Altezza parked his car on the side of the house as usual, a habit he'd maintained since long ago. Although he no longer had spare keys to the house, old habits die hard. He knocked on the iron door several times until the figure of a middle-aged woman he knew appeared.
"Is Jovanka in?" he asked, to which the woman nodded in response. Altezza followed her inside, heading towards the kitchen and choosing to wait in the family room. In the past, Altezza would have gone straight upstairs to Jovanka's room. But this time, he refrained. He was a stranger now, so he was mindful of his position.
"Altezza, Honey, you're here," the woman exclaimed. She looked elegant in a maroon long-sleeved dress with a knee-length skirt, her face beaming.
She half-ran towards Altezza, trying to kiss him, but he dodged.
"I came to talk," Altezza said flatly. He glanced at Cindy, Jovanka's assistant, and Evans, her manager.
"Speak," Jovanka's demeanor turned cold. "I don't have much time; I have an event with one of the TV stations," she said arrogantly.
"Whatever you're planning, I hope you'll stop it, Joe," Altezza requested coldly. "You've caused enough chaos by bringing up our marriage in articles. And I don't want you appearing on TV discussing it."
Jovanka looked at him cynically. "Chaos, you say? That's not chaos. I'm just stating facts."
"Yes! Facts! Stale facts you've been hiding all this time," Altezza replied, still maintaining controlled emotions.
"As long as I'm asking you nicely, Joe, do what I ask. Don't waste the career and reputation you've cherished and maintained. A career you deem more important than me."
"Nonsense. You're not threatening me, Al!" Jovanka retorted, her fists clenched. "However it takes, I will make you two separate."
"I don't care about all the reputation and hard work. And you're clearly more important to me. Why do you think I'm doing all this?" she pleaded. Altezza didn't respond, which infuriated Jovanka.
"What about a win-win solution?" she offered again, still attempting to negotiate. "I'll stop all the media coverage. I'll decline all interview invitations. But in return, you come back to me and promise that you'll leave her after she gives birth," Jovanka bargained.
Altezza lifted the corner of his mouth, smiling mockingly as he shook his head softly. "No, Joe. I can't do that." Then he quickly corrected himself. "I won't do it!" His voice sounded resolute.
"In that case, I won't do what you ask either," Jovanka shrugged.
Altezza looked at Evans, seeking the help of the tall man. "Try to persuade him," he said openly. "Your time is only until tomorrow. If he continues to roam the television and spread false news about our relationship, I can't guarantee he'll survive in this industry anymore," he warned.
Altezza didn't even glance at Jovanka, considering his business with her concluded. Nodding to Evans as a sign of farewell, he walked away.
"I'm not afraid, Altezza!" Jovanka shouted as Altezza walked away. "What can you possibly do to destroy me? Nothing!" She continued yelling even though Altezza was no longer visible. Jovanka looked at Evans. "Give me your phone," she reached out to Evans.
"What do you want?" Evans asked, his forehead furrowed.
"I know you're a coward. You'll surely do what Altezza says. You'll reject all invitations from TV stations inviting me to clarify the issues regarding my marriage with Altezza. And I don't want that to happen!"
"Jovanka, listen to me. What Altezza said is true. It's better if we stop all of this. And your career will be fine," Evans advised.
"You know Altezza's threat is not to be taken lightly. You don't know the power of the Quirino family. We are under the umbrella of his family's agency," Evans reminded.
Jovanka smirked and snorted. "There are still plenty of agencies out there that would hire me, Evans," she said arrogantly. "You're just too cowardly. The Altezza family isn't a ruling family. They're not the owners of this country. What can they possibly do, huh?" Jovanka challenged.
"Joe..."
"Stop it, Evans!" she shouted. "Give me your phone right now!"
Jovanka moved quickly and began to forcefully open Evans's bag, searching for the flat object he always used specifically to handle Jovanka's business calls. After finding it, she handed it to Cindy.
"If there are any interview invitations, just say yes. I'll gladly accept them," she said firmly.
"Joe..." Evans called her name again, but she ignored him.
Altezza had run out of ways to make Jovanka stop her antics. As he entered the hotel parking lot, he became even more tired with the multitude of journalists waiting for him. Even the hotel security seemed overwhelmed by the sudden and simultaneous onslaught of people.
Fortunately, they didn't recognize his car, so he continued to drive into the family's designated parking area. With a firm slam, he closed his car door, walked hastily to the elevator, hoping not to encounter anyone on his way.
In his room, he summoned his secretary. "Call the company lawyer right now. Tell him to come here. And tell him to be cautious of the journalists," he instructed. His secretary nodded and left without much talk. The thirty-year-old woman felt scared alone with the aura Altezza displayed.
Forty-five minutes later-which felt like a year to Altezza-the middle-aged bespectacled man arrived. His face appeared calm, seemingly undisturbed by the chaos. Altezza welcomed him and asked his secretary to bring drinks.
"So, what can I do?" the man asked straightforwardly.
"I've talked to her nicely. But she refused. Now she's going around announcing our already-ended marriage," Altezza replied without beating around the bush. His lawyer clearly knew what and who Altezza was talking about.
"It's quite difficult, actually. Considering she has proof of your marriage while you don't have evidence that you're divorced. The only way is to tell the truth to the public. Although it will tarnish both of your reputations. But we can make the public think that she's in the wrong," the lawyer said again.
"We can even sue her for defamation. About the unpleasant behavior and violation of cyber laws. The evidence is her posts on social media and her appearances in public that have harmed you and your family. What do you think?"