Chapter 27: Chapter 27

I didn't know how to react. All along, I thought I was able to keep my feelings for Xander a secret. And now Austin was telling me that he knew about my feelings for his cousin from the start.

"How about Xander? Did… he know? Did you tell him?"

He lightly shook his head. "No. I didn't tell him anything, Charity. That's not my thing."  I saw him pursed his lips. "Besides, I kinda enjoy seeing him being clueless about his secretary's feelings for him."

I felt my cheeks heated up. "Yes… I'm in love with him…" I admitted in a small voice. There's no sense of denying it. "I have been in love with him since I was seventeen. We were schoolmates in St. Claire University. Even after I moved to Greece, my feelings for him didn't change. And when I learned that he's looking for a new secretary, I decided to apply for the job. I thought I would be able to get him out of my system if I get to see him everyday, but instead, I just fell for him harder." I gave him a small smile.

His brows raised in curiosity. "And you agreed to be his wife because you are hoping he'll fall for you in the process?"

I shook my head. "No," I immediately answered. "From the start, I know I don't stand a chance with him. I know his type. Tall, sophisticated, model-like women and I'm far from that." I shrugged my shoulders. "Besides, my life is in Greece. I only went to the Philippines for a vacation. I wasn't really going to accept his proposition when he offered it to me. But then… I saw how he badly wanted to be the company's CEO. I wanted to help him achieve that dream."

"I don't want to say this, but you're stupid, Charity," Austin chuckled as he shook his head. "In this case, stupidly in love with Xander."

I let out a small chuckle. "Yeah. I already heard that from my best friend. She said I'm a fool. But I guess, love really makes us a fool."

Austin gave me a smile. "My cousin is lucky to have someone who loves him this much. And I don't agree with you when you said that Xander won't fall in love with you. Sure, you're not his usual type of woman. But remember that we can't choose who we fall in love with. You're a beautiful and kind woman, Charity. Anyone could fall in love with you. And that also includes Xander."

I pursed my lips. "You speak of love as if you already experienced it, Austin."

He only gave me a mysterious smirk. Austin Villarama is really an enigma.

"You know, Xander's a gentleman and nice to women, but he doesn't believe in love. He doesn't believe in marriage."

"Is that why… he didn't have any long term relationships with women?"

"Yeah. He's a gentleman and a player. He always says that he doesn't need love, but I know deep inside, he needs it. Everyone in this world needs love, including him." His face turned serious again. "Now you're married to Xander, Charity. Use that to your advantage. Tell him your marriage was real. Tell him he married you because he's in love with you. Use this chance to make him fall for you. I don't want him to stay alone in life. Teach my cousin how to love, Charity. Only you can do it."

I KEPT on fidgeting on my seat. I was seated on the bench in the hallway of the hospital where Xander was admitted. It was his second day in the hospital.

I was nervous. I could feel the loud beating of my heart inside my chest. I still couldn't believe the favor Austin asked from me. But yes, I agreed with him.

I've told myself that I just agreed in marrying Xander because I wanted to help him. But I couldn't deny that deep inside me, I wished that everything between us was real. So now, I'm taking a chance…

I stared at the wedding ring on my ring finger.

"Charity…" I turned my head to Austin's familiar voice. I didn't notice he was already standing in front of me.

"Austin," I gave him a nervous smile. "How's Xander?" I haven't talked to him since yesterday.

Austin smiled at me. "He's doing fine, Charity. He wants to talk to you."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "What should I tell him, Austin?"

The man in front of me gave me an encouraging smile. "I guess start by telling him how much you love him?"

Will I be able to do that?

"Come on, just act like a normal loving wife, Charity."

I bit my lower lip. "Is it really okay, Austin? Is it okay to lie to him?"

"Trust me." He placed his hands on my shoulder. "You're doing both yourself a favor, Charity."

I nodded before I walked past Austin. I stopped in front of Xander's hospital room. I took a deep breath before I knocked and opened the door.

This is it, Charity.

I saw Xander sitting on the hospital bed while looking at the glass window. He was watching the snow falling outside. From there, he turned his head to me.

"Is that you, Charity?"

My name sounded so good from his lips. I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from crying. But I guessed it's okay to let my tears fall. He wouldn't notice it anyway.

I didn't know what to feel. All of his memories that he built with me the last months were suddenly forgotten. But then… this gave me a chance to act as his real wife. I didn't know if I should be happy or sad. My feelings were conflicted.

“H-hi... Uhm, how are you feeling?” I asked as I took a step closer to him. I stopped and sat on the stool near his bed.

I stared at him. His wounds and scratches were still fresh. His head was still bandaged. My heart constricted at the sight of him.

He let out a humorless chuckle. "Everything sucks. My head hurts. I'm temporarily blind. Worst of all, I lost some of my memories. I couldn't remember the last year of my life."

I carefully touch his hand. I saw he was taken aback. But then he didn't flinch.

"Everything will go back to normal, Xander. Your sight… and even your memory. The important thing is that you survived the accident, right?"

"Yeah." He let out a breath. "I guess you're right." His eyes turned to me. And I always looked away until I realized that he couldn't see me.

"So… what Austin said… is it really true? Are we really married, Charity?"