Please, Love Me Again

Chapter 42: I Can't Back Off This Time

Xander Villaruel nodded and then sat upright as he folded his legs into four positions. "Mister Allen, please have a seat. And let's get down to business."

"Alright." Allen did what was asked of him. "What business are we going to discuss now?"

Xander Villaruel stared at the young man who has a noble and elegant aura although he was not doing anything to look like one. While doing that, a certain person's face appeared in his mind.

He hastily shook his head and mumbled inaudible, "They are really related to each other. Their charm and aura can't hide the fact that they are uncle and nephew. Why did I not realise that before? If I did, I would not be in a terrible situation right now. Sigh, it's too late to regret. I can't back off this time."

Allen leaned his back against the couch, slightly tilting his head, a proud smile widened on his lips. "Manager Villaruel, why are you staring at me like that? I know I'm handsome but you can't stare at me like what you did. I get nervous. I feel shy."

Xander Villaruel heaved a soft sigh. "Mister Allen—"

"Call me Allen. I don't like that kind of address. You make me feel like I'm a stranger to everyone." Allen interjected. "Even though I'm not."

"Whatever." Xander Villaruel looked at him oddly seriously. "Allen, although you are annoying most of the time, I want to thank you for what you did for Alyssa Curtis. You did the right thing. I sensed some argument or unsettled issue between the two of you but you did not let her be bullied by those people. You helped her out. Thank you."

"I did not ask for his help." Alyssa Curtis jeered. "I can take myself out of that situation even without him. He is just being nosy. So you don't have to think of him as Brother Xander."

"Bitter." Allen pouted. "Ungrateful."

"No matter what, we still have to think about him." Xander Villaruel said. "However Allen, I still have to discriminate against you for how you handle the situation. You are too high profile. When Edo Padilla really posts the video on the Internet, then your reputation will be harmed. Trouble will follow you. Are you aware of that."

Allen smirked. "Of course. I have been good all these years. I have not involved myself in any scandals. But I'd like to try. It seems fun and interesting."

"I should not have asked you this." Xander Villaruel stated coldly. "This is the question for clear-headed people. For a crazy person like you, it's just wasting my time."

Xander Villaruel stood up and removed his coat. Then handed it to Alyssa Curtis. "You wear this first. Let's talk about lunch later. I have a lot of things to talk to you about. Allen and I will discuss something first. Excuse us for a while."

Alyssa Curtis went on her feet and nodded as she received the coat. "Thanks Brother Xander. Then I have to go. I still have a shoot later."

"Oh that's right. Go and take Miss Apostol to rest in the hotel. I had talked to the director already. The shoot will resume this afternoon. So take your time to rest and calm down. And get prepared."

"Okay. Thanks Brother Xander." Alyssa Curtis slightly bowed as a sign of respect and left the room.

When she was finally gone, Allen stood up and tapped Xander Villaruel's shoulder. "Wow, wow, you're so amazing. This is really awesome. Fantastic!"

Xander Villaruel turned to face him. "What on earth are you doing?"

Allen crossed his arms over his chest as he turned around endlessly, eying Xander Villaruel up and down with an amazed expression.

"Enough turning around. You make me dizzy." Xander Villaruel pushed him towards the couch.

Allen did not expect him to suddenly push him down and so he stumbled on his back on the couch. "Why did you push me? Are you mad at me because I suddenly appeared in front of you? Or are you just mad at me because I was able to recognise you? Your disguise can't deceive me, ha ha ha."

Xander Villaruel squinted his eyes. "I am not that petty."

Allen sat properly and put a playful smile on his lips again. As if nothing just happened. "Enough pretending. There's only you and me here. You don't have to use that male voice to talk to me. Strange. When we're alone just now, goosebumps run down my spine upon hearing that voice. But, your disguise is excellent. If not because of the familiar closeness I felt between us, I am almost not able to recognise you."

"Alright." Using her female voice, Geneva nodded. "Then let's be serious here. Let's talk about the serious matter right now. This is all thanks to you."

"What have I've done?"

Geneva walked towards the door and closed it. She then leaned her back against the door. "Now tell me. Are you serious this time?"

"Geneva, although I'm always playful in your eyes, I can assure you I am not joking this time. I am really your artist now. The change of manager just took effect this morning."

"Why me? I don't think there's a problem with your precious manager."

"There's nothing, probably. But I don't like him anymore. I'm getting sick of his face."

"You are such a headache." Geneva pinched in between her brows. "When will you stop behaving like a spoiled child?"

"Perhaps until I died." Allen grinned and winked.

"Then how about the mess you created this morning? How are you going to handle it? Don't tell me you want me to solve this for you? Allen, I'm warning you. Don't create trouble for me. I already have a lot of problems in my hands. I am not a robot that can just spread my arms and shoulder everyone's messes to settle."

"You are overreacting. It's not that serious. Oh right. Your son is asking me to bring you home over later. Will you go?"

"I don't know. I can't promise. Actually, this is the matter I'd like to discuss with you."

