During their time in Bali, they would stay in a spacious room with a dividing door between the living area and the bed. This meant that Alexander could sleep separately. And that meant there was still some leniency for both of them before they decided to fulfill Meri’s dream of having a grandchild.
“I’ll stay here. Sir, please sleep in that room,” Cassandra arranged, motioning for Alexander to sleep in the living room.
Alexander didn’t respond, but he quickly dragged his suitcase into the bedroom, leaving Cassandra alone in the living room.
The girl shrugged her shoulders, already convinced that this was the response she would receive from Alexander. Whether she liked it or not, she would accept all of Alexander’s flaws as his lawful wife.
Once Alexander entered his room, Cassandra hurriedly checked her suitcase, searching for a change of clothes before Alexander came out. Her plan was to ask for permission to use the bathroom.
She wanted to change her clothes, but when Cassandra opened her suitcase, she was taken aback.
There was not a single decent piece of clothing in there. There were only thin, short, transparent nightgowns, and some items that Cassandra didn’t even consider clothes but rather fishnets that had somehow found their way into her suitcase.
The girl sighed deeply, closing the suitcase and leaning it against the sofa. As for herself, she stared at the suitcase with a melancholic gaze.
She was confused about how to ask Alexander to lend her his clothes again and again.
“What else?” Alexander looked at Cassandra with dislike as she immediately blocked his path as soon as he stepped out of the room.
“This, sir… um… that…”
“What is ‘that’? Speak clearly, don’t show people that you’re an uneducated country girl.”
Cassandra pouted, “Ugh! Always poking at my status,” she scolded in her heart.
“What’s wrong? Hurry up and tell me, I’m busy! When I ask you something, please answer instead of daydreaming.”
Cassandra flinched as Alexander’s voice was quite loud, breaking her reverie.
***
“Uh, well, sir,” Cassandra’s hands squeezed each other. “Inside the suitcase, I didn’t find any decent clothes. So, may I borrow your shirt?”
“What? Say that again?!”
“I-I didn’t find any clothes that are suitable for me in the suitcase. I even found fishnets in there. So, humbly and with my dignity lowered, I would like to borrow your shirt. Just one, to change into. I feel hot, I want to take a shower.”
“No way. Yesterday, I had to throw away my clothes because you wore them without my permission. Now, I don’t want to lend you anything.”
“Are you sure?” Cassandra approached Alexander.
“I’m sure. It’s better if you change clothes. I’ll go out to see the view here. It’s suffocating to be in the same room as you.”
“Alright then.” Cassandra replied softly, dragging her steps towards the suitcase and looking for clothes that she could at least wear.
She chose a satin nightgown that fell just above her knees, with thin straps on the shoulders. It was decent enough to be worn in the room.
And Cassandra had to accept the fact that she couldn’t enjoy the beach atmosphere because she was ashamed to go out in such attire.
However, upon reconsideration, it was fine to stay in the room. After all, she didn’t know what Bali looked like and she could still enjoy the beauty of the beach from the balcony.
Cassandra didn’t care where Alexander went. Once she finished showering, the nightgown was perfectly fitted on her slender body. She gracefully walked towards the balcony, gazing at the captivating view of the beach.
She took a deep breath and let the coastal breeze caress her face. It was a new experience for her, but unfortunately, such a beautiful moment was enjoyed alone, with a man who despised her.
If only she had come here with the man she loved, the story would be completely different from what it is now.
While Cassandra was enjoying the beauty of the beach from the balcony, Alexander was strolling alone along the shore. The sky had become cloudy, discouraging visitors from playing on the beach.
They decided to enjoy the beach from their respective accommodations, just like Cassandra was doing now. There were still a few people there, such as tourists and some others.
However, among the beachgoers, Alexander was drawn to a group of people near the shoreline. He smiled as he saw many cameras and photography equipment there.
Alexander was certain that there was a famous model or artist doing a photoshoot on the beach.
“Wow, I can’t believe I can take a picture with a famous model like Cesilia.”
“Are you dreaming? How could we meet a famous model like her here overnight?”
Alexander sharpened his hearing when he heard his wife’s name being mentioned. “Cesilia,” he murmured to himself, his blood rushing when he heard a group of teenagers discussing his wife.
He immediately remembered that Cesilia was also in Bali for a photoshoot. It meant that the Cesilia they were referring to could indeed be his wife. Alexander quickly scanned the crowd, searching for his wife, and when he looked in the direction of the group, a smile formed on his lips. He saw his wife sitting leisurely on a chair, accompanied by a man engaged in conversation with her.
His wife looked tired and uninterested in responding to the man’s remarks. With eager steps, Alexander began approaching Cesilia, but he wouldn’t greet her.
At least by seeing Cesilia from a distance, Alexander could alleviate his longing. He was determined to meet his wife after the photoshoot was over. For the time being, he would find a seat where he could see his wife, even though he couldn’t hear what she was talking about with the man.
***
“Wasn’t this supposed to be a photoshoot for promoting your product? But why does this photoshoot feel more like a pre-wedding shoot than an advertisement?” Cesilia finally voiced her dissatisfaction after going through the photo session.
“That’s just your perception. Everything has been arranged in such a way to fit the modern concept,” Maxime retorted. “There’s nothing wrong with me being a male model, and since I’ve spent so much money to hire you, I want to save a bit.” He chuckled, reaching for Cesilia’s hand and holding it.
