Chapter 22: Chapter 22

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hope, always perseveres. Love never fails." –1 Corinthians 13:4-8

MARCUS ETHAN

What a cool name!

Who could this Markus Ethan be?

She asks permission Antoine that she needed to see her mother. She has not visited them for several days. It was surprising because he forced his two men to guard her home which was two of them are always with him. Antoine is very weird this fast for days. He is overprotective for unknown reasons. She feels like she's a princess who still needs a guard. She didn't just force the man to answer her question about why they need to accompany her. Even she feels awkward with them because her neighbors would de curious again like she and Pietro were together. That time they thought she already had a husband.

"Mom? Uncle Oding?"

When she last visited, Uncle Oding was not there. He is working part-time as his sideline.

Her mother came out immediately when she called. Her mother was very happy to see her.

"Well, you got a visit, Fatima. How are you at work?"

All they know is she was stay close to work. Her mother did not yet know that she lived with her employer and she guesses her mom will be even more surprising if she knows that she probably has a boyfriend who is very handsome and rich.

"It's okay Ma. How are you here?"

"It's okay. Anyway Consuela. Your uncle Oding's niece is here. You saw the car outside. It's his"

She peeked out of the gate. Apart from the vehicle they were carrying, there was also a red vehicle there. Uncle Odinga's nephew seems to be rich.

They went inside and she arrived at the right time because they were about to eat. She caught up with Uncle Oding and his male nephew in the living room. They have liquor in front of them.

Oh, Lord! It's early in the morning to drink.

"Oh! Fatima, you're here! Come here and I'll introduce you to Marcus." She raised an eyebrow. It looks like Uncle Oding wanted to match her with Marcus but sorry because she already has Antoine.

"Marcus this is my stepdaughter Fatima. Fatima This is Marcus my niece from another country and he finds his luck there. he is rich now." She turned to Marcus and it was as if she had been a magnet because he was not just a man. He's handsome and the feature she sees is almost like a bad boy like Antoine. Brownish eyes, seductive lips, match his somewhat gritty face and his hair is attractive. He was wearing a simple shirt but that did not cause him to hide his shapely body. Not that he compares him to Antoine. This one is also handsome but of course, her Antoine is more handsome.

"Don't stare you might fall Fatima"

What! Strong confidence eh! This man is also arrogant.

"Hey no! I'm just wondering why you're handsome then uncle isn't." She does a peace sign with uncle Oding.

"You're funny Fatima! Maybe it's better if you take Marcus for a walk here in our place," uncle Oding said.

What? Where did Uncle Oding think to take Marcus for a walk?

It might want to see their river near the exit. That's right and a lot of garbage is scattered there now. You can also gamble there in the neighborhood. That's right, they have a Tong It tournament. Eh if in the market? It's also good because you will go home full of mad after.

"Isn't there a Mall near here? The TalkMall is in town. That's okay because there's a show there right now"

Is Uncle Oding serious? What does this think of Marcus? A child?

"I know a place where she will enjoy going," Marcus groaned. Maybe they can just give in to their uncle.

"If you want Fatima we can leave now." He stood up and went out of the house.

Is that all?

Not even said 'Let's go!'

Let's Volt in '

Let's get it on! '

Her mother said that she had followed Marcus. She rolled his eyes and follow the outgoing man. It opened the car door to let her in. She was about to enter when Lestor caught her attention. Lestor was one of Antoine's guards.

"Ms. Fatima Sir told you that you can't go without us and you can only ride in our car"

"Huh? Maybe you could just lie to him," she said with a smile.

"Isn't it Fatima's day off today?"

"Yes. He was allowed to visit their house," said Lestor.

"Then you don't care where she goes and with whom she goes"

"I'm sorry Sir but I can't. I'll tell you-"

"Will you shut up idiot ?!" Marcus said with annoyance in his voice.

"But Ms. Fat-"

She has already mediated between the two as she saw Marcus gritted his teeth, and also Lestor looks like will not forfeit to Marcus.

"I'm okay Lestor. Marcus is my uncle's nephew and there's nothing to worry about. If you want you can follow us"

Lestor nodded and approached the car. They are ready to follow where they are going.

"Why is your boss watching over you so much?"

