He only married me to show her that he already moved on Chapter 43 - forty-three: There's nothing an 'us'

Gabriel's POV:

I am just staring at her as she seated beside me.  We're currently inside the church, but I can't focus on what's the priest was saying in front of the altar. I can stare freely on her face, because all her focus is directly to the preaching priest.

She has long, thick and curled lashes, small but pointed nose, a cute dimple on her left cheek which I just recently noticed. She also has two attractive eyes which also smile every time she smiles. And her lips... I gulped remembering how soft her lips were every time I kissed her. She has her own character and strong personality. 

When I proposed to her, I know half of them were almost lie. But I was sincere when I say thank you to her. I admit, having her beside me was a big help to me to somehow forget the pain inside. She can make me smile every time she opened her smart mouth. 

I am still confused on how she agreed to help me with this deal, but I'm thankful because she's not complaining although there were some questions that she wants to know the answer, that even me couldn't explain to myself. 

I feel comfortable with her around me, and I'm getting used to calling her love, that sometimes I forget I shouldn't call her that when it's just the two of us.

But despite all of these, this will remain an act. But the problem is.. I don't know why I can't stop myself from kissing her. I can't control myself every time I look on her soft, pinkish and tempting lips. It's like a drug to me, that with every sip and every taste, it makes me high and addicted.

My eyes darted to Greg who's seated in between Sav and Chris. He's been texting the whole time. Yeah, he's my bestfriend but when it comes to Madi, I can't help not to feel annoyed and irritated with him. I'm not jealous.. should I? But I can't accept the fact the he likes her of all the girls around him? He knows she's with me. 

It feels odd to think, that when this deal ends, he can be with her, he can touch her hands and do all those things which I feel I should only be the one doing it with her.

I lost my concentration when I felt Nancy's elbow on my side and I turned to her.

"What?" I asked her slightly annoyed.

"What--your--face! Stop staring on your fiancee's face and focus yourself in the front. Listen to what the priest was saying!" she whispered to my ear.

I just ignored her and looked back to Madi, but I was slightly surprised when she's no longer looking at the priest but to me. She's eyeing me suspiciously. She straightened her seat and bring her lips to my ear. I can smell her sweet vanilla and honey scent, and it makes me want to kiss her again if we're just not inside the church.

"Is there something wrong with my face?" she asked me and I shook my head.

"How about my make up?" she whispered again. I crunched my eyebrows with her questions but I shook my head again.

"Is there a dirt on my face?"

"No, love. Why are you asking?" I can't help not ask after her third question.

"If there's nothing wrong with my face, then why are you staring at me?"  

-'She knows?'-

"I-I wasn't staring." I denied and looked away from her. -'shit!'-

"Okay." she just shrugged her shoulders and focus herself on listening to the preach.

I sighed and glared on Nancy who's giggling beside me.

Madi's POV:

The car stopped in front of my apartment. We're now back in Chicago where we're going to face the reality and this deal between us. I looked at him but he's still on his phone.

"Gab, I have to go." I said calling his attention.

"Oh, we're here?" he looked outside the window and turned to me.

"You can take a day off tomorrow." 

"You don't need to do that, I'm okay---"

"I insist. You're going to take rest tomorrow."

"And I insist too. I will go to work tomorrow because I need to see Sandy." I said with a chin up.

He didn't speak for a while but then he nodded and gave me a tired smile.

"Goodnight, Gab." I get my bag and didn't wait for him to respond. I can sense that he's a little distracted since we got off from the plane.

Jhon already carried my suitcase to the front door and I thanked him before I closed the car door. I was just in my third step when I heard Gabriel called my name. He's now out of the car and walking his way towards me.

"I just want to say goodnight and thank you." he seriously said and kissed my cheek.

"Okay, goodnight again, Mr. Wilsons. See you tomorrow." His mouth's slightly opened but he didn't comment anything. 

"Keep the ring. I mean, please don't take it off." I know he's referring to the engagement ring he gave me.

"Huh? W-What about in the office?

"Then just say you're engaged."

"But-----"

"Just for one to two months, Madi."

"What do you mean one to two months?" I asked as I felt a sudden disappointment.

"One to two months until I finish my plans. And next week, we need to go to the Civil registry to register our marriage."

"What? T-That's so fast?" my eyes widened and I clutched the strapped of my handbag.

"I know, but I talked to my private detective. Stacey and Ray were in a rough relationship right now."

"And what's the connection of your marriage to their rough relationship? I can't get the point, Gabriel!"

"Because that's one of my plan to destroy them. To show her how much she wasted all that we had before, and for her to compare what she have right now and what she'd lost for choosing him over me!" even though his voice sounded mad, there's still a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"This will be my last favor Madi, please?"

Next week? This is getting more awkward and ridiculous, and it really makes my feelings rambles inside.

"But Gab, this is too big of a favor, I - I don't know if I can still------"

"Madi, listen. Just listen to me first." he holds both of my shoulder. "It's just for papers like what we both agreed with the deal. Nothing's changed, Madi. And I promise, even we're just married in papers.. cheating would not be the reason to break us, to break our friendship."

I chuckled with his last sentence. "Are you sure that cheating would not be the reason, Gab? How can you say that when you know, you're going to take her back from Ray? You're going to date her again, while we're married! Isn't it also a form of cheating?"

"I know, but I will just destroy them without emotions involve."

Without emotions involve.

"Tell me the truth, Gabriel. Do you still love her?" If I would look like the dumbest and stupid person by asking him the question with an obvious answer, then so be it. Take it.. or forget it.

But like what I am expecting, he didn't give me the answer.

"I can't answer that right now, Madi." 

I gulped the sudden pain that surged inside me.

"Okay." I shrugged my shoulders as if it's nothing to me and I am not affected.

"But Madi, I'm serious. Even we're married just because of a deal, I won't cheat on you intentionally. Stacey is another thing."

"Can you please stop mentioning the word cheat? Because you know it's not true. Whether it's another woman or Stacey, that's just the same! Being married to me while dating another woman or getting your Stacey back, it's still cheating Gabriel!"

"You don't understand, Madi----"

"What is it that I don't understand? Explain it to me! Because if you're saying that you won't cheat on me intentionally, then stop chasing your ex!"

I noticed his sharp intake of breath.

"I can't, Madi. But as I promised, even if I am with Stacey, I won't break us!"

I chuckled again. "You won't break us? But you said it's just for papers, this is just an act and this is just for your deal! So, what are you talking about 'us'? There's nothing an 'us' Gabriel." I said blinking away the tears that formed at the corner of my eyes.

I started to step back but tried to smile at him.

"Madi..." he called me but didn't try to follow me.

"Don't worry, I'll marry you. Goodnight Gabriel." and I turned my way to the front door. Thinking what would be the consequences after this deal ends. But as they say, 'Stay strong now because things will get better. It might be stormy today, but it can't rain forever.'

Chapter end