Marian wandered around work for a few minutes, trying to figure out what she was going to do. After a bit, she decided that she wanted to go home. She didn't have the energy to face Aurora. Her accusation that Marian was interested in Robin made Marian laugh. Marian was already dealing with the stress of Liam and Theo. She was not remotely interested in adding another name to her list of potential suitors.
Marian did not see Robin in that way. Marian tried thinking of Robin naked, and she laughed. She wasn't attracted to him. However, she had spent the last almost two years trying to break through his icy exterior. She had put in so much work, and they had come so far as office mates and now friends. She doesn't want to ruin that by mentioning what Aurora said to Robin.
Marian had already thought about what would happen if she did tell Robin what Aurora said. First, he probably wouldn't believe her. And if Aurora admitted to it, Marian is pretty sure that Robin would choose and support his girlfriend. If Aurora asked Robin to stop doing things with Marian, Robin would do that. Because he is a respectful boyfriend. If there is one good thing about Robin, it's his unwavering loyalty to Aurora.
Marian gets to her apartment. Her roommate is studying in their room. She looks for something to get, but just doesn't feel hungry. She decides that she would like to not think for a few hours. She finds a trashy show to watch. She finds some pajamas to change into. She pulls out a comfortable blanket and hides under it while watching her show.
There is a knock on her door. Marian wonders who it could be. Maybe her roommate ordered something for delivery. She gets up to get the door, and she sees Theo through the peephole. Marian sighs. She needs to end things with Theo. It's only fair to him. She lets him into the apartment. Theo asks, "Why are you home early. Your roommate said that you were home this afternoon. I thought you were sick. Are you okay?"
Theo instantly goes into caretaker mode. This is exactly why it's so hard for Marian to stop seeing Theo. Marian decides she is going to tell him on a different day. She is too tired and stressed to go through a breakup today. Even though you can't break up with someone that you aren't dating. But Marian knows it will feel like a breakup. She isn't feeling strong today. She gives in. She lets Theo dote on her.
He mentions getting food for them to eat. He asks if she wants to call her favorite Chinese place, so they can order her egg flower soup. Marian goes to grab her phone. She realizes it's missing. She frantically walks around her apartment searching for it. She finally does find my phone and realizes she left it at work. She left her purse at work with her wallet as well. Theo calls from his own phone and orders Marian some soup. Marian thinks about how she has spent 5 years with Liam, and he has never once taken care of her when she was sick. Marian starts to realize that maybe Liam isn't that type of guy. All of a sudden, a knock is at the door.
Theo goes to answer it, thinking it's going to be the soup he ordered for Marian. He opens it up, and standing at the door is Liam. With Marian's purse in his hands and a bag of food in the other arm. Theo says to Marian, "Babe, I think our food got here at the same time as a coworker dropping off your bag!" Theo tries to take the bag from Liam. He deflects Theo's hand.
Liam walks into the apartment. Theo is confused about who this person is. Marian comes out of the kitchen thinking that she is going to see Robin with her bag. Since she realized she had left her bag in her office. She audibly gasps when she sees who is standing at her apartment door. She runs towards him, but realizes that she is in her blanket and PJs. She stops herself.
Liam is on guard. He makes eye contact with Marian and says, "I heard you left your bag in your office, so I thought I would bring it for you." Marian walks over to Liam and grabs her bag out of his hands. Theo says, "Is this a new engineer? I am Theo. Thanks so much for bringing her bag." Liam refuses to shake Theo's hand. He then reaches out and puts an arm around Marian's shoulders. He pats her back for a second. He looks at Marian with concern and says, "I heard from Robin that you weren't feeling well. I thought you would like some egg flower soup." He hands that bag over to Marian. Marian grabs the bag and says, "Thanks."'
Theo takes a second and then says, "I am getting the feeling that you aren't a new coworker. That's Marian's favorite soup. I just ordered that for her." Theo looks from Marian to Liam and back. Marian is avoiding eye contact. Liam is looking at Theo with disdain. He starts to get very upset. His face is becoming red.
A few more seconds pass. Theo is slowly starting to realize what is happening. He walks to Marian and says, "I suddenly understand it all. My god. You are with him. He walks right in with your stuff and your favorite food. It seems like I have figured out why you say you want to be in this casual relationship. Are you dating him?"
Marian looks like a deer caught in headlights. She realizes that she can't lie to Theo. She had spent so many months not telling him about Liam, but now that he is officially asking, she has to tell him the truth. She nervously nods. She is so overwhelmed to see Theo and Liam standing next to each other. Theo's face goes bright red. He's so angry. He starts to say something and then shakes his head. He gets up and starts gathering up his coat and his phone. He opens up the door and then turns to Marian. He is shaking his head when he angrily says, "Thank you, Marian. I have finally been cured of my feelings for you. I don't love liars. I hate them." He gets his things and walks out the door.
Liam instantly relaxes once Theo is gone. Marian is crying. She cannot believe this is how Theo found out. She should have treated him better. She should have been honest with him. She had been honest with Liam; why not with Theo? Why didn't he deserve that? When all he had ever been for Marian was an honest, kind, supportive man.
Marian sits down on the couch. She feels even worse. She finally looks at Liam, "What the hell were you thinking?" Liam looks at Marian, and he rubs her back for a minute. He sits down, "He had to learn about me at some point. I was trying to do something nice for you. I couldn't reach you. Robin answered your phone and said you left work early. I thought you were sick. You had left your stuff at work. I just wanted to help you out." Marian sighs, "You just imploded my life." Liam is not sure what to do with all the emotion Marian is feeling.
Liam does not like feeling this uncomfortable. He puts his hands up and says, "I can go, if you want." Marian looks at him. This is who she wanted, in the end. She takes a deep breath and wipes her tears away. He may be a consolation prize, but he is still a prize for Marian. She puts her hands out to grab Liam's. He looks at her hands and kisses them. She smiles at this little act of romance. She says, "I guess you can stay and have lunch with me. Even though I'm sitting in my pjs. Don't judge me." Liam smiles. He teases her, "Yeah. You never wear any at my place." A blush goes into Marian's cheeks. She brings the food over to her table and sets it so she and Liam can eat together before he has to go back to work. He's been so different lately. It has to be a good thing, right?
