Chapter 22 - Harmless Flirtations Part 1

Marcus saw the look of alarm in Ysabelle’s face. He had been grilling her with questions last night and he knew that she wouldn’t want to be in that same position again. The last thing he would want to do to her was to ask about her family tree history, but her slip-of-the-tongue really did increase his curiosity. If indeed she was not Mehak’s aunt, then how was she related to the Rogratiatto Family?

“Uhmm, you didn’t take your photo, Father. Aunt Regina handed it back to me in my room this morning, ” Ysabelle stated, seemingly trying to drop the subject and divert his focus.

And it did, successfully.

‘Goodness! Of all the memories she could revive, she had to pick that one?!’ his mind shouted.

Marcus gently nodded and crossed his arms on his chest. “Yes, I can always get it when I come back to the mansion. During that time, I want you to give it to me, not anyone else.”

She cleared her throat and intentionally disregarded the cryptic message Marcus was sending her.

“I don’t think you’ll be able to set foot on Uncle’s house again Father, ” said she, voicing what was already an obvious possibility. She turned to the side and mimicked the position he was in, facing the spacious foyer instead of looking at each other.

Marcus had to snicker a little.

“Because he is of different beliefs? I do know he doesn’t like priests very much, ” he pointed out.

Ysabelle had to debate on that in her mind. ‘No. Because he doesn’t want you to know of my nature as an immortal and how the brotherhood keeps that secret safe.’

Fleetingly, she shook her head, “I guess...you can say that, ” and answered out loud, hiding the real reason.

This time, Marcus dropped his arms and turned to face her, his smile that of a man who had just concocted another surefire plan. “Hmmm... Let us bet then, Ms. Ysabelle, ” he stated, looking at her and assessing her anxiety.

But he only noticed a cunning smile from her.

“What makes you think I’ll accept it or that you will win Father?” she asked, putting a hand on her waist.

Marcus stepped closer and looked at her directly, not even once blinking.

“Because, my dear Ms. Ysabelle, I just feel it, ” he said, the smugness evident on his face.

It was a clash of confidence. Each one with expectations of winning.

“You are a weird priest, you know that right?” Ysabelle then broke the tension, dragging her eyes away from his heated stare.

Marcus had to smile wildly this time. “Weird? Hmm... I guess you are the first to say that to me. I am normally called the Glutton Marcus.”

Stifling a laugh, she arched her brows back at him.

“Glutton?” she clarified, but then her mind brought her to remember how he was too familiar with the Rogratiatto Family dining table. Though he hid it perfectly, she was able to see how much he loved eating the dishes that her Aunt Regina had prepared during their stay.

“Oh, ” she uttered, “I guess your colleagues are right. You are notorious with food.”

It was unintentional, but Marcus chuckled with her statement. “I will take that as a compliment, Ms. Ysabelle. Not at all pricked by it.”

They both smiled at each other with genuineness and warmth. It was as if the tension awhile ago had gone down and that they were just two people now, sharing differences and similarities.

“So...the bed— errr... bet. Are you in or not?” Marcus then reminded, watching her with anticipation hoping she didn’t catch the accidental wrong word.

Ysabelle was the one who furrowed her brows then. “You don’t look like a gambler to me Father, ” she said, still wary of the offer. “But— oh, wait, priests aren’t supposed to gamble, right?”

In quick response, Marcus shook his head and grinned.

“Oh, no, my angel. You got it all wrong, ” he started, stressing the endearment, “If it doesn’t involve money, we priests can join the fun.”

“Fun?” Ysabelle parroted. “Oh, yeah? Then, if our bet doesn’t involve money, what is at stake for both of us?” she asked, confused. How clever of her to press her lips and lift her chin in order to hide whatever effect he had on her because of the sweet term.

“If I win, I get to ask you questions again and you would answer me honestly, ” was Marcus’ quick suggestion.

Again, observing her reactions, it was only a minute of pause when he noticed her withdrawing. Gone was her confidence earlier.

“I don’t—I don’t think that’s a good idea, Father, ” she replied with caution. Stepping backward, Ysabelle scanned the room and found that the only remaining people from her group in the foyer were two students, her niece, and a teacher. They were still talking at the front desk, but now holding with them key cards.

“Don’t tell me you are backing away?” Marcus questioned, trying to draw her back in their bet. He saw her take a deep breath and looked down on the floor. She seemed to be unsure of what to say or even how to answer him.

“It’s just that...” Ysabelle started in a trembling voice, “how would you know I am not lying if I answer your questions?”

“I would know, ” Marcus answered, free of any hesitation or doubt.

Ysabelle waited for him to elaborate further, but after waiting in seconds without anything from him but a deep stare, she stated, “Fair enough. But then, what’s in it for me?”

“Your choice, ” was his quick reply.

“Hmmm...” she looked contemplative for a moment that Marcus had to metaphorically cross his fingers the whole time. “I’ll have you as my photo model for a day for free of course, ” she finally said with which made the latter very happy.

“Deal, ” he finalized, pleased with her decision.

“And I get to ask about that arm tattoo of yours and I get to touch it again, ” she added.

“Deal, ” as quick as the former one, Marcus answered. It may not be what he expected for her to demand, but it was still acceptable. After all, what harm does the tattoo have on her?

“Well, that was fast, ” was Ysabelle’s stunned counter.