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I'd been tossing and turning in my bed countless times. I couldn't go back to sleep even though I didn't really get enough so I let out a small curse under my breath and decided to get up. According to my phone's clock, it was only six in the morning.
Why not start the day bright and early instead of trying to hurt my eyes from forcing myself to go back to sleep, right?
Erin was still sound asleep so I crept to the walk-in closet, changed into my dark capris yoga pants and paired with a comfortable plain lavender tee. After brushing my teeth, I slipped in a ten-dollar-bill in my pocket, grabbed my iPod and took off for a morning jog.
The sun's apricot beam gradually swallowed the velvety sky, creating this beautiful gradient effect of orange and dark blue. I breathed in slowly as I stretched my body out with a slight tiptoe, inhaling the dawn's splendid mid-spring breeze.
A sudden blow of frigid wind hit my skin but quickly ignored it since I'd be drenched in sweat and burning after jogging. A popular song by Avril Lavigne immediately played as soon as I hit the play button of my iPod Nano. Hesitant of which way to go, I picked the path to my right. You could never go wrong with going the right way.
As I ran to the quiet neighborhood, the thought of our unlikely visitor from yesterday clouded my mind. Marcus Don Valentine was not the CEO I thought he'd be. He was too... nice and laid-back.
He brought Chinese food and only wanted to "get to know" us. I called him bluff so I locked myself in the studio until he left. Erin, on the other hand, being the business student that she was, took the opportunity to network with him.
Staring into those eyes any longer than two seconds screams trouble. How the heck did she last long?
The thought of him made me dash down the concrete road instead of just taking it slow. When a strong arm suddenly grabbed a hold of me, I let out a piercing scream.
"Ah! Unhand me you freak!" When I recognized the face, I took my earphones out to give the person a piece of my mind. Then, a familiar face from last night's encounter was smiling at me.
"Do you really want to get kicked in the balls? You scared me!" I scolded Marcus. He wore a gray hoodie and black track pants. I didn't know if he heard me because he, too, was wearing earphones. When he pulled it out of his ear, he only beamed.
"Sorry, I was just finishing my morning jog when I saw you. I was calling your name but it looks like your music was on blast." I couldn't help but notice the beads of sweat running down the side of his face and the forming sweat marks around his chest, tinting his gray hoodie a dark color.
I only shook my head. "It's fine. Sorry, I didn't notice you."
More like I was too preoccupied to notice anybody right now.
"Hey, wanna grab coffee? I know a place from here." Marcus chirped as I continued to jog.
"Don't you have a place to be? Like, oh I don't know, the office?"
He chuckled. "It's only six thirty and I don't have to be in the office until nine."
"So you just happen to be around the area at this time of the day?"
"I'll live in this neighborhood sooner or later, so I might as well familiarize myself, right?"
"More like you own the neighborhood,"
"What's that?"
"Nothing," I retorted and paced faster, leaving him behind me.
There was a park at the end of the road and I took the path going that way. I thought he disappeared but when I turned around, Marcus was just pacing behind me, three feet away.
"Are you following me? It's getting really creepy, you know."
"Of course not. The way to the coffee place is through this park." He reasoned out but I didn't buy it. Instead, I just plugged in my earphones and just my luck, my iPod died on me.
Just pretend there's music.
"So, you're an art student from Vancouver, eh?" Marcus spoke up but I ignored him.
"Are you here for vacation or are you staying for good?"
Ignore him, Emerald. Just keep jogging.
"I wonder if I should directly send the papers to the rightful house owners."
That made me slow down and unplug my earphones, and when I turned around, Marcus was grinning at me while I just cross my arms over my chest, eyes squinting.
"So that's the only way I can get your attention, huh?" his smug expression made me feel irritated.
"What do you want from me, Mr. Don Valentine?"
Instead of an honest reply, he just shrugged. "Nothing. I just want to get to know you, that's all."
"Bullshit."