"Eh. it's a long story. We're leaving now so we can get back early"

They went to Rizal province. The trip was also far away but it was worth it because of the beauty and the height of the place they went to. We see Manila bay. Pure overlooking and they also went to Pillilia. She saw the windmills up close. Is Marcus are really from another country? He knows more about this place. They end up in an overlooking restaurant somewhere in Antipolo. The food is delicious because Filipino dishes are cooked and you need to use your bare hand. Although Marcus rarely speaks, she feels no boring because she is talkative.

Duh! she doesn't want to have bad breath. She will kiss Antoine when she arrives home. She noticed that Antoine's men were just one after the other table but they didn't bother them. She didn't know the reason why was like that. Maybe Antoine was thought she needed a guard.

"You eat a lot but you are petite"

What a compliment? He can say that she is sexy but saying that she was petite tells her to eat more.

"Can't you bother with my figure? I'm hungry! We didn't eat lunch and arrive here early in the evening. You made me hungry. You're terrible!"

Marcus just smiled and continued eating.

It was late at night when they got home. Marcus didn't come down from the car and said just to her to let them know that he was leaving. There is something as important as something to do.

She went inside but she hears a noise inside. There were those laughing. Her mother and uncle Oding and another voice seemed familiar to her.

"You knew that Fatima when she was a child. Maybe she was about 16. She even peed on our mattress."

The lunatics laughed after her mama said that.

"And then you remember dear when she was 18. We didn't have any money then, she competed in drinking soft drinks. Five hundred bets then. It all comes out in her nose!"

Did they make her a happy pill?

She thought of taking revenge on them.

Best! You're still laughing!

She saw the pain in the sink made of aluminum. She thought of something to do to stop them laughing. She slowly walks into the living room. Her very supportive mother was about to tell her story again when she suddenly dropped the pan in the middle to make a noise at the same time she shouted.

"There's a fire !!! There's a fire !!!"

She laughed when Uncle Oding and his Mama stood up and did not know where they were going. They are in a panic.

"Where is the fire ?? !!! Where is it ?? !!!"

They were stunned to notice that she was just happy with laughter. Annoyed, her mother hit her.

"You're crazy, Fatima! Your uncle and I almost lost our souls!"

"And what do you think you're

saying to my boss?" She raised an eyebrow at the man just looking at them. Nothing seems to have happened around him. He's just looking at her seriously.

"Boss?" Her mother asked in astonishment.

"Yes. He's my boss. He is Sir Antoine."

"He said he's your boyfriend. We told him that I was retiring you from Marcus and then you had a boyfriend," said Uncle Oding. Her eyes widened and questioningly looked at Antoine. He ignored her and just drank from the glass he was holding.

Just a moment! Does he drink a natural-made liquor? He knew that there was a strange kind of wine and that it was he was drinking right now.

"So, is it true Consuela? Is this handsome man of yours? Eh! He's a very nice man. He's very rich, good fragrant, smooth skin and good at English"

"Maybe you'll add something uncle who can help with my insecurities as his girlfriend"

She noticed Antoine stand up.

"Where's your washroom?" Antoine ask.

It looks like his pale. He is panicked. She just taught him where is their bathroom. He heard how it vomited to the highest level. She could hear the vomiting deep as it digs in his intestines. She noticed that his parents were standing. She was left in the living room after saying that she was responsible for the man because she was his girlfriend. They said she would take care of him and they were drowsy.

Her parents were so helpful right?

Even though she is disgusted, she can't ignore the man. He was carrying it because he got drunk right here in their house.

It came out of the bathroom and it almost looked like it came from laboring. The hair is messy and looks like a weak weld.

"Are you okay? Why did you drink that liquor?"

"Where's your room babe?"

It was as if all of a sudden her annoyance and tiredness were gone. Hearing that indearment full fill her heart with so much joy. She accompanied him to her bedroom to rest. She even took a T-shirt and pajamas for him to wear. It was small but it suits him because it fit the man's body.

Don't think of anything. Even though she saw his whole body, she was still embarrassed so she turned around while he was wearing clothes

"sleep baby so you can rest. You must be tired from work so the sleep hit you right away !! I just watch you until you fell asleep!"

Indignantly she stared at the sound asleep man. It was breathing deeply so it was obvious that it had fallen asleep.

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