Allen raised a brow. "So you are really quitting?"

Geneva frowned. "Who told you I'm quitting?"

"Then what's about it? Weren't you also the one who announced that matter last night?"

"I did. But what I am trying to say is that I'm officially accepting the job. Except for your uncle' demands, I'm fine with anything. The kid can come to my home. Maybe I can come to his house but just make sure your uncle is not around. Otherwise, I won't come over. I don't wish to see that devil."

"You really hate my uncle that much?"

Geneva leered. "I did. I hate him to the bones. Aren't you the same?"

A mysterious smile appeared on his lips.

Geneva's brow arched. "What about that smile now? I don't think I said something funny."

"I suddenly realised that it's actually great if you hate him. Even forever."

Geneva frowned, confused. "And why?"

"Because I don't have to worry you will fall for him. He is not an ordinary person. Do remember that. You will only get hurt if you fall in love with him."

"I once experienced that pain. There's no second time. I'm not a fool." Geneva mumbled.

"Did you just say something?"

Geneva shook her head. "Nothing."

"Brother Xander." The woman reservedly called out the name of the man whose nose was stuck on his laptop. He was sitting in a hidden corner where almost no customers occupied to dine. In fact, the spot was almost isolated to other customers. If someone did something in there, others could hardly hear or notice them.

Xander Villaruel took a sip of his coffee and put it down. "You're here. Have a seat."

The woman sat quietly on the opposite table— anxiety aroused in her heart for some unknown reason. She seemed to sense what their meeting was all about but she could not confirm her doubt.

The man was unpredictable after all. Who knows what was running in his unfathomable mind. Maybe one day, he would just flare up or terminate their contract. After all, he was a great manager while she believed she was not a great artist.

She believed she was always a burden. Thanks to Xander Villaruel's words, such belittling thoughts rarely cross her mind. Otherwise, her career has been long ruined.

"Brother Xander, you suddenly asked me out for lunch. Do you have something to talk to me about?" Alyssa Curtis asked sheepishly, thumbs fiddling in between her thighs under the table because of some unknown reason that made her nervous.

"Let's order some food first." Xander Villaruel gestured his hand to the waiter standing nearby. "Waiter, menu please."

The waiter hurriedly came over with a menu. "Here's the menu, ma'am and sir. Are you going to eat now? What will you like to order?"

Xander Villaruel received the menu and pushed it in front of Alyssa Curtis. "You order first."

Alyssa Curtis silently picked up the menu and went through every page without actually looking at any of them. She then closed the menu and said, "Just give me a slice of strawberry cake and a latte."

"Just that alone You're? You're not going to eat something else?" Xander Villaruel asked.

Alyssa Curtis gave the other person a quick look and then hung her head down. "Am I not allowed to eat that?"

"Of course you can." The man answered right away. "I won't forbid you eating sweets as long as it's not often. Too much craving for something is not good for a person." Xander Villaruel looked up to the waiter. "Just give me a slice of cake too. With the same flavor as hers. And a glass of water too."

"Okay." The waiter nodded. "Please give me a minute."

When the waiter left, Xander Villaruel ignored the woman and only faced his laptop, browsing and reading something. After a while, his eyes widened and then frowned, sighing as he shook his head.

"As expected." He mumbled.

Alyssa Curtis stared at the perfectly handsome man who was oozing an elegant and noble aura and overflowing confidence for whatever he was doing or even while doing nothing. Then, her chest heaved up and down abnormally. As she noticed the sudden change of her manager's countenance, her heart felt extremely nervous, pounding hard as if it would jump out of her chest. "Brother Xander, what's the problem?"

"Here's your order ma'am and sir." The waiter said as he came and placed the food on the table. "Two plates of sliced strawberry cake, a latte and a glass of water. Do you need something else?"

"No. Thank you." Alyssa Curtis said. "Brother Xander, I felt that something is off to you. What exactly is the problem?"

Xander Villaruel closed his laptop and looked at Alyssa Curtis seriously. "Miss Curtis, let me ask you a question. I want you to be honest with me."

"What is that Brother Xander?" Alyssa Curtis gulped uncontrollably because of the sudden rush of a strong anxiety in her heart that was getting stronger and stronger as time passed by.

"How have you been recently? How's your work? Your private life?"

"I'm good. Everything is great. Nothing much happened to me. I just work and rest at home."

Xander Villaruel frowned. "Is that all? Is there nothing that bothers you?"

"I, of course—" Alyssa Curtis feigned a smile. "Of course there's none. What problem could there be that I should have? Brother Xander, you're thinking too much."

"Oh really?" Xander Villaruel leaned on the table and rested his head on his fist, still staring seriously at the woman who kept her smile with all her best. "Then how is your performance during the shoot? Why did you keep on making mistakes? Miss Apostol suddenly called me and asked me to come over because of you. When I arrived at the scene, the director invited me for a serious talk and told me the problem which was the reason I came late to the dressing room. How are you going to explain that?"

"I—" Alyssa Curtis hung her head low, feeling guilty. "Brother Xander, I'm sorry but even myself don't know why."

