After his conversation with Antony last night, Altezza really tried to consider his cousin's advice. Waking up with a headache and a dry throat from alcohol, Altezza forced himself to get up and hurriedly took a shower. He intended to go to the house he bought to live with his secret wife, Jovanka.
Although officially a couple, Altezza didn't stay there because he was afraid that rumors about his relationship with Jovanka would spread to the public, potentially damaging her career. Ironically, every time he went there, Altezza always parked his car far from the house and even entered through the back gate. He behaved as if he were visiting a lover rather than his girlfriend. And he did all this to fulfill the desires of the woman he loved.
He was the owner of the house, but he entered it like a thief. He did it all for Jovanka. Even his household assistant-a middle-aged woman with melancholic eyes, and her husband, whom Altezza appointed as Jovanka's personal driver and garden caretaker-never seemed surprised by his sudden arrival.
Entering through the kitchen door, Altezza walked towards the stairs and went up to the master bedroom. He didn't bother to knock and directly opened the bedroom door. His wife was seen packing her clothes into a large blue Tessalik suitcase they bought during their honeymoon in Japan.
"So, you're still choosing to leave?" he asked without preamble. Jovanka was startled by the cold tone directed at her.
Without giving an answer, she continued her activity. Well, Altezza considered this to be the end. The end of their relationship.
"Okay, if that's what you want," Altezza voiced his thoughts. "I can't force you. Besides, you can't give in for my sake either," he said in a more relaxed tone. Jovanka fell silent, looking at him with a puzzled expression.
Altezza was also puzzled by his feelings. Initially, he thought he would feel hurt or disappointed, but strangely, he felt nothing. As if he knew deep down in his heart that he had anticipated this situation.
Jovanka closed her suitcase abruptly, looking at Altezza with her beautiful eyes. "Al, please," Jovanka showed her pleading face again. But even that seemed half-hearted to Altezza.
Altezza raised his hand, stopping whatever Jovanka was about to do without a word. He chose to stand at the doorframe and stare at Jovanka expressionlessly.
"I won't force you. I won't stop you," he said flatly. "I came here just to find answers, and I've got them," he continued with a casual demeanor. Altezza leaned back against the wall again, this time observing the wrinkles on the woman's well-kept face. Surprise was evident in her gaze, and Altezza allowed Jovanka to look at him with concern.
"And if this is your final decision, then it will be mine too," he replied still in a flat tone. Altezza straightened his standing position, turned, and was about to leave her. Aware that she was about to be abandoned, Jovanka quickly approached Altezza, gripping his arms tightly and holding him back.
"What do you mean?" she asked with a panicked expression.
Altezza brushed off her hands as subtly as possible. "I asked you to choose between me and my career. And you chose to leave me for your dream. And as I said before, Joe, I'll do the same."
"The same thing?" Jovanka asked, still confused.
"Acting selfishly and as I please," Altezza replied with a cold smile on his face. "You pursue your dream, so do I. We part ways. I will marry another woman and have a child, as I've dreamed of all this time." The beautiful woman's face instantly turned pale, as if the blood in her body disappeared. Her eyes widened, looking at Altezza in disbelief.
"No! You can't do that, Al!" she exclaimed hysterically.
Altezza grinned. "Oh, yes. Of course, I can," Altezza replied confidently. "Someone made me realize the meaning of myself.
"I can't always yield to your dreams while you ignore mine, Joe," he growled harshly. "So, I choose to be like you, to pursue my dreams and happiness.
"I won't hold you back. If you want to go, then go. And you don't need to hold me back either."
"No, Al. You said you love me." Jovanka pulled Altezza's arm, but Altezza again brushed off her hand.
Looking into Jovanka's eyes, Altezza shouted, calling his wife's house assistant. "Yes. I do love you, Joe. And my love has kept me going for the past six years."
"I'm the one chasing after you. I'm the one begging you to marry me, but you always find excuses to reject me. And I'm the one who always lets you do whatever you want. Spending your time chasing your dreams without caring about me.
"And now, I give up. I surrender. I and my love mean nothing to you compared to becoming the mega star," he said with all his effort not to shout each word of his anger in his wife's face.
Jovanka gripped his hands again, just as their two employees arrived. The woman's face was reddened with tears pooling, while the middle-aged couple at the door looked stunned, watching the two with a confused expression.
"Al, please. I beg you. This is my last request. After this, I will be yours. I promise," she pleaded with a desperate tone.
Altezza shook his head. "That was also your statement a year ago. And in the years before that.
"That was also what you said every time I asked you to stop chasing your career and marry me.
"And that was also what you said every time I discussed my desire to have a child. And I'm sure that's what you'll say when you sign another contract without my consent.
"A love story should be fought by 'us.' But here, 'I' am the one always trying to sustain it.
"I'm the one who always tries to understand you, your desires, and your obsessions. And now, I'm done with you, Jovanka Lawrence." Altezza released Jovanka's hand again, this time a little roughly.