“Why? You…”
“No… It’s just that…”
“It’s for you. I gave you what my wife needs.” He teased Casandra’s not-so-sharp nose.
“Now, let’s take a shower. We’ll be going downstairs soon. There’s a little surprise waiting for you.”
“Lex!” Casandra cried out softly when Alexander carried her, taking her to the bathroom so she wouldn’t hear the commotion downstairs.
“Thank you for accepting Cesilia’s offer, so I’m fine now.”
Casandra raised an eyebrow. Suddenly, Alexander hugged her tightly, as if she was completely fragile and helpless.
“Have you found out what Madam is doing out there, Lex?” Casandra mumbled in her heart. Images of Cesilia being affectionate with Maxime crossed her mind. She wanted to tell him, but she didn’t want Alexander to think she was trying to create conflict.
So, Casandra just nodded and returned Alexander’s hug, holding him tightly and melting all the emotions growing in her heart. She let Alexander undress her one by one before he carried her and laid her in the bathtub. He did the same before joining her.
While still feeling confused, Casandra noticed something different about the bathroom. There were so many flower petals on the floor, and the bathtub was filled with warm water and soapy bubbles. Alexander sat behind Casandra and embraced her, squeezing her round and plump breasts, giving warm kisses on her neck. This was something Alexander enjoyed in their play, squeezing and suckling them like a baby.
“Lex, don’t,” Casandra refused when Alexander guided her to lift a bit so she could enter the bathtub.
Her rejection surprised him. “Why?” Alexander asked. His desire was on edge, but Casandra was declining, not participating as she usually did.
Casandra shook her head. “Cas, why?”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Casandra muttered, ready to get up. However, Alexander held her waist. “Let go, Lex. It’s enough here; I don’t want you to join.”
“I won’t enter if you tell me the reason!” Alexander hugged Casandra.
“I-I… Madam forbids me from entertaining you, Lex. She said it’s enough until this point, and in two weeks, I have to check if I’m pregnant or not. If not, I can serve you again, but if I am, I have to stop. I don’t want to disobey Madam’s words; I’m afraid she’ll get angry and do something terrible to me,” Casandra revealed the words Cesilia had told her.
“What?” Alexander’s jaw tightened.
***
“Is that so?” That was the only word Alexander could say after hearing Casandra’s account. After his wife revealed everything that Cesilia had told her. Without adding or subtracting anything.
However, Cesilia should be grateful to Casandra for not intending to convey what she had witnessed in Bali. Casandra wanted Alexander to see with his own eyes what his wife was doing out there. Seeing Cesilia’s indifference towards Alexander, Casandra was sure that their relationship was not going well.
Casandra nodded. “I don’t want to cause any trouble, Lex. I also…”
Alexander reached for Casandra’s waist and hugged her. Now he was sitting on the edge of the bed, and Casandra stood in front of him. Just moments ago, they had finished their real bath. Although they were both only wearing towels, their conversation flowed smoothly.
“But I am your husband. You should listen to me, not Cesilia.”
“I know that, Lex. But I am a woman paid by Madam to marry you. Of course, I have to obey…”
“Is that so? So you will follow what Cesilia says?” Alexander looked up.
Casandra nodded. “Of course, Lex.”
“Why? Am I not important?”
“I don’t know, Lex.”
“Cas…”
“I don’t understand, Lex.”
“Well, fine if that’s what you want.” Alexander let go of Casandra and grabbed the dress. “Put this on, I have a surprise for you even though you seem to care more about Cesilia’s feelings than mine.”
“Okay.” Casandra forced a smile, so Alexander wouldn’t know she was disappointed with his response. Casandra had hoped that Alexander would fight and insist.
“You’re hoping too much, Cas,” Casandra mumbled in her heart, laughing at herself for being too carried away with hope.
“Ready?”
Alexander directed his gaze at Casandra, who had just finished packing. His wife was very beautiful, but Alexander was reluctant to compliment her. He just murmured to himself how much he now adored Casandra.
Casandra just nodded and let Alexander put the jewelry set on her. After he finished with the necklace, he placed a lingering kiss on the top of her head.
“Let’s go downstairs!” he invited, holding Casandra’s hand. They walked side by side, descending the stairs one by one.
To ensure Casandra’s safety for the time being, Alexander chose to have a romantic dinner at home. So now the backyard was decorated for their dinner together.
It wasn’t overly extravagant, but it was enough to touch Casandra’s heart. A decent-sized table was filled with various types of food and decorated with candles to create a romantic ambiance. On the terrace, Alexander played classical foreign music.
Although Casandra didn’t understand the meaning of the song, she knew it was all dedicated to her. It was Alexander’s way of expressing his love for her. It was entirely up to her to believe that, but in Casandra’s eyes, it was how Alexander conveyed his affection.
Alone together, they enjoyed the romantic dinner, which ended with dancing.
“I hope you’re happy with this simple gift, and I hope you won’t bring up Cesilia’s issues in front of me anymore,” Casandra pulled away from Alexander to look at her husband. She also held herself back from allowing Alexander to invite her to dance again.