"Snarky and feisty little fireball. No wonder Denise can't handle you," Marcus' chuckle cracked into something so crisp and disturbingly sexy. "But seriously though, I just want to get to know you like how I get to know every other business prospects."
It made me shot up my brow. "Business prospect? Sorry but you're barking at the wrong tree."
"Oh trust me, you will find my offer very feasible. Why don't we discuss what I mean over some hot coffee? My treat." Marcus patted my shoulders and signaled me to follow him.
I had the choice to follow or just turn around and forget the conversation ever happened, but something inside me switched—curiosity was slowly eating me.
So, without hesitation, I tailed behind him. After about fifteen minutes of speed walking, we reached the end of the park. We turned left and ended up at a somewhat busy street. Just across was a Tim Horton's with a considerable amount of cars lined up for their drive-thru service.
It wasn't very long until we reached the store; it was full of customers ranging from office workers, construction workers, and some were high school students in their school uniforms.
My back was sweaty and thank goodness for air conditioning! The place was refreshing and cool despite the amount of people inside. We found ourselves lining up and the lines quickly cleared because of the fast service.
A smile stretched on my mouth when I remembered the quick coffee breaks in between classes where we were only given ten minutes to grab a quick bite—which was, by the way, an impossible time to beat. Honestly, professors needed to realize that a class of three hundred people, lining up at the same in-campus coffee shop, would mean a line-up that would stretch down to no end.
"Good morning sir. The usual today?" A middle-aged Asian woman from the other side of the counter greeted Marcus with familiarity. She seemed very sweet as she regarded me with a smile and a slight nod which I returned as well.
Marcus stepped back a bit and asked me. "How do you take your coffee?"
He was too close to me and I thought I stopped breathing for a second. "Um, double-double with milk."
Marcus reiterated our order to the kind lady and in a matter of three minutes, our coffee and cream cheese bagel were ready. I couldn't help but shot up a brow at Marcus for asking for a non-toasted bagel, but hey, to each their own.
I spotted a bar-like seats near the glass wall and from there, I could see the clear view of the parking lot and the gloomy sky.
"So, what made you come to Toronto?" Marcus spoke up as he unraveled his bagel wrap.
"Mainly because I have a museum I want to visit, maybe go around the city and do some sightseeing after that." I replied as I opened up the lid of my coffee, softly blowing the top of it to let it cool down a little faster.
"You should go the CN Tower and take the ferry to Centre Island." He suggested then took a mouthful bite of his food. "So, are you talking about AGO?"
"No, it's uh—it's a different one." AGO was a prominent art gallery in Ontario. It was a state-of-the-art facility exhibiting famous paintings, sculptures, and other internationally renowned artwork. I originally planned on going after seeing dad's art, but the sudden change of tides held back my plans. This included Marcus Don Valentine's sudden special appearance with a possibility of ruining my summer.
I cut off to the chase. "So, what about me being a business prospect?"
Marcus sipped a bit of his hot coffee. "Since you are adamant about keeping something sentimental to you, how about you do something for me in exchange for the house?"
Suspicious, I squinted at him. "What are you talking about?"
"Just pretend to be my girlfriend for three weeks or so, convince my parents that we are in love and the house is all yours."
Not a hint of mischief tinted his voice as his eyes were intensely holding contact on mine and I knew that the man was serious. As lunatic as it may sounded, he was not joking around.
Yet a side of me was unconvinced. "Wait, hold on. You want me to pretend to be your "girlfriend" for three weeks?" I said as I air-quoted the word girlfriend. Even the label made me gag a little bit.
"Yes. You should very well know that I can acquire your house by any means necessary, but I'm playing a little nice because I happen to also need your help."
Marcus' voice was hushed down a little, his face a little closer to mine. All of a sudden, he turned into a serious man who meant business.
Any means necessary... That only meant one thing—bringing the papers to Nana and mom.
"Why are you asking me?"
