Fiance For Hire - Mark Tuan vs. Jackson

7

"Mark? You're still here?" She's surprised to see the boy still in the room, sitting beside her brother. He lifts his head from his awkward sleeping position at the chair by the bed to smile at her. 

She's glad, though, that Jerry wasn't alone when she was out. But isn't this too much? 

"Hey!" He waves. He looks down at his watch and looks back up at her. He notices the bags she's holding and furrows his brows. "What are those?"

"Oh," she sets the shopping bags down on the sofa, "just clothes I need for my new job." 

He pulls another chair for her to sit beside him. "Job? You got a new job? Aren't you loaded with work already?" He's becoming more and more concerned about this girl. 

She sighs, leaning her head on the bed and kissing her brother's hand. "I need to." She folds her arms on the bed and leans her head on them, closing her eyes. "Besides, I have to quit my other jobs."

Mark's eyes become bigger, "What? Why? What happened?"

"Ugh..." Should I tell him? What if he would see me differently after? "The new job requires me to be available anytime," she simply says.

She just met the guy and she feels like she wants to make a good impression. Telling him about the 'fiance' job might make her look like a slut. 

He looks at her questioningly, watching her resting her head on the bed. She seems troubled though. "Are you sure about it?" He asks. 

"No." She answers honestly. "I just need the money."

If only he could help her, he'd want to lift her burdens from her shoulders. 

"You have to go home, Mark. I bet you're tired," she finally opens her eyes. 

Caught staring, Mark immediately diverts his eyes somewhere else. He stands up and heads to the table where he put the food he brought earlier. "I brought you some food."

"Haven't you eaten yet?" She sits up straight and turns her head to look at him. 

"I was waiting for you. I didn't want you to eat alone." 

Somehow, that makes her feel guilty. Although she's still full from the dinner she had with Jackson, she stands up and goes towards the food. "Uhm...that looks delicious," she says. She sits across from him and takes the fork he offers. "You must be really hungry," she giggles, looking at him immediately digging in the food. 

"Yup." He chuckles, covering his mouth so the food won't spew out. 

She watches him silently as he eats, taking a small bite herself. In her mind, she's wishing Jackson would be like Mark - kind, sweet, and just...just perfect. She can't help but smile at him when he looks up. 

"Aren't you eating?" Mark asks. 

She swirls the noodles around her fork and pushes it in her mouth. 

"So, what are you doing tomorrow?" Mark asks after they have finished their spaghetti. 

"I have this kid I take care of every Saturdays. I need to tell his parents I won't be able to watch him for a while. And..." meet Jackson at four for the party at night.

"And? How about at night? Would you be free?" He looks hopeful. He's actually thinking of inviting her to the party, just for her to unwind a bit. 

"Oh..." she sighs. "This new job I was telling you?" For some reason, she's regretting it already. "I'm asked to attend this stupid party," she frowns. 

He looks at his feet, not hiding his disappointment. "Maybe we could go out next time, then." 

Su's head goes up, her eyes wide, her mouth agape. Did he just say go out? Like on a date? Was he supposed to ask me out earlier before I said I was going somewhere?