Chapter 14 14 Deal

"HERE S YOUR COFFEE!" I put the coffee in front of him and then decided to sit down. "Thanks." He met my gaze, so I slowly bowed to the food. I swallowed a few times before speaking again. "Any plans for today?" he asked as he sipped a coffee. "Hmm, I don t have any plans today." "May I ask you out on a date?" he instantly said while looking directly at me. I pursed my lips. I did not immediately respond to his offer. "How about shopping? Or movies?" he suggested and laid his back against the chair. Maybe I ll do the baking of the cake later. "I m not busy, so let s go," I agree. After we ate, we went to the mall. He left me for a while to buy a ticket while I bought popcorn and drinks. From here, I can see how some women look at him. I have to admit that he s attractive and definitely a head-turner. I can t help but wonder if the women s necks were not clenched as they look at him. He came back with a ticket. Then he snatched the large popcorn and drinks from my hands, and we walked into the cinema. I m still not comfortable with him, especially now that I m just sitting next to him. I almost smell his good perfume, and the heat that comes from him made me uncomfortable. I couldn t help but glance at him. I was startled when he suddenly turned to me. "What is it?" he barely whispers to me. I couldn t respond since the redness on my cheeks appeared to be becoming worse. Thankfully, the darkness was dispersed around me. "Do you agree?" he asked again without distracting the viewer. I sighed quickly at his question. Until now, I still can t answer his offer to me since last night. I closed my eyes to go back to what happened last night. "Rence?!" It was obvious in the woman s voice that she knew Lawrence. "Elliesse." There is a frown in Lawrence s throat when he speaks. "I m sorry, daughter. I didn t tell you right away that Lawrence is here," the old man apologetically said to her. "It s okay, Dad." She gently embraced her dad. I could feel the tightness of Lawrence s grip on my hand as Elliesse turned her gaze at us. "Ah. This is Margaux, my girlfriend," Lawrence introduced me. I quickly look at Lawrence with an astonished face. "What are you doing?" I whispered very softly. "Hi! What s your name again?" she asked me with a wide smile before offering her hand for a handshake. "Margaux, Margaux Collins," I said and gave her a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Margaux. I m Elliesse Del fierro, Rence s ex-girlfriend," she introduces without hesitation. I glanced at Lawrence, who was now pale. After his meeting with old Del fierro, Lawrence and I immediately left the building. "Wait, Margaux." He stopped my arm. I violently turned to him. "Why did you do that?!" "I don t have a choice. I have to do that," he said in a low voice. I was silent for a moment. Up to this moment, I still do not understand why he did that. "And I want you to do me a favor," he said in a serious tone. He stared into his eyes confidently. My heart almost stopped as I watch how his jaw hardened and his eyes were so dark. "Can you pretend to be my girlfriend?" he asked in a soft voice. My lips parted in what he said. What exactly is he thinking? We don t have a deep connection yet for me to accept his offer. "Just only for a month. Just pretend to be my girl." He glanced at me as if wondering what my reaction would be. He gripped my hand tight, so I quickly took a deep breath and averted my eyes. "Why me? There are many other girls out there," I refused. I could hear his heavy breath, then he let go of my hand. "The truth is, I don t know," he frustratedly said, then he shook his head. I shut my eyes with pain. I do not know where I pulled the pain that rose in my heart. "I don t want you to get involved in this, but Elliesse was so obsessed with me. She can t accept our breakup. That s why I need your help." "I ll think about it," I answered before finally getting into my car to leave. "Collins?" He thought before he spoke again, "The owner of Collin s hotel?" When this question is confirmed, Lawrence is now in the spotlight. Yes, Uncle," he confidently said. "Nice to meet you, hija." He held out his hand to me, which I reluctantly reached out. "It s nice to meet you too, Sir!" I smiled widely at him. At the same time, we turned around when the door opened. Her hair was golden brown with pinkish-white glow skin. The ant seemed to be ashamed of its red lips and squinty eyes. *** I ROLLED ON my bed a few times and was still drowsy after Lawrence took me home from our date earlier. I kept wondering if I would accept his offer to be his girlfriend for a month. I m not desperate enough to pose as his girlfriend, and what will I get if I accept his offer? I was thinking like that when my cellphone rang on the side table. I immediately picked it up, and my heart pounded as I read the caller s name. I took a few deep breaths before answering the call. "How are you?" But I heard no answer from the other line. "Lawrence?!" "I ll hang up the phone if you don t speak," I threateningly told him. "Sweetie," he whispered in a husky voice. I was taken aback. I am now the one who is unable to speak. "Did I disturb you?" he asked. "No," I answered weakly. "Why are you still awake?" His voice returned to being baritone. "Because I m not sleepy yet. Why did you call?" I scratched my head because of what I asked. I still asked it even though I knew the reason. On the phone, though, I could hear him take a deep breath. My heart starts to race. I can t deny that my heart is racing with anxiety. "Rence?" "Alright, Elliesse will have a photoshoot at Saavedra s Resort by next week and—" he paused for a while, "I need you to come with me." My lips quivered, not knowing what to answer. "Margaux," he whispered my name in a sweet soft voice. I swallowed hard. I could not pick up the right word for it. Honestly, I did not expect it. I don t know why but I want to nod. "I know it s hard for you, but this is the first and last thing I want you to do." I closed my eyes and filled the lungs with heavy air before I could speak. "Yes! I will accompany you," I said shyly. He cleared his throat first before he spoke. "A-are you sure?" His voice grew hotter. "Yes, I agree, but promise me something," I paused as I waited for him to answer. "Sure," he replied. I took a deep breath before speaking again. "Please, no string attach." A few minutes after I hung up the phone, I still couldn t sleep. I m also not sure why I agreed to his wishes. I just know that I am happy with my decision.