"FIRST THING IN THE MORNING"

The sound of my cell phone woke me up the next morning. I quickly reached for it to see who had texted. I sighed in annoyance when I saw that it was Marius. "So early," I muttered, taking a deep breath and getting out of bed.

It was already five o'clock in the morning, to be honest. But Marius had beaten my alarm clock, so I was slightly irritated. And because I was annoyed, I didn't reply to his "good morning" greeting. Although deep in my heart, I knew he had managed to make me smile somehow. But my irritation overshadowed everything at that moment. First and foremost, I was still exhausted and wanted to sleep. I still had thirty minutes, if you think about it. But since Marius had become my alarm clock, there was no point in going back to sleep.

I proceeded to the bathroom to take a shower. I knew the household staff was already busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Well, perhaps it was good that I woke up thirty minutes earlier today. I had a lot of work left unfinished at the office yesterday.

I couldn't help but smile as I remembered the reason why I left the office early yesterday afternoon. Afterward, I decided to just remove it from my mind because I didn't want to give it any more importance or turn it into a big deal.

I quickly finished my shower and got dressed and ready. Mama Cecille was surprised to see me.

"You're early today compared to your usual schedule, Sam," Mama Cecille asked as I sat at the head of the table where breakfast was already served.

"Thank you," I replied after she poured me a cup of coffee. "I woke up early today because of Marius," I quickly added as if trying to retract my previous statement. I bit my lip in response.

"Why? What did Marius do to you?" Mama Cecille asked, her curiosity and concern evident. I wasn't surprised by her reaction. Lana had already told me that she and Marius had been friends since childhood. That meant Mama Cecille had known him for just as long.

"Oh, nothing, really. He just texted me and that's why I woke up. He even beat my alarm clock," I answered, chuckling softly before taking a sip of coffee.

"Is Marius courting you, dear?" Mama Cecille asked.

I was truly taken aback by that question. I quickly looked at Mama Cecille, although I managed to regain my composure after the initial surprise.

"No, not really. He hasn't said anything like that. But to be honest, yesterday he picked me up early from the office and invited me to dinner," I replied, unable to hide the amusement in my tone of voice.

I saw Mama Cecille's eyes light up with joy at what I said. It was clear that she was happy and liked what I had mentioned. When she sat down on her chair, she spoke again, asking a question.

"Is that why you came home late? I actually thought you were working overtime," she said, maintaining the same tone of voice.

I felt shy but nodded and continued eating. "To be honest, I have quite a lot to finish at the office, so it's better for me to arrive early. Andrew entrusted the company to me, so I'm obliged to do everything I can to ensure it doesn't get neglected while he's away," I explained at length.

Mama Cecille nodded before responding to what I had said. "I've known Marius since childhood. So I can assure you that he's a good person," she replied.

I stared at Mama Cecille in surprise. I didn't know where she drew that statement from. But I wasn't surprised by the kind of question that escaped my lips when I spoke again.

"W-What do you mean, Mama Cecille?" I asked.

Mama Cecille shrugged her shoulders before answering. "I'm not trying to jump to conclusions about everything that could happen. But since I told you that I've known Marius since childhood, I know that he likes you, and that's why he's doing those things," she added.

I felt embarrassed and lowered my gaze to the food on my plate. Then I couldn't help but let a smile escape my lips.

Even though I didn't admit it, I knew that Mama Cecille knew I was thrilled by what she had said. But since Marius wasn't admitting anything to me, I chose to stay in the safe zone.

"He hasn't said anything to me. Besides, I don't want to give meaning to his actions because I don't want to get my hopes up," I decided to answer.

Mama Cecille simply nodded. "That's understandable. But if you were to ask me, I think you and Marius would make a great pair."

I sensed in Mama Cecille's tone that she genuinely believed what she said. But because I didn't want to hope for anything, I didn't entertain the flutter of excitement brought by her opinion or belief.

