Fiance For Hire - Mark Tuan vs. Jackson

15

Su wakes up at a soft knocking on her door. 

"Yes?" The sound comes out of her mouth with a croak. She hasn't slept well last night because she's been crying and thinking about so many things. 

"It's me." Mark's voice is soft behind the door. "Would you want to join me for breakfast?" He's heard that she'd be going back home today from his eavesdropping last night. 

The pounding on Su's chest is getting wilder and wilder. Mark is at the other side of the door, asking her to have a meal with him... and she looks like shit. Her eyes are puffy, her hair a mess, and she hasn't taken a shower since yesterday. 

"Su?"

"Uhm..." she paces the room frantically, looking for a brush or something to fix her hair at least. "I'll join you in a few." She finally manages to say. 

"Alright. I'll wait for you at the top deck." 

She quickly goes to the bathroom and almost curses at her reflection in the mirror. "Ugh...how can I be so unlucky to have such a face in the morning?" She complains while she grabs her toothbrush and turns on the tap. 

Clumsily, she's able to finish her morning routine before going up to where she's going to have breakfast with Mark. 

"There you are." Mark smiles, standing up and pulling a chair for her. 

"I'm sorry." She starts apologizing. Mark just shakes his head, still with the same smile that sends the butterflies in Su's stomach into a frenzy. 

She has a huge crush on him. That's a fact. For her, he's the perfect example of a perfect boyfriend - gentleman, funny, understanding, handsome, cute at times and very very rich. But, those are also the reasons why she knows she can't have him. She's nothing compared to a guy like Mark. Even if Mark had asked him to go out before, she still felt that he just did it because he pities her. Besides, Mark knows a lot about her and her situation. He's just being kind. 

It would be a 'Cinderella' story if he'd REALLY go out with her. She just wishes. 

"Let's eat?" Mark asks, pulling her out of her day dreaming. 

She blushes every time he throws glances at her, or smile or just talk. The more she gets to know him, the more she's falling for Mark. 

"I heard you're going back today." Mark starts the conversation.

"Uh...yeah. My brother..." 

"You want me to go with you?" 

Su's heart skips at the thought. "That's fine." She shakes her head. "Just enjoy the rest of the week. I don't want to feel more guilty ruining your vacation." 

"You sure?" Mark is sincere though. 

"Yup. Besides, Jackson's coming." She feels like it's his responsibility to do so since he's the one who took her here in the first place. So, if there's one person whose fun should be cut off, it would be him not Mark. 

"Oh." He doesn't show his disappointment. Instead, he tries to smile at her. "Say hi to Jerry for me. I'd come visit when we get back." 

"I will." She returns his smile. "Thanks."

"We should hang out by then."

"Sure. I'd love that." For all she knew, Su's smile is from ear to ear, her heart beating loudly against her chest, her soul leaving her. 

There's an awkward silence after that. Mark is arguing whether to tell her right here and now that he likes her. He might not have another chance when Jackson finally realizes he likes her, too.