Chapter 5

"Trinity, do you want your son to curse you?" Leopoldo asked as they sat in the study room.

"I know what I am doing, so please..." Trinity took a seat beside her husband. "I just wanted to help, that's all."

"You can help in other ways. Not like this. Do you think Damira isn't being pressured by your request? Why do you need that condition to help others? We can afford to pay without asking for anything in return. Just let me know."

"I have bigger plans if you would trust me. Even that is enough. I won't ask for anything else from you except this. This is also for publicity."

The man frowned. "For what?"

"Someone informed me that Genisis and Luanne are already here in the Philippines. You know how he is so keen on marrying Luanne to Alexander, all for the money and the family name. But Trinity, she doesn't know that we're part of the Casablanca family. She wasn't even surprised when she saw me, you, Alexander, right?"

"She's not a gold digger like Genesis and his daughter. I just don't know why they still want everything from us. They're just as wealthy as we are, but why did they choose Alexander?"

Leo fell silent. He knew Genesis, but he had no idea that the two would return to the country. The last time they spoke, Genesis had promised not to interfere anymore and would settle in Italy for good.

"The situation might not be like that," he mused.

"I doubt it, but let's see. Whatever happens, I'll tell Alexander later that Damira will be his fiancée, so we won't be beaten by them. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

The man was still speechless. Of course, he didn't want that.

Damira was overjoyed when she was able to buy new clothes without even touching her salary. She was immensely grateful to Trinity and Leo for giving her the opportunity to buy the clothes she had longed for. She had also been given a room in the mansion, close to the balcony. It was one of her dreams that was slowly coming true.

Her smile vanished when she thought about Alexander. She didn't like Trinity's plan to marry her off to that arrogant man. Just one look and she knew he wouldn't do any good. She noticed the bruise on his face, similar to hers. She didn't care where it came from. She stood up after combing her hair. She had already spent quite some time lying on her soft bed. She was sure she would have a good night's sleep later.

She heard a knock on the door, so she got up to open it. A maid, who seemed to be about her age, greeted her.

"Miss, Ma'am Trinity is looking for you. They are already in the dining area."

Damira nodded and followed the maid.

"Sure. I'll be right there," Damira replied. She took a deep breath before leaving her room. She was nervous, not because of her upcoming encounter with Alexander, but because she was wearing the dress Trinity had personally selected for her. It was an off-shoulder white floral dress that reached her knees, not revealing, and she felt comfortable in it. She let her long, curly hair down and wore slippers.

She stopped at the entrance to the dining area when she saw the whole family was there. Amaury was still dressed in a long-neck long-sleeve shirt, appearing to have just come from the office. Alexander, too, was wearing a long-sleeve polo shirt with three buttons undone.

"Damira! You look so beautiful!" Trinity exclaimed. Damira was about to take a step back when the woman suddenly held her hand. She avoided eye contact when she noticed that all three men were looking at her.

"Isn't she? I told you she looked great in that dress. Come on. We're having dinner," Trinity insisted, tugging her towards the table. Damira forced a smile and sat down next to Alexander. He was busy with his phone, so she took out her own.

They silently started their meal, as if everyone was feeling each other out through the sounds of forks and knives. The couple exchanged glances several times because Leopoldo knew that Trinity could reveal her plan at any moment.

"I didn't expect that you're going to be with us tonight, Xander. Is there a problem at the villa?" Trinity inquired.

Trinity's announcement sent shockwaves through the room. Damira felt a surge of fear as she anticipated Alexander's reaction. Silence hung heavy, with no immediate approval or rejection coming from the men at the table.

"Nothing, really. Let me stay for tonight because I am going to Singapore next week."

"Hmmm," Trinity nodded. "By the way, I have an announcement to make."

At that moment, Damira was filled with anxiety. She knew that the man would explode with anger at what the lady was about to say.

"So, I've told you a couple of times that Damira is going to be with us, right?"

She didn't hear any agreement from either of them, which made her even more nervous.

"And she's not going to be our house helper."

"Then, why is she here?" Alexander asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

"She's going to be your fiancée, Xander," Trinity declared, maintaining a calm demeanor. She and Alexander locked eyes to each other, engaging in a silent standoff.

Damira kept her head down, trying to remain unnoticed, sensing the tension that was about to unfold.

"No, you're crazy," Alexander retorted, a tight smile crossing his face, as if he thought this was a joke.

Trinity explained, "This is for real. We decided that since you are ready to start a family, why not start right away? Both of you are single, after all."

Alexander was incredulous. "Oh my God!" he exclaimed, rubbing his face. Damira felt like she wanted to disappear, wishing she couldn't hear or see Alexander's resistance.

While voicing his objections, Alexander expressed his gratitude for Trinity's appreciation of what he had done for the family, but he couldn't accept this proposal.

The dining area was abuzz with tension as Alexander, flabbergasted, questioned Damira's consent to the plan. Her silence spoke volumes, but he pressed further, his voice rising with anger.

"Damira, right?" he directed the question to her, to which she cautiously nodded, affirming her agreement.

He inquired, "Did you agree with Trinity's plan?"

Damira had pondered this decision for hours, considering her mother's well-being above all else. There was no ulterior motive; she simply wanted the best for her mother.

"Yes, I agree—"

"Damn it! You're going to marry someone you don't even know? She's not crazy. You are the one who's crazy right now!" Alexander's frustration was palpable.

She couldn't restrain herself any longer and stood up abruptly, shocking those in the dining area with her sudden movement.

"I don't care what you're going to say. So, what if I'm crazy? If you don't want to get married, fine, no problem—"

"You're doing this for the money, right? How much is Trinity offering you? I can double or triple it—"

Damira was left speechless, her heart pounding in her chest. She picked up her untouched wine glass and poured it over the man's face.

"What nerve do you have? Just because I'm poor, you think it's all about money for me? I'm not dazzled by your wealth, Alexander. I can work to be as rich as you. It just so happened that you came from a good family, which is why you're enjoying all of this. Don't generalize people like me, or else, one day, it might be the less fortunate who will come to your aid."

She lowered the glass, trembling, and faced the couple.

"I'm sorry, but I don't regret what I did to him. He deserved it. I've had enough of people like him. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to my room now."

The two just nodded, and she quickly left the dining area. As she distanced herself, she leaned against the wall, clutching her chest. She took a deep breath due to the intense event.

She couldn't believe she had actually done it. She even scolded herself afterward.

"You're such a fool! You shouldn't have done that!" she whispered to herself.

"You're the only one who has done that to Sir Xander."

She spun around in surprise when she saw the woman who had knocked on her door just earlier.

"Is that true?"

She nodded.

"Oh my. I am doomed!”