Casablanca Series I: Alexander and His Secrets

CHAPTER14

Damira's shoulders slumped, and her lips quivered as she heard Alexander's uninterrupted storytelling after he confirmed that she worked as a cashier at a convenience store. The way he spoke made it seem like they had known each other for a long time. She couldn't fathom how he seamlessly connected the events in their lives as if they had happened.

"I know that there will come a time when, in case people find out about Damira's situation in life, she'll be looked down upon by those who are more privileged. That's the reason why we are dating in secret. But now, you can judge all you want because we're getting married, and nothing can stop us from making it happen."

Damira shifted in her seat when she felt the man's hand squeeze her shoulder while he was leaning on her.

"Will your wedding be live broadcasted?"

"It surely will! We don't want to withhold something that we've already started showing in public. They might say it's just for show," he hinted to Luanne, who had had a frowning face near the cameraman for a while.

As Maximo bid farewell to the viewers, Damira was sweating profusely. It was a good thing she managed to endure thirty minutes in front of a large audience. Later, she would tell Alexander that she wouldn't do this kind of interview again as it might expose the two of them. It's too risky.

She maintained a continuous smile for the camera and the people present, even though she could feel their disapproval. She had noticed the audience's hostile glares while Alexander was speaking about them. It was as if he had taken away the ideal boyfriend material from the entire nation.

The man guided her toward the backstage.

"Hurry up. We need to get out of here before Luanne catches up with us."

She quickened her pace even more. She had noticed earlier when she made eye contact with the woman behind the cameraman as if she wanted to crush her into a peppery powder. She knew those sharp glares—pure jealousy.

"Why are you in a hurry?"

Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest when Luanne suddenly appeared in front of them. Her eyebrows were raised, and her arms were crossed.

"We're tired, Luanne. Aren't you satisfied with what you've seen?" Alexander asked, irritated.

"I know this is all fake. It's so obvious! Just admit it now... and I'll be quiet."

They exchanged challenging glares with the woman until Alexander took her hand.

"We're going."

They simply passed by the woman and continued down the hallway.

"Why are you doing this, Xander?!" Luanne shouted, her voice echoing through the entire place.

The man immediately opened the door for them to get inside. It only took a moment before the media swarmed their vehicle. Macario honked the horn twice to clear a path for them to leave the area.

Alexander released her, which didn't surprise her at all. He hurriedly took out his cell phone and dialed a number.

"Ate Nympha, I won't be going to the villa tonight. Luanne might go there. I'm sorry. Is it okay with you and Kuya Kiko if we stay one more night?"

"Oh, Sir. Don't worry about us. We have plenty of help here. Everyone in the household was almost swooning with excitement while watching your interview. How are you?" Nympha asked from the other end.

"We're okay. I'll drop by tomorrow before heading to the office. I'm sorry for inconveniencing you. And you're pregnant too."

"We're fine here. We understand. Rest well."

After the call, Alexander leaned back in his seat. His body felt exhausted, especially as if Maximo had drained his strength earlier.

"How was our acting?" he asked his driver.

"Flawless. Even in the live stream, you both looked fresh!" the driver replied with a laugh.

"Let's go home. This interview was so stressful. If only I had just worked overtime at the office, it would have been better for me."

Damira sat there, gazing outside while leaning on the seat, barely noticing the man beside her. She heard him sigh several times.

She felt the same way. It was the first time she had been alone, similar to their thesis defense back in college. But this was more intense, even more than a thesis defense.

She picked up her cell phone and browsed through social media. However, when she saw that their faces dominated her feed, she sighed again.

"What happened?" the man asked her.

"N-nothing. I just see our faces everywhere," she replied.

"Make your account private. They'll surely dig into your pictures and posts."

That's exactly what she planned to do. She didn't want others meddling in her private life, especially once they learned about her mother's condition.

When they arrived at the mansion, Trinity and Leopoldo were still in the living room. They stood up when they saw them approaching.

"I'll never do it again next time! You saw how Maximo grilled Damira. You wouldn't want her to be embarrassed, would you?" Alexander confronted the couple without waiting for their response. Even Trinity was taken aback by his reaction. She didn't wait for their reply and went upstairs.

"Excuse me, Ma'am, Sir..." Damira politely said and turned to leave.

"W-wait..." The lady followed her and grabbed her arm.

"Why?"

"You are going to get married next month, Damira. Please prepare yourself. Okay?"

Next month? She thought to herself. She wanted to protest, but Trinity handed her a document.

"What is this?" Damira asked.

Her eyes widened as she saw that over 75% of their hospital bill had already been paid.

"I know that it is my fault why you are here. I told you I would do what I said. We've already paid more than half of your mother's hospital bill. After the wedding, we're going to pay it in full. Even if she's there, and the hospital charges are accumulating every day, we'll pay for it as long as you're going to tell me Alexander's secret."

But how was she supposed to find that out? She was the one who didn't want to get close to him because of his incomprehensible behavior.

"I'm so sorry if I forced you into this situation. It's okay if you don't love him. I just want someone there for him in the times he's not with us. I know he needs a life partner. But if..."

She held both of Damira's hands and looked into her eyes as if pleading.

"...if ever you can't handle it, just tell me. I'll still find a way to expedite the annulment process between the two of you."