ALEXANDER

Chapter 9

After discussing the contract, Alexander and I are heading straight to his office, then later we will go back to the hospital.

And now that we are closer to the entrance of his company building, my feet want to go back to the car.

“What’s wrong?” He notices my disconcertment.

“I’m- Uhm, can I stay in the car instead? I’ll just wait for you there?”

“No.” He says, disregarding my plea.

“But I won’t go anywhere. I promise.”

Taking two steps backwards as my insecurities are eating me now. I feel like backing out from our deal, yet I know there’s no backing out now. We just sealed the contract with our signatures thirty minutes ago.

He says nothing, yet he stares into my eyes as he walks closer to me. Then he takes my hand as he entwines his hand with mine.

“Alexander-“

“You’re with me, moya milaya. You’re my girlfriend now. Remember that.” he says and he squeezes my hand for assurance.

I’m only his fake girlfriend. I should remember that.

The warmth coming from his hand calms me, surprisingly.

Walking towards the elevator is so deafening. I know some of the people are murmuring, yet my ears have a defense mechanism. Blocking to hear anything.

As I take a glance at them, my suspicion is indeed right. Everyone’s attention is on us and the way they steal glances at us leave me overwrought.

The closer we get to the elevator, the more eyes gawking at us. They’re like paparazzi in corporate attire. Well, paparazzi wear corporate attires.

“Why are they keep looking at us?” I can’t keep my curiosity at bay so I ask him when we stop in front of the elevator that says “VIP use”.

“Don’t mind them. They’re probably curious.”

“Haven’t you brought a woman here?”

“I had. But that was a long time ago.”

“Your ex-girlfriend?”

“Yes. Let’s not talk about her.”

“Okay.”

No talks we shared until we got to his office.

He led me to the sofa in the center.

“Wait for me here. Or if you want to take a rest, there’s a room-.”

“No. I’m fine here. Just do whatever you need to do. Don’t mind me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Alright.”

A few moments later, Alexander immerses in his work. Not long after that, his secretary comes in, holding a laptop.

She’s a stunner. I’m wondering why he didn’t ask her to be his fake girlfriend but me. They seem pretty close, though. Besides, I am nothing compare to her looks. She is very sophisticated while wearing those high heels and tailored office outfit. I couldn’t help but compare myself to her.

I’m nothing like her.

She then goes out after talking to Alexander.

Pretending not to be nosy, I keep myself busy by reading some business magazines.

Then roughly twenty minutes since Alexander is sitting in his chair, I finally hear him stand up. Glancing at his side and he is walking towards me.

“Are you done?” I ask.

“No. Something came up and I need to check on it. Would you be okay here?” his response.

“Oh! Well, since you’re leaving. Can I just go to the hospital? You don’t have to go with me there.”

“No. We’ll go there together. Wait for me here. You can go inside the room if you want to take some rest. There’s television you can use to watch movies if you’d like as well.”

“Okay...” Shrugging off my other disapproval.

“It won’t be long.” says Alexander.

“I’ll wait.”

“Alright. I’ll be right back.”

“Sure.”

He gives me a kiss on the lips, which has me frozen in my seat.

I gasp at the sudden kiss he gives.

“You should get used to my kiss, princess.” He notices my reaction.

Yet, my mouth is still half open. Thinking for the right words to respond to him while looking straight into his eyes as well.

“Stop staring like that, moya printsesa.”

Like what? I thought.

“Damn it!” He curses under his breath before he leans in and kisses me again.

He is a damn-good kisser. He deepens the kiss, and a moan escapes my lips.

Our kiss has been interrupted by his secretary, who came in and caught us red-handed.

Blush surely creeps on my face.

“Oh, God!” I utter my embarrassment in a low voice so she couldn’t hear, but I’m pretty sure Alexander hears it.

“I’ll be back.”

I just nod at him.

He stares at me down to my lips a little longer before he stands up and walks with his secretary out.

Not really sure how long I slept. I remember after I put the magazine back to the table I went inside his private room and laid down. I even texted my brothers and Anj, since I have heard nothing from them still.

But now, Alexander’s handsome face is what I see. Very close to me.

Clearing my throat before I speak and sit properly. “How long have you been here?”

“Not long. Enough to stare at you freely.”

Immediately, I averted my gaze as I stand up and fix my dress, concealing the emotions trying to come out.

“Shall we go now?” I ask.

“Yeah!”

This time Alexander is sitting next to me in the backseat of his car since Reezo is the one driving. Reezo is his driver. He introduced me to him earlier so was Almira, his secretary.

My brother Charles is alone with our unconscious mom. Brix has probably gone to school already.

“Cassie?” Surprise is evident on Charles’ face as soon as he sees me. He’s staring at me from head to foot.

“Stop staring like that. You creep!”

“I didn’t know you wear a dress.”

Rolling my eyes at my brother’s nonsense blab.

“I am a woman, Charles. Of course, I wear dress.”

Charles is scratching the back of his head as he grins. Then he looks at Alexander.

“Can we talk?” My brother asks Alexander. Instantly, he becomes serious. Weirdo!

While they walk out of the room, I take my chance to stare longer at my mom. Smiling as I hold her hand.

I’m going to miss you, mom.

