wife. The preparation for the fashion show was ongoing and the family members showed their support in every area they could.
She enjoyed the company of Marco anytime Miguel was out for work or went to supervise the upcoming event's plan. Marco, on the other hand, didn't want to tell Cecilia that he already knew her secret before giving her his condition. This was his way of having her by his side.
Currently, they were both sitting on the swing—their renowned favorite place. The garden was Cecilia's comfort zone even since Marco had toured her around it and showed her how lovely it was.
"Here, I bought a basket full of strawberries," Marco said as the servant brought a bask full of strawberries and placed it on the ground in front of them. "You can go now, thanks." He dismissed the servant who bowed before leaving.
Marco watched how Cecilia's doe eyes widened in astonishment. The strawberries were fresh and neatly washed. He helped her down the swing as she sat on the ground that was filled with little to no grass.
"I love them." Cecilia smiled as she took a bit from the strawberry she took.
"I'm glad you like them. We can get to plant as many as we can. Can I have some?" He smiled back at her.
Cecilia hesitated, pouting her lips. "No, I want them all to myself." She grumbled, her actions funny and cute.
Marco let out a hearty chuckle. "Really, little pup. You're stingy." He fold his arms, shifting his gaze away from her, pretending to be annoyed.
"You can get some for yourself." Cecilia retorted, her gaze not tearing from the basket of strawberries. "I'd take the remains inside and have the servants blend them."
"Are you serious, little pup? You aren't going to give me some?" Marco said with a pleading look on his face.
Cecilia gazed deep into his blue eyes that softened due to his plea and took pity on him. She took one of them and offered it to him but he declined.
"No, I don't want that." He shrugged his shoulder.
A questioning look settled on Cecilia's face. "What do you want then?"
"The one you've taken a bite from," Marco said, pouting his lips.
His looks were too cute for Cecilia to resist as she let out a low laugh at his expression. "Your indirect kiss?" She smiled. "Here you go." She took a bite from the fruit and gave it to him which he did likewise.
"I'd get to kiss you directly, someday." He said his voice etched with gentleness that Cecilia couldn't comprehend. Her face flushed crimson as she stood up and slapped his shoulders.
"Snap out of it. I'm Miguel's wife, your elder brother's wife." Cecilia warned, folding her arms on her full chest as her cleavage became visible from the v-neck gown she wore.
Marco gulped hard at the sight of it. "Little pup." He began, smiling as he got down from yeh swing. "You don't want me to get a boner, don't you?" Marco smirked, unclasping her folded arms.
A slight frown settled on Cecilia's face, causing Marco to pat her hair and place a strawberry inside her mouth.
"Marco," she said, chewing the fruit with her mouth full. "You know you shouldn't be messing with me."
"I know that, little pup but you and my brother are into a fake relationship so I just can't help it." He said, removing the strand that fell on her face.
Cecilia continued chewing and gulped all that she chewed. Her stomach twitched as she adjusted her gaze away from Marco. "I don't think it's right, Marco."
"It is. Once your fake relationship with Miguel is over, then I can have you all to myself. I like you, little pup."
Cecilia didn't know what to say, she didn't know how to react. Hastily, she ran away from Marco's sight, her palms covering her face.
Marco's face fell. Did he say that all of a sudden? Did he chase her away?
Little Angel: "At least you tried even though you'll eventually get rejected."
Little Devil: "Nah, he won't. Tell your father about the fake relationship and shoot your shot."
Little Angel: (angry) "Your little pup would be in danger if you do."
Marco's mind became a mess and he didn't know who to listen to at this point, with a sigh, his eyes fell on the basket of strawberries on the ground. A servant came to pick it up as she was instructed by Cecilia. A low chuckle escaped Marco's lips as he couldn't get hold of her cuteness.
"Miguel doesn't deserve someone like her. He should stick with Anna and not play with my little puppy's heart." He gritted his teeth.
"Young master, Marco." Marco heard a masculine voice call him from behind. He turned around and found the butler standing behind him, unmoved.
"What's it?" Marco rolled his eyes at him, as he walked up to meet with the butler.
"Young master, Marco, you know I won't come to look for you if it isn't urgent and if it's not from the chairman." The butler said, his voice calm.
Marco's heart skipped a bit. "So what now?"
"The chairman seeks your presence." The butler informed as he walked out of Marco's presence, leaving him standing there all by himself.
What does his father want from him now? He sighed, facepalming himself as his mind drifted back to Cecilia. The way she ran out of his presence kept him wondering if she was okay. He needed to apologize to her for confessing to her all of a sudden even though that wouldn't change his feelings for her.
"She'll be mine at all costs." He clenched his fist as she strode back to the mansion, heading to his father's study room where he had been summoned.