CHAPTER13
1163 Words
The parking lot was filled with noise, and the flashes of cameras seemed to pierce the car's tinted windows.
"Sir, are you sure you don't want to add more security? It doesn't look like you can handle the three guards stationed outside," Macario asked.
"We're going to be fine. If they ask you something, just shut your mouth, okay?" Alexander replied as he scrolled through his cell phone.
"No problem, boss."
Damira's heart was pounding like a drum. She had been nervously biting her lipstick off her lips for a while. She couldn't sit still.
"Feeling nervous already?" Alexander asked with a grin.
"I-I'm nervous because I don't want my mother to see me messing up on TV. I didn't tell her about our setup, so... even for her, I need to make this look real."
Alexander swallowed hard. He thought she had told her mother the real reason she was in the mansion, but not. They heard a knock on the door, signaling that they needed to get out.
"I'm going to open the door for you, please wait. We'll start acting as soon as I open the door, okay?"
Damira nodded as she adjusted her red v-neck dress, which reached just above her knees. To be prepared for any unforeseen events, she wore flat shoes.
She straightened her posture when Alexander opened the car door.
Oh, good Lord. Here we go.
She quickly took his hand as she got out of the car. The continuous flashing of cameras on their side almost made her close her eyes. However, it was the feel of his hand wrapping around her arm, pulling them closer together, that caught her attention.
"I will just remind you that this is a part of our act. Don't get used to it. I'm a good guy, but let me remind you that I'm not ready to settle down with you," he whispered as they walked down the hallway.
"I would also remind you that over my dead body, you're not the reason I agreed to this arrangement. Don't get your hopes up, because no matter how much you try to stick our skins together, it won't affect me. You're not my dream guy, Mr. Casablanca. You were never in my future."
They both wore knowing smiles as they reached the dressing room. As expected, Luanne was inside, still getting her makeup done.
Damira felt Alexander's firm grip around her waist.
"Don't leave my sight," he told her, and they entered together.
"Look who's here!" Luanne said enthusiastically, rising from her seat and leaning in for a kiss on Alexander's cheek. But Alexander stepped back.
"Please respect my fiancée, Luanne. Why are you here?" he asked in a dry tone.
"Oh, don't be such a killjoy! I know it's just a fake marriage for publicity. Damira, right?"
"Can you excuse us so we can get ready?" Alexander asked calmly.
Alexander secretly grinned. The woman was showing him how feisty she could be. Now, Luanne would find out that there was someone even more stubborn than she was.
"How dare you?" Luanne muttered in response.
"What's your name? Luanne, right?" the woman asked as she walked by, taking Luanne's seat. Alexander followed her and sat beside her at the vanity mirror. Four hair and makeup artists immediately swarmed around them. After the quick preparation, they didn't see Luanne in the dressing room.
Damira cursed silently while being primped. It was the first time she argued about that since high school.
"What if she shows attitude later? She might claim I'm hard to get because I secretly like him. God, what if that spoiled brat comes after me again?"
"ARE YOU READY?"
Alexander's hand squeezing Damira's snapped her out of her thoughts. Her anxiety, nerves, and tingling sensations intensified. She had memorized all the information on the paper Trinity had given her earlier, but she didn't know how much of it she could recall now.
"Do I look ready to you?" she asked with trembling lips.
"Just go with the flow. Follow everything I say, and everything will be fine. Okay?" Alexander reassured her.
"O-okay," she replied, taking a deep breath.
"Relax. Don't let Luanne intimidate you. She'll try to bring you down in this interview. Are you ready to be laughed at by everyone?" he asked as they waited for their cue.
"Of course not," she replied.
"I know. I will never let that happen to my fiancée..."
His words made her even more nervous. She saw him glance at her from the corner of his eye. Her anxiety grew.
"Think of me as your soon-to-be-husband, okay? Trust what I say, and we'll be fine after this."
"Make sure you don't hear any insults or teasing from you, or else I'll switch you with Luanne. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Ma'am!"
When the curtain opened, they were met with cheers and applause from the audience in the studio.
"One of the handsome faces we have in the business world is on our show tonight! Mr. Alexander Casablanca, together with his rumored fiancée, Damira Pascual!"
Amid the enthusiastic applause from the crowd, Alexander gently guided her down the stairs. He let her sit first on a long couch. Their fingers interlocked as if he were saying he was there to make sure she didn't get too nervous.
"First and foremost, welcome to Tonight with Maximo. I am so honored that you accepted our invitation tonight. First question, how is Alexander Casablanca after the viral proposal video?" Maximo asked, getting straight to the point.
Alexander remained unfazed and smiled. He knew that the show intended to embarrass Damira and possibly unearth things he wasn't yet aware of. He had to take control of the situation and steer the show in the right direction.
"First of all, good evening to all the viewers of TWM, both on national television and through live streaming. And just to clarify, Max, right? Damira is not my rumored fiancée. She's going to be my lawfully wedded wife. As for the viral video, we didn't expect it to trend because it's natural for us to be sweet. However, this is the first time I did that in front of so many people," Alexander stated, looking directly into the interviewer's eyes.
"All right. So how about you, Damira? Is it true that you are only a convenience store clerk? How did you two meet if that's your job?"
Damira was almost rendered speechless under Maximo's scrutinizing gaze. The murmurs from the audience only made her more nervous. Most importantly, this was not in the script.
But she glanced at Alexander as he caressed her palm. His touch sent shivers down her spine, and she could hardly breathe, feeling his warm breath on her skin.
"Tell him the truth about your work. I've got this," he whispered to her, making her quiver.
Just make sure you really won't fall for him, Damira. My goodness. You might end up eating your words.
- Writer
