Chapter 5 - Will you marry...?

His eyes bore deeply into Marilyn's, a slight killing intent reflecting in his eyes.

"Hah." Marilyn lets out a breath and drops her embarrassed look. "You're a very good observer, aren't you?"

"Who are you?" He asks, glaring at her.

"Only my closest kin can know. I can only tell you that if I am to marry you and that doesn't seem likely."

"..." Michael stands there silently.

"What I can tell you is that I am not planning to hurt your family. I do like you a little bit, but if you reject this marriage, this will probably be the last of Marilyn McGrath that you will see."

"So your actual name is something else?" He asks.

"How smart." Marilyn smiles slyly, completely opposite to her facade. "But I wont tell you what it is."

"Why are you here?"

"Because Mr.McGrath plans to get me married to you. Don't worry, I wont touch your work or family. I'm just humoring him, hoping that I find a good companion. Anyway, just play along for a little while and then reject me when you get the chance." Marilyn tilts her head and smiles. "....Also," she looks away. "Put on a shirt, would you? I'm really tempted to cop a feel."

Michael removes his hands from the door and steps back. "As long as you keep your end of the deal, I don't mind playing the game for a while."

"Great." Says Marilyn, still looking away.

Michael smiles, amused. He puts on a shirt and says, "Lets go now or they'll think that we're up to something."

"Yes." Opening the door, Marilyn steps out and Michael behind her.

They go to the living room, only to come across a smirking Taylor.

"How was it?" She asks.

Marilyn, who has put her facade on, looks down shyly.

"Oh, shut up. You'll scare her off someday, Taylor."

"Oh, come on. I even thought of pouring hot coffee on you and having her dress your burns but it would have been too much for my sis-in-law.... Plus I couldn't bring myself to hurt you...." She says exasperatedly.

"Well, thanks to her we got the identity problem solved..." He mutters only so Marilyn can hear it. "I expect to keep your act up until the end of our little game, Miss."

"I am good at emergency first-aid, just so you know..." Marilyn whispers to him as she walks by him. "Taylor, could you get me another glass of water?"

"Sure thing!" Taylor exclaims as she sprints outside the room.

Marilyn sits on the couch and turns to Mrs.Smith. "Your son found out, Mrs.Smith. I don't think he'll marry me now that he knows I am not Marilyn. He's even stopped calling me by name. I suggest you find another bride for him. I'll take my leave."

"Wait, mother, you knew?" He asks in surprise.

"Of course, dear. She told me as soon as I asked for her hand in marriage for you. I was taken aback at first but I liked her even more after that. I hoped you would like her too."

"What...?" Michael looks at Marilyn, speechless.

"Here you are." Taylor comes in and hands a glass of water to Marilyn.

"What do you say?" Mrs.Smith asks. "Will you marry her?"

"..." Marilyn looks at Michael, forgetting about Taylor, waiting for him to say no.

Michael smiles and moves to sit on the couch as well.

Marilyn looks downward, thinking of how she would break the news of her rejection to Mr.McGrath.

"You WILL marry her, right?" Taylor asks, putting a little too much stress on 'will'.

Michael looks at Marilyn from the corner of his eyes.

"..." He smiles. "If mother says so, why not?"

Marilyn jerks her head up in surprise. "What...?" 'Wait, the exact same words as the ones she used.... Is he teasing her?'

Michael leans towards her and plants a soft kiss on her cheekbone. "I doubt I would find someone as interesting as you again, miss." He whispers.