“Alexander, I can explain everything to you.” Cesilia hurriedly approached the bathroom door as soon as she saw Alexander coming out.
“What else do you want to explain to me when everything is already clear?” Alexander replied dismissively, walking away without paying attention to Cesilia.
He quickly dressed to meet Frans and Robert downstairs. Honestly, Alexander still didn’t want to discuss the matter with Cesilia at the moment.
However, before Alexander could get his clothes from the wardrobe, Cesilia hugged him from behind.
“Alex, things are not as you imagine. It’s not what you see. Behind those photos, there are many problems I’m facing, and as a husband, you should support me. Give me peace.”
“Support? Haven’t I given enough attention and support all this time?”
Alexander turned around, breaking Cesilia’s embrace.
“It’s not that… I just need you right now because I’m dealing with some problems.”
“What kind of problems?”
Cesilia shook her head. “I-I can’t tell you. But I just need your hug.”
“A hug?”
“Yes, I miss you so much. A hug, even without words, brings me peace. No need to talk about the problems; they will be lifted.”
Without Alexander’s consent, Cesilia hugged him, expressing how much she missed him and his touch.
Cesilia leaned in, kissing Alexander’s lips, and he responded. Honestly, he missed Cesilia too. Alexander carried Cesilia to the bed, laying her down. Besides longing for her, Alexander also wanted to prove his suspicions wrong.
“Why?”
Alexander looked at Cesilia, who held back when he wanted to lift her blouse.
Cesilia shook her head. “I-I…”
“Why?”
“I-I can serve without having to reveal this.”
“I don’t like doing it unless it’s revealed. Don’t you know that I like to touch you like that? Only then…”
“But I…”
“You act as if there’s something strange behind that blouse. I suggest you be honest soon, before our marriage falls apart completely.”
Alexander withdrew. A smirk formed on his lips, mocking Cesilia, who still defended herself, not willing to let go even though he forced her.
“I’ll meet Robert and Frans downstairs. Think carefully about what I just said to you,” Alexander said, leaving the room after finishing dressing.
And when he reached the door’s threshold, he closed the bedroom door, his gaze meeting Casandra, who also wanted to come out of her room.
“Come here!” Alexander gestured for Casandra to come closer. Unexpectedly, Alexander hugged Casandra by her waist and walked side by side, descending the stairs.
Of course, what they did calmed Casandra’s heart because it confirmed that her position and Cesilia’s were now the same.
Alexander even chose to go downstairs with Casandra instead of waiting for Cesilia to come out of the room. Because Casandra didn’t know what Alexander had just experienced in there, with his first wife.
“Now… here’s our newlyweds!” Mery exclaimed upon seeing Casandra and Alexander walking together towards the dining room. Don’t forget Alexander’s hand still around Casandra’s waist, confirming their very good relationship at the moment.
“Well, that’s how it should be. This way, Mama will have grandchildren soon. Ah, Mama can’t wait for that moment to come. And Mama hopes she still has enough time to hold your little babies,” Mery honestly expressed her deepest feelings. She truly wanted to have grandchildren before her illness took her life.
“Mama shouldn’t talk like that. I’m sure Mama will see her grandchildren live until they get married, have great-grandchildren, and even wait for great-grandchildren to get married. And giving birth to their children too.”
Mery chuckled. “Ah, that’s too far ahead. Just seeing you have children already makes Mama very happy and grateful. Even if Mama doesn’t live long enough to see you have children, just seeing you both harmonious like this already makes Mama very happy because with Casandra, Mama sees you finding happiness. There’s no selfishness or stubbornness in your marriage.”
Alexander just smiled in response to his mother’s words. While what she said was true, Alexander still wanted to protect Cesilia’s dignity, so he continued to hide his wife’s flaws.
“Come on, let’s have dinner. I’m really hungry!” Robert shouted from the back door, walking alongside Frans. Both men seemed pleased with Alexander and Casandra’s current relationship. It was the first time they saw Alexander’s face shine like this.
