Eva's POV

"Honey, you talk with Mark! I need to make arrangements for lunch!" Mom informed me and left the living area. 

I saw her go towards the kitchen and sighed in my heart helplessly. 

I started to feel nervous when, at last, Mark and I were alone. I know this is silly. I am the one who wanted to meet him and told him how grateful I am towards him. But right now, when he is sitting beside me, I don't know what to say. My face is slightly blushing, like I'm watching my crush. My reaction is just like that of a small teenage girl.

"Damn it!" I can only crush myself in my mind right now. 

There is an awkward silence between us. Mark also didn't start the conversation until I hesitantly stood from the couch and told him I wanted to check on my mom. 

"She will come! Can I ask you something?" 

There is a generous smile on his face. 

I blinked my eyes with some astonishment while stopping in my steps.

His expression instantly changed to see my confused look.

"Sorry! If you think it's unconventional! You can say 'No'!" He added.

Damn it! 

I think he thought I didn't like him. But this is not true. Absolutely not! 

"No! It's not like that!" I responded with a little loud voice and sat on the couch again.

His lips again curled up. I think he feels I'm silly, but I don't mind!

Has anyone told him? 

His smile is just so cute. I couldn't take my eyes off him, and anyway, I couldn't avoid him my whole life when he was my mom's lover, and I couldn't upset him with my silly behaviour.

It's not like I'm a ten-year-old girl. I'm a woman and mature enough to understand everything. 

"So, what do you want to ask Mr.Mark?" I asked him with a calm face. 

I don't know what the best way to call him is. But I think formal is good. As he is older than me and my mom's fiancé, he deserves that respect. 

"It's just a normal question!" He calmly explained, and I nodded.

"Do you like me?" He asked while giving a perfect smile, but hearing him, my heartbeat thumped, my eyes widened with shock, my face turned red, and my cheeks started burning. My mouth is almost half-open.

My tongue caught in this moment. 

Did he just confess to me?

Damn it!

He also saw my instant reaction, which did not hide at all, and the next moment he continued his words. 

"Don't misunderstand my words!"

"I just wanted to confirm with you if you like me for your mother!" He explained with a soft tone, but my heartfelt discomfort was to hear his last sentence. I felt upset. I know this is weird because I just met this guy a few hours ago, but I have already started to feel a different level of feeling. 

I don't know what is happening to me, but this is not right at all. I need to avoid deep interaction with him for now. 

When my mind is deep in thought, his voice attracts my attention.

"Miss Eva!" 

"Huh!" I suddenly respond in chaos. 

"You didn't answer me!" His black eyes were always on my face. I felt my breath almost stop at his profound gaze.

And I blurted out the next moment. 

"No!"

"I like you!"

It's just like his eyes hypnotised me to say those words, but the next second, his lips curled with a smirk. 

"That's good."

"I also like you!"  

His words made my heart flutter. But before we could continue our talk, Mom's footsteps sounded, came into our ears.

We both turned our heads in her direction, and she came with dishes in both hands. 

I wanted to stand up and go to help her, but before that, Mark went towards her and took the dishes from her. 

My mom blushed while he softly smiled towards her. They look like a perfect married couple.

And I felt my heart burning at this moment. They look like a perfect match, but why does this make me upset in my heart? I should be happy about my mom, and until this morning, I truly was. But this guy! This guy made me react this way after he entered my house.

I bit my lower lip with frustration. I looked at my mom, who was smiling. 

No!

I need to control it!

I can not let him control my emotions. I love my mom so much, and for her, I need to avoid this emotion. This is wrong! Completely wrong! 

I shouted in my brain.

"Honey!" I heard my mom's soft voice and moved my eyes towards her. 

"Yes, Mom!" I replied.

"Come! Let's eat!" She announced while I moved my eyes to look at the dining table. 

Mom had already filled the table with lots of dishes, and I also saw that almost half of the dishes were my favourites. I love spicy foods, but my mom didn't like that. 

But it also confused me because I thought Mom would make Mark's favourite foods. After all, this lunch was organised for him.

"Never mind! It's not my problem!" Thinking that, I went to my usual seat, which was just beside my mom, while Mark sat just across the chair from us. 

Mom started serving Mark while I took the dishes on my own, ignoring their interaction. This is the best choice and safe for my silly heart.

We all finished our meal while having an everyday conversation. This way, I learned some new things about Mark and also heard from Mom that he likes almost the same dishes as I do. That's why she made these dishes for lunch. 

Mark didn't stay too long after lunch and bid goodbye to us while I finally breathed in relief. His presence is just threatening to my heart and body. 

When finally, there was only Mom and me. Mom asked me if I liked him or not, and I answered directly that he was good, which made her face relax, and she hugged me with a wide smile. I tried to smile back without showing my struggle. 

I need to remember that man's identity. He is my mom's lover! My mom's fiancé!