“Don’t smile like that. Hurry up and pack your things, I’ll wait for you in the car!” Alexander commanded, sitting beside his mother. “Mom, I’m going to take Casandra out for a few hours, and Frans will come along. If you don’t have work at the hospital, you can be our driver for Casandra and me. How does that sound?”
His mother joined in enjoying the snacks on the table. “Sure, it’s fine. I just got back from out of town yesterday, so I won’t be working at the hospital until next Monday. Let me drive you because it’s not possible for someone slightly unwell like me to drive. Otherwise, you might end up dumping Casandra on the road.”
“Whatever you say, but I’m still grateful that you’re willing to drive me.”
“Do you plan to take Casandra somewhere in this scorching heat?” Meri expressed a bit of concern for Casandra.
“Maybe to a water park or a zoo, and…”
“To meet Cesilia, Ma. There are a few things I need to confirm with her.” Alexander interrupted before his mother could hope for anything more.
“Why not wait for her to come home first?” Meri’s eyebrows furrowed. It was not surprising that her son didn’t have time, but ensuring her safety was something that needed to be done right now.
She was afraid that she was only having negative thoughts, while Cesilia might not be like what she had imagined all this time. Although, what Meri had imagined had never been wrong.
“I doubt Cesilia will have time to come home today, and I need to resolve this issue right now. No matter what, inner peace is my priority at the moment.”
“What does her work schedule look like that she doesn’t have time to come home, even just to change clothes? I noticed that she came back and left, still wearing the same outfit.”
“That’s exactly why I want to find out about Cesilia’s current job because it’s too overwhelming and packed, to the point where I don’t have time to greet my wife. It doesn’t end there, as you know, there are some personal matters that I don’t want to be disturbed by others. Except for you and Cesilia. It’s impossible, right? I’m a grown man and have a wife, yet I’m still causing you trouble, just like when I was a child?”
“Well, for what reason do you have a wife if all your personal needs are still being taken care of by your mother?” Meri scoffed. “That’s why it’s time for you to open your heart to Casandra, so you won’t be too focused on your wife, who is now completely different.”
“Mom, please don’t start. No matter what, I can’t accuse Cesilia unilaterally before knowing the facts behind it all.”
“Mom knows that. But ever since she took that work contract, it’s already enough evidence that she truly doesn’t want to have children with you. Six years is not a short time for a woman to achieve a career. What kind of career does Cesilia want to pursue now? There’s no journalist or netizen who doesn’t know your wife.”
However, the reality was that she was too ambitious and greedy for a big name. Despite the fact that what Alexander had was more than enough, even if they ended up having a hundred children. Cesilia was still adamant in her stance, which made Alexander realize that his marriage and relationship with his wife’s family were no longer healthy.
Especially since she took on a job with an unpredictable schedule. Cesilia seemed like a different person now. Frans, who heard all of Meri’s advice, understood more clearly that Alexander had been forced to accept his marriage. He also agreed that love and foolishness were two different things.
“All right, Mas. I mean, Alexander,” Casandra forced a smile, mistakenly calling him ‘Mas’ in front of Meri, fearing she might get scolded again.
Alexander turned to speak, but…
“Okay, no need to put on too much makeup. You still look beautiful, just like before,” Frans said, grabbing his car keys. “In that case, we’ll leave now, Ma. Pray that Alexander finds what he’s looking for. Even if he ends up heartbroken, at least everything will be clear, and he’ll know what steps to take in the future.” He bowed slightly, took Meri’s hand, and kissed it.
He bid farewell to his adoptive mother before driving Alexander to Cesilia’s filming location.
“So, where are we going?” Frans asked once the three of them were in the car. This time, Casandra was placed right beside Frans, sitting in the front seat. Alexander was in the back, playing with his phone, replying to messages from his informant, who was providing reports about Cesilia and giving updates on the filming location.
“At the water park, they’re doing a photoshoot for liquid soap,” Alexander responded, reading the message that came in.
“All right, then.” Frans immediately recognized the water park Alexander was referring to. There was only one water park used for photo shoots to support the promotion of various beauty products and other products.
Once they arrived at the filming location, Alexander stayed in the car. He sent Casandra to approach Cesilia and invite her to the car. He received a report that the filming was on a break for lunchtime.
“Now you get out and meet Cesilia. Tell her I want to talk here, understood?” Alexander gave Casandra instructions, emphasizing every word to ensure the girl wouldn’t falter while delivering the message to Cesilia.
“Okay, Sir. Is that all? But what if Madam is busy?”
“Tell her to meet me here, or else I’ll take the divorce to the religious court today.” Casandra gasped upon hearing Alexander’s words. Was his marital situation really that complicated to the point where he threatened divorce just because Cesilia wouldn’t meet him in the car?
Casandra nodded quickly and hurriedly left the car, weaving through the crowd to find Cesilia, who was sitting on a chair. And next to her was Maxime, seemingly guarding Cesilia from the prying eyes of the people around.
Although there was no physical contact, anyone could see clearly that Maxime didn’t want any other man to look at, let alone touch, Cesilia.
“Madam!” Casandra called out from afar, waving her hand. Cesilia turned to the direction of the voice.
“Casandra?” she replied, though not too loudly, Maxime could hear that Cesilia was responding to someone.
“Why did she come here?” Maxime didn’t like the presence of someone connected to Alexander coming to disturb Cesilia.
“I don’t know, but I need to meet her.”
“Why?”
“She came here with some news from home. It’s better if you wait here. I won’t be long.”
“I should go too, just to make sure she came on her own without Alexander around.”