ALEXANDER

Chapter 19

“Is a multibillionaire business man dating again? Alexander Montavo has been spotted frequently with the same girl. Some said she’s his long time girl, some also said she’s an old acquaintance, and some said they’re just friends. Is he really dating again? If true, who is this girl he’s dating with?”

That news has aired on televisions.

Anj just saw it. That is why she’s calling Cassidy’s phone right now, yet it just routes to Cassidy’s voice mailbox.

“Hi! This is Cassie, the Messy. I can’t get to the phone right now. Please leave a message.”

Anj gave up dialing Cassidy’s phone number and just left a message.

“Hey, Cassie. Call me when you’re available.”

MEANWHILE...

“Is she the girl you’re talking about?” Cheska’s socialite friend asks her. They’re in the salon for their hair make-over, while watching the news.

“Yes. And she's weird so I don’t like her.” Cheska loathed Cassidy for ruining her plan. She’s been wanting to get back together with Alexander.

“She seems nice.”

“I don’t care! Are you my friend or what?!”

“Of course, I’m your friend.”

Cheska is glaring at the monitor in front of them while watching more about Alexander and Cassidy. The photos of Alexander and Cassidy at the wedding were included as well. Then few more photos captured by paparazzi were flashing on the screen

Some photos were during their lunch together in several five stars restaurants, even during their dinner some recognized them and took a picture of them. Also, when the two attended some events. But it can be seen how Alexander used his body to block people from taking picture of Cassidy.

Cheska's jaw tensed. She also saw how Alexander protected Cassidy from paparazzi before. She had witnessed him doing that during Sabrina’s wedding.

“What else do you know about her?”

“An heiress of a big company, maybe?.”

“What company?”

“I don’t know. I really don’t care. Can we not talk about her? She’s ruining my day!” She said with hatred in her voice.

*********************

It has been seven weeks for Alexander and Cassidy being in their fake relationship, but everyone who sees them thinks they’re madly in love with each other. In fact, they are in their own bubble, every day.

“Good morning, Ms. Lopez.” says the receptionist. She was the same woman who was rude with Cassidy before. She already apologized to Cassidy and everything went fine after that.

“Hi. Good morning.” says Cassidy as she smiles.

“You may now proceed, ma’am.”

“Thank you.”

She walks to the elevator, and she’s waiting in line with the employees and visitors. Some of Alexander’s employees knew about her because of the news. While some already knew her even before the news broke out.

The employees in the elevator are gossiping on their phones, too. Their topic is all about Cassidy.

The elevator reaches the seventh floor, which is the last floor of the building. She immediately goes out. However, before the employees went out before her, there’s one woman who secretly took a picture of her and sent to the group chat.

“OMG! That’s really her!”

“I told you I wasn’t kidding. She’s in the building right now.”

“Yes, guys. We’re in the same elevator earlier. Vina was telling you the truth.”

Those are some conversations in their group chat.

*********************

“Hi, Almira. Is Alexander in his office?”

“Yes, ma’am. Please go in.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Cassidy knocks first before she opens the door and walks inside.

Alexander is not in his chair. Cassidy searches for him and she hears a faint noise in his mini pantry. She quietly walks to where the noise is coming from and there she sees him dispensing water. Facing his back at her.

She smiles and slowly tiptoes towards him.

“Hey...” Cassidy embraces her arms around Alexander’s waist. She giggles when she startles him.

“O-hey, baby. What a pleasant surprise?!” A wide smile appears on Alexander’s face. Quickly, he kisses her and lifts her up. Carrying her out of the pantry while Cassidy’s legs wrap around his torso and her arms around his neck.

“Am I disturbing you?” she asks.

“No. Not really.”

He places her on his lap as he sits on his swivel chair. They’re facing each other.

“Hmmn.. What do I owe the pleasure of your visit today?” His smile never leaves his face. He caresses her smooth face while staring into her eyes

“I just wanted to have a lunch together with you so... I'm here. And I hope you wouldn't mind."

“Nope. In fact, I’d love to.”

“I packed some food, too. I’m not sure if you’ll like them.”

“Anything from you is fine, moya printsesa.”

“Cool. Let’s eat?”

Cassidy attempts to get off his lap, but he pulls her back.

“Hmm?” She asks.

“Let’s just stay this way for the meantime.”

“Are you not busy?”

“I always have time for you, moya printsesa.”

“Are you not hungry?” She’s concerned about him.

“Nope.”

“Okay. Let’s stay this way.” Cassidy says.

Not long after that, she starts the kiss, which he quickly responds.

“Alexander?”

“Yes?”

“Why do you call me different names?”

“Names?”

“Yes. moya milaya, and moya printsesa. Oh! There’s one more, baby...”

Alexander laughs. “Because you are moya milaya, moya printsesa and baby.”

Cassidy gets confused.

“Ugh! Can you just explain me why those names?”

“Because you look a darling princess for me, Cassidy.”

“And the baby?” she asks.

“Should I really have to elaborate on that, too?”

"Well, perhaps you should? I don't want to find out you're only calling me with those names because you're hiding two more women and you just don't want to make mistake by calling us different names you usually call to each of us. Ugh, I don't know. Maybe, care to elaborate?"

"Hahaha! You're really something. Aren't you?"

