"GET USED TO IT"

"Do you not have anything better to do in life than always teasing me like this?" I managed to retort, my tone unchanged. And since Marius wasn't looking directly at me, despite my annoyance with him, I had a chance to sneak a glance at him, however brief. Well, at least I could hide that or deny it more easily with my raised eyebrows.

"To be honest, Sam, I'm a very busy person," he replied with a short statement.

"If that's the case, why does it seem like you have so much time?" I asked him again, deliberately ignoring the possible implications of his last words.

"You know very well why I'm acting like this, Sam," he said, briefly glancing at me while raising his thick eyebrows.

Honestly, only a blind person wouldn't be impressed by his charisma and handsome looks. I admit that even though my eyes are used to handsome men, growing up in London. In fact, I've had plenty of men show interest in me before who were even more attractive than Marius. But this one, I have no idea what he did to me.

"You're making me play guessing games," I said, sounding disappointed.

"Why do you seem to dislike me when you were so kind last night? Wasn't that the case?"

I felt a pang of guilt in my heart because of what the man said. I didn't know either, actually. Or maybe it's more accurate to say that he somehow awakened all the emotions within me. But of course, I couldn't tell him that because it would surely be interpreted differently by him. And the unfortunate thing is, maybe that interpretation is actually the true reason, and I just can't identify it because this stranger has stirred up everything I'm feeling right now.

"I told you, I hate surprises, yet you did it again," I lied.

But upon closer examination, maybe that really is my reason. Perhaps there are people who don't like surprises. But I'm not one of them. Why did I say that to Marius yesterday? And how did it suddenly become a counterattack or an excuse to use against him, I don't know.

"And I also told you that I want you to get used to it. Because I won't give up on you, Sam. I'm sure you know why I'm doing all this. But if you want me to ask your sister for permission to make it more formal, that's not a problem for me either."

My anger flared up even more because of the arrogance in Marius' tone. But I knew it would be very childish if I continued like this. And besides, whatever it is that we have now, whatever it is that exists between the two of us, only we know what it is. I didn't want it to reach my sister.

"No. You don't need to do that," I replied, followed by a deep sigh.

"Does that mean we're okay?" he asked me.

I didn't know where this feeling as if a gentle touch brushed against my soul, came from. And that's why it suddenly felt like the anger I was feeling earlier was swept away by the wind, making it easier for me to smile.

"What can I do? You're so persistent," I said, laughing. I even covered my mouth with my own hand to suppress my laughter.

"Wow, you really are different, as a woman," Marius said, raising his eyebrows again. But because I sensed amusement accompanying his words, I turned to him with a smile.

"What? Different? The way you talk, it's as if countless women have passed through your life," I replied playfully, struggling to hold back my laughter.

Marius shrugged and then answered. He glanced at me for a moment, just as the traffic light changed at the intersection.

"Is that what you think based on what I said?" he asked me, in a tone that truly sent a strange shiver down my whole body. Coupled with his intense gaze, it made me feel uncomfortable.

"W-Well, what else could it be?" I stammered.

I secretly scolded myself for not being able to hide the effect he had on me once again, as evidenced by my trembling voice.

"Yeah, you're right about that," he replied, accelerating the car again.

I didn't know why I felt annoyed and a slight pang of jealousy in my heart because of what he said. But of course, I couldn't let that show to Marius. So I tried to make my reaction appear normal, and I succeeded.

"I knew it. You can't be trusted," I thought, but said it in a teasing manner.

"You're exaggerating! Of course, there are exceptions," he protested quickly, glancing at me again.

Even though it was just a brief moment, Marius managed to make eye contact with me once more. And once again, I was affected by it. Fortunately, he was driving, so he didn't see the careful sigh I let out.

"So, you want me to believe that you're not a playboy? Is that what you mean?" I asked him.

"I am a playboy," he replied. "But I promised myself that I would change once I meet the woman meant for me," he answered.

It wasn't like earlier. Marius didn't turn to look at me this time and kept his eyes on the road. But maybe because of the emotional way he expressed that statement, a part of my mind wanted to believe what he said.

"Is it okay with you, Sam, if I pick you up again later?" he asked when I didn't speak.

"You don't have to do this all the time. Be careful, or I might get tired of your face if you keep pestering me," I said jokingly, followed by gentle laughter.

"You're so harsh on me, Sam. I'm just trying to be friends," he replied again, as he began to pull the car into the gate of Scott's Café Head Office.

I didn't respond to Marius' statement. Instead, I pushed the car door open to get out. But before I could do so, he quickly stopped me by grabbing my arm.

"I'm serious. Please agree. I really want to be friends with you, Sam," he said, staring deeply into my eyes.

My chest rose and fell rapidly. Although it wasn't easy for me, I stared at Marius's eyes for a long time. And even from the very beginning, I was aware of how beautiful they were. This time, it felt like I had a chance to see just how sincere he was in his words.

"You're a playboy," I said, instead, and carefully pulled my arm away.

He nodded. "But I don't need to be a playboy for this friendship, right?" he said to me.

At that point, I couldn't help but smile. He was right. He was offering friendship, so his Playboy reputation shouldn't be a big deal after all.

"Alright," I replied, extending my hand to him. That gesture signified my acceptance of being his friend.

Marius accepted my hand with a wide smile. I immediately felt the warmth of his palm. Well, now that I had accepted the friendship he offered, I needed to get used to these things.

"Thanks," he said, and without any words, he lightly kissed the back of my hand.

I gasped at the suddenness of it, not expecting such a gesture. But Marius didn't laugh at me. Instead, he just looked at me, his gaze captivating and seemingly drawing me in. I momentarily lost myself in that gaze, only returning to the present when Marius spoke.

"Take care, okay?" he said, releasing my hand.

Blushing, I nodded and quickly got out of the car. I didn't want to look back at Marius, but I couldn't resist. I felt his eyes following me, and I was right. When I turned around, he waved with a smile. So, my hand instinctively waved back.

"I need to get used to this. And I need to guard myself against his charisma. After all, he admitted he's a playboy," I whispered, smiling, and greeted the guard at the entrance of the building.