“How are you, dear?” Lastri asked as soon as she saw Casandra coming with Meri. This was the second time she met her daughter since officially becoming Alexander’s wife.
“I’m fine, Mom.” Casandra reached for Lastri’s hand and kissed the back of it.
“How about your father?” She looked at her first love, who was still lying in the hospital bed.
“Dad is getting better. If his condition continues to stabilize like this, he might be able to go home for outpatient care the day after tomorrow.”
Casandra pulled the corners of her lips closer to her father. “I hope so, I really miss Dad,” she said, glancing back and forth between her mother and father.
“Your father also misses you, dear. Since he woke up until now, he’s been asking about your whereabouts.”
“I miss Dad too.” She held her father’s hand, releasing the overwhelming longing she felt.
“How is Mr. Alexander doing?” Lastri asked Casandra. As her son-in-law, Lastri also wanted to know how he was doing.
“Alexander is doing well, Mom.”
“Alexander?” Lastri repeated, making Casandra’s cheeks blush because of the endearing nickname she used for Alexander, which surprised her. The last time they met, Casandra still addressed him formally as ‘Tuan.’
“There have been many things happening since you weren’t at home, Mother-in-law,” Meri followed up, touching Lastri’s shoulder.
“Mother-in-law…”
“Yes, call me mother-in-law like that. We are now family, no longer just the lady and the house assistant. Don’t bring up the past because now your daughter is my daughter-in-law,” explained Meri. “And just so you know, Alexander and Casandra’s relationship is far beyond what we expected. Soon, we will have a grandchild.”
“A grandchild? Casandra is pregnant?”
“Not yet, but I’m sure Casandra will be pregnant soon, and there will be a little baby between them.”
“Is that true, Cas?”
Lastri looked at Casandra with hope in her eyes. She wasn’t hoping to become the mother-in-law of a conglomerate, but she was happy that Alexander could finally achieve what he had been dreaming of. Lastri knew how much Alexander had longed for a child. Considering Alexander’s age and Cesilia’s constant delay in having a child, Lastri was aware that Alexander’s dream would come true through his own daughter, even though Casandra and Alexander’s marriage was a contractual one. With Casandra’s presence, that dream would soon become a reality, even if one day Lastri had to accept that the grandchild would be separated from her daughter.
However, Lastri hoped that through this, she could repay the kindness of Alexander’s family, who had helped her so much. Especially with the medical treatment for her husband’s recovery and surgery, as well as supporting Casandra’s siblings’ education.
The conversation flowed smoothly between them. Lastri was gradually fitting in well with Meri, and there was no awkwardness between them anymore. When their father woke up from his sleep, Casandra rushed to embrace him, releasing all the longing she had felt during the few days she spent without seeing him. Casandra had never been apart from her father before, and this was the first time she spent days without seeing him. The middle-aged man didn’t say much; he only congratulated Casandra for becoming a complete wife for Alexander. Although he initially didn’t fully agree, considering it concerned his daughter’s future, he saw Casandra’s happiness and how her siblings could continue their education and live in a decent home. Reluctantly, he gave his approval, hoping that Casandra’s marriage would not end up like the contract she had signed.
The visit to the hospital was supposed to be extended, but Alexander contacted Lastri and said he would join them later. Casandra didn’t want Alexander to come back and forth, so she decided to go home first and planned to bring him to the hospital tomorrow since it was the weekend.
Before the taxi took them home, Meri mentioned that Alexander left a message. He said Casandra should wear the clothes he prepared for her.
Casandra agreed, thinking it was for the best for both her and Alexander, as long as it didn’t involve Alexander and Cesilia’s marriage. Here, Casandra considered herself the only wife of Alexander Parkasa.
***
Elsewhere, Cesilia was really annoyed with Maxime for asking her to do so many photoshoots together. Today was supposed to be scheduled for a blush-on ad shoot. But instead, Cesilia was asked to do intimate poses with Maxime. She wasn’t sure why, but her manager said it was preparation for the launch of a new product. She chose to believe it, so she did the photoshoot with Maxime, working diligently as if the poses were genuinely for promoting the product. Little did she know it was all a trick to provoke Alexander, as the photos would be sent to someone on Alexander’s behalf and would eventually reach him.
The more heated Alexander becomes, the less likely Cesilia will return home without his permission. Maxime is convinced that the marriage between Alexander and Cesilia won’t last long. Moreover, by keeping Cesilia by his side, Alexander can be freer with Casandra.
“I don’t want to wear this.” Cesilia placed a set of revealing lingerie on Maxime’s table. She protested because there was no agreement about such revealing clothing in the contract she signed, according to the fashion designer’s instructions.
To fulfill this requirement, Cesilia was forced to sign an additional agreement that trapped her in Maxime’s drama. It was unfair since she fell into his trap, and now she was asked to wear such revealing attire. Furthermore, according to the script she read, her position would be sitting on Maxime’s lap and caressing his strong jaw, with their lips almost touching. If Alexander were to witness that, the tension between them would escalate.
“Just wear it if you want this photoshoot to go smoothly.” Maxime adjusted his appearance, looking dashing in a silver suit, while Cesilia was asked to wear a sheer and skimpy lingerie with thin straps on her shoulders. The length of the lingerie barely reached her thighs. If Cesilia made even the slightest movement, the triangular piece covering her lower body would be clearly visible.