“Believe me, everything I’m doing is for you. It’s a manifestation of my love for the woman I’ve silently loved for so long.”
Cesilia brushed Maxime’s hand away, displeased with his public display of affection.
“Aren’t you satisfied with what happened last night? Allow me to be free for just one day,” Cesilia whispered in Maxime’s ear, making sure no one else could hear their conversation.
“Alright, my dear. If that’s what you want. I’ll fulfill your every desire, but remember, as the sun sets, you belong to me.”
Cesilia flinched, folding her arms across her chest. It didn’t matter; at least from morning until evening, she could be herself. Free, liberated, like the wife of Alexander.
Once the break was over, Cesilia resumed her work. She began striking poses with various costumes provided there. It was a bit strange because there were no products being featured. Instead, she posed intimately with Maxime in various styles, using different viewpoints and changing costumes to get better results.
Indeed, as Cesilia said, what she was doing now looked more like a pre-wedding shoot than an advertisement for a product.
Alexander felt the same way. He even felt annoyed seeing Maxime freely hugging his wife. Kissing Cesilia’s smooth shoulder, as if showcasing their intimacy to everyone.
Alexander felt an urge to approach and confront Maxime, but he realized that this was Cesilia’s desire. He could imagine how angry she would be if she found out that Alexander meddled in her work.
Especially if he resorted to violence against Maxime, Cesilia’s work partner. So, when the crew collected all of Alexander’s equipment and approached Cesilia, he decided to intervene.
“Hi…” Alexander greeted awkwardly, even though he was greeting his own wife.
Maxime, who wanted to approach Cesilia, refrained and took a few steps back. He wanted to see what Alexander would do to Cesilia. Although it was unexpected, Maxime had prepared several excuses to prevent Cesilia from getting close to Alexander while they were in Bali.
“Alexander.” Cesilia immediately jumped into Alexander’s embrace, kissing his cheeks. Swearing, regardless of anything, even though her relationship with Alexander was strained, Cesilia missed her husband dearly.
“You’re here? With whom? Oh my… I missed you so much!” Cesilia honestly expressed her deepest feelings.
“I came here with Cassandra. Mama asked us to go on a honeymoon.”
“Oh…” Cesilia responded weakly, disappointed because Alexander’s arrival here wasn’t for her, but because of Meri’s desire for Alexander to go on a honeymoon with Cassandra.
“Just now, was that a pre-wedding shoot or a product shoot?” Alexander shot straight to the heart of Cesilia.
“It’s a product shoot, honey… How could I possibly do a pre-wedding shoot with another man when I already have a husband,” Cesilia defended herself, in line with the facts she knew.
“Could be, because I noticed that there were no products being used for the photoshoot.”
“Not exactly, the products were already photographed in the studio. Now we’re just completing the shoot. I’ll give you the results later. We were shooting for a skincare product that will be launched soon. As you know, I’m the model.”
“Alright, if that’s the case. Oh, by the way, if you don’t mind, I’d like to have dinner with you.” Alexander offered. Instead of going with Cassandra, maybe this could be their honeymoon together, that was what he had in mind.
Cesilia thought for a moment, glancing at Maxime who appeared displeased with their closeness.
“I’ll ask Maxime first, because here I don’t have the authority to decide. I’m bound by a contract and have my own schedule. I’m afraid I might have a photoshoot or something tonight.”
Cesilia ran off, leaving Alexander behind, heading towards Maxime.
Although Alexander wanted to stop Cesilia, she ignored him.
Cesilia was impatient to ask if she could have a brief break tonight to accompany her husband, so she hurried away.
However, before Cesilia could even say anything, Maxime spoke, “No, you can’t. You have a photoshoot tonight, and during our time in Bali, I hope you won’t have any contact with Alexander. You should know that it’s clearly written in the agreement that for these two years, you are not allowed to be close to Alexander, neither on set nor off set.”
“W-what? Which agreement?” Cesilia repeated, feeling like she never signed any documents regarding her marriage to Alexander.
“The agreement in Point 5, clause three. You and Alexander are not allowed to have a marital relationship as long as you’re under contract with me.”
Cesilia shook her head, “I never saw any clause like that in the agreement. Don’t lie to me, Maxime.”
“It’s up to you, but it’s clearly stated in the contract, and as long as I’m using your body, I don’t want Alexander to touch you either. I don’t want to touch you after he does. It’s disgusting. That’s why I’m asking you not to have any intimate relationship with Alexander for these two years.
“But I am Alexander’s wife!”
“You can find him another woman to satisfy his desires. Easy, isn’t it?”
“You’ve gone too far!”
“You’re the foolish one, Cesilia, getting caught up in fame, sacrificing your marriage. And here I am, taking this opportunity to have you in my arms.”
“You’re insane!”
“No, you’re the fool, Cesilia, not me!” Maxime taunted, signaling the crew to return to their positions.
“I’ll give you five minutes to talk to Alexander.” Maxime stroked his chin. “Not talk, but to drive Alexander away so he won’t bother you during our time in Bali, understand?”
Cesilia swallowed her saliva, not expecting that the foolish agreement she hastily signed would dictate everything related to her marriage.
Cesilia’s eyes welled up as she looked at Alexander standing not far from her. Her heart shattered knowing that she wouldn’t be able to be too close to her beloved husband anymore after this.