Axel and Blair sat huddled together on their living room couch. In front of them were a journalist and a cameraman who captured the moment of intimacy.
"Final question," said the journalist. "Mrs. Barney, do you know Clarissa Jordan?"
Axel's face hardened. He had asked reporters not to talk about his failed engagement to Clarissa. Axel looked uncomfortable in his place. However, Blair looked so calm and answered the reporter's question.
"Yes, of course, I know her. Clarissa is my husband's business partner. Currently, they are carrying out a new area development and revitalization project."
"But she and your husband seem close," said the journalist.
"They are close because they have been friends for a long time. In fact, my in-laws and Clarissa's parents have also been friends for a long time. Axel and Clarissa have been friends since they were in school. I feel grateful because Axel has a good friend. In fact, when we were fighting, Axel often talked about it with Clarissa to ask her opinion."
All questions in the interview session were answered perfectly and well by Blair. The two of them escorted the reporter to the courtyard.
After the reporters left the beach house, Blair breathed a sigh of relief.
"Why did you do that?" asked Axel.
"Do what?" Blair replied.
"Don't you dislike Clarissa? Why did you say something different during the interview session?"
Blair is fed up. She glared at Axel.
"Should I say that I don't like you two?"
"What?" Axel's turn to be surprised.
"Listen, Axel. I don't care if you meet her or not. I don't care what relationship you have with Clarissa. I don't even care if you kiss or do anything with her. But, can you be more careful? Because people will only pity me."
Axel was taken aback by Blair's words.
"What do you mean, Blair? Why should people pity you?"
Blair wanted to scream in Axel's face. But, she just kept quiet and watched Axel with a gaze.
Blair also left Axel alone on the terrace. Axel doesn't accept it. He screamed and chased after Blair.
"Tell me, why should people feel sorry for you?"
"Don't you think, Axel? How can people not pity me when they see me who is heavily pregnant and my husband having an affair with his ex-fiancé?"
Axel paled. "Have an affair? I?"
"In people's eyes, you are my husband. When you are close to other women, they will think you are having an affair."
"How can they think I'm having an affair just because I met Clarissa at the bar?"
"And about the kiss at the hospital. Please don't forget it! Because it could be that day I didn't catch you. What if it's a hospital employee? I can't imagine what would happen if they saw you kissing Clarissa?"
Blair walked faster away from Axel.
"Blair, stop!" Axel nearly bumped into her.
"Please, Axel. You don't need to explain anything to me. Whether it's a kiss, you guys did on purpose, by accident, or whatever it is, I don't care. Don't get caught again. Because I will not cover up your relationship for the second time like today."
Blair kept walking and left Axel. She had already climbed halfway up the stairs when she heard Axel scream.
"Stop all that bullshit, Blair Tanzel! If I had feelings of love for Clarissa, it would be impossible to break off my engagement with her. I have absolutely no feelings for her. Not a bit."
Blair froze in the middle of the stairs. She still had her back to Axel while holding on to the railing.
"I don't love her at all. Our relationship is over. There are only work matters remaining at this point. If only I could eliminate Clarissa, even in work matters, I would have done it long ago. And about the kiss, I didn't kiss her. Clarissa forced me."
Blair closed her eyes. Unknown to Axel, Blair was crying. The girl pretended to ignore Axel and kept walking.
Axel was still standing, panting. He tried to control the surge of adrenaline through his body.
***
Clarissa looked restless in her office. She repeatedly checked her cell phone and wanted to call Axel. But she always needs to do so. The results of Blair's interview with Axel were published that day on all national television stations, including the television station owned by the Jordan family. They all broadcast the results of that exclusive interview.
After several hesitations, Clarissa finally ventured to contact Axel.
"Hello?" Axel answered coldly.
"Hey, Axel. Where are you?"
"What's wrong, Clarissa? Just go straight to the heart of the discussion. Why did you contact me?"
"Can we meet for a bit? There are a few things about work I'd like to discuss with you."
"Sorry, Clarissa. Today I'm very busy. If it concerns work, you can discuss it with my assistant."
"How about tomorrow?" she asked. She didn't want to give up.
"Sorry, I'm also busy tomorrow. If it's urgent, you can discuss it with me right now by phone without meeting."
"Axel, you're avoiding me? Did Blair say anything or tell you not to see me?"
"What do you mean, Clarissa? I'm just busy. Isn't our business just a matter of business? This has nothing to do with Blair."
"Yes, Axel. Of course, our relationship is purely business. Therefore, meet me right now. Because this concerns the project, we are working on. And this is a very serious problem. Come now. I will be waiting for you!"
Clarissa turned off her call.
***
Axel went to Blair's room. Blair has yet to come out since the interview session ended. Even the dinner that Axel had prepared had not been touched at all.
Axel gently knocked on the door.
"Blair, are you asleep? At least you should eat. I'll be gone for a bit. Because there's business. You can ask Marco or Carlos for help."
Blair didn't respond to Axel's words. She just lay curled up on the bed staring at the open window. Blair could hear Axel's footsteps fading away and down the stairs.
Blair silently watched Axel leave from the bedroom window while driving his car. Blair looked gloomy. Even though she said she didn't care what Axel would do with Clarissa, she still felt jealous.
"What am I doing?"
Axel went to Clarissa's apartment. It's the only safest place out of the reach of the paparazzi. Axel went quietly and entered through a special door from the parking lot.
Axel and Clarissa sat opposite each other. Clarissa was already half drunk. She met Axel wearing only her nightgown and robe that barely covered anything.
"Tell me, Axel, why are you avoiding me? Why are you making me miserable? Everything you said in front of the reporters was a lie. I know your household with Blair is not okay. It was all just a sham marriage."
Axel just stared at Clarissa coldly. "Are you done talking? Didn't you ask me to come here to discuss business matters? If there's nothing we can discuss, I should just go."
"All you have to tell them is the truth! You don't have to pretend with all that theatrics in front of reporters. Isn't this your first scandal? Are you scared? Are you very scared?"
Clarissa took off her nightrobe. She is almost naked. Displayed the parts of her body that he shouldn't show in front of Axel. Clarissa approached Axel with seductive eyes.
"Stop all this nonsense, Clarissa. I'd better go."
When Axel was about to leave the apartment, suddenly, his steps faltered, and his vision blurred.
Axel felt a throbbing in his head. He glanced at the table. Axel just drank the drink provided by Clarissa.
Axel looked at Clarissa, who smiled slyly before she completely collapsed unconscious.