Dinner began, laughter filling the dining table. It was warm and familiar, even though Casandra remained silent as she didn’t know how to blend in with the men’s conversation. However, Merry stayed by her side, as did Alexander, shielding Casandra from Robert and Frans’ teasing.
Alexander understood that Casandra came from a village and might not be well-versed in city life or office work.
“Oh, Casandra, your mother called me earlier. She asked you to come to the hospital tomorrow to see your father. He regained consciousness this morning after undergoing surgery. The good news is the surgery went well, and he’ll only need outpatient care after a few days of recovery at the hospital.”
Casandra nodded, delighted to hear her father’s news.
“Is that true, Ma?” she asked, thrilled to receive the news from Merry.
“Of course, it’s true. Your mother wanted to tell you in person, but unfortunately, your wealthy husband here wasn’t aware of it,” Meri quipped, giving Alexander a sharp look.
The middle-aged woman deliberately delivered the good news at home to take a dig at Alexander. If she had informed him directly, Meri couldn’t have emphasized his mistake.
“Oh, come on… how can the wife of a director not be reachable at all?” Robert chimed in, shaking his head as if sympathizing with Casandra’s situation, even though she had just become Alexander’s legal wife. Alexander himself was still new to their marriage and didn’t fully understand Casandra’s life yet.
It was understandable that Alexander didn’t know much about his wife, including her not having a cellphone at all. He only realized this recently. Feeling guilty, Alexander gently rubbed his forehead, holding Casandra’s hand, as if reassuring her that he would soon provide what she lacked.
The warm family dinner ended, but Cesilia was absent. She was busy investigating where Alexander got the photos, even those that were very private. She tried to guess who could be close to him, eventually focusing on the employees at Maxime’s agency.
So, she went to the balcony and contacted Maxime. “I don’t understand how Alexander could get so many photos from our shoots, whether it’s the ones that are about to be released with new products or even pictures of me sleeping at the peak of our relationship.”
Maxime just chuckled, despite Cesilia’s insistence. “Well, it means your husband sent someone to spy on you from a distance.”
“I know that, that’s why I’m asking you. Who do you think Alexander sent to know every detail of my activities behind his back? I’m really afraid that he’ll find out about the crazy affair between us.”
“I don’t think he’ll ever find out because no one can enter the territory of a Maxime.”
“That’s what you say, but he managed to get all those photos. It means there’s a traitor in your company, near us.”
Still responding in the same manner as at the beginning of the call, Maxime chuckled. He was nonchalant in dealing with Cesilia’s rant because he was the person Cesilia was talking to, and he was the one who gave those photos to Alexander’s associate.
At one point, Maxime noticed a suspicious man who was always taking pictures while he came alone. From his appearance, Maxime was sure he wasn’t a journalist or anything like that. Maxime believed the man was Alexander’s spy.
True enough, when Maxime asked the security to apprehend the man, he confessed under threat that he was sent by Alexander to spy on Cesilia.
Since then, Maxime asked him to relax outside the building and stay silent there so that Cesilia wouldn’t know of his presence. As for the photos, they were sent directly by Maxime himself, allowing Alexander to obtain critical pictures without raising any suspicion.
“Cesilia, please give me a little more time to convince Alexander that I’m really working and have no connection with you.”
“I can’t, darling, the contract between us is clear, and you can’t deny or ask for more than a day off.”
“But Maxime, I don’t want my marriage to fall apart because of this contract.”
“Just in words? Yet you’ve been enjoying our relationship.”
“Maxime, I never enjoyed any of it. I only did what you ordered, and I insist our relationship is purely contractual.”
“If it’s just a contract, why do you feel comfortable and start enjoying what we’ve been doing?”
“But I never enjoyed any of it, I was just trying…”
“Don’t deny it, Cesilia. Be honest with yourself if you’re already turning away from Alexander and find comfort with me, right?” Maxime pressed.
