Fiance For Hire - Mark Tuan vs. Jackson

3

"Su?" Marj calls Su at night to check on her and of course ask her about Jackson's proposal.

"Ma'am Margarette? I'm really sorry I haven't ..."

But before she could finish, Marj cuts her off. "I know. Tina told me you were sick. And Mark called. He told me he saw you passed out at the alley. God! Su. If you're not feeling well, you can just call me and say it. You didn't really have to come to work you know."

"Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry again." Su is just thankful at Mark for keeping his promise to call her boss. It's actually been bugging her since the boy left hours ago. She was worried he was just saying that so he could take her home. 

"That's fine. So, are you feeling better now?"

"Yes. Your friend took me to the hospital." 

"Yeah, he told me. So, are you coming to work tomorrow? I'm not saying you should...you can rest more if you want to."

"No, ma'am. I will. I'm totally fine now."

"Great. If you can, can you please come earlier? I have somebody I want you to meet. He has a proposal for a job."

"Really?" Su just couldn't contain her happiness. Her boss has always treated all her employees really well. 

"Yup! See you tomorrow, Su."

"Thank you. See you tomorrow, ma'am."

After she hangs up, she remembers how the boy saved her and how grateful she is. "I just hope I took his number so I could try to repay him when I get my salary," she thinks. "I wonder if he has a girlfriend?" She finds herself blushing as she recalls how good looking he is especially when he smiles. 

But of course, even if he were single, Su knows that their status is just too far apart. She's the poorest of the poor and, based on how expensive his car is, she knows he comes from a very rich family. 

"If only fairy tales were real," she sighs.

______

"So, are you done practicing yet?" Jackson is in Mark's private dance studio, trying to urge him to go drinking. 

"Not now, Jackson. We have this test in two days. Did you even practice?" Mark is already annoyed at how persistent his friend is. He goes to the player and repeats the song for the nth time. He's still not satisfied with a certain step. 

He started practicing late because of the incident with the girl earlier - Susan. Actually, he's still thinking of her while doing his dance routine. He doesn't really know why, but he just feels like he wants to know more about her. Something about her is different - different from the girls he used to date. 

Not just because she's less fortunate, but there's something in her that he finds really interesting. Yes, she's beautiful. But, there's more behind that face that Mark wants to see. 

"I don't have time for that, man. I have more pressing issues here." Jackson lays on the floor, "can't you just be a friend and be there for me?"

"Jackson," he stops the player again just to sit beside him, "if 'be there' you mean 'drink with you', then I can't. You've been drinking almost everyday, bro. C'mon. Just forget about her for a while."

"I can't." He says stubbornly. 

"What happened to this 'fiance' anyway?" Mark quotes the word "fiance" with his fingers. "I thought you were supposed to meet her earlier."

"Got cancelled. Marj said she'd be there tomorrow." He pouts.  

"You think she's pretty? Will Sam believe you?" Mark also becomes curious.