CHAPTER11
1068 Words
After a peaceful dinner, the four of them went to the study room for a private discussion about the plan that was formed earlier in the day.
"We were so surprised about what happened earlier," Trinity began the conversation, sitting next to her husband.
"What happened earlier shouldn't have occurred if Luanne didn't follow me. I could sue her for stalking because she knew my flight schedule and the airplane I was taking," Alexander quickly responded from several meters away from Damira.
"Can we delete it, right?" he added.
"No," Leo quickly replied.
"We can't delete it anymore because it's already circulating online. Even if we delete ten websites or pages that uploaded it, we don't know how many more copies are out there and how many people plan to upload it on social media apps," Trinity explained.
"What are we going to do then? Are we just going to let it spread?" Damira asked.
"Yes, let it trend because we're going to make it real," Leopoldo replied, casting a worried look at Alexander.
"What do you mean by that?" the man asked.
"You are going to marry Damira, Alexander—"
"No! When I said no, it's a no."
"Then do you want to marry Luanne instead?" Leo challenged Alexander.
"I am not marrying that spoiled brat!"
"Then choose between Damira and Luanne," Trinity quickly responded.
From the man's expression and his movements, it seemed that he might explode with anger and frustration at any moment.
"Don't you have anything to say?" he asked Damira.
"We already have an agreement. That's why she's here living with us," the lady replied.
Alexander stood up, attempting to calm himself while pacing back and forth inside the study room.
"We can think of some other way than marriage."
"After what you did earlier, do you still plan not to marry Damira? You're the one who proposed to her," her father taunted.
The man clenched his fists, struggling to contain his anger.
"I already told you, this is Luanne's fault."
"If you don't want to get married, then tell us what to do instead of deleting it from the web because that's almost impossible. If you want, shall we call the press? We can say that the proposal you made is not true, and you're not getting married, is that what you want? Luanne will be even happier then," the father replied.
Leo found this situation difficult. He wasn't used to seeing his son in such a state. However, it was better than the man ending up in the wrong family like Genesis and Luanne.
The man fell silent, his face reflecting his struggle to make a nearly impossible choice. They continued to size each other up for a few more minutes until he finally responded.
"Fine. I am going to marry Damira. But this will last for a year only. After that, we're going to have a divorce."
"We're fine with that. You don't have to worry about it. For sure, Luanne will be a forgotten memory by then. Women can easily move on in life," Trinity replied.
"Since you have already decided about it, we have already prepared the answers for the media. We will provide you with the fake information regarding how and when you met. Make sure your responses match the details we'll give you. It shouldn't be obvious that this is a contracted marriage. Do you both understand?" Leo added.
"You've already planned for this?" Alexander asked his father in disbelief.
"You took the first step, Alexander. I'm just aligning you on the right path," the man replied as he stood. "Well, you two should talk. I know you need time for this."
When Damira heard the door close, she stood up and headed for the exit.
"Where are you going?" Alexander asked her.
"I'm leaving. I'm going to my room," she replied as she grabbed the doorknob.
"Is this what you expected?"
She heard the man chuckle and turned to look at him.
"Do I look like someone who expected all of this to happen? Do you think I wanted any of this?"
"Why didn't you just say that you're marrying me because of your wealth?" Alexander questioned.
"Excuse me, I only found out your last name is Casablanca earlier. How was I supposed to know your family existed in this world?" she retorted sarcastically.
"You're unbelievable," the man shook his head.
"I don't need your wealth, Alexander. I know I told you this the first time we met. Trinity promised to take care of my mother's medical and hospital bills, and this was also my way to escape my exploitative relatives. Now, if you can't comprehend my life situation because you didn't grow up with coffee as your main dish when there's nothing else to eat, then that's not my problem," she replied.
Alexander fell silent for a moment, and Damira was taken aback by his next question.
"You just want to mess with me, don't you? I mean, you've never had a boyfriend, and all of a sudden, you're going to marry me... well, that's a significant advantage for you."
The woman burst into laughter.
"You got it right because you're so business-minded. I've never lost my sanity to think like that. But if you want to test my patience, you're coming close to winning. Don't worry, Alexander Casablanca, I will never, never like you. I'll never love you as long as we're under contract. I can pretend... don't you dare me."
A sly smile curled on her lips, which brought astonishment to the man's face.
"A-And what if it happens?" he hesitated in his question.
"I am going to leave the house right away, and never shall our paths cross again after I sign those divorce papers. Are you happy?" she declared.
The man stared at her intently. "You're not going to win this over," he said.
"Then let's see for ourselves. I'm not backing down from anything. So good luck to you."
She turned the doorknob and swiftly left the room. She quickly descended to her quarters, hoping to go unnoticed. Upon entering, she locked the door and lay on the bed, clutching her chest.
"Stop it. He's gone. Relax, Damira. Relax," she reassured herself. She took a few deep breaths until she calmed herself.
"Get ready, Alexander Casablanca, because you have no idea how Damira Pascual can play the game."
- Writer