"Because we're both desperate to keep something important to ourselves, Emerald. We're both selfish."
I gaped. "I'm not desperate and selfish. You make me sound like a bad person."
He only gave me a bittersweet smile. "I'm not saying that you're a bad person. You know, being selfish sometimes is not a bad thing. I'm not going to judge your reason for keeping such an old dirty house, but it seems important. Otherwise, why are you even here with me?"
He had a point. Ever since I learned that the house was where Dad grew up in, a little piece of me had called the place home. My dad's old art were still there and I felt like I was living his life again.
I turned to Marcus, his suggestion still on my mind. "Can I think about it first?"
"Of course. Don't think too long, though. I need your answer as soon as possible."
I simply nodded in agreement and told him that we had to go. The sky was turning gloomier by the minute and I wanted to be back home before the weather completely turn on us.
After about fifteen minutes, we found ourselves walking quietly in the park. The space between us and the silence was a definite mood killer. I felt a sudden surge of cold droplets from the sky and when lifted my head up, the sky had turned grey with little to no clouds.
Great! We weren't even halfway home. A squeal escaped my mouth when Marcus instantly pulled me to a near tree where we sheltered ourselves from the pouring rain.
"It was just nice and sunny a while ago." I commented.
"Welcome to Toronto," he responded with a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "We should stay here until the rain stops."
"Will it stop soon?"
"I hope so,"
He was standing behind me, his frontal body clashed against my back. His voice vibrated as he talked and his breath blew a hot steam against my bare neck. His palms left a ring of fire as he held my arms and his body heat shielded me from the chilly breeze.
If the rain won't ever stop, I wouldn't mind.
I mentally slapped myself for even thinking that way. I slowly inched myself away from his grip which he didn't seem to mind at all. I now stood at the other side of the tree, hugging myself once again as the cold wind blew to my direction and cursed inwardly. I should've worn my hoodie the moment I felt cold! The rain just kept going on. It looked like I'd be stuck here longer than I imagined.
"Here, wear this," Marcus stretched his arm to my side of the tree, holding his hoodie.
"Aren't you cold?" I glanced to his direction and my cheeks instantly felt warmer when I caught his toned shoulders.
"I won't if you stay close. Body heat will help," he said with a boyish smile on his face.
I squinted my eyes at him before grabbing his hoodie. I then moved to his side since it was a dryer and warmer spot.
"I won't do anything bad to you if that is what's bothering you, Emerald." He added.
"Good 'cause I'll kick you in the balls if you do."
I quickly put on his hoodie that he gladly let me use. A touch of sandalwood scent and the warmth of his body still lingered in the garment. It was masculine and mature.
Although I had worn a lot of Jack's sweaters and hoodies before, wearing Marcus' made me feel a little nervous all of a sudden. It was as if it was my first time to borrow one.
I settled myself close to him to compensate for his good deed. Marcus was quiet once again, his mind seemed to drift somewhere far as he gazed at the thick droplets of the rain.
Our closeness made me watch him at a closer perspective. With the absence of sunlight, Marcus' hair had a darker shade of chestnut. I thought it made him look a little somber when he was quiet and his usual playful copper eyes turned more opaque and rueful. It was if I was looking at a different person.
Were my eyes playing tricks on me?
"Can I ask you something?" I asked him and it caught his attention. "Why do you need me to pretend to be your girlfriend?"
He paused for a little bit. "My parents are too pushy so I need to shut them up by bringing a girl home. After that, they won't bother me anymore."
I felt a little dissatisfied with his answer—for some reason, it felt lacking and dishonest.
"If I'm playing as your girlfriend, don't you think it's going to get a little suspicious?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if they ask about us? I don't know anything about you, you don't know anything about me."
Marcus' face lit up. "So you're agreeing with the deal?"
My eyes grew in bewilderment. "No! I'm just curious."
