CHAPTER12
1008 Words
Alexander skimmed through the plot of a love story, written on a full sheet of paper, with a heavy heart. Once again, they were in Damira's study room, distant from each other due to the lingering tension. He couldn't come to terms with what she had told him the previous day. It was as if she had crushed his masculinity by pointing out that not all women could be attracted to him.
He sighed as he refocused his attention on the paper. Who would have thought that his mother would create a cringe-worthy love story about how he and Damira had met two years ago—without anyone noticing it?
Technically, it was easy for him to memorize the details on the paper, but he just couldn't seem to swallow them, even after drinking two cups of coffee.
"You have an interview with Maximo Oliveros in the afternoon. Please ensure that you've memorized everything, as Luanne and Genesis will surely be watching you both," Trinity said while reading the freshly printed page.
"I'll take this with me," Damira quickly stood up and headed towards the door.
"Where are you going?" the lady asked.
"To my room. I'll be able to memorize it more easily with no pressure around," Damira replied.
Trinity's gaze shifted from Damira, but the two people in the study room knew exactly who she was targeting with that statement.
"Damira, you need to answer the questions with Alexander. It's not just about reciting what I gave you. You both need to be as sweet as you can in front of the camera. It can't look like you've merely memorized lines. They need to feel that you truly love each other. That's why you need to rehearse with Xander. Please..."
Damira slumped back into her chair. "I think this will not work." Alexander, too, got up, folded the paper, and put it in his pocket.
"Oh, where are you going?" Trinity asked, scratching her head.
"Work. I need to work for a living. I can do it later."
He walked toward the door and turned the knob.
"Fine. You can go now, too, Damira. You'll be on your own in the interview later. Just make sure not to be intimidated by each other while you're there. Knowing Maximo, he'll do everything to pry into your relationship. I forgot to mention that he's Luanne's friend. Just be nice to each other for the sake of this. Even if you fight like cats and dogs at home, it's okay."
After Alexander left, Damira was left with Trinity, who took a seat beside her.
"Damira, I know it's hard for you to put up with Alexander's behavior, especially since he doesn't want this setup. I want to tell you something..."
"W-what is it?"
"I arranged your marriage with Xander not because he needs someone in his life. I want you to watch over him once you're living under the same roof."
"So, are we going to live here?" she asked with a confused expression.
"Alexander has a villa where he usually stays. Since the two returned from abroad, he knew Luanne would visit him. To be honest, Denise, their mother, was still alive then, and she liked Alexander. But Denise didn't approve of Luanne for Alexander because of her infuriating behavior.
"Since this girl entered the picture, we noticed that Alexander started coming home with bruises and sometimes a swollen lip. He never tells the truth to us. He just repeatedly says he got into a bar fight," Carla continued.
"But maybe he just gets into fights?" Damira asked.
"He doesn't drink, Damira. I've never seen him drink, and he has low alcohol tolerance. He banned himself from drinking and was open about it with us. So, my request to you is, maybe... perhaps when you get to know each other after the marriage, he might open up to you."
"I just don't want his strange behavior to be something Leo misunderstands. There's a lot on his plate right now, especially with Genesis. So please help me find out what he's doing or what he's hiding, so we can assist him if he's facing any problems."
Damira gave a restrained smile. She didn't make any promises.
After two hours, Alexander returned to the mansion to change his clothes. The house was quiet. The couple had surely left. He still hadn't seen Amaury today.
"Where's Damira?" he asked Carla.
"She's still in her room. Should I call her?"
Alexander shook his head. "No need. I'll go alone. Thank you."
He hurriedly made his way to her room and stood there, contemplating whether to knock or wait for her outside. While in his office, he'd received a call from Luanne about their upcoming interview.
"I know you're just doing this to make me jealous, Xander. Why didn't you just say you had feelings for me? Why do you have to make me mad? You know I've liked you for a long time—"
He winced as he remembered that irritating voice.
"Are you okay?" Damira asked. He hadn't noticed that she had already opened the door.
He cleared his throat. "I'm... I'm fine."
"Why didn't you wait for me outside? Are you going to the balcony?"
He moved back as she closed the door.
She began to walk away, but suddenly, he reached out and grabbed her wrist. He pinned her to the wall, his hand wrapped around her waist. He moved closer to her, close enough to feel her breath on his skin.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Aren't you feeling something?" he whispered. He noticed a subtle smile on her lips as if his first move hadn't affected her.
"Are you kidding? If you think you can get to me with this, you're mistaken. Better luck next time, Mr. Casablanca. I hope you've memorized our script."
She forcefully pulled her hand away from his grip, shooting him a scornful look, and then left him standing outside her room.
"Unbelievable, woman," he muttered to himself.
- Writer