“But I still love Alexander very much. No one can replace my husband. I repeat, you’re just my boss, nothing more.”
“No boss has ever enjoyed their employee’s body…”
“Enough, I don’t want to hear those filthy words from you. It’s up to you what you say, but I’m asking for leave, and I beg you to allow me to fix my relationship with Alexander first before I return to you.” This time Cesilia pleaded with Maxime to comply with her wish. She couldn’t imagine her life ahead if she wasn’t with Alexander.
Maxime laughed. “No matter how much you beg, even to the point of tears. I won’t ever care. What I want is for you to be here tomorrow at 9:00 am. Finish the photo shoot and accompany me at home.”
“Maxime, please, don’t…”
“Cesilia, did you forget what I told you before you left?” Cesilia closed her eyes tightly, nodding.
“Fine then. There’s no use asking or begging you.” Cesilia unilaterally ended the call, leaving Maxime chuckling at the other end. He was satisfied with being able to destroy the marriage of the woman he had silently loved all this time.
It was so easy to manipulate Cesilia. Apparently, by exploiting her ambition and ego, Maxime could conquer her even at her lowest point. If only Maxime had strategized like this from the beginning, that day, Cesilia would have married him, not Alexander.
On that day, Maxime wouldn’t need to secretly steal from Cesilia; he could openly claim her just like now.
“E-Alexander…” Cesilia stammered as she entered the room. Alexander was already sitting there, looking at her with an expressionless face, but there was a hint of pain in his eyes.
“Since when have you been here?” she asked.
Alexander shrugged. “Just now, maybe.”
“How was dinner? Is it finished?” Cesilia inquired.
“It’s done, Frans and Robert have gone home,” he replied indifferently.
“Did you hear…” Cesilia approached. “Did you hear what I was talking about with my boss?”
Alexander shook his head. “No.” He got up from his seat. “I came here to ask for permission to sleep in the adjacent room. I don’t want to disturb your rest.” He pulled the corners of his lips, caressed Cesilia’s head, and left without waiting for her response.
Cesilia was lost in thought. Alexander’s response made her forget that the adjacent room was no longer a workspace, but a place where Casandra released her fatigue.
Casandra had just drifted off to sleep when she was suddenly startled. Feeling movement on the other side of the bed, her drowsy eyes caught sight of Alexander lying beside her, his arm covering his eyes.
No words were spoken, but Casandra knew something was wrong with her husband. She slightly shifted and deliberately turned to touch Alexander’s stomach.
“Lex,” she called out, feeling Alexander’s stomach, as if surprised by her husband’s presence.
“Sorry if I disturbed your sleep.”
“You’re not disturbing at all, I fell asleep too quickly.”
Alexander pulled the corners of his lips, looking at Casandra who seemed sleepy. His eyes half-opened as he gazed at her.
“Don’t look at me like that, you’ll end up falling for me. Huh?” Casandra playfully tapped her own lips, scolding herself for speaking so casually in front of Alexander.
“Why hit yourself?” Alexander changed his position, turning to face Casandra. He reached out and touched her pink lips. “These will get damaged if you keep hitting them.”
“If I can’t hit them, then what can I do?”
“Emmm… like this.” Alexander kissed Casandra’s lips, and she quickly held back her neck. She didn’t want Alexander to let go or move to Cesilia’s room.
Casandra’s swift movements yielded results as Alexander indulged in deep kisses and embraces. The atmosphere turned intensely passionate, even though the air conditioning was on, and they were both wearing nothing. Casandra’s pajamas flew to the floor, while Alexander’s shirt and knee-length pants ended up at the end of the bed.
Meanwhile, both Alexander and Casandra sought pleasure amidst Cesilia’s turmoil. Ignoring Cesilia’s existence, Alexander guided Casandra to take charge. He encouraged her to straddle him, seeking a different sensation.
