Flash Marriage: Shrewd Wife, Devious Husband
Chapter 86: His Genuine Care Brought a Novel Feeling

Chapter 86: His Genuine Care Brought a Novel Feeling

Gloria didn’t mind Marcella and dragged her out of the bar. Marcella stopped struggling and let Gloria take the lead. She couldn’t get her head off the words Gloria said earlier.

He will protect you at all costs.

At all costs...

Marcella didn’t know if Gloria knew the weight of those words but she had felt the weight of the "love" that protected her.

At all costs...

Yes, it was mighty expensive—her protection. It took the life of her sister and she had no control over it.

"Here?" Marcella stopped in front of the store Gloria brought her. "I don’t need to buy lingerie now."

Also, she didn’t bring that much cash to afford to buy in a store like this.

"Shut up and get in. You need to put some effort. What if he finds what he can’t from you from other women after being fed up with you?" Gloria hissed in her ear.

"But..."

"Just come with me," she gritted her teeth. "I want to treat my husband."

Oh, so this is about her?

Marcella didn’t hesitate anymore. If Gloria wanted company, she can help her. She saw Gloria entering the store with a bright face and the curiosity of a child in a candy shop. It made her think.

"I’ll make a phone call first," Marcella excused herself.

Tony would be expecting her back and she wanted to know how Joey was doing. Tony answered the call and he realized that she would be late before she said anything. He told her that he fell asleep again and woke up just then. Joey was still sleeping.

When she told him that she would be late, he was understanding. He asked her where she was and asked her to be careful. When she felt guilty for letting him take care of the baby but he told her he wanted to do it and assured her that he was fine.

If it was a few days ago, she would have wallowed in self-pity thinking that Tony doesn’t mind where she goes or what she does and he doesn’t want to spend time with her.

But now, she was sure that Tony would like to spend time with her. It gave her some confidence although she did feel guilty that she was not with him like he wants to.

Marcella was curious as she wanted to take a look inside the store. She had never felt the need to step foot inside that store and she could never build up courage to enter that store. She got curious when Gloria mentioned "treating" her husband. And that became her primary reason she wanted to visit that store and supporting Gloria became secondary.

She entered the store. Gloria was already picking up a lot to try on.

"Come on, what’s your size?" Gloria pulled her and started stacking her arms with clothes.

Marcella didn’t know if any of them would suit her. But maybe it will. She’s not someone known to be glamourous. She was...

As her normal thought process started to sink the good feeling in her heart, she shook it off. Tony finds her pretty. He couldn’t keep her hands off her. He even asked her to touch him.

She didn’t have the money to pay for it but she decided to try something out. Maybe if she liked it, she can borrow money from Gloria and pay her back later.

Gloria chose many risqué outfits for her. Although she was willing to put herself out for Tony, she didn’t feel that open. She chose a couple of sexy nightgowns that were essentially slips with lace almost covering the chest. She liked seeing herself wearing those slips and she chose them.

Gloria urged her to let her see her outfit but Marcella refused. She didn’t know she was such a prude. But maybe she always was. She didn’t think it was a bad thing.

Maybe it is... She hoped she didn’t react to Tony the same way out of habit.

Should I ask for advice from Gloria?

Gloria asked her to check her out. Marcella clapped in glee seeing how stunning Gloria looked in them. But she would agree; she’ll never be that confident.

Marcella told her about her little financial hiccup. Gloria offered to pay but she was not sure if she had enough for the both of them. They sat in the corner calculating the finances.

Gloria was only short of eight dollars and Marcella had it. As she looked in her purse for her wallet, she felt a thick wad of...

Cash!

She had cash in her purse; cash she didn’t think she had.

Marcella took it out. Gloria plucked it from her hand.

"You liar!" she glared at Marcella. Her anger didn’t last long feeling the money and started counting. "There’s $750..."

Marcella blinked. Her mind went through a lot of scenarios. Did she store the cash in there in the past and forgot about it? She sometimes finds a dollar or two and at times even five dollars from her winter coat pockets.

But this large amount... There’s no way she would have forgotten.

It was then she remembered.

"Gloria..." Marcella’s eyes watered and she leaned on her shoulder. "I... I might be still in love with Tony, Glo... What should I do...?"

He reminded her to retouch her makeup and when she returned, he handed over her purse. The only way this large amount of money ended up in her purse was because Tony left it there.

He didn’t have to do that! I didn’t even ask him for money.

"You married a good one. Now buy me something," Gloria stood up. Her eyes shone with excitement.

"Pick what you want. I’ll pay," Marcella joined her.

Her father told her that money brings out the best and worst of people. And there is this beautiful proverb. "A friend in need is a friend indeed."

Gloria could have opted not to offer her money. It’s not like she would have insisted. But Gloria didn’t hesitate to pay for her. She didn’t wonder if Don DeAngelo’s daughter would pay her back. That was enough for her to see that she has a good friend in Gloria.

Gloria didn’t choose anything expensive. She just chose a pair of matching lingerie. "Here, this will suit your skintone better. Choose your size," she gave it to her.

"You’re not getting anything?" Marcella asked.

Gloria shrugged. "I’d rather have my husband pay for these; you know..."

Marcella didn’t insist further. She understood Gloria. She can get her lunch. Gloria cannot refuse lunch.

Marcella didn’t know how it would suit her but she decided to get that pair of lingerie. She chose one set in white too for her wedding party.

As they were standing in the queue to pay, Gloria leaned to her ears. "Do you think he would have lied to me about that night?"

Marcella shrugged. "Possible. But it’s not that hard to find out. My father’s men would know who I was engaged with."

Gloria giggled. "What a life you lead, Mars... Did you hear what you said? My father’s men would know who I was engaged with... You’d probably the only one who’d~"

"Oh, shut up, Glo..." Marcella pinched her arm.

Okay, she’ll take it. She is not that bright.

"What if he lied about trying to force you?"

"Why would he lie about that? To die? He has scars, on his back. He was a little..." Marcella gulped remembering the kiss in the bathroom when she first noticed those scars. "My father hit him..."

"He might have expected that your father would decide to get you married. He knew you liked him and... you even lied to your father that you did it willingly. He had nothing much to lose and a lot more to gain."

Gloria didn’t want to confuse Marcella. But she knew Marcella would think along that lines if she didn’t trust him. She wanted to test her.

"I don’t think so..." Marcella wetted her lips.

She might have doubted him if she learned about it all earlier. But now, she didn’t want to doubt Tony’s feelings for her. A lot of evidence is there to prove the truth. She didn’t think anyone could act that well.

She might be naïve and want to believe in fantastical love stories. She might be marked for another heartbreak.

But as long as there is solid evidence to prove otherwise, she decided to trust Tony.

"You talked to him. What do you think?" Marcella asked.

"I think he’s genuine. He thanked me for being your friend. He told me that many girls didn’t get along with you... I think he truly cares for you. He just lights up talking about you," Gloria said.

Marcella smiled.

"You shouldn’t let him go, Mars..." Gloria patted her shoulder. "Whatever resentment you have toward him... forget about it. He too is a human. Don’t ruin your future by looking at the past. You have everything."

"You sound jealous," Marcella said wiping the corner of her eyes. Gloria too cares for her.

"I am, fool! You got married and got a baby immediately. Of course, I am jealous..."

"I do have a husband and a baby," Marcella laughed.

After lunch, they went to a wedding dress store and with the help of Gloria, Marcella chose a dress.