Chapter 3 Act like boyfriend!

I was fetched by Marcus almost every day. Sometimes, he also accompanied me home. However, there were times when he didn't show up. I didn't bother asking him what he was up to when he wasn't at the construction site. So, what if he was absent sometimes? Like today, Marcus is nowhere to be found on campus. I admit, I hoped to see him at the gate, but he didn't show up.

I pouted. "Where could he be?"

Maybe he got tired of me? Found another girl? Fed up with my attitude? Suddenly, I felt irritated.

I walked out of the campus with a frown, tightly hugging my book. I was annoyed. Maybe people believed it was easy for guys to get bored. No one could endure a long courtship anymore. Nowadays, it was just a glance, and you were together! You exchanged looks, and you were a couple! Or maybe a week of courtship, acted a little coy, and you were officially together! That's why many got pregnant early, giving in to the heat of the moment!

If he shows up, who cares! Ha, who does he think he is!

"Miss, excuse me!"

I was shocked when someone shouted on my left. Things happened quickly. Others were shouting too, but I didn't pay attention because my eyes were fixed on the motorcycle speeding towards me! Am I going to die? I don't want to; I'm not even married yet! A familiar face flashed in my head. A man I was looking forward to seeing. The opposite of my dream.

Marcus.

"Aaaah!" Someone suddenly hugged me and pushed me onto the concrete floor. My hips landed first on the hard surface. I opened my eyes, and hot cement greeted me. My chest thumped. Am I still alive?

"Are you okay, Miss?" I could hardly breathe from the events. I didn't even understand who saved me. I got up, and a hand was extended in front of me, so I took it.

I looked at the motorcycle that almost hit me. A traffic enforcer, who also witnessed the incident, was now chasing after the rider.

"Are you okay, miss?" A baritone voice spoke beside me. I looked at him. He was giving me my bag and books.

"T-Thank you." Due to extreme nervousness and fear, that's all I managed to say.

"Do you want me to take you to the hospital? You might have a sprain." His voice showed concern. Hospital? That would be an expense. I can't afford to go to the hospital. It probably isn't serious anyway.

I shook my head. "No, I'm fine. Thank you." I slowly stood up and took a step, wincing as my leg hurt. I lifted my skirt slightly, and to my surprise, I saw that my leg was bruised and scratched, with some blood visible. "What bad luck."

"Come on, miss, let me take you to the hospital. We should have your leg checked; the impact might have dislocated some of your bones. It's better to have it checked." Then he started walking while holding me by the elbow.

"No, it's okay. It's just a small wound-"

"I insist, and I'll take care of it." He said. He really had no intention of letting me go. What can I do? I don't have money to pay for this.

We walked towards a vivid blue car. I was slightly gaping. I looked at him again. He was about to open the passenger's door. It was then that I really observed him. Tall, handsome, and well-built. I discreetly admired the person who kindly helped me. Signature shirt, nice pants, an expensive watch that I had seen one of my classmate's wears. I admit, my admiration was only for material things.

He even took me to Martin Lawson's house. He was the one who saved me from that incident. He even paid my hospital bills. Several tests and medicines were given to me, so it would probably cost a fortune. Especially since he brought me to a private hospital. I feel embarrassed about it. He's twenty-four. Five years older than me.

"Thank you, Martin. I'm sorry to bother you. But I'll pay you back. Just take it easy." I said, feeling embarrassed.

He chuckled. "It's alright. Just get better, and that's payment enough. And be more careful next time. I might not be able to save you again." We both laughed.

"Sister Claudia!"

Martin and I turned to where the voice came from. I smiled when I saw my cousin Abigail standing at our house door. But my smile faded when I saw who was beside her, wearing a dark expression, intensely looking at my bruised arm.

Held by Martin.

My heart suddenly pounded. The way he looked at me seemed to pull me in with such intensity and weight. He had his hands in his pockets, and his face bore no hint of a smile.

"Sister Claudia, why are you only arriving now? Brother Marcus and I have been waiting for you for a while now!" Abigail approached Martin and me. She was all smiles, and her eyes sparkled as she got closer to Martin.

"Something happened earlier. By the way, Martin, this is Abigail, my cousin. Abigail, this is Martin Lawson; he saved me earlier and even brought me to get treated."

"Nice to meet you, Abigail." Martin extended his hand, which Abigail promptly accepted.

"Nice to meet you too, Martin. But wait! He saved you and brought you to get treated? What happened?" Abigail asked, expressing her concern. She also checked me.

"Oh, it's a long story. Let's discuss it inside. Martin, why don't you join us for a meal?" I hesitated to look at him, hoping that, in some way, I could make up for what happened and perhaps salvage some of his time.

He smiled, "I won't say no to that. Food is food!"

As we were about to enter the house, Marcus blocked my way. If he had a dark expression earlier, now it softened. There was a hint of worry in his eyes. I sighed. "You two go inside first, Abigail..."

"Sure! Come on, Martin!" She immediately latched onto Martin's arm.

I looked at Marcus again, crossing my arms over my chest. "What about us, Marcus? You know, you're like a mushroom. You suddenly appear and then disappear."

He furrowed his brows. "Are you hurt? Do you feel any pain? What happened? Did you recognize the person who did that? Do you need to be confined? S**t! I should have picked you up! This is annoying!" He took a deep breath. I was stunned by his reaction. His chest was heaving. I could clearly see disappointment and regret on his face. The courage I summoned earlier vanished.

"I-I'm okay now. The wound isn't that big, and they said I don't have any fractures." I showed him the scratch on my leg.

But it seemed I made a mistake, and his expression darkened further. "F**k it!" He cursed when he saw my scratches, looking like he was about to lose control. I was surprised by what I saw in him. He was cursing and angry, something new to me. This was the first time I saw him like this, as if he couldn't hold a decent conversation.

"What's the matter? It's not that serious, and I already had a check-up earlier. I'm lucky it's just this. If not for Martin-"

"He saved you? Were you with him when you got treated?" His eyebrows furrowed, and it looked like he was about to explode!

"I owe a lot to him. If not for him, I might have ended up in the hospital. He even paid for the hospital expenses."

"It's like he just helped you, and you're already impressed? Helping people is normal, so there's no need to be impressed. You even brought him here. What if he's a bad person?" His furrowed brows didn't disappear. He still seemed irritated.

"Can you please stop, Marcus? Besides, you just showed up again now, and you act as if you're my boyfriend!" I retorted, hoping to at least ease the tension in my chest caused by him.