Casandra moaned. It was her first time being in this position, and naturally, she felt full and overwhelmed. Alexander guided her movements, slow and awkward at first, but as she started to feel pleasure, Casandra became fervent, leaving Alexander overwhelmed.
Waiting for Alexander to recover was futile, as he was completely exhausted. Yielding to Casandra, he became powerless. Now he lay in the arms of his young wife, just like a baby, sipping, and closing his eyes. Relieved from the fervent lovemaking, Cesilia’s wait was in vain.
In a rush, as he was running late, Alexander hurried down the stairs with his tie still in a messy state around his neck. Meanwhile, Casandra was in the dining room, preparing breakfast for her husband. Cesilia was still packing in her room, afraid of being late for her meeting with Maxime at the office, so she didn’t have time to find out what Alexander was up to. Casandra had no idea what time Cesilia went to sleep, waiting for Alexander to return to her room.
Before leaving, Cesilia wanted to leave a good impression, so she joined Alexander at the dining table. She wanted to tidy up his tie, but Alexander had already approached Casandra in the kitchen to fix it.
Casandra looked puzzled at the tie that was wrapped around her neck. “Why are you daydreaming?” Alexander asked softly.
“I don’t know how to tie it, Lex,” Casandra honestly admitted to Alexander. She had never tied a tie before.
“Raise your hands and put them on my chest!” Alexander ordered. Casandra quickly complied, not fearing being caught by Cesilia for not knowing. As Casandra raised her hands, Alexander slowly tied the tie himself, making sure Cesilia couldn’t see what they were doing.
“Adjust it at the back of my neck.” Casandra nodded and followed Alexander’s instructions. “Tonight, I’ll teach you how to tie it yourself because from now on, you’ll be the one doing it for me,” Alexander whispered before returning to his seat.
Casandra smiled, happy that Alexander prioritized her over Cesilia, who was now staring at her with sharp eyes. When Robert called Alexander, breakfast was skipped. He only grabbed a sandwich that Casandra had prepared for him on a plate. He quickly excused himself and bid farewell to Meri and Casandra, as well as Cesilia.
“Let Auntie clean up all of this. Now, you pack up. Mama will accompany you to the hospital to visit your father!” Meri invited Casandra before tidying up the dining table after breakfast was finished.
Casandra nodded and followed Meri’s instructions, ignoring Cesilia’s presence entirely. Casandra couldn’t explain why she suddenly became a person who didn’t want to interact with Cesilia, even though they had always had a good relationship. Cesilia was the one who always greeted Casandra warmly when she came to visit her mother. Cesilia was also the one who provided extra money for Casandra to go back to her hometown when she came to pick up her father’s medical expenses.
But now, Casandra didn’t want to confront Cesilia. Perhaps it was because she was hurt by Cesilia’s betrayal of Alexander or hurt by Cesilia’s actions last night. Casandra didn’t understand, but she knew she didn’t want to talk to Cesilia.
Casandra remained quiet as Cesilia approached and intimidated her, locking the door of her room. “Don’t think just because you’ve had your share of Alexander, you can be arrogant like you were earlier,” Cesilia said sharply. “Don’t even think about trying to have Alexander all to yourself because he is my husband, and you are just a woman whose womb was rented to bear his offspring.” She emphasized each word to remind Casandra of her position.
Casandra simply nodded, putting on a fearful expression in front of Cesilia. “Okay, ma’am, I understand, and I will stay within the boundaries you have set,” she said politely in Cesilia’s eyes. But the words held great meaning.
“Alright then, thank you for your cooperation.” Cesilia left Casandra, unaware of the curses she was receiving in the girl’s heart. In front of Cesilia, Casandra didn’t want to fight back, but in front of Alexander, she would prove that she was the one deserving to be Alexander Parkasa’s one and only wife.
Knowing that she wasn’t as strong as Cesilia, Casandra had to play the role of a timid girl to win Alexander’s heart, as it would be her path to power.