We reached the parking lot, and he unlocked his car. He opened the passenger door for me and handed me the boxes of chocolates and cupcakes. There was only one red velvet cupcake left.

He put the key in ignition and turned on the light inside the car.

"Let's have dessert for dinner. I hope that's okay?" he asked.

"I'm not that hungry anyway, and this cupcake is heaven!"

I opened the box and gave him one of his chocolate cupcakes. I was a little hesitant but I wanted to swap my red velvet with one of his cupcakes.

"You can have one..." he said. "You know you want to."

I laughed and thanked him. I took one of the chocolate cupcakes. I took a careful bite of the cupcake to avoid smudging some frosting on my nose again.

"You really got stood up today?"

"Yeah. Who would've thought, right? I mean, it's Valentine's... You could tell I was well prepared for this night."

He made a tsking sound as he shook his head.

"Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, I'm not letting my friend, Denise, set me up with anyone else again."

Suddenly I felt like someone was watching me from behind. I glanced at the backseat and found a semi-large brown stuffed bear, a bouquet of two dozen of roses, and a box of chocolates.

"You told me you're single," I said. Then fear crippled inside as realization dawned on me. "Are you a bad guy? Do you lure girls on Valentine's and kidnap them?"

"How drunk are you?"

"Drunk enough to ride a car with you, but sober enough to think that I might be in danger."

"Yeah, but drunk enough to ask me if I'm a bad guy."

I leaned back on my seat and took a deep breath. "I'm in so much trouble."

"Let me take you home. Seatbelt, please."

I obliged, trusting Jake with my life.

"I told you that I prepared for this day. Apparently, I ordered all those a month ago. I just picked it up today even if I don't have anyone to give it to. After all, everything's non-refundable."

"That's so sad. At least I got stood up but I didn't spend money for tonight," I lied.

"Oh...I doubt that."

I had spent a lot of money for today. This new dress, my new lipstick, my haircut, and I even had a Brazilian wax.

"What are you gonna do about that?" I asked, gesturing to his gifts.

"Maybe I should give it to my date for tonight."

"You think I'm some kind of charity?"

"Hey! I'm saving your Valentine's."

"Did you really go to the bar alone?" I just couldn't believe someone could be so stupid to hang out at a bar alone on Valentine's.

"My friends dared me to go to the bar alone when they found out that my girlfriend broke up with me. I'm the type of guy who likes doing unexpected things. They dared me, but they didn't think I would do it." He smiled and continued, "I just wanted to prove that I can...I'm glad I did."

"I'd probably do the same thing," I said before yawning.

"Do you have school tomorrow?" he asked as he started driving.

I groaned. I almost forgot about university. Thank goodness my class wouldn't start until 10:30. I gave directions to Jake, and we arrived at my apartment in less than fifteen minutes.

I carried the bouquet of roses and our invalid marriage certificate while Jake carried the stuffed bear and boxes of chocolates. We entered the elevator, and I pressed the number five.

"You live alone?" he asked.

"I have a roommate," I answered. "But she won't be home until tomorrow. Between the two of us, she's the lucky one. She's also the commitment type of girl."

Fiona had told me this morning how excited she was because it was her first-year anniversary with her boyfriend.

We exited the elevator and walked down the hall. We stopped at the door of my apartment—apartment 508. I unlocked the door and walked in. I gestured for Jake to follow me inside, and I turned on the light in the living room.

Jake placed the chocolates and stuffed toy on the black leather sofa, and I walked to the kitchen and got him a glass of water.

"Thanks for tonight, stranger," I smiled playfully at him as I sat on the sofa.

He put the glass down on the table and sat beside the huge stuffed bear. He gave me a lopsided smile. "You still consider me as a stranger? From what I can recall from tonight's events, I'm your husband."

I laughed. "I know nothing about you except for your name, so you're technically a stranger to me. Jake Dela Cruz. Is that even your real surname? It's too common."

"Fair point, but it's too common it can't be a made-up name," he said and stared at me. He clenched his jaw and cleared his throat. I shifted on my seat as the air around us thickened. He ran his palms over his jeans and slapped his knee before standing up. "This was nice but I think I need to go home now. And you need to get some sleep."

I stood up and walked him to the door. I was about to reach the doorknob when he said, "Thanks, stranger."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "So, I'm a stranger, huh?"

"I know nothing about you except for your name and well, your apartment."

I blew an air out of my nostrils and lightly shook my head. We stood idly by the door.

Should I say good night? Or maybe good bye?

"So, this is how it ends..." I chuckled nervously. "I got stood up on Valentine's and married a stranger. Now I have to watch my husband leave me."

I didn't know why I felt kind of pissed off. I just wanted to have fun and I had that with Jake. I didn't want any commitment, but why was I annoyed that I might not see him again? It was one of the best nights of my life and now he would just be an anecdote. Someone interesting I met at a bar. Someone I'd tell stories about. Someone I'd never see again.

"You think this is it?"

"Once you step out of my door, I know you'll disappear forever."

"If I want to disappear in your life, then why is my phone number scribbled at the back of our marriage certificate?"

For the sake of being cool, I didn't bother to check the paper. His number might or might not be there, but I would check it later on. I didn't want to look too frantic.

"Call me tomorrow, and I'll take you out to dinner."

"You made reservations for me?"

"I know you wouldn't believe me even if I say I did."

His phone suddenly rang, interrupting our conversation. He pulled his phone from his jean's pocket and muted it before sliding it back in his pocket.

"It's getting late. You have classes tomorrow and I do, too. As much as I want to stay, I can't because I have an exam to fail tomorrow."

I nodded, completely out of words to say. I thought I was good at flirting. I was one of the best players in this game, but this dude was a pro.

"Call me tomorrow afternoon and I'll let you know where I'll meet you," he said with a wink.

"How will I know I won't get stood up?"

"You won't unless you show up at our meeting place."

I furrowed my eyebrows and pursed my lips. Now I was having doubts about him.

"Are you stalling me?" he asked.

"No. Go home, you gorgeous bastard. But if you don't show up, I'm going to hunt you down," I threatened as I narrowed my eyes at him. But we both knew my threat didn't mean anything. I didn't even know if Jake Dela Cruz was his real name. I also didn't know where he lives.

"Don't forget to call me. I promise I'll show up," he whispered.

"O-okay."

"Good night," he mumbled and leaned forward to give me a quick peck on the lips. It was so quick that I didn't even had time to react.

I breathed in deeply as I tried to organize my thoughts.

"See you tomorrow, Rox," he winked at me again. Shit. I remembered lying about my real name. "Don't forget to lock your door."

I watched him as he walked away and entered the elevator. I slowly closed the door, its hinges creaking. I locked the door and leaned against it.

I raised my hand and gently touched my lips.

What did I get myself into?