After a few more moments, I finished my meal. Mama Cecille didn't say anything further and focused on her own breakfast. At that moment, I realized that my niece, Andrea, was still peacefully sleeping.

"I'll be heading out now, Mama Cecille," I said as I excused myself a few moments after emptying my plate.

She simply nodded and gave me a kind smile. Since she was still eating, I kindly told her not to bother escorting me. It would be embarrassing if her breakfast got delayed because of me.

As I walked towards the large door, I was greeted by Mang Poldo.

"Is there a problem, Mang Poldo?" I asked as I saw his gentle face conveying a sense of hesitation in what he wanted to say.

"Ah, it would be better if you just come with me and see," was his vague reply.

I didn't say anything and instead followed my personal driver as he exited. I couldn't help but recognize a familiar face waiting for me in the driveway of our house.

"Good morning, Miss Beautiful," Marius greeted me and started walking towards me.

An unexplainable nervousness rushed through my chest. If I hadn't regained my composure immediately, I might have taken a step back. I would surely embarrass myself in front of Mang Poldo, while Marius would undoubtedly revel in the amusement and victory he would see in my eyes. And that was something I didn't want to happen.

"And what are you doing here? You're irritatingly early, Marius," I raised an eyebrow as I asked.

That was true. Just like what happened to me yesterday, I was genuinely annoyed. And I couldn't hide it, even if I were to claim that I'm Andrew Scott's sister, who is a talented actor.

"I'm picking you up, of course," he replied with a sweet smile.

I rolled my eyes in irritation. Well, I had to admit that Marius's charming smile had an effect on me. But I would rather die than admit or show it to him.

"I have a driver, you know that, right?" I replied, attempting to step forward, but he blocked my path.

"Of course," Marius said.

"Well, if that's the case, then why do you do these annoying things?" I asked him.

Marius just laughed again. "Now I finally believe what you said, that you hate surprises," he said.

I sighed and continued gazing at his handsome face. In reality, I should be feeling the opposite right now. I should be getting giddy. Because if such a handsome being were to show up out of the blue to pick me up, I wouldn't need anything else.

But that's not what's happening. Or maybe it's more accurate to say that there is some giddiness, but I'm not noticing it because my nervousness takes precedence. And that's why I feel annoyed or entertain the annoyance—to cover up everything. Because I don't want Marius to have any idea of the effect he has on me.

"Just leave," I shooed him away.

"Really? After I made the effort to come here, that's all I get from you?" he asked with a tone of remorse. And I couldn't deny that his words struck a chord with me.

"And who said you should come here?" I retorted with a defensive tone.

"That's why it's a surprise, right?" he answered.

I couldn't perceive even the slightest hint from Marius or even from the tone of his voice that he was affected by all my snappiness. And I had a feeling that's also the reason why I think or have a clue that he won't stop until he gets what he wants.

"I drove you home last night, didn't I? So I thought it would be okay to pick you up as well. And besides, that's how I understood your final words to me last night before we parted ways," Marius replied, looking at me meaningfully.

When I recalled our last conversation last night, I finally understood what he meant. And once again, I felt like a cornered mouse facing a cat. Until I found myself inside Marius's car, driving through the driveway toward the gate.

"This will be the last time you get me to do what you want, Marius," I said irritably while staring out of the car window.

The truth is, I was more annoyed with myself during those moments.

I first heard a soft, amused chuckle escape Marius's throat before he spoke. "Why? Because you hate surprises?" he asked me without looking at me.

I closed my eyes in frustration. It was infuriating how he didn't engage in any of my snappiness. But amidst all that, what was even more infuriating was the fact that he could make me comply with what he wanted. And that was something I couldn't understand.

"Yes," I answered, giving him a piercing gaze.

"Well, I think you need to get used to it. Because the truth is, it's not my habit to give up on something once I've started," he said to me before glancing at me mischievously. "If you know what I mean," Marius added with a playful wink.

I gasped sharply in surprise at his action. And I fell silent due to the confusion left in me by his words.