“I NEED to stay in the Philippines for a week...”
Austin told me while we're having coffee in the kitchen. It was five days after Xander's accident. This morning, he was already released from the hospital.
Instead of going back to the hotel, Austin rented a whole apartment in Manhattan for us.
Austin already said this to me the other day. He needed to go back to the country to check on the company.
"I'll be back before Xander's next check up," Austin said. "We'll bring Xander back after his eyesight goes back to normal." He sighed. "I want Xander's condition to remain a secret. I don't want abuelo to get worried. Besides, if the board learned about Xander's condition, it might affect their decision. You know how much the company's chairmanship means to Xander."
I nodded at Austin. "I understand, Austin. Thank you for doing this for Xander."
He gave a small smile. "And thank you for agreeing with my plan, Charity."
My eyes drifted to the door of Xander's room. "You know, I'm already feeling guilty, Austin," I said to him in a small voice. "Xander doesn't believe that I'm really his wife. Maybe… maybe we should tell him the truth." I bit my lower lip.
The past days in the hospital, Xander has been indifferent to me. He was very vocal in saying that he didn't believe everything I've told him.
"If he learned the truth now, Xander will hate you for trying to lie to him." Austin shook his head. "We can't let that happen. "He needs to recover fast. We need you by his side, Charity."
I sighed as my eyes dropped to the cup of coffee in front of me. "I don't think I can make Xander fall in love with me. He's treating me indifferently."
"It's just because of the accident, Charity," Austin said. "It's normal for him to feel that way because of his condition. Right now, what he needs the most is help from the person who cares for him. That person is you, Charity."
That afternoon, Austin left New York. Aside from me, Austin also hired a private nurse to take care of Xander.
"Charity, should I call Xander? Or I'll just bring food inside his room?" Berna asked me after I finished cooking dinner. Berna was the private nurse that Austin hired. She was in mid fifties and a Filipina.
"It's okay, Berna. I'll do it." I smiled at her. "You can already rest after eating dinner."
"Xander…" I said in a soft voice as I stood outside his room. When I didn't hear an answer from him, I knocked on his door before I opened it.
The room was wide and spacious. Aside from the king sized bed, there's also a big sofa, a mini library, a bathroom, a mini cabinet and a glass door leading to the veranda.
This apartment has three rooms. But Xander knew our relationship was real, right? So… he would find it weird if I didn't stay here tonight. But he doesn't believe that we're really married…
Stop thinking about where to sleep tonight, Charity.
I found Xander on the sofa. He was sitting there, his eyes were closed, his head was leaning on the backrest. Music was playing from the background. It was a Frank Sinatra song.
Xander cocked his head to my direction. "Charity?" He asked. He picked up the remote on the sofa and stopped the song. Silence filled the room.
I cleared my throat. "Yes. It's me," I said as I walked towards him. He was wearing drawstring shorts and a gray pullover. His bruises were already healing… He was no longer wearing a bandage on his head.
I stopped in front of him. "I'm sorry to disturb you. But it's already dinner."
"Alright." He grabbed his crane sitting beside him and stood up.
"Let me help you."
I tried to hold his hand but he swayed it away. "I don't need your help, Charity. I can walk to the kitchen alone."
I bit my lip when I felt something prick my chest with his rejection.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "But I wanted to help you. I'm your wife, Xander."
"Fine." He let out a sigh as he held his arm to me. I swallowed before I held his hand and guided him outside his room.
This apartment was wide and minimalist. Austin made sure that Xander wouldn't be having a hard time navigating the place.
After we reached the kitchen, I finally let go of him. "There," I said as I guided him to sit on the dining chair that I pulled up for him.
"Pasta bolognese?" Xander arched his brow. I saw him sniffing the plate of food in front of him.
"Yeah," I replied with a smile. "That's your favorite."
He just arched his brow and didn't comment. He was really different from the Xander I knew. Since his accident, I haven't witnessed his smile.
I pulled up the chair next to him and sat beside him. Before he could start eating, I already grabbed the fork beside his plate. "Uh, let me help you eat."
When we're still in the hospital, he allowed me to help him eat.
I took a forkful of pasta and placed it near his mouth. "Here. Just open your mouth, Xander."
But my lips parted when he took the fork from me. "I can eat alone, Charity," he said in a cold voice, putting back the fork on the plate. He looked at me. His eyebrows were almost crossed in one line. His eyes were dark and penetrating me. I could feel my heart beating loudly. He was looking at me as if he could see through me. And that was enough to make me nervous.
No, Charity. He still couldn't see you.
"We're no longer in the hospital," he said in a cold voice. "I can now eat alone. Besides, Austin's not here. You don't have to act like you really care about me."
My eyes widen a fraction. "W-what are you talking about?"
He smirked. "I don't believe you're my wife. Do you really think I'd believe the lies you've weaved together with Austin?"
I tried my best to keep my voice steady. "Xander… I'm not lying."
"Me being married and hopelessly in love with you is just impossible, Charity. I bet Austin just hired you to pretend to be my wife."
"And why would Austin do that?"
He cocked his head to the side. "I don't know. Maybe because I'm alone in life and he thinks I need to be taken care of by someone."
My heart was beating loudly inside my chest. How could he be so perceptive?
Despite the chaos in my chest, I still tried to remain calm. I didn't want him to notice my nervousness.
"What about the rings we were both wearing?"
"It was easy to buy a ring, Charity. Those rings don't prove anything."
"We have a marriage license, Xander. Are you saying Austin and I faked it?"
"I won't believe it exists until I see it."
"Then wait until your eyesight comes back," I retorted. "But if you don't want to believe me, then fine. I won't force you," I told him. "But you can't stop me from taking care of you." I looked at his face. I inhaled a breath when I felt the corner of my eyes tearing up. Damn. I really love this man. No matter how many harsh words he said to me, I'll continue to stay here by his side.
"I don't mind that you're giving me a hard time right now. Even if you push me away, I'll stay here with you. Because I care for you and I love you." A tear fell from my cheek. I immediately wiped it away with my finger. "I understand what happened wasn't easy for you. But please, let me help you ease up your burden." My eyes went down to the table. I picked up the fork. "Please, let me help you eat now."
He breathed. "Fine," was his only reply.