I know I wouldn’t be able to see her more often. My life wouldn’t be the same for the next ninety days as well, but I should prepare myself for whatever might happen in the future. I’m doing this for my mom. I can’t trade her for anything in the world. I would rather sacrifice everything so she can recover.

“I love you, mom.” I tell her, though I doubt if she hears it.

I look around and this room has basic things we need. Television, Restroom, another bedroom for the family and a long sofa bed. There’s refrigerator in the far corner and mini kitchen beside it. I have never dreamt of my mom to get this private room. This costs half of my savings already.

The plan to talk with Anj has delayed again. She’s not here. She’s probably in the apartment right now, sleeping. I have to go to work later to talk with Hugo.

Alexander wants me to quit with my two jobs but I am not sure how to bid goodbye to those jobs that helped me a lot. My bosses are also so nice to me. I can’t just suddenly leave them.

Suddenly, I feel mom’s hand stir.

“Mom??”

“Mom, can you hear me?”

“Oh, mom!” Happiness fills in me when I see that kind of smile again from her.

“Mommy...”

“Cassie...”

“You’re awake now. I’ll call the doctor. Don’t sleep again. Okay?”

She smiles and slowly nods her head.

“Charles!”

I run outside and call for my brother. He’s still talking with Alexander and they both look at me.

“Can you call the doctor? Mom is awake now.”

*******************

Twenty days later...

“I’m going to miss you,” says Anj.

She’s emotional again even when I told her one week ago about me moving out of the apartment.

“I know and I am going to miss you too, cuz.”

“I just feel lonely. This house is never the same since you’re no longer here.”

“Silly. I will still come here and visit you. But, seriously, thank you Anj. For letting me stay here. For everything you have done for me and for mom.”

“Ugh! Let’s not get there, please. I don’t wanna cry. I’m doing my best not to. So stop with the appreciation words.”

“Hehe. Still thank-“

“Hep! Don’t you say no more. How many times do I have to tell you? You guys are my family too, and helping a family is not a big deal. Besides, it’s your boyfriend who has helped you a lot.”

“Yeah. I don’t know how to thank him enough for all his help, too.”

“You didn’t ask for his help. He offered it to you. You shouldn’t feel obligated.” says Anj.

Anj and my family only know Alexander as my boyfriend. They don’t know there’s a contract behind it.

This is my last day here in Anj's apartment as I am moving into Alexander’s house. He says he has another house that I will be staying and starting later he will be staying there as well with me. I haven’t seen him for four days as well, since I spent those days with mom and my brothers. He called, and we talked daily, just like the contract also stated.

Twenty days since the contract has started and there's few from his corporate world who already knew about our relationship.

I got a call from a representative of Superstar Entertainment Magazine wanting to set an exclusive interview about me and Alexander. I told Alexander about it and he asked me if I was ready for it so he can set a date for the interview. I declined, of course. I just can't.

Oh, my God!

It suddenly occurs to me the chances of us getting more intimate aside from just kissing once we live in together and he said s*x is inevitable.

How can I negotiate with him not to go there?

My heart trembles at that thought. I don’t think I’m ready for that stage. I need to prefer myself first. Besides, I shouldn’t get worried. He won’t do anything against my will, especially about s*x. It’s also in the contract we both signed, unless I give him the permission. But until when I can delay it?

Anyway, Reezo has done putting all my stuffs in the car, I asked him to wait for ten minutes so I can talk with Anj.

“Hey, we still keep in touch. I will still go to work.” I tell her.

“But, didn’t you say you quit?”

“Yes, I did. But Hugo asks me to work until the end of the month. That means I still have five days to work there.”

“Oh, great! Call me always okay?”

Anj has never been like this. I see how sad she is and even when I told her the first time; it shocked her.

“Of course. See you on Monday.” I hug her before I walk to the car.

As the car drives away, my mind wanders to the time I told Anj about me moving out of the apartment. At first, she thought I was just joking.

In fact, all of them have the same reactions when I told them my plan to move out of the apartment.

When I talked with mom and my brothers about living together with Alexander, they’re all shocked. They questioned me why it’s too soon since our relationship was just so new.

I didn’t know how I made them believe that we’re madly in love with each other when, for a fact, I have never fallen in love with someone else. I had flings but had never gone into another level.

Regardless of my family's hesitations, they still agreed. I spent my four days with them. They’re already in the townhouse that Alexander had told me about. There’s a stay-at-home private nurse for my mom too. Just like what Alexander had promised.

My brothers are now back to school regularly, and have to travel an hour and a half from the townhouse to school.

I didn’t know that my brothers already knew they will be moving to Alexander’s townhouse once mom could go out. I have learned that Alexander already told them while mom was in the operating room.

I check the time on my phone. It’s past seven in the evening already.

“We’re almost near, Ms. Lopez.” says Reezo.

“Alright.”

Alexander called me earlier, telling he’s on his way to the house as well. He was in his office when he called.

The car stops when we get to the fifth floor parking lot.

“Where is this place?” I ask Reezo.

“This is The Mansion Suite. We’re going to Mr. Montavo's penthouse.”

“Oh!” The only word comes out of me.

Penthouse?

He’s taking out my luggages from the car trunk. I only have two luggages with me and a hand carry bag. He takes those two luggages and walks to the elevator as I follow him.

My heart is pounding hard again. Now that I am going closer, disquietude is taking over me.

We then reach the highest floor of the condominium a few moments later.

Why am I nervous?