Chapter 22: Chapter 22

"I STILL remember your face when you puked on my shirt," Xander told me. We had just settled into our seats and were waiting for the plane to take off. We have a flight to New York. We were going there for a business conference and for our wedding.

"Ugh, stop reminding me, Sir," I said, covering my face with my hand. "That was I think of the most embarrassing moments of my life."

I heard his chuckle. "Don't worry, I bought an extra shirt here in my carry bag." His voice was teasing.

"It won't happen again, I swear." I turned to him as I put down my hand. "I took my meds in time."

"Well, just in case, right?" He winked at me.

Shit. I felt my stomach churn with that wink. I didn't know Xander had this kind of side to his personality. I wondered what else I would discover in the next months.

Yes. I agreed to his proposition. I agreed to be his temporary wife. I guessed I was too in love with him that at this point, saying no to him was no longer an option to me.

"That's all ladies and gentlemen. Meeting adjourned." Xander announced before he stood up from his seat. He turned to me and motioned for me to follow him as he walked to the exit of the boardroom.

"Charity…" He said when we entered the elevator. We were the only ones inside.

"Sir?" I looked at him. "Do you have an answer to my proposal?"

"Sir…" It's been two days since the night he talked to me. I still haven't said anything to him about my decision.

I averted my gaze. It landed on the metal wall of the lift where I could see our reflection. I bit my lower lip before my eyes drifted back to him.

Of course, I already did a rehearsal of what I was going to say to him. But looking at him now. I didn't know why I couldn't bring myself to say those words.

I'm sorry, Sir. I can't accept your proposal. I can't marry you. I can't be your temporary wife.

Come on. Just say the words, Charity.

"Charity?"

Xander looked at me. His chocolate brown eyes were creating havoc to my system. This man right here in front of me. He's my weakness. My Achilles' heel.

I swallowed. "If I say yes… are we going to pretend we're a couple?"

What the heck, Charity?

Suddenly, I could hear Mariel's voice in my ears.

"Come on, let's talk inside my office."

I didn't realize the elevator had already stopped on the floor of his office. He grabbed my wrist as we stepped out of the elevator. My eyes widened a little when I saw Sir Austin and Pamela who were both standing outside the lift.

"Xander, we have something to talk about—"

"Later, Austin." Xander cut off his cousin as we walked past them. From the corner of my eyes, I saw how Pamela's lips parted when her eyes landed on my left hand.

"If you're going to say yes to me, then yes, we have to pretend we're a couple in front of the people during the duration of our contract."

Xander explained. We were already inside his office. I was sitting on the couch while he was in front of me.

Pretending like a couple? I cleared my throat. "Does this include me living with you in your unit?"

I felt like my mind was going in circles right now. Xander and I would pretend as a couple? That means we're going to be intimate with each other, right? Were we going to kiss?

"Yeah," he affirmed. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to explain to you. But yes, we have to live together." He looked at me, and gave me a reassuring smile. "But I promise you, you'll have your own space there, and everything you need. We'll just have to pretend in front of other people. Just a couple of holding hands and kisses on the cheek."

I felt like my cheeks flushed as I continued to listen to him. Me and him on one roof? Holding hands? Kisses on the cheeks?

"You're willing to do that, Sir?"

He pursed his lips. "I'd do anything for the position, Charity." His eyes continued to stare at me. "And I need your help on this."

"Sir… I…" I took a deep breath. "This is not an easy decision," I muttered.

Xander stood up from his seat, then he took the empty place beside me.

I turned to him… and I stopped myself from biting my lips when his scent hit my nose.

Being this close to Xander like this was already too much for my heart. What more if I agreed to his proposal?

"I know what I was asking from you was too much. But I promise that I won't do anything that you'd find uncomfortable, Charity. I'd respect and take care of you. We can even put everything in contract." He swallowed. "This is very important to me, Charity." His eyes… they were begging me as they stared at me. "You're the only woman who I can trust, so I really hope you'd say yes."

And with that, I'd already find myself nodding and saying yes to him.

