"HERE'S a copy of the presentation that I've printed out, Sir. Please, check it before I make copies."
I said after I placed a folder on his table.
Today was the day that Xander would present his important project proposal to the board.
He looked at me and smiled before he examined the paper in front of him. "Thanks, Charity. This is perfect."
I pursed my lips as I tried to hide my smile. "You're welcome, Sir," I said before I headed back to my desk to print out copies of his presentation.
"Is everything ready?" Xander asked an hour later. He stood in front of me while holding the laptop in his hands.
"Yes, Sir." I'd picked up the files I printed out and followed him to the elevator. Xander already told me this morning that he'd be needing my help with this meeting.
"Thank you, Charity," Xander said as we rode the elevator to the 30th floor where the main board meeting was located. "For today and for helping me the other day."
"No need to thank me, Sir. This is part of my job as your secretary."
I bit my lip to prevent myself from smiling. Shit. How can I not fall for him more if he's always been like this?
The boardroom was still empty when we entered it. We were already done with the set-up when Sir Austin came. I went to him and gave him a copy of Xander's presentation.
"Thanks, Miss Charity," Austin said to me, his face passive as ever. "I heard from Xander that you help him with this."
I pursed my lips. "Just the PowerPoint, Sir."
"Charity…"
"Oh, Xander was calling you," Austin said. Suddenly, there was a ghost of a smile on his lips.
"Excuse me, Sir," I said to Austin as I walked to Xander. "Sir?"
He glanced at Austin who was now busy with his phone. "Do not talk to him."
"Sir Austin?" I asked in confusion.
Soon after, the members of the board enter the room. I went to each of them and gave them the same material I gave to Austin.
I stood at the corner of the conference room and watched Xander as he presented his project to the executives.
He was standing there confidently while all the eyes in the room were on him.
As I continued to watch him, all I saw was an epitome of a successful businessman. He reminded me of my father and my cousins. He was able to confidently answer all the questions thrown at him.
Right at that moment, I realized it was stupid of me to think I would able to unlove him once used to him around me. Instead of unloving him, I was falling for him more. Now, I was afraid that I'd be impossible to erase him from my system.
No matter how many times I reminded myself that my feelings for him won't be reciprocated, I couldn't stop myself from falling.
Now that I couldn't do something about it, maybe I should just enjoy being with him. I had a month left before I moved back to Greece.
In the middle of the presentation, Xander turned in my direction. I smiled at him and gave him a thumbs-up. He gave me a smile. That made my heart summersault. Gosh. His single smile was enough to cause chaos inside my chest.
"Congrats, Sir," I said after his successful presentation. We were already back at our office.
"Thank you, Charity. Gather your things. I'll treat you outside for lunch."
My eyes widened a fraction. "No need, Sir."
He cocked his eyebrow. "I won't take no for an answer. Be ready in fifteen minutes," he said before leaving me at my desk."
Shit. I hurriedly gathered my things before I fixed myself. I knew that for him, it was just a simple lunch but it was something for me.
"Where do you wanna eat?" Xander asked me after we left the VGC building. "But, please, not in fast food, okay?"
I turned to him with an amused smile. "I thought you like Jollibee, Sir?"
He chuckled a bit. "Yeah. But not right now. I want to treat you somewhere nice."
I felt something tug at my heart. Damn. He could easily affect me with his words.
I cleared my throat. "I can't think of any." Damn. If only I could say that I'd eat anywhere as long as I'm with him.
"What's your favorite food?"
"Hmm, I love Chinese food. Especially xiao long bao."
"Well, I know an authentic Chinese restaurant nearby."
We were still only a few minutes on the road when we got stuck in traffic. I stirred from my seat when I heard a knock on Xander's window. Xander pulled down the window on the driver's side. A little girl was standing outside holding a bunch of red roses. I stared at the girl. She was too young to be working on the streets.
"Hello, Sir!" She greeted Xander with a smile on her face. "I'm selling these red roses. Would you like to buy one?"
I looked at the red roses on the girl's hand. Some of them were already dried out due to exposed sunlight.
I was about to speak when Xander took out his wallet. "How much is that, little miss?"
"Just one hundred pesos, Sir."
Xander handed the kid a blue bill. "I'll buy them all."
The kid widened in happiness. "Wow. Thank you, Sir."
My eyes never leave Xander as his car's window rolled up. Then Xander turned to me. My lips parted when Xander handed me the roses that he bought from the kid.
"Here…"
"Sir?" Why was he giving me these?
He smiled and shrugged. "I don't have someone to give these so I'll just give it to you."
I was still stunned when I accepted the flowers from him. "Thank you, Sir." I stared at the flowers in my hand. Shit. I just received flowers from Xander. I'd definitely preserve them and bring them with me to Greece.
My eyes drifted to Xander who was now busy driving. He was really kind. It was obvious that these flowers were overpriced and like he said, he didn't need them, but he still bought them from the kid.
I stilled when I remembered what he said. I have no one to give flowers to.
"You don't have a girlfriend, Sir?"
He gave me a look. "Well. I don't have one right now."
"Really, Sir?" I asked even before I could stop myself.
He amusedly lifted his brows. "Why do you look shocked?"
I shrugged. "Well… it's because I see that you're a boyfriend material. I'm sure there are women flocking over you."
I saw him purse his lips. "Well, it's been a long time since I last had a girlfriend."
So… that woman on the plan whom he called babe on the phone was not his girlfriend? That was just a fling? Just like all the women who got linked to him in the past years.
"How about you?" he asked me back. "What's your reason for not having a boyfriend?"
I cleared my throat. I'm in love with you, that's why. "I… I'm in love with someone else, Sir."
"Really?" The car stopped. Xander's eyes drifted to mine. I realized there was a stoplight ahead of us. "I remembered you said your type was someone with green eyes. So, this man… he's in Greece, right?"
I didn't expect that he'd remember the things I said in our interview.
No. That man was just beside me. "Uh…yeah. The guy I really like…he was far from me." Figuratively. "And moreover, he doesn't like me the way I like him."
His eyebrows furrowed. "What? Who wouldn't like you? I mean… you're beautiful and kind…"
My cheeks flushed from his words.
"Stop it, Sir. I might believe your words, you know," I said with a chuckle.
His eyes looked at my face. I could feel my heart inside my chest.
"But it's true, Charity. You're really pretty. Your eyes… they're the most beautiful part of you."
"Thanks, Sir." I said as I averted my gaze. I couldn't stand his stares. My heart might jump to my throat.
"But I'm far from the usual type of woman he likes to date. I looked pretty ordinary compared to them."
He frowned. "Then you should stop loving him. You deserve to be loved by someone who would love you back and would see you as special."
I turned to him and just gave him a small smile. But I don't want to stop loving you.