“But this is too revealing and short, Maxime. I can’t wear this, especially when you agreed there would be no revealing clothing like this in the costumes I’d wear. What’s the point?” Cesilia pointed to the lingerie on the table.
“As I said, no objections. Please put it on, and we’ll proceed with the photoshoot. After that, you’ll come home with me.”
“No, I will never wear that outfit.”
“It’s up to you whether you wear it or not, but be prepared to pay a hefty fine if you back out of this job. And don’t forget, I’ll let Alexander know the extent of our relationship…”
Maxime’s words hung in the air when Cesilia snatched the lingerie back from the table and hurriedly went to the changing room. Like every other day and every other request from Maxime, Cesilia complied and did what he asked her to do.
Wearing revealing outfits and posing sensually with him, Cesilia followed along as long as everything went according to Maxime’s wishes, just to keep everything hidden from Alexander. In Cesilia’s eyes, without her knowledge, Maxime started showing signs of their closeness and hoped that Alexander would gradually step back and eventually divorce Cesilia. Without her knowledge, Cesilia remained unaware of Maxime’s intentions and the reasons for the collapse of her marriage. Maxime remained calm and acted as if he were hiding everything, but, in reality, he was subtly planting seeds of doubt in Alexander’s mind.
Evidence of this was Alexander gripping his phone tightly in his hand. It was the first time he saw Cesilia’s extremely improper photoshoot. Alexander didn’t expect Cesilia to take such a job. Despite being in the modeling industry for six years, this was the first time Cesilia engaged in a job that resembled adult magazine modeling. Moreover, this was the first time Cesilia didn’t involve Alexander in the discussion about her work. Normally, Cesilia always asked for his opinion on whether the costumes she wore were suitable for the public.
“Is everything done, Get?” Alexander put his phone back in his pocket.
“Yes, but you should stay at the office because there’s a client who wants to meet you.”
“Which client is it?” Alexander raised his eyebrows, trying to remember which client wanted to meet him again.
“The one who promised to make an ad for our latest product launch.”
“Oh, that’s not too important. You can handle it yourself, can’t you? After all, this meeting is about spending money, not making money, so you’re the one who should handle it.”
“Me? But you’re the director. Without your approval, of course, there won’t be an agreement.”
“Just arrange it. As a secretary, you already know what I like. So, handle everything, I have other matters to attend to.”
“What matters?” Robert still held Alexander back as lately he had burdened him with so much work. If he weren’t his best friend, Robert would have protested.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you where I’m going because it’s personal. But there’s a possibility that I’ll tell you and Frans someday.” Alexander patted Robert’s shoulder and gave it a little squeeze. “Take care of the office, and I hope your meeting with the client goes smoothly.”
“Yeah… Yeah, alright if that’s what you want.” Robert sighed, plopping back onto his chair. He stared blankly at the computer screen that was now glowing. He had no idea how long he would be working on Alexander’s tasks, and that meant he would have to work overtime again today. It also meant canceling dinner with his sweetheart.
“If this continues, I might end up single for the rest of my life,” he lamented in his heart, starting to work on the assignments delegated by Alexander.***
Curiously, when Casandra arrived home at exactly four o’clock in the afternoon, she didn’t find any of the household assistants there. Even Meri had excused herself to go back to the hospital, claiming she left her phone on the table. However, Casandra was sure that nothing was left there.
Ignoring all the oddities, Casandra headed to the bedroom to look for the paper bag Alexander mentioned, which their household assistant supposedly left on the bed. With a smile, she opened the bag and found a dazzling red dress and a fairly large box. Casandra tried on the dress, and it fit her perfectly, the bright red color contrasting beautifully with her tanned skin.
Already moved by the dress itself, Casandra was even more surprised when she opened the box. She covered her mouth, her eyes widening at the sight of the latest model of a smartphone, an Apple logo gleaming on it. Casandra couldn’t find the words to express her feelings; it was the first time she received such an expensive gift. She couldn’t even imagine owning something like this, let alone dreaming about it.
Instead of trying on the dress or activating the phone, Casandra found herself lost in thoughts, staring at the two items she placed beside her. She didn’t know what else to do since Alexander wasn’t home. Casandra couldn’t wait for his return, as she was eager to return both items.
“Why don’t you try them on?” Casandra startled when she heard Alexander’s voice as he entered the room. He seemed to be hiding something behind his back. Casandra shook her head softly, unsure of what to say. Just these two gifts alone had left her speechless, and now Alexander was kneeling in front of her, handing her another fairly large box.
“Open it!” Alexander requested. Casandra was nervous, trying to guess what could be inside the box that she hesitated to do what Alexander asked.
“Cas, this is for you. A wedding gift from me.” Slowly, Alexander opened the box, revealing a set of diamond-studded jewelry. Casandra’s heart skipped a beat. She might not understand the value of diamonds, but seeing their sparkle, she knew they weren’t worth a mere hundred thousand like the accessories sold by vendors.
“This is for you,” Alexander said again. Casandra remained motionless, not responding to what Alexander said. She couldn’t even speak, let alone breathe.
Reluctantly, Alexander placed the box between the dress and the phone. He cupped Casandra’s cheeks and gave her a brief kiss on the lips.
“Why? Don’t you like it?”
“En… A-Alex, it’s…”
Alexander pulled his lips, seeing Casandra fumbling and feeling embarrassed due to the surprise he gave her.