“What do you mean, Lex? I’m not allowed to mention Cesilia’s problems? I swear I don’t understand. I’m afraid that what I said earlier will change your feelings towards me. Honestly, I never intended to complain about the intimidation from Madam, but as a paid woman, I can’t act recklessly. And…”
Casandra’s words stopped as Alexander silenced her with a brief kiss. “Listen to me. Cesilia is the one who brought you into our household, forcing us to get married, and she should have known that this would happen. To be honest, I never received what you have given me from her. Cesilia is busy with her own world.”
“I don’t mean to compare you to her or to praise you and belittle Cesilia, no. But from a husband’s perspective, I can’t say much about the current state of our marriage. But one thing you should know, I’m comfortable with you, and I don’t think there will ever be a divorce between us. I really hope you think the same,” Alexander mustered the courage to express the feelings that now burdened him.
He was actually afraid to reveal all this because he didn’t want Casandra to think he was taking advantage. Only Casandra could satisfy him in bed, unlike Cesilia, who seemed to reject Alexander’s presence.
Casandra fell silent, her body feeling unable to move as she listened to Alexander’s confession and admission, which sounded more like a request. Her husband wanted her to remain his wife. Was this forever? Casandra guessed in her heart.
She didn’t want to dream too far ahead since Cesilia was still Alexander’s legal wife. Although Cesilia’s position was now becoming precarious, and she was playing with fire by getting involved with another man, Casandra still had to be vigilant in case Cesilia expelled her from Alexander’s life someday.
“Why are you silent? Don’t you want to take a step forward with me?” Alexander emphasized each word, seeing Casandra remain silent, fearing that his confession would not change anything.
Even more heartbreaking, Alexander was rejected by Casandra, who had maintained a non-special relationship with him all along. What Casandra did was purely adhering to all the terms in the agreement from back then.
That was Alexander’s thought.
Casandra remained silent, so Alexander released his embrace and sat in a chair, folding his arms, gazing at the pool not far from where they were. He felt embarrassed for confessing this fleeting feeling, but it seemed like it didn’t matter at all.
He realized that all this time, he had been arrogant, thinking that Casandra had the same feelings for him. But now Casandra seemed unaffected and even appeared not to like the expression of his feelings.
“Is it true what you said, Lex?” Alexander immediately turned to Casandra when she finally spoke up.
“What makes you doubt my words just now?” As usual, Alexander didn’t want to give a direct answer when he had already stated everything clearly. That’s why he asked a question to let the other person find their own answer, without repeating his previous words.
Casandra shook her head. “I don’t know what makes me doubt what you said, Lex. But, you should know, I also want to be selfish and shamelessly claim my boss’s husband for myself. Here, I don’t want to be called a home-wrecker because she herself dragged me into your marriage. And please don’t blame me if someday I don’t allow her to be by your side.”
“Since when did you want to be selfish like that?”
“I don’t know, Lex. I just know that I want to be someone who doesn’t care about others.”
Alexander chuckled, raised one corner of his lips, and stood up from his seat. He waved his hand to beckon Casandra closer to him. “Come here, there’s something I want to tell you.”
Instead of approaching, Casandra took a step back, afraid that Alexander would scold her for expressing her feelings again. In Casandra’s expectation, Alexander should be happy that his feelings were reciprocated. But now, he seemed to have an unpredictable expression.
Casandra was genuinely afraid that what she had said would ruin their marriage, not Cesilia’s marriage. She also just realized that she was too confident in judging Alexander’s feelings and attention towards her.
Casandra stepped back, and Alexander approached. He was puzzled as to why Casandra seemed fearful, even though he was just behaving normally, showing his happiness because his feelings were reciprocated.
“Why are you avoiding?” Alexander quickly caught and embraced Casandra by the waist before his wife could step back again.
“It’s nothing, Lex. I…
“There’s nothing, but why do you look like you’re facing a hungry lion? After all, I am your husband.” Alexander closed the distance between them, tightening his embrace around Casandra to prevent her from running away.
“Now I want to make sure of something with you.”
“What is it?”
“Whether you want to continue this marriage or end it as planned.” Alexander loosened his embrace. “If you want it to end, go to your room and ignore me here.”
“And if not?” Casandra interjected, impatient to hear the second option.
“Touch me here.” Alexander pointed to his right cheek.
Casandra smiled and rushed towards the entrance. Almost leaving Alexander alone in the backyard before turning back and returning. She cupped Alexander’s cheeks and stood on her tiptoes. This time, Casandra initiated to savor the warmth in Alexander’s mouth, which led to a passionate and demanding kiss.
Alexander carried Casandra without breaking the kiss. It felt like a long way to the second floor, so he decided to play in the guest room instead. It was better than going all the way to their bedroom.
***
Cesilia zoomed in on a photo sent by her house assistant, making sure once again that the jewelry on Casandra’s body was the same as the ones she picked from her favorite store back then. She compared and matched the two pieces of jewelry multiple times but couldn’t find any differences.
Everything looked identical, making her certain that it was her chosen jewelry. Cesilia felt like she was doused in gasoline and set on fire. Anger and jealousy burned within her, especially since Alexander hadn’t given her anything until now, despite the storekeeper saying that the jewelry was already paid in full and picked up. There had been no sign or indication from Alexander that he had a surprise for her.
