Chapter 38: Chapter 38

"You said you have green eyes, right?" he said, his fingers reached the corner of my eyes. Minutes ago, I was the one holding his face. And now, he was the one exploring mine. I felt butterflies slowly invading my stomach as he continued to touch me.

"I can't wait to see how beautiful those green eyes are."

His fingers moved down to my jaw then to my lips. My lips parted when his thumb touched my lower lip. I automatically parted my lips as my heart continued to thump like crazy.

My eyes drifted to his own lips. They were red… moist and only inches away from me. I wanted to close the distance between us and taste his lips.

I could feel my heart inside me as I imagined myself kissing him. And with the loud beating of my heart, I'm sure Xander could hear it, too.

"Charity…" He whispered, his face was slowly descending into me.

Is he going to kiss me? I felt like my heart tripled its beat.

But even before his lips finally met mine, a loud knock from the door interrupted us.

"Charity? Xander?"

I almost jumped from the sink when I heard Berna outside.

"I-it's, Berna. Uh… I'll go out, Xander." I said to Xander before turning at the bathroom door.

He helped get down from the sink. I went to the bathroom door and left Xander inside.

"Berna!" I greeted the woman after I opened the door for her. "Why are you looking for me?"

She looked at my face. "You're blushing. Did I disturb something?"

I shook my head as I chuckled to hide my embarrassment. "No. I… I just helped him with something."

I PICKED up a grocery cart the moment I entered the supermarket. The weather was better today compared to the past few days. The snow finally stopped.

I'm here in the supermarket a few blocks from our apartment building.

I pushed my empty cart to the fresh goods section. Aside from the fruits and vegetables, I need to buy items for Filipino cuisines that I'm planning to cook. Verna asked me to buy some dark chocolates.

I looked around. There were only a few people in the grocery store. After picking up all the things I listed in my grocery list, I also decided to buy some ingredients for baking. Maybe I could bake a cake on my birthday. My birthday was already two days from now and of course, I planned to celebrate at home with Xander.

Well… I don't know much about baking but I can always learn on the internet, right? I would also plan to cook pasta because it was his favorite.

Speaking off, I still haven't told Xander about my birthday. Maybe later, at dinner.

Earlier, Austin called me. Well, he calls Xander everyday to update him about the company. But earlier he called me to talk to me alone.

I still remembered our conversation.

"He's slowly going back to old Xander." I told Austin. "He's no longer grumpy… and he's smiling a lot now."

I heard him let out a relief sigh on the other line. "See? I told you just give him time. How about your relationship?"

I bit my lower lip when I remembered the way he treats me now. "I think… he finally believes that our relationship was real."

"Really? Does it mean he's acting like a real husband to you now?"

I pursed my lips as I remembered how we shared the bed last night, how he cuddles me to sleep, and how he almost kissed me when I helped him shave his stubbles yesterday.

"Kind of…" I answered in a small voice.

"That's great news, Charity," he said in delight. "If this all continues, the next time you know, he's already in love with you."

I bit my lower lip, swallowing the guilt in my chest. "Thank you, Austin."

I stilled as I picked up some packs of fettuccine pasta. I still felt guilty for the lies I've told Xander, but now, a bigger part of me wanted to continue with everything. I wanted to be selfish this time. I wanted Xander to love me. I wanted him to stay longer in my life. I wanted him to be my real husband.

After putting the pasta and noodles on my cart, I went to the wine food section. But then I stopped from my tracks when I saw a familiar man in the wine section. Shit. Luke. My cousin was wearing a black trench coat, dark pants, and boots while holding a grocery cart.

He was busy checking the wines in front of him. My heart beat loudly inside my chest as I continued to stare at him.

Shit. He couldn't see me!

But before I could react and pushed my cart on other direction, he head turned to me. I saw how his green eyes widened when he saw me.

"Charity?!"

Shit. I wanted to run but my feet was rooted on the ground. It was too late. He was already in front of me.

"Charity?" he repeated, his eyes blinking as he stared at me. "Shit! It's really you," he said, still in disbelief.

"L-luke!" I mumbled. Trying to act surprised at the sight of him. "What are you doing here? New York, really?"

His brows furrowed. "I should be the one asking you that? What are you doing here in New York? You're supposed to be in the Philippines, aren't you?"

I cleared my throat. Shit. Come on, brain. Think fast.

"Well… my best friend from the Philippines dragged me here. We decided to celebrate my birthday here in New York." I shrugged and pursed my lips. "You know, she said she misses the snow and cold weather."

He looked at me as if there's something wrong with me. "Why do you sound nervous?" he asked with furrowed brows.

"I'm not, Luke." I tried to let out a chuckle. "I'm just surprised to see you here. I mean, of all the places, right? Who's with you, anyway?"

"I'm alone, Charity. I'm on vacation." He looked at my cart. "Where are you staying? And why are you buying groceries?"

"My friend… she has an apartment here."

"Apartment? And where's that apartment? You and your friend should stay at our house here."

I shook my head. "No. It's okay, Luke. My friend… she's a very private person."

His brows furrowed again. "Wait. Does your baba know this? Or Conrad?"

I gasp. "No. Not yet." I bit my lower lip. "I haven't informed them yet. We just landed here last night." I managed to smile at him. "Anyway, I really need to go, Luke. My friend's waiting for me outside. I'll just call you later."

I kissed him on the cheek before I turned my back on him. But before I could walk away, he grabbed my hand.

"You're hiding something, Charity. What is it?"

My eyes widened. "I'm not hiding anything, Luke. What are you talking about?"

He raised my hand. His eyes drifted to my ring finger. "Then, care to explain this? Why do you have an engagement ring and wedding band, my dear cousin?"