You are my girlfriend for tonight

          It seemed to be too much for Maria to handle. Her jaw hung open and her brows lowered. Her lips parted to speak and she looked around as if searching for an exit out of this mess.

"Open the car this instant!" She ordered anyone who would listen, her loud voice attracting the attention of the other two men in the car. Her voice cracked as her face turned beet red and her fists clenched tightly knuckles whitening. She wanted nothing more than to run away from this man right now. 

"Don't." Jayden's tone was flat as cardboard, not bothering to compete with her round one, knowing whose command his assistant would follow, loud or not. He remained motionless while Maria's tirade continued.

"This is kidnapping." She gritted, rolling her face back to Jayden since his subordinates completely ignored her. "You are the one committing a crime here. This is purely modernized kidnapping." She continued her argument without taking notice of the zero effect her statements were having on her listener.

"I think not." His voice came with authority, no doubt about it. This man knew what he was doing.

A gasp left her lips for the millionth time and she took a moment to run her palms across her bun. "You think not?" She couldn't believe the nerve of him.

"Yeah." Jayden shrugged nonchalantly.  "We made a deal."

"Bull. You are only using me because I am the stupid doctor who would fall into any kind of prank, right?"

Jayden shook his head and stared directly at her, making sure he was clear on his point of view. "Not a doctor. Girlfriend. You are my girlfriend for tonight." He pronounced airily and his statement struck her dumb. "Stop acting so fiesty. I will pay you anyway., he added, emphasizing his last word and causing her eyes to widen.

She glared back, unimpressed by his flippant attitude. Her mouth fell agape again, unable to form another word or phrase, her brain struggling to find something coherent to say in her defense. Her astonishment eventually morphed into laughter after a moment of staring wordlessly. There was no better response to someone telling her to spend the evening in his company, pretending as his girlfriend.

"This guy is crazy," Maria muttered under her breath before challenging him, her voice drowning with fatigue caused by his absurdness. Her head jerked up and she returned her azure gaze to him, hoping that the intensity behind them could penetrate his stubborn façade. "You have gone mad." She uttered through her nose, raising her hands above her shoulders and shaking her wrists, trying to emphasize how insane he sounded.

The corners of his mouth remained flat, with his expression not flinching at the slightest at her words. The silence between them lingered on for a moment longer until finally, he broke it. "What do you mean 'mad'?"  he asked sarcastically, looking past her to check his intrigued assistant for confirmation of his sanity.

She decided to ignore his annoying comment. Instead, her palms dug into the pockets of her pants, in search of her cell phone. "If you don't open this car this minute, I am calling the police." She threatened, holding the phone to her ear.

"Ah!" A cry interrupted her plan to dial the police. Maria slowly twisted her neck to the side and threw a look at the source of the sound. Her eyes squinted when they found Jayden pressing a palm against his forehead. He held his free hand against his chest, rubbing the area just below his throat.

"Ow..." He groaned once more when their eyes made contact, rubbing his head with the same gesture.

Maria tilted her head slightly, watching him with suspicion. It was apparent he was pretending to be in pain. She chuckled, a laugh that lacked all sincerity, which seemed fitting for such a ridiculous scenario. Jayden must take her as a real fool if he thought she'd fall for it.

She folded her arms and heaved deeply. "That's your forehead." She corrected his acting. She was not a doctor for nothing; her experience told her exactly where genuine pain should originate from.

Jayden halted his performance and took a glance at his raised arm. "Right." He murmured, soundlessly. He forthwith adjusted his hand by placing it against the side of his head.

She rolled her eyes, her facial expression letting him know she was aware of his game. She wouldn't be fooled twice. He had played her perfectly. However, she was surprised to see that side of him; the mischief and playfulness shining in his polished pieces of amber eyes.

He ignored her contemptuous stare and switched his gaze to his assistant. Maria immediately followed suit and watched the two men communicate silently with their eyes.

"Are you alright sir?" The voice of Daniel resonated from the front seat after understanding Jayden's voiceless request for backup.

