Married At First Glance: I Am Not Ugly

Marissa tried to sleep, but the thought of what they did still lingered in her memory.

“Why am I dwelling on this feelings when he clearly doesn’t see me that way?” She asked herself.

She sighed heavily.

“He only has eyes for Jessie and would never look at me or feel for me that way.”

She decided to take a shower and rest for the night.

While resting, she heard Alexander on the phone and got up to check who he was possibly talking to on the phone.

Meanwhile, Alexander had been tired from all the whole work of the day and signing of the contract.

He decided to rest and the thoughts of Marissa flashed into his mind. They had kissed and it felt so real. It wasn’t an act, but it felt so real.

“Does she feel the same way for me?” He asked himself as he touched his lips.

“I mean that kiss felt so real and the way it was so deep and she didn’t hesitate… Could it be she feels the way I do for her?”

He shook his head denying his thought.

“No… Marissa cannot like someone as arrogant as me.” He told himself as he tried to get what they did out of his mind.

Just then Jessie’s call came in and when he saw it, he was reluctant at first to pick up, but eventually did.

“Hey babe,” Jessie said.

“Hey,” Alexander replied, his voice sounding distant and distracted.

“What’s up? Are you okay?” Jessie asked, sensing something was off.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a long day.” Alexander replied, hoping she wouldn’t probe further.

“Okay… Well, I just wanted to check in. I miss you.” Jessie said, her voice soft and sweet.

Dave’s heart felt heavy as he struggled with what to say. He knew he should be happy to hear from her, but he couldn’t shake the thoughts of Marissa from his mind.

“I… Miss you too.” He replied.

“When are you coming home babe?” Jessie asked.

There was a pause before Alexander responded.

“I don’t know… Things are still pretty busy here.” He said, the words feeling hollow as he spoke them.

“I understand… Just know that I’m here for you, no matter what. And I’ll always be waiting for you when you’re ready to come home.” Jessie replied, her words filled with love and support.

Alexander’s heart ached as he tried to process everything. On one hand, he had Jessie, a woman who loved and supported him.

But also she wasn’t ready to get married and only thought of her career was more important than their relationship.

“I’ll let you know when I get back.” He informed her.

“Well… I’m actually at your place waiting for you….” She said,

“Oh… You are now.” He said.

“Yeah… But it looks like you haven’t been at your apartment in months…. Have you been sleeping elsewhere?” She asked.

He didn’t want to tell her that he had another apartment where he shares with Marissa who is his fake wife to secure a contract.

So he decided to lie.

“Oh, you’re at my place now?” Alexander said, trying to sound surprised.

“Yes… I was hoping to surprise you, but it seems like I’m the one who’s been surprised.” She said.

Alexander felt a knot forming in his stomach as he realized he had been caught in a lie.

“I… Uh… I’m sorry, I’ve just been really busy and haven’t had time to come by.” He said, hoping she would buy his explanation.

But the way she responded told him she didn’t believe him.

“Alexander, I’m not an idiot. You’ve been distant and now you’re lying to me. What’s going on?” Jessie asked, her voice cracking.

Alexander felt his heart racing as he tried to think of an explanation that would make sense. But the truth was too complicated and would only make things worse. So he decided to play dumb.

“I’m not sure what you mean. I just have a lot on my plate right now. Please understand.” He said, trying to sound sincere.

But Jessie could hear the lack of conviction in his voice.

“Stop it. Stop pretending like nothing is wrong, because we both know something is up. And it’s killing me not knowing what it is.” Jessie said, her voice trembling.

Alexander’s stomach felt like it was in a knot as he realized he was losing the trust of the person he cared about the most. He had to find a way to fix things, but he didn’t know where to start.

“Please just tell me what’s going on. I can handle it, whatever it is.” She said, her voice pleading.

Alexander took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts.

“It’s nothing bad really… I’ve just been super busy with securing this contract that I neglected other things and mostly slept in the office.” He lied.

He had no choice. If she knew about his fake marriage with Marissa to get the contract, she would be devastated.

But he also remembered that he asked her but she told him she wasn’t ready for such a commitment and asked him to look for another way.

“Oh… I’m sorry… I got carried away because you seemed distant and I felt maybe you don’t feel the same way you feel about me anymore.” She said.

Alexander felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He didn’t want her to feel like she wasn’t enough for him. But he also didn’t want to tell her the truth. He was stuck in a horrible dilemma.

“I understand how you could feel that way, and I’m so sorry for making you feel that way. It’s not true. I love you and I’m here for you no matter what.” He said, hoping that his words would comfort her.

But he could sense the skepticism in her tone when she responded.

“I appreciate that you’re trying to reassure me, but I can’t shake the feeling that something else is going on….