"You're losing your goddamn mind, Charity." That was Mariel's reaction when she learned that I accepted Xander's proposition. She was shaking her head in disappointment and disbelief. "You're crazy, Charity. That man's just going to use you. Can't you see that?"

"I'm in love with him, Mariel. I know how important this is for him. And I wanted to help him."

She scoffed. "I can't believe how of a fool you are for that man." She let out a sarcastic laugh. "Maybe if Xander asked you to wipe the floor he'd walked in, you'd obediently obey him."

I bit my lower lip. Mariel was right. I was a fool for him.

"How are you going to explain this to your father, then?"

I pursed my lips. "They didn't have to know. I'd just talk to my father and tell him I'd stay here for a few more months."

Truth was, she was still trying to come up with what to tell her family in Greece.

"You're out of your mind, Charity." Mariel laughed sarcastically. "Now I'm regretting that I supported you when you applied to be his secretary."

I sit next to her and hug her sideways. "Come on, Mariel. Just… support me on this please?" I asked her in a small voice. "You know I wouldn't agree with this if I knew Xander wasn't a gentleman. He's not interested in me. He even promised he wouldn't take advantage of me, and everything would be put in a contract. And I do trust him, Mariel."

"Well, that's what I'm worried about. That he's not interested in you and you're crazy over him." She looked at me and sighed. "You'd surely get hurt in the end, Charity. You'd just get hurt loving him. And I don't want that to happen. I care about you and I know you don't deserve that one sided kind of love."

"It's okay, Mar." I smiled at him. "I'm a big girl now. I can handle the hurt."

I was back to the present when I heard the announcement from the attendant. I put on my seatbelt as I took a deep breath to calm myself.

"You okay, Charity?" Xander turned to me, concerned on his face.

I bit my lower lip. "Just a little nervous. I've always been like this when riding a plane."

"Everything will be okay." He gave me a warm smile. "Here." He handed me his palm. "You can hold my hand."

My eyes landed on his hand in front of me. I swallowed. "Are you sure it's okay?"

"Of course," he said, taking my hand. "You're no longer my secretary, Charity. You're more of a friend to me now." He gently pressed my palm as the plane started to move. His hand was warm and comforting. My stomach churned and butterflies invaded my intestines. And I know… I know it's because of Xander's presence beside me.

"I'm here, Charity. You don't have to be scared." His voice was soothing. I felt something warm covered my heart.

Xander never left my hand the whole take off.

"Thank you, Sir," I muttered, glancing at him and seeing the warm smile on his face.

"You're welcome, Charity. You need water or something?"

I shook my head. "I'm fine." Having you holding my hand was already enough to calm me down.

"Wait, I have something to give you." He took out something from the pocket of his coat.

My jaw almost dropped when he showed me a small velvet box. He opened it and I was welcomed by the most beautiful engagement ring I've ever seen in my life. There was a large diamond in the center with a couple of emerald stones around it.

"Sir?" I tore off my eyes on the ring in front of me and looked at his face. "Why are you giving me this?" My eyes parted in disbelief. "You don't have to give anything to me, Sir." One look and I already knew that ring cost a fortune.

"I know this relationship isn't real. But the wedding is real, Charity. I wanted to give you a proper engagement ring." He smiled at me. "This is yours. You can keep it after this all ends."

My mouth remained open as I blinked my eyes. "I don't think I deserve this, Sir."

"No. You deserve a lot more than this, Charity. I'd be forever grateful to you for saying yes to me." He smiled and I felt the corner of my eyes heated up.

No, Charity. You can't tear up in front of him. "Come, try it. I hope it fits you, though. I forgot to ask for your ring size when I bought it."

He personally bought this ring for me? Shit. With nervous fingers, I picked up the ring and slid it on my ring finger. It fitted perfectly fine.

"It's pretty, Charity. Just like you."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Y-yeah. It's perfect." My eyes drifted to him. "Thank you, Sir."

"You're welcome. And drop the 'Sir' now. We're not in the office, Charity."

"But you're still my boss, aren't you?"

He pursed his lips. "But you need to get used to addressing me in my first name now. Since I'm going to be your temporary husband."