"No, Daniel. It's a migraine attack. I'm having one of those damn things again." His answer was accompanied by an audible exhale. Jayden looked back to the woman who was still glaring at him, but without any conviction. "Hey doctor, come over and check me up."

Her eyeballs revolted once more, with her eyebrows lifting to make her face appear incredulous, yet her tone betrayed no hint of sarcasm. "For what need? You look very fine to me, Mr. Stanley." 

"Fine. Then I will come to you." He stated, giving her no time to apprehend his words before rising from his seat. He bent his back, cautious not to bump his head against the car roof as he moved smoothly to her side.

Maria glanced up to meet his face, surprised he had really come closer. "Wh-What do you want?" She stuttered, struck by his persistence.

"Have a seat." He mentioned, leading her to another round of amazement by pulling her along with him as he settled on the nearest sofa.

Maria gulped once seated, realizing how long she had been straining her legs by standing. The leather squeaked beneath her, its surface soft and inviting against her body. It was so comfortable and only for a second, the thoughts of leaving vanished away from her mind.

He leaned forward on the couch and gazed into her face with an intense gaze, almost piercing through her, studying her every twitch and shift. Maria stared back at him, unable to comprehend his intensity, his scrutiny, and then he continued, unfazed by her discomfort. "If you claim that I am faking my pain, doctor, are you ready to face the implications if, eventually, I really am sick?"

She batted her lashes slowly at him, with her eyes searching for any trace of humor on his face but found none. "Are you being serious? Are you really sick?" She inquired softly, unsure of herself whether to believe him or not.

Jayden nodded once. "Of course, miss Patterson." He answered, eyes lowering to her folded arms as he talked. "Why don't you check for yourself? It's your job anyway." He added and stunned Maria by drawing forward one of her hands to place it on his head, feeling the temperature of his forehead, and running her fingertips across his temple.

The touch startled her. A few moments ago, she didn't think anything of his closeness and now she was highly aware of it. He was warm, like fire, yet gentle and comforting. His skin was smooth and supple, with his chestnut strands tickling her palms. Her fingers lowered slightly, tracing the lines on his brows, finding them slightly raised, and her thumb gently brushing across the ridge.

Maria froze when she realized there was a strange delight fill in her heart as she examined his face. It was something more than professionalism but she couldn't exactly put a finger on it. It felt as though her whole body tingled with joy as her senses drank in every detail of this man's face.

She tore her hand off his head, retrieving her senses. She took a moment to collect herself, composing her features into a stern mask before returning her attention to his head. "That's enough." She voiced dryly, clearing her throat.

"Why? You need to check before making assumptions." Jayden countered and she couldn't believe he was leaning closer to hold her hand again.

She instantly pushed him back, surprising herself. "Fine! Whatever you say, I believe you." She gave in, anything to keep his touches away.

His feature relaxed with satisfaction, as though that was the answer he had been aiming for. "Then let's go." He stated simply and she knitted her brows together at his randomness.

"To where?" She enquired and tried to keep her composure, trying to remain professional despite the odd turn in their conversation.

"To the nearest pharmacy or clinic," Jayden informed casually and her eyes widened.

"Wha-what for?" She wondered loudly, raising her brows at him. Every medication he needed for his health had already been prescribed and delivered to his home.

He tilted his head to the side, raising his chin as he glanced down at her. "Get me some painkillers."

"Painkillers...?" Maria argued weakly, pondering his words.

"Drive on." He instructed the other people in the car, his voice interrupting her chain of thoughts. The driver obliged immediately, bringing the car to life for the first time since Maria boarded it.

An uncertain frown creased the doctor's forehead. Her fingers tapped lightly against her crossed lap, her eyes scanning over the cityscape outside. She was still struggling to grasp Jayden's sudden enthusiasm concerning his health, not to mention his decision to visit a clinic. There had been an abrupt change of subject from his end and it seemed he had forgotten about the crucial sin he wanted her to repent from. Her sixth sense suspected her sly patient had a different motive, but she was not sure what it could be.

Maria sighed, resigned to her fate. There was no going back now. She had to see through this and confirm her suspicion. Her eyes drove to the window as they passed by the buildings lining the streets, her mind wandering back to indefinite thoughts.

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