"Then tell me. While we're waiting for the rain to stop, tell me about yourself and I'll tell you about myself. How about that?"
I shrugged. "Sure. What do you want to know?"
"Tell me about your hobby, school, past boyfriends?"
I couldn't help but throw my head back at the last one. "Seriously? Boyfriends? Sorry to break it to 'ya but I'm no catch."
"Oh c'mon you're just being humble."
"I'm serious. I only had one and it ended in an epic fail." I added. "I know you're the type who breaks a lot of hearts, huh?"
"It's not my fault that they're falling for me. Besides, girlfriends are a pain in the ass."
I snorted. "You and Erin say the same thing. But I guarantee that if you find the person that is right for you, you will think otherwise."
Marcus whistled. "That's too deep for someone young. You even sound like a relationship guru."
I just shook my head. "When love hits 'ya in the face, there's no goin' back. You don't even know when it's coming."
Marcus whistled once again and it made me slap his shoulder playfully. "For someone who has been in only one relationship, you sure think deep."
I let out a laugh and nudged his side. I couldn't believe how fast I felt cozy around him. This morning, I swore I wanted to run away from him like the plague, but this unexpected turn of events made me realized that he wasn't a bad person after all.
"It's nice to hear you finally laugh," Marcus told me, his tone more serious and his eyes looking intently on mine.
"I'm human. Of course I laugh. I feel other emotions too, you know," I replied with a slight smile.
"Well, yesterday you were kind of sour towards me and today, you straight up tried to ignore me." Marcus recalled.
I sighed, ashamed for my action from yesterday. "I'm sorry. It wasn't a very good day yesterday."
The events flooded back in my memory. The thought of the museum dad's mural broke me into pieces. And seeing how perfect the atmosphere was to open a little bit of myself to Marcus, I indulged myself.
"To be honest, I'm here to see get inspired." I started off, my eyes focused on the random droplets falling from the sky. "My dad was a painter. Nana's house was where dad grew up and coming here is probably the best decision I've ever made in my life."
Marcus was gazing at me the moment I glanced back his direction. His somber eyes were apologetic. "Sorry about that."
I waved it off. "Don't worry about it. He died even before I was born."
The fact only made him drop his shoulder, feeling worse. Then the usual glint of his coppery tint eyes came back in a flash. For some reason, I felt like I was being sucked by his stare, making the time slow down and the drops of rain in slow motion.
"No wonder you want the house so badly." He whispered to me.
"It's a tempting price but I already made a special connection to that place and maybe someday when I get older, I'll move back here. Sounds corny, huh?" I said softly.
But he only shook his head in disagreement. "I think that's really great."
His voice suddenly became whispery yet raspy. I noticed his face was closer to mine, his nose almost touching mine. My eyes couldn't stop staring at his lips that was inching closer. The sound of the rain had long faded as it became just a mere background noise to our own little world.
I pulled away from him when I detected an incoming cycler coming to our direction.
"We should probably go. The rain stopped." I said as I stood up, patting my behind.
"Race to your house?" He smiled then quickly took off before me.
It only took us fifteen minutes to go back to Nana's house. The whole running was merely a competition to Marcus. In the end, he won, and I accepted that he was the better runner without protest.
We stopped by the front door, both catching our breaths.
"So, did you have a good run?" he said with composure, his breath steady.
I can only answer with a nod. "You... made me... tired!"
Marcus let out another raspy laugh. "You'll get better. Anyway, I'll see you in a couple days?"
I paused for a little while and when I realized what he meant, I nodded. "Sure. I'll give you an answer by then."
"Great! See you soon, Emerald." Marcus bid goodbye and quickly faded from my vision.
Now that I realized it, I was still wearing his hoodie. And for the love of God, I didn't feel like taking it off either.
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A/N: I find this chapter to be a better version of the last one. I hope you like it too! =) Please don't forget to vote and comment as it helps support the book~
Song: ♪ Summer Rain by Jonas Brothers ♪