“I can’t.” Alexander handed the bottle back to Frans.
“Why can’t you?” Robert interjected.
“I love Cesilia deeply; I don’t want to betray her. And…”
“Well, you love Cesilia deeply, but she doesn’t.” Robert interrupted.
“A faithful husband while his wife is cheating. The husband is kneeling like this. Oh, it’s very sad for the husband.” Frans added his opinion.
With Frans and Robert bothering him like this, it’s certain that Alexander would be left feeling helpless.
“Before trying this drink, I suggest you find out who this Maxime really is. If Maxime isn’t Cesilia’s cousin, then it means your wife has taken further steps.”
“Instead of questioning about Maxime, which will only hurt you more and break your heart, it’s better to try opening your heart to Casandra. So that when Cesilia really leaves you, there’s already someone else in your heart, and the wounds won’t be too heavy because I don’t believe that a man and a woman can have such a close relationship without any feelings involved.
Moreover, I know Cesilia’s type when she gets close to a man; it’s hard for her to let go. Just like when you first met, right? Look, now you’ve become the husband of a Cesilia who never gets too close to other men.”
Frans started to use his persuasive tactics, ensuring that Alexander wouldn’t dare to interrupt what he was saying.
Alexander reached for the bottle of the drink from Frans again, studying it closely. The drink that supposedly could please his wife.
“If the answer is that Maxime is not Cesilia’s cousin, then you should do it with Casandra. Make her your wife completely, and have many children with her.” Frans casually delivered the thoughts from his mind.
Robert patted Alexander’s arm. “I agree with Frans,” he added, giving his friend encouragement. So, the decision would be based on the brief investigation that they would conduct. Just one answer would determine whether Maxime was truly Cesilia’s cousin or not. If he wasn’t, then Casandra would be executed tonight.
***
Alexander smiled faintly as he looked at the reports provided by his informant, and his suspicions were confirmed. He had been guessing all along that Cesilia didn’t have a cousin named Maxime.
So, he wasn’t too surprised when he saw the photo that his informant sent. It was indeed Maxime, sitting together with Cesilia, waiting for their turn to take some poses for the Skin Care brand poster.
There was nothing strange about the photo, but Robert’s message pierced his heart. He confirmed that the Maxime he met with Cesilia that day was the same man in the photo.
“Are you really sure that you met the same Maxime yesterday?” Despite Robert sending a certain and convincing message, Alexander still hoped that it was all just Robert’s bluff.
Just like what Robert did when he was at his house earlier. “How many times do I have to say that it was the same person? I remember clearly, it was him that I met yesterday. I saw with my own eyes as he kissed Cesilia’s forehead. It’s better to talk to your wife, and I’m sure there is always time for them to rest during a photoshoot. My suggestion is that you invite Casandra so that there won’t be any suspicions from the people at the shooting location.”
“Are you sure I should bring Casandra along?”
“Trust me, it’s better to have Casandra as an intermediary to invite Cesilia to a room or a place where you can talk freely. Judging from Maxime’s behavior last night, it’s clear that he doesn’t like to see Cesilia getting close to me. That means there’s something wrong with their relationship. If Casandra invites Cesilia to meet, no one will suspect any issues in your marriage.”
“You’re sure it’s a good plan?” Alexander ended the call, and on the other end, Robert chuckled softly before ending the call.
He usually had an unconventional way of expressing his opinions, especially when it came to Cesilia. It wasn’t that he hadn’t been serious all this time, but whenever Robert gave advice to Alexander, it was never taken seriously because for him, Cesilia was an angel without wings, without faults, and deeply loved.
But now, it might be time for Alexander to see the truth behind it all. Robert had always thought that Cesilia’s demands were too much. She didn’t want to have children just for the sake of her career, even though Alexander could give her anything she wanted.
Alexander forced himself to go downstairs, to find Casandra and execute Robert’s advice from a while ago. His steps halted when he heard laughter coming from the living room. Alexander was sure that one of them was the person he was looking for, and when he entered the living room, three people immediately looked at him.
Frans, his mother, and of course, Casandra.
“I thought you were still unwilling to come downstairs even though you’re starting to feel better,” Frans immediately teased before finishing the avocado juice in front of him.
“Suddenly, I want to go somewhere. Let’s go, Casandra!” Alexander invited her without any small talk.
“Me?” Casandra pointed at herself, her eyelashes fluttering. She didn’t expect Alexander to invite her out, especially since he always avoided being near her. Of course, it was a different story in Bali.
“Yes, you. How many people named Casandra are there here?”
“Yes, sir. But…”
“Why ‘sir’?” Meri interrupted. “How many times have I told you to address your husband as ‘Mas’ or something similar? Not ‘sir’, he’s not your employer anymore.”
“What Mama said is true, get used to calling Alexander ‘Mas’. Because if you keep calling him ‘sir’ like that, he might forget that he already has a beautiful wife like you.” Frans continued Meri’s words, making Casandra’s cheeks blush, being praised by the handsome young doctor.
It was certainly an achievement in her life. When else would a doctor compliment what was inside her, usually it was only young and flirty farmers who would say such things. But now, it’s on another level. There was a doctor saying it.