CHAPTER10
1045 Words
"It seems almost impossible for you to be saying that," Amelia said after Damira recounted the entire incident while they were at a café. As soon as she entered the mall, she couldn't help but feel uneasy with the looks she was receiving from the people she passed by. The impact of what had happened earlier was different. Amelia even showed her how thousands of people had shared, commented, and watched their videos.
"Am I joking? I only found out about the setup when I was at their house. I didn't want to go back to Aunt's place either. I almost got caught that day, so I'm grateful to Trinity for taking me in."
"Hmm... I can't blame you if you fell for Alexander at first sight because he's incredibly handsome, isn't he? His younger brother is handsome too, but I prefer Xander. However, I heard he's already taken," she hinted.
"Oh, Amelia. If you only knew..."
"So, you're attracted to him too. You should find a way to make him attracted to you as well."
Her face twisted. "No, it's not like that. I'm just attracted, but I'm not saying I'll develop feelings for him. Besides, I don't want to. I'll make sure I won't reach that point."
"Why? Is he a bad guy?" she inquired.
She didn't know how to respond. If she said yes, Amelia might think she was being overly judgmental after only spending a week with the guy. If she said no, it might seem like she was too tolerant of what he did to her earlier.
"It's not that he has a bad character. It's just a bit hard to explain. I mean, imagine being forced to marry someone you barely know, right?"
"Why you, though?"
"Well, it's because of my mom. If she hadn't been in her current condition, maybe until now, it would just be the two of us in our lives. I wouldn't have any problems," she replied.
"So, what's your plan?"
"In case, I promise myself I won't fall for him. I'll carve that in stone."
"You can't be sure about that! I've seen a lot of movies like that, and in the end, they still end up eating their words."
She grinned as she sipped her coffee.
"Before that even happens, I'll leave the mansion. I won't show myself to him anymore."
"Oh, Damira, don't make any promises for now. So many things can happen in a year," she said with a smile.
"I only hope that in that year, my mom's condition improves. I'm not asking the Lord for anything else, just that. First, my dad, and now she might also leave me."
"Wait! Let's change the topic before we start crying."
She smiled. "What's the topic then?"
"How's the kiss?" she asked, causing Damira to choke on her coffee. She nearly choked.
"What kind of question is that?"
"What is it? Is it okay? Was it obvious that he was just pretending? Or at least did you feel like it was genuine?"
She didn't respond but shook her head.
"Why?" Amelia asked.
She didn't want to remember what happened earlier. Her heart was pounding quickly now.
"It was just fake," she said.
"Really?" Amelia raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, it was. You don't believe me. It's obvious in the video, right? He even looked nervous when he took out the ring. It was his first time—"
"Oh? How do you know?" Her eyebrows rose further, and her lips curved.
"I just know! I was there, okay? Please, let's not talk about it."
"Okay, okay. But did you see the girl?"
"Yes, of course. She was already there when I arrived."
"So..." Amelia looked at her meaningfully.
"So, what?" Damira raised an eyebrow.
"Is she pretty?"
"Of course! She's from a wealthy family, for sure. Knowing Alexander is a Casablanca, it's not possible that many women from well-off families want to marry him. But..."
"But, she's already taken?"
She shook her head. "Not because of that. He's not ready to settle down yet."
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Wow, I never expected that."
"Same here. When Trinity introduced me to him as his fiancée, he refused immediately. So, that's it."
"Hmmm..." The woman looked at her. "What if the wedding doesn't happen?"
Damira shrugged. "It's okay. As long as Trinity fulfills her promise to me, there won't be a problem."
After that, Damira took another sip of her coffee. She noticed the peculiar look Amelia gave her, which made her uneasy. She struggled to conceal her true emotions during this almost-showbiz interview. She didn't want anyone to have an idea of her true feelings, which she intended to bury early.
***
Damira returned to the mansion in the evening. No one was in the lobby until she reached the dining area. Alexander was already seated there, gazing at his cell phone. Leopoldo, on the other hand, was facing his laptop.
"Damira..."
Their eyes briefly met with Alexander, but he looked away first.
"Where did you come from?"
"I just had coffee with Amelia. I also visited Mom in the hospital. It's my first time visiting her since I stayed here."
"Does she know what happened?"
"About what?" she asked because two things were on her mind - staying in the Casablanca house and what happened this morning.
"About me taking you and continuing your stay here in the house. Does she know?"
She nodded. "I told her earlier. I expected Aunt and Uncle to visit, but it didn't happen."
"That's good to know. Let's have dinner first, then I would like to talk to you and Alexander."
"Wait. Is this about what happened this morning?"
"Yes."
"Can't we just delete the video? I know Alexander doesn't seem comfortable... he looked like he was just forced to do it because of that girl."
Trinity patted her shoulder and smiled. "We can talk about it later. Relax."
She followed Trinity and sat beside her. She was about to avoid sitting in the same place as Alexander, but she needed to know what they would say.
Whatever decision is made, accept it, Damira. But promise yourself that if Trinity's plan pushes through, you will be clear with Alexander. Tell him that you won't fall for him.
- Writer
