ALEXANDER

Chapter 6

“What do you mean?” Asking him in disbelief while my mouth slightly opens.

Surprise, to say the least.

‘How did he know about my mother’s condition?’ Suspiciously staring at him with my brows almost in one line.

“I can pay for your mother’s operation, Ms. Lopez. Everything she needs before, during, and after the operations will be taken care of. I know you badly need money right now. I am here to give what you need. All her expenses will be paid in full. And-“

‘Is he effin serious??’

‘Am I hearing him correctly??’

“Hold on, Mr. Montavo.” I cut him off.

Taking a deep sigh before I voice out my thought, and confusion as well.

“You’re right. I am desperate for money right now. But how did you know about that? And why are you helping me?”

“I am not giving it for free, Ms. Lopez. There’s a deal.”

I knew it. Why is a billionaire willing to help with nothing in return? Of course, there should be an exchange condition.

Trying to stay calm before I look at him again.

“I don’t need your money, Mr. Montavo. If you have nothing to say. I gotta go.”

Giving him a dismissive tone so he could sense I’m not interested in his money.

‘Take his offer, Cassidy!’ says my conscience.

And as I stand up, he speaks again.

“Do you have anyone in mind who can lend you enough money for your mother’s operation? Do you think you still have time?”

I look back and face him again.

“That’s no longer your problem, sir.”

“Think of your mother’s condition, Ms. Lopez. Would you think, by prolonging the operation, her life will extend? No, Ms. Lopez. Every hour you spend here would only make her condition worse.”

It hurts me when the image of my weak mother appears.

Then he still continues.

“I will give you five hundred thousand dollars, on top of the money I will give for your mother’s operation.”

“Wait, what?? Why?”

I must have been dreaming right now.

How the heck someone can give that huge amount to someone like me?

‘Come on, Cassidy! Hear him out first.’

Half of my mind is swaying in his words.

“I shouldn’t offer you this, but I am also desperate, Ms. Lopez.”

Desperate? Him? Why?

Confuse, but I still manage to ask. “Desperate? Wait, you’re confusing me.”

How would a billionaire become so desperate?

I didn't know that a succesful billionaire can be desperate as well.

He clears his throat as he becomes uneasy.

There’s a few seconds of silence before he speaks again.

“I need a girlfriend to present to my grandfather on his birthday.”

‘A girlfriend??’

‘Is he asking me to pretend as his girlfriend?!'

“Then find someone who can pretend. I’m pretty sure there are a lot of women out there who have the best qualifications and best suit for what you need, sir-“

“My grandfather- “He cut me off. His deep sigh is audible.

Then he stands up as he walks closer.

“He is a smart old man, Moya- uhm, Miss Lopez. He would know if I just hire someone as my fake girlfriend. He knows every woman in the high society, either in the business world or in the entertainment industry. And he knows I hate those kinds of women.”

Staring at him with our proximity right now isn’t the best idea. My whole body is acting up. My mind is slowly going against me.

'Chill, Cassidy. Relax!'

“Then, better tell him the truth, sir. I don’t think I can help you.”

‘You better not regret this, Cassidy.’ I told myself for rejecting.

“I can’t, Moya Milaya. He is dying and his only wish is for me to have a girlfriend that he thinks I am in love with.”

He raises his hand and puts some of my hair loose strands back in my ear.

A wave of different feelings surge through me.

'Oh, God! What is wrong with me??'

We are talking while so close with each other.

Are we having a normal conversation?

Heck no!

The way we look right now is not so ordinary way of talking. With one wrong move, and I know he will kiss me. My heartbeats get faster. I could even hear my heart pounding loudly.

‘What’s that?’ Asking myself when there’s a glimpse of desire in his eyes. Or maybe I was just being delusional. Half of my mind and my body are not really helping me right now.

I am torn between accepting his offer and to reject it.

“If that’s the case, your grandfather would know this as well.”

“I doubt that.” says Alexander.

“What?”

“Miss Lopez, I have little time to explain everything to you right now.”

'Mom...' She needs the operation.

“I need to think about it, sir. I am not good at acting. I would just jeopardize your plan in the future if your grandfather notices something is off.” That's what comes out in my mouth instead.

“Just say yes right now, moya milaya, then I can set another date to talk about this. I can also give you a contract so you can review. If there’s anything you want to change, just say so. Everything in the contract is negotiable. Just say yes and I will hand you the contract and don't worry this is just between the two of us. I will also have my staffs arrange the operation for your mom in five minutes and have the best doctors to operate her. Everything will be paid off. Just say yes.”

His face tells it all. He is really desperate as well. We have something in common. We both are desperate and our loveones are sick.

Then my mouth says the word, “Yes.”

Wah!! Did I just say yes?? It’s too late for me to retract it.

Eyes widen, and mouth shapes in O, sum up my face reactions when I realize it.

His handsome face turns into more alluring when he smiles. A genuine smile.

