Chapter 26: Chapter 26

“WE still have to run a series of tests on the patient, but based on the symptoms, he was suffering from a partial retrograde amnesia...”

“The last thing he remembered was the business trip we attended in Japan. That was six months ago,” Austin told the doctor.

I was silent as Austin and I listened to the explanation of the doctor in front of us. I still haven't recovered from his accident and now… we've all learned that he couldn’t remember the past six months of his life.

He couldn't remember that he had an accident. He didn't know what he was doing here in New York. And worst, he couldn't even remember me. All of his memories he had with me got erased from him. And that also includes our deal. And our wedding that only happened before his accident.

"Doc… this is only temporary, right? Just like what happened to his eyesight?" I heard Austin ask the doctor.

"Well… this is a different case from his eye condition. Most likely in cases like this, the patient's memory will come back from time, but there are some who failed to recover their lost memory. Everything is uncertain for now. We still have to monitor the patient and run a series of tests, Mr. Villarama." The doctor gave Austin a tight smile. "Just be patient with him. Don’t force him to remember things. Forcing the patient to remember things won't be good for him."

I was silent the whole time. I watched as the doctor left us. I remembered every word he had said. There's a possibility that Xander won't recover his lost memory.

"Charity…" Austin said as he sat beside me on the bench.

"Have you already informed your grandfather about this?" I asked him. I knew Xander was closest to the Villarama patriarch.

Austin sighed then shook his head. "Our grandfather has a serious health condition, Charity. I think it's better if he wouldn't know about Xander's condition."

"That means… you won't also be telling the board of directors about Xander's condition, will you?"

"You're right. I won't be telling them." He looked at me with a serious face. "Imagine what would be the board's reaction when they learned about this. Xander didn't just temporarily damage his eyesight, he also lost a fraction of his memory. They would surely oppose his chairmanship bid. I couldn't let that happen." He paused for a moment before he continued. "When Xander's parents died, it was our grandfather who took care of him. Xander was his prodigy. He trained him to be the next face of VGC. Xander is the future of VGC. It was his dream to lead the company."

I fell silent for a moment. I knew how badly Xander wanted the position. That's why he even asked me to help him. I nodded my head in understanding. "We won't be able to fly back to Manila with Xander's condition." We were supposed to go back to the country two days from now. "I'm sure the people in the company would find it weird."

"Yeah. Xander needs to stay here. And he needs someone to take care of him." He turned to me after saying those words. "I need to ask you a favor, Charity."

"What favor?" I asked.

"I need you to stay here with Xander until he gets his eyesight back," he said, looking at me with a serious face. "The doctor told us it would take two weeks before he could see again. I couldn't stay here for that long. I need to go home and handle the company. In those two weeks, I need you to take care of Xander."

I eagerly nodded at him. "Of course, I can do that. I can take care of him." It was only for two weeks anyway. I could stay here for two weeks with him. "But he doesn't remember me, Austin. He might not be comfortable around me." I remembered his reaction when Austin told Xander that I was his wife. His head started hurting that made us leave him in his room with his doctor.

"You won't tell Xander about your real relationship, Charity. Don't tell him rhat you're only his contract wife."

My brows furrowed. "Why is that? And… what should I tell him?"

"Tell him that you're married because of love. That you two are in a real relationship. That he's in love with you, that's why he decided to propose after only months of getting to know each other."

My lips parted. A gasp escaped them. "Why…do I need to tell him that? Why do I need to lie to him?"

"You see… Xander was alone in life, Charity," Austin sighed. "He might have a bright personality, but he was really lonely inside. He needed love now more than ever, Charity. He needed someone to take care of him. He needed someone who truly cared for him. Who truly loves him." He gave me an encouraging smile, something I haven't seen from him. "That someone is you, Charity. I wanted you to show Xander how much you care for him… how much you love him."

I opened my mouth but I wasn't able to say anything. I was in shock. Did I really hear those words from Austin? He wanted me to lie to Xander about our marriage?

"Austin, I c-can't do that." I shook my head at him. "I can't lie to Xander. I can't pretend t-that I'm in love with him."

Austin arched his brow at me. "Do you really have to pretend, Charity?"

My forehead creased. I could feel my heart start to fasten its beat. Shit. Did Austin know my feelings toward Xander?

"I know your secret, Charity Navarro Alinsky," Austin declared, the corner of his lips lifted up in a small smirk. "You're in love with Xander, right?"

"H-how…"

He was now looking at me like he knew everything about me.

"I happened to know your father, Charity. Helios Alinsky was a kind man. So when Xander told me about you and your story, I got suspicious," he explained. "When I finally saw you in the office, I instantly knew the reason you applied as Xander's secretary. It's because you like him." He paused before he continued.

"When you agreed to be his wife, I realized that what you feel for him was something deeper. You just don't like my cousin. You love Xander, Charity." He looked me straight in the eye. "No need to deny it, Charity. It's written all over you… When you saw him in the emergency room, you acted like a real wife with those tears in your face."