"Really?" Xander Villaruel took a deep sigh. "Miss Curtis, raise your head and look straight in my eyes. I need you to look at me. Don't hide. I'm not planning to eat you up."

Alyssa Curtis followed what was being told to her.

Xander Villaruel stared at her and then blurted something that made the woman giggled bitterly. "Is this still because of me? Or because of him?"

Alyssa Curtis's beautiful face flushed as she giggled. "Brother Xander, how did you come up with that absurd thought?"

Xander Villaruel tilted his head. "Miss Curtis, I know you. I groomed you thus I understand you so well. If it's not because of him, it's because of me. I could not think of another reason for your problem."

"You think too highly of me, Brother Xander."

Xander Villaruel nodded. "It seems like it's still because of me."

A stiff smile appeared on the woman's lips as she stuffed her mouth with a mouthful of strawberry cake, looking somewhere else. "Brother Xander, does it matter if it's because of who?"

"Why?"

"I have not even confessed to you formally yet you already found out about my feelings. It's embarrassing. The worst thing was that, I have not even confessed yet you already rejected me." Alyssa Curtis smiled bitterly as tears began to form in her eyes. "Why am I so unlucky in love? What had I done in my previous life to suffer in this kind of curse? Brother Xander, I don't want this either but I can't help. I'm just a human. I can't stop my heart from falling in love, especially to a man who is as great as you."

Xander Villaruel shook his head. "I'm not as great as you think Miss Curtis."

"You are." A bitter smile slowly appeared on Alyssa Curtis's lips. "You are always great. Unfortunately, you can't be mine. Brother Xander, can I request you something?"

"What is it?"

"Let me— let me—" Alyssa Curtis shut her lips and looked down. And only finish her sentence inwardly. "Love you. Let me love you. I have been in love with you for so many years. I can't hold my feelings any longer within me. I want to shout in front of you how much I love you. I know you knew about my feelings, but I still want to tell you that I love you although it's far from possible for you to love me back. I love you more than my life. I love you so much."

Xander Villaruel shook his head as he sighed audibly. "I think I now know the reason why."

The woman remained stunned, immersed with her own thoughts.

"Alyssa Curtis, did you hear me?" Xander Villaruel knocked on the table.

"Huh?" Alyssa Curtis flinched and she looked up. "Did you say something to me Brother Xander?"

"I said hand me your script. I will accompany you to rehearse with the scene where you kept making mistakes."

Alyssa Curtis blinked her eyes. "You-you want to rehearse with me?"

"Exactly."

"Is that really fine to you?" Alyssa Curtis celebrated inside. "This is great. I can use this opportunity to speak my heart out to you. Brother Xander, I'm sorry for taking advantage of you. I don't have any other choice."

Alyssa Curtis wiped the tears in her eyes and smiled brightly. "Brother Xander, didn't I trouble you that much if I even allow you to rehearse with me? This is not necessary for you to do so."

"No more talking. Hurry. Take the script out and practice it with me."

"Alright. Alright." Alyssa Curtis hurriedly grabbed the folder pinned under her bag and gave them to her manager.

Xander Villaruel took the folder from her hand and went through the scene that the director told him Alyssa Curtis kept having trouble shooting. "It's this one. The Confession scene on top of the mountain."

The man closed the folder and looked at the woman. "Okay. Let's pretend we are on the scene. I am your Brother Luke and you are Alice Truce. You are going to perform the confession scene with me. Do you know what to do now?"

Alyssa Curtis nodded.

"Then get prepared." Xander Villaruel closed his eyes and when after a minute he opened his eyes, the eyes of the male lead on the script that were void of emotions already replaced his original emotions. As if Brother Luke really possessed him. The powerful aura and coldness of the man and him was absolutely hundred percent similar. "Now, you begin."

"Okay Brother Xander. I'm now ready." Alyssa Curtis gulped as she wiped her forehead that was covered with perspiration. Anxiety again overwhelmed her heart.

The act of the character began.

On top of the tall mountain, two people were standing side by side, watching the lake at the foot of the said mountain under the splendid view of the sunset.

Of the two, one was a slender and beautiful woman who owned a goddess-like beauty. She was pretty and amazing beyond words. The robe she wore with a combination of black and white color made her look so wild and untamed but enlightened how cool and charismatic she was as a woman.

The other person was a man wearing plainly black. He was tall and so good-looking. Many said that his look was ethereal. He was every woman's dream.

The man calmly stood with his hand on his back. But the woman was obviously looking nervous or uneasy. She occasionally clutched the clothes on her sides and somewhat had something to say but was hesitant.

The woman mustered her courage to confess. At the moment she found the right time to convey her love for the man, a strong wind suddenly blew her ponytail and some stuck on her mouth.

The woman almost choked. She spit her and spit her hair until it was gone.

Coincidentally, the wind stopped blowing. The man, Xander Villaruel, cast her a sideways glance, voice cold and deep. Face was also extraordinarily stoneface. "What did you just say?"