I decided to tell him the same story I told him when I applied as his secretary.
"I came back to the Philippines because my father and I had a row. He wanted me to marry someone for his business, but I refused. We had a fight that pushed me to go back to the Philippines. Then we met on the plane to Manila. We had the same flight. That's where we first met."
"Really? On the plane?"
"Yeah," I pursed my lips as I remembered that exact moment. "We were both in business class. And I… uh… I accidentally vomited on your shirt."
"What?" His brows furrowed.
"Yeah," I chuckled softly when I saw his horrendous expression. "I thought you'd be mad at me but you smiled instead. You even gave me a mint candy."
I felt my cheeks heated up. And I realized that I'm still in love with you after all these years passed.
"Then we met again when I applied for a job in your company," I continued. "I didn't know that you're going to be my boss." I cleared my throat. "I was already attracted to you by then but I fell in love with you as I got to spend time with you. I really admire your work ethics. And how you treat the people around you."
This time, it was him who cleared his throat. I noticed that his ears reddened.
"You said your father sent you to the Philippines. Does it mean he didn't know that you're now married to me?"
"No." I bit my lower lip. "I haven't had any contact with him since I left Greece. But I'll tell him soon."
"What if he won't accept you again?" he asked. "What if he'd totally disown you for marrying me?"
I stared at him. The other day, he told me straight to my face that didn't believe that we're a real married couple. But now, he's asking these things?
"It's fine with me…" I said after a short moment of silence. "I love my father… but I can't let him decide for my life." I held his hand. "And… I'm in love with you, Xander." Shit. My heart was beating loud inside my chest. I felt so good saying this out loud. "I don't care if he disowns me. I'm already old enough to provide for myself."
I looked at him and saw him with a slight frown on his face. "You're married to me. That means, you're never going to worry about money. I can very well provide for my wife."
I stared at him. Did I hear it right? He recognized me as his wife?
"I didn't marry you for money, Xander." I answered back, pursing my lips.
"But what's mine is automatically yours. That's the law, right?"
I cleared my throat. "Well… uh, yes."
I almost jumped from my seat when my cell phone rang. "Sorry, it's mine." I said as I took out my phone from the pocket of my pants. My eyes widened when I saw the name of the caller on the screen.
It was my father.
"Uh… I just answered the call, Xander."
I went to the room and locked the door before I answered the phone. "Baba?"
I heard my father sighed on the other end of the line. "It seems like you have already forgotten about your Dad, Charity."
I bit my lower lip. "Dad… I'm sorry. It's just… uh… it's been very busy for me the past few days."
"This old man misses you, dear."
"Aww," I smiled. "I miss you too, baba. How are you doing there?"
My smile grew wider as I listened to everything my father had been saying.
"Where would you plan to celebrate your birthday?"
Oh. I had forgotten that two days from now is already my birthday. Two months ago, my original plan was to celebrate it with Mariel. But of course, things are different now. I'm in New York with Xander.
"Like what I had told you, Baba. I'd celebrate it with my best friend Mariel and other friends." I bit my lower lip. "By the way, Baba. Since my birthday's coming, can I ask you a favor?"
"Of course, dear. You know I'd give anything. What is it?"
I need to tell him that I would like to stay in the Philippines for a few months.
"Baba… can I extend my vacation here in the Philippines for a few more months?"
My father went silent for a while. "I thought you already miss me, Charity? But now you're asking for an extension?"
I chewed my lips. "Of course, I miss you." I sighed. "It's just that… Mariel was asking me to travel with her in Japan."
"Alright, dear. You know I can't say no to you."
I'm so sorry, Baba. I'm just really deeply in love with this man. "Thank you, Baba. I love you…"
"I love you, Charity. I'll call again on your birthday."
I wanted to ask him about Luke but decided against it. I don't want to raise any suspicion.
I was smiling as I bid my father goodbye. But then I alnost jumped when I heard a loud knock on the door.
"Xander!" I muttered when I saw him after opening the door. I didn't expect him. I thought it was Berna.
"Why is the door locked, Charity?" he asked, frowning. He looked suspicious of something.
Shit.
"Uh… I didn't realize I had locked it. Sorry, Xander."
He nodded. But his frown didn't get erased from his face. "And who are you talking to?"
My lips parted. I wanted to be thankful that Xander couldn't see my reaction.
"Uh… my cousin."
"Cousin?" He arched his brow. "In Greece?"
"Yeah. He's the only one I get to talk to. He asked me if I was doing okay."
"You're close with him?"
"Yeah. We're pretty close, Xander. He's like a second brother to me."
"What's his name?"
"Lukas. But everyone in the family calls him Luke."
"Did you tell him that you're already married?"
"No… not yet."
"Why not?"
Why was he asking me that? Does he want to tell people we're married?
"Well… I'm afraid he might tell my father about it."
"Don't you want your father to know that you're married?"
"Of course not. It's just that… I wanted to tell him everything in person."
He nodded. "Alright."
I let out a breath when he didn't ask anymore questions.