Honestly, I don’t remember more of what happens after I accept the deal. One thing I know, he immediately calls his secretary and says the word, “PROCEED”.

Then here I am now in my mom’s hospital room, in front of my brothers. Beside me is Alexander.

My brothers are still looking at me and Alexander. Maybe they’re staring at us for roughly two minutes by the time we get here. The operation has already begun before I get back here.

“So, Cassidy. Arent you going to introduce him to us?” asks Brix. He seriously says it. Not the typical Brix I know. He is a jolly guy and seeing him being serious is different.

“Uhm, he is-“ I am about to introduce Alexander to my brothers but he has a way of introducing himself.

“I’m Alexander Montavo. Her boyfriend. Well, she calls me her handsome boyfriend.”

What?! I didn't! Liar!

He pulls me with him while his arm wraps around my shoulder. And my brothers are also surprised just like how I am so surprised. when his body attaches to mine.

Yet, I put on an act and smile at them.

“Hehe! Yeah! Uhm, Charles, Brix, this is Alexander Montavo. My boyfriend. My handsome boyfriend.” Smiling at them as I also wrap my left arm around his waist.

'Crap!' I just repeat what he says.

“Your boyfriend, huh? How?!” Brix again asks me. Whereas, Charles has been staring at us. Maybe scrutinizing us.

“Well, you know, when a man and a woman like each other and want to have a label, they become in a relationship together. You know, boyfriend-girlfriend!” I blurted.

Honestly, I feel stupid right now. I don’t know if I explain it the way they want to. Or, if that’s the explanation they want to hear.

Alexander chuckles. “Relax, moya milaya.”

“Maybe, she’s just afraid of your reactions that she looks so nervous.” he says to my brothers.

“Hahaha! You? You’re really her boyfriend. Wait, since when? Are you sure you like her?”

It surprises me when Charles laughs. Yet, Alexander says nothing after.

But, wait! Why does he say it as if no one will ever like me? Weren’t they bugging me to have a boyfriend already?

Grrr...

“My sister is very picky, Alexander. The last time we remember, she didn’t want to have a boyfriend. How did you get her yes?”

“Oh, come on, Brix. Stop this questioning already. Isn’t it what you guys want? You want me to have a boyfriend. Now that I have one, you’re still questioning it?” I butt-in when Alexander is about to speak.

“Cassie, I’m just concerned. I don’t want you to have one if you just felt threatened by us. I know your major priority is mom, so it’s surprising to-“

“But I am not, Brix. I like him and he likes me. So what’s with the fuss? Can we not talk about my relationship here? Besides, we need to pray for mom’s successful operation.”

Great acting, Cassidy!

“Yeah, let’s stop asking her, Brix. I don’t think she feels threatened. In fact, she looks in love.”

I almost get choked by what Charles says.

In love??

I glance at Alexander, who just winks at me as he smiles. And here I am again, trying to control my heart from trembling hard.

Six hours later...

“Why are they not done yet?” I can’t help but ask. Although I am not asking it to a specific person. I’m just so anxious to see my mom.

Six hours are too long and they haven’t updated us yet.

“Everything will be alright, sis.” says Charles.

“I hope so, Charles.”

Alexander has gone back to his office four hours ago. He told me he has business meetings to attend to, and who am I to stop him?

Anyway, he is not my main worry right now. I also set aside our deal for now.

My mom is in the operating room, and we still don’t know the status. She is my primary concern at the moment.

“You need to eat, Cassie.” says Brix. He has been insisting me to have my dinner. But I don’t feel hungry.

“Later, Brix.”

“You need to eat now. You have been telling me that.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Cassie, you have been telling me that for many times.”

“And you also have been asking me that for so many times, Brix.”

Trying to calm myself. I still feel anxious about the operation.

“Because you need to eat. You need to have strength once mom comes out from the operating room. We don’t want you to get sick as well. Now, eat!”

“Ugh! Fiiiiine!!!!”

Mentally and Physically, I am tired. But I have to be strong for them.

Then my phone rings, coming from an unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Hey."

Right there my heart leaps. Hearing his voice excites me.

'Get a grip of yourself, Cassidy.'

"Mr. Monta--- Alexander?"

Immediately, I change, since Brix is just sitting beside me. I wouldn't want him to be suspicious.

I may not know the whole details of the contract. But I already have the contract in my bag. Yet, I haven't read anything there. I didn't sign it as well. Alexander told me we will discuss it once the operation is over.

"I just spoke to Charles and you haven't eaten anything yet. Don't you like the food?" asks Alexander.

"Wait, my brother?" I ask while looking for Charles. Now that he ask, I haven't seen Charles in the room.

Where is he?

When did he get out of the room?

"Yes."

"Why do you have his number?"

"Because he is your brother. Don't you like the food I ordered for you?"

I didn't know the food were from him, though. I thought it's from my brothers.

"I am eating it right now."

"Alright. That's good. Anyway, I gotta go."

Just like that, the call ended. He didn't even wait for my response.

'Wait, what was that? And why did he call me again??'