***********************

“And here’s my instant celebrity, cousin.” Anj teases Cassidy as soon as she walks inside her apartment.

“Oh, shut up, Anj.”

“Why? You wouldn’t know. Eventually, someone will ask you to enter showbiz.”

“Haha! I highly doubt that.” Cassidy slumps against the cushion beside Anj.

“Don’t speak too soon, cuz. Anyway, I saw Charles the other day. Did he visit you?”

“Charles? No? Have you talked with him?”

“No. I haven’t. Maybe he was on a date. I saw him with a girl.”

“Oh! He didn’t tell me he was seeing someone. I’ll ask once I visit them.”

“Okay. So how’s the life of being a billionaire’s girlfriend?”

Cassidy’s brows furrow. “Are you mocking me or what?”

“No, no. Not like that. I’ve been seeing your photos in the news and they’re tagging you with different names. You know I’m just worried about you.”

Cassidy takes a deep breath and her face gets solemn. “Yeah. To be honest, I feel so much pressure about it. I wonder what his family would think of me.”

“Wait, look!” Anj interrupts Cassidy. She really didn't understand her because of another flash news. She quickly increases the television's volume.

It's an interview from Cheska about her past relationship with Alexander.

“Oh, my god!!! Cassidy! You are on a different level! Look at Cheska. She’s been dubbed as the beauty of showbiz, but you nailed it. You’re now the queen!”

“Haha! What are you talking about? Are we watching the same news??” Cassidy was confused by Anj’s sudden behaviour.

“Come to think of it, Cassie. You defeat all levels of beauties when you become Alexander’s girlfriend.”

“Goodness, Anjeline. You always have a different view of everything. The news was just about how they broke up and not who’s more beautiful.”

“I’m only thinking ahead, Cassidy. Imagine, the beauty in showbiz world has nothing compared to the beauty of my cousin.” Anj is swaying her hands in the air somewhat day-dreaming.

Cassidy grabs the throw pillow and slightly smacks it on Anj.

“Stop comparing me with her.”

“Fine! I’ll still choose you over her. She’s not my idol anymore.”

“And let me guess... your new idol now is none other than me."

“Hahaha! You’re right!”

“You’re really crazy!”

MEANWHILE, in Alexander’s office...

“Sir, you have a visitor.” says Almira.

“Who?”

Alexander immerses himself in the documents that have forwarded to him. He’s not even glancing at Almira.

“Your mother.”

Alexander halters and looks at her. “Let her in.”

“Yes, sir.”

Then a sophisticated woman in her late forty walks inside.

“Hello, my son.” Athena greets Alexander.

“Hi, mom. Have a seat.”

And as Athena sits, Alexander asks for her purpose. His mom hates visiting his office. She would rather spend her time in her beauty sessions than visiting their companies.

“Your grandfather wanted you to visit this weekend. He missed you and your brother, but Andrae already bailed. He couldn’t make it this weekend because of school. Yet, he promised he’ll be there on your grandfather’s birthday. And I don’t want you to bail, too. That's why I personally came here to tell you.”

“I’ll have Almira set the date, mom.”

“Good... Oh — what is this?” Athena notices the lunch boxes on the table. He forgot to put them in the mini pantry after Cassidy left.

“Nothing.”

“You eat home made food like this??”

“And what’s wrong with eating homemade food, mom?” Alexander’s brows creases while asking his mom.

“I didn’t know you eat this. you usually ask your secretary to order for you.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, mom.”

Alexander takes the lunch boxes, and about to put them to the pantry but her mom stops him.

“Hold on. What’s this?”

Athena checks the vacuum flask. There’s still seaweed soup inside.

“It’s a soup, mom.”

“This smells delicious. May I?”

It surprises Alexander. “Mom, it’s a leftover already. I don’t take you as a woman who eats leftovers...”

But the soup hasn't been touched. Cassidy brought him two flasks for just the soup. He already emptied the other one and got his stomach so full.

“Alexander, I’m also human. I crave for food and this is still hot. I don’t think you put something here.This doesn't look like a leftover."

“Fine.” He says.

“Okay. Uhm, this is still good to eat right?”

“Yes.”

Cassidy had brought him 3 sets of dishes, plus the soup that she also made. He actually planned to consume the soup later. But, seeing his mom slurping the soup in the Dewar flask, has him smiled.

“Hmmm... This really tastes great. Did you make this soup?”

“I didn’t.”

“Was it your secretary?”

“No. She didn’t.”

“Then who?”

“Cassidy made that soup, mom.”

“Cassidy, who? Wait, the one you’re frequently seeing?”

“She’s my girlfriend, mom. And we’re living together.”

Athena was stunned. Her son’s past relationships had never gone to live in together.

“Are you really that into her?”

“Mom. I’m at the age where I can decide when to have a family or not. I have my money. You know you and dad can’t stop me. I’m not Andrae you can manipulate.”

“Alexander!”

Alexander massages his temple. “If you have nothing to say. I still have company to manage.”

He walks back to his desk.

“Oh... Well... I know you’re an adult now. I just don’t want your grandfather to have a false hope. You knew how he wanted you to tie the knot already. He wanted you to settle down and not to play around with women before he dies.”

“I know, mom.”

“Alright. Anyway, I would love to meet your girlfriend. Bring her with you this weekend so you can introduce her to us.”

“I will.”