Chapter 152 Loved you from day one
Chapter 152: Loved You From Day One
“Golden, I will be very honest with you because lying wouldn't help me. And please don't doubt what I am about to say.
This might sound weird but I have been in love with you from the very first day I set my eyes on you.” Xander said, looking into her eyes.
Golden expected anything else but that. Her eyes widened in shock when she heard Xander say he has been in love with her since the first time he met her.
The first time he met her was during her class volunteering medical outreach. How was it possible he fell in love with her that day? Was it even possible?
“Why?” she asked again, not knowing what else to say.
Xander gently took her hands. “Why not Gigi? I saw you pacifying a child that day and something in my heart zinged.
I have only felt that way once in my life. And even at that, the last time I felt like this was 10 years ago and it grew over time. But with you, I felt it instantly.
I was excited and wanted to talk to you so bad that I actually staged our bumping into each other.”
Golden raised her brows in shock. “Wait, that was your doing? I thought I bumped into you that day.”
“Sorry, I just needed an opportunity to talk to you. And I'll do it over again if given the opportunity.” Xander said with a smile.
Then coincidentally, I met you at Rosa's wedding. I was ecstatic to see you again. Then I saw you and Fab getting a long really well and thought you two were an item.
I was sad, but was immediately happy when you said you guys were fake dating. But my happiness was short-lived when you said you had a real boyfriend and I could see from your eyes that you were deeply in love with him.
After you guys told me what you did to be in a relationship with him and how far Fab was willing to go just to ensure your happiness, I was heartbroken.
I knew at that moment that you were one to love deeply. And I was very jealous of him. That only made me love you more.”
Golden was a bit flabbergasted. Xander was professing his undying love for her with so much ease that she didn't know whether to believe him or not.
“Do you remember during Nana's dinner, when she was trying to matchmake me?” Xander suddenly asked.
“Yeah, why?” Gigi asked suspiciously.
“Well I had said that there was someone I liked already. That person I was talking about was you Gigi.” he said.
“What? Me? I don't understand. That was only the third time we were meeting. How's that possible?”
“I didn't lie Gigi. Like I said, I fell in love with you the very first day. I went through the hassle of getting your number to invite you for coffee because I wanted to be in your space.
I knew you had a boyfriend so I was willing to stay on as your friend. You loved your friends deeply and I wanted that too.
But you didn't make it any easier for me. You just kept blowing my mind with your brilliance and sincerity.
Without knowing it, you kept stamping yourself in my heart. You knew me, but you weren't seeing me.”
Golden was lost. Xander was saying so many things she didn't understand. How had she blown his mind? They never really hung out except for that one coffee date. Yet he had so much to say.
“I was looking forward to you coming to St. Theresa's Teaching Hospital for your clinical rotations. We would see each other often.
But then I asked myself if I was going to be okay being around you that much but not being able to express my feelings for you.
So when the opportunity came to go for research in Africa, I took it. I felt the space would do me good. Maybe I was overthinking and if I didn't see you every other day, my feelings would actually slowly decline.”
“So, did it?” Golden asked. She didn't know why she was asking, but somehow she wanted to know the answer.
“Well can you guess? I was occupied with work all through and had little time to actually brood.
The second I landed in Florida, the feelings came rushing back like it never left. It felt like I had just unlocked a dam and the feelings were stronger.” Xander said with a bitter smile.
Before Golden could think, she found herself cupping Xander's face gently and turning it to look back at her.
“And?” she asked, willing him to continue.
Xander placed his hands over Golden's hand on his face. “Gigi, my feelings for you haven't changed, if anything, it has only grown deeper.
I know you just got out of a relationship. Forgive me for being selfish and not giving you enough time to heal, but I just can't hide my feelings anymore.”
“What do you want from me Xander?” Golden asked with a soft voice. She wasn't sure she was ready to love again.
She had loved deeply and had been hurt over and over again. Xander wasn't Allan, but she wasn't sure if she had the willpower to go through opening her heart again.
“All I want Gigi is that you consider me when you are ready to open your heart to love again. I am willing to wait for you, I am ready to stay by your side as your friend for now.
But Gigi, I don't want to box myself in a corner that's why I am opening up to you. You can consider getting to know me.
Maybe even give me the opportunity to court you. We would go at your own pace and just maybe you will fall in love with me too.
Golden didn't say anything. She felt tears rolled down her eyes. She had once begged to stay by someone's side until he fell in love with her, now the universe was repaying her.
Someone was willing to stay by her side till she fell in love with him. She immediately hugged him and amidst her tears she thanked him.
“Thank you Xander.”