Her suspicions were correct; the simple celebration Alexander organized at home was a romantic gesture for Casandra, complete with a diamond jewelry set. Cesilia growled in frustration, throwing her phone on the bed while Alexander and Casandra were now basking in happiness as a couple, just like a husband and wife. Meanwhile, she was trapped in Maxime’s created cage. Sitting on the bed with nothing on after serving him.
Cesilia didn’t even know when Maxime would release her to go home, to question why Casandra was allowed to get this far with her husband when she had already pressured her, threatening to ruin her life if she got closer to Alexander. But what happened? Casandra only agreed verbally, yet she still managed to get this close when Cesilia wasn’t at home.
“Why are you throwing the phone like that? If you don’t like it anymore or want to replace it with a new one, I’ll buy it for you.”
“No need.” Cesilia picked up her lingerie scattered on the floor and put it on haphazardly. “Just let me go, Maxime. It’s better than you getting me a new phone,” she said, approaching Maxime who had just come out of the bathroom.
He looked refreshed and smelled good, but it didn’t change Cesilia’s mind. Especially not when it came to Alexander.
“I’m begging you just this once. I want to go home, Maxime. It’s still not too late,” she pleaded.
“Unfortunately, I don’t want that to happen because you belong to me, Cesilia,” Maxime said, grabbing Cesilia’s slender waist.
“Maxime, please stop. I’m tired,” she refused when Maxime attempted to remove the lingerie she had just put on.
“There’s no word ‘tired’ for me, Cesilia, until I am completely satisfied with your body.”
“But you just finished, Maxime. You even just took a shower. Aren’t you tired of doing it, then showering again? That’s all you go through every day with me. If it continues like this, I won’t be able to handle it.”
“You have to be able to handle it, my love, because this will go on for two more years.”
“Two years?” Cesilia laughed. “I’m not sure I have that much life left if you continue like this.” She pushed Maxime away and reached for a glass on the nightstand, smashing it until it shattered. She grabbed one of the broken glass pieces. “If you won’t let me go, I’d rather die. If you only knew how much Alexander means to me.”
Maxime tried to remain calm, not wanting to be defeated by Cesilia’s threats. “If he means so much to you, why don’t you fulfill all his wishes? After all, he only wants a child, and yet you accepted my offer. It’s quite amusing that now you’re threatening to commit suicide just because I won’t allow you to leave. Especially when you’ve been wasting Alexander’s time and prioritizing your own ego.”
“I admit I’ve been selfish, neglecting my husband’s feelings. But since he’s gotten close to Casandra, I realized how much I love him. How hurt I am when he’s not by my side. I don’t want Casandra to take him away from me completely. I won’t allow it.”
Cesilia choked up, tears welling up to show Maxime how her heart was breaking at the thought of losing Alexander. She didn’t want Casandra to win and eliminate her.
Cesilia knew exactly how Alexander behaved once he felt comfortable. No matter how many obstacles he faced, he would still follow through. It was the same with their marriage. No matter how much Meri asked for a divorce and got angry when he postponed having children again and again, Alexander persisted. She was the one who foolishly brought Casandra into their marriage.
If only she hadn’t asked Alexander to marry again that day. Surely until now, Alexander would only adore her.
“But unfortunately, the love I have for you is greater than his love. And if indeed Alexander loves you as much as you love him, he will never be tempted, even if Casandra continues to tempt him. Just like me. Since the beginning, I’ve loved you. Many girls were arranged by my family for me, but I never turned away from you.”
“Turned away? What do you mean?” Cesilia was puzzled. Maxime claimed to have loved her for a long time, yet they only met recently.
“Yes, I have loved you. Since high school, to be precise.”
“Who are you really?” Cesilia tried to remember who Maxime was but couldn’t recall.
Maxime pulled the corners of his lips. “Try to remember. Who invited you to the laboratory that day?”
Cesilia was startled; she remembered this part clearly. When a nerdy boy with slicked-back hair, thick glasses, asked her to help him with a biology assignment in the lab. Since she didn’t understand the assignment, Cesilia just went along with his request. But to her surprise, she woke up later, not knowing if she had woken up from sleep or from fainting. When she opened her eyes, she found herself lying in the school health room.
She felt pain and discomfort in her body. Since that day, Cesilia felt pain when urinating. She thought she was experiencing a severe illness because she had never experienced such a thing before.
Then she was even more shocked when she consummated her wedding night with Alexander. He said she was no longer a virgin, but Alexander didn’t mind because that day she cried and swore that she had never been touched by any man. Of course, Alexander believed her because at that time, he truly loved Cesilia. She had no idea what had happened, so her tears were genuine.
“D-don’t say…” Cesilia couldn’t hide the feeling of suffocation and heartache that had merged into one.
“The nerdy student was me. In silence, I’ve held this feeling. I truly loved you, and I’m sorry I took away your purity that day.”
“Oh… God,” Cesilia whispered, her body slumping down. She collapsed on the floor, unable to bear the revelation that Maxime was the one who took her purity without her knowledge.