Altezza shook his head from side to side. His shoulders and neck felt stiff from too long spent hunched over the monitor screen. Suddenly, his phone rang, displaying Antony's name.
"Yeah?" he answered on the first ring.
"Still at the office?" Antony asked from the other end of the line. Altezza glanced at the watch on his left wrist. It was 4:15.
"I'll be heading home soon," he replied, leaning back in his chair. "What's up, cousin? Any problems?"
"None! Just wanted to extend an invitation. My beloved wife invites you and yours for dinner at our place tonight."
"Finally, you both moved back to Manhattan?"
"Yups," Antony's voice sounded cheerful.
"Flavia?"
"She'll move next academic year. But for now, she's here."
"Alright, then Adaline and I will come. Should we bring anything? Or perhaps the appropriate question is 'will you be giving us gifts'?"
"Already rich but still stingy. But be prepared, cousin, because another cousin will also be coming," Antony said playfully.
"What?!" Altezza exclaimed suddenly. "Come on, cousin. Don't stir up trouble. Why would you invite Gian to an event like this?"
"Because my wife requested it. She said she misses you both. And I can't refuse my wife's requests," Antony replied, still teasingly.
"Damn!" Altezza cursed without restraint.
"Sorry, cousin. No swearing allowed," Antony warned. But Altezza chose to ignore it. "Okay, cousin. I'll see you tonight." The call ended. Altezza tossed his phone onto the table. Claire had truly brought back Antony's mischievous nature.
Altezza decided to call it a day. He grabbed his phone, intending to call his wife. But upon further thought, it seemed better to surprise her instead. He grabbed his car keys and headed towards the Coskun Company.
Altezza parked his car in the basement area, just like he used to when he worked at Coskun. At the same time, someone he recognized stepped out of a car.
"Honey..." a voice she knew all too well greeted her.
Altezza furrowed his brow. Not surprised, but not happy either. The smile that had adorned the beautiful, well-kept face slowly faded.
"Altezza, Honey," the woman tried to reach out to Altezza. But Altezza remained unmoved.
"How could you be here?" The cold statement froze Jovanka's steps.
"I-I'm back," she said hesitantly.
"And then?"
"How could you be like this, Altezza?" Jovanka felt confused by Altezza's cold attitude. Where was the friendly Altezza who had been by her side for six years?
"What am I supposed to be like? Welcoming you with flowers? We're nothing to each other anymore. Our relationship ended when you chose to continue your contract with that director you admire," he replied bluntly.
"But, Altezza?" Jovanka tried to reach out to the man again. But Altezza's sharp gaze shut down her intention.
"Stop it. You don't need to come to me anymore because it's all over. In case you didn't know, I'm married." Altezza showed the beautifully engraved platinum ring on his finger.
"No, Altezza. That's all lies, right?" She screamed in disbelief. "I know, I heard you were engaged. But married?" Jovanka shook her head in disbelief. "That's all just rumors, right?
"I haven't even seen any articles about it. You're just joking, right? You said you loved me! You said you wanted to prove to the whole world that you're my husband! That Jovanka Lawrence is your wife!" She spoke with loud fervor.
Jovanka didn't want to believe a word that came out of the man's mouth. She couldn't lose. She knew that everything Altezza said was a lie. The man just wanted to test her. How could he get married just like that, when all this time he had praised her so much?
"Now I'm ready. I promise I won't make any contracts without your knowledge anymore," she pleaded.
Altezza smirked sardonically. "Everything I said is the truth. Have I ever joked about something I find serious?" Altezza answered the woman's question coldly.
Jovanka shook her head in disbelief, trying to reject anything the man said.
"Believe it or not, but everything is true. I'm married. I have a legitimate wife. A wife known by all members of my family. Not a wife hiding because she's ashamed of my existence. And also, I have a wife who will give me what I've always dreamed of as a husband. Children," Altezza's words were icy.
"And all your recent words. They're all true. I did say all that in the past. What I wanted to do in the past. But as I said, that's all in the past. Because you're the one who shattered all those dreams. To me, we're back to seven years ago. Nobody. And I will act as I have done to you for the past six years. At your request. Just as you've been doing to me. Showing the world that we don't know each other. So goodbye, Miss Jovanka Lawrence," Altezza replied coldly and chose to walk away from the woman.
"No, Altezza!" Jovanka approached and reached for Altezza's arm. But the man brushed her off roughly. "If you think I'll stop, the answer is no! I will bring you back to be mine again! Because from the start, you belong to me! Because in your heart, there's only me! Because the only woman you love is me! Jovanka Lawrence! Remember that!" she shouted loudly.
Altezza ignored her and walked further away. Jovanka herself didn't care to maintain her image. She didn't care if anyone heard her words, which might turn into gossip.
This time, she was determined to bring Altezza back into her arms. By any means necessary. However she had to do it, that man had to become hers again.
Altezza gritted his teeth. His hands clenched at his sides. Why did she come back without shame after disappearing for the last eight months? And what did she say earlier? Wife? Did she still consider herself his wife? Unfortunately, Altezza didn't share the same sentiment. Because in Altezza's mind, there was now only one name worthy of the position of wife. Adaline Scott.
Altezza was already sitting on the sofa in the lobby. Five minutes left until 4:30. It was almost time for the Coskun employees to leave. He wanted to surprise his wife.
Soon, he saw the elevator doors open. Revealing the petite figure wearing a long-sleeved white blouse with a dark gray high-waisted skirt. As usual when she worked, his wife hid her beautiful long hair in a simple bun, showcasing her graceful neck.
Beside her was her good friend and senior, Tessa. Who was also the girlfriend of his former assistant, Duncan. Altezza himself noticed that his former assistant was standing behind Tessa, and standing next to the man he most wanted to keep away from his wife. None other than his own cousin, Gian.
"How are you, Brother? Long time no see," Gian greeted warmly, while Altezza stared at him sharply. Gian smiled meaningfully. He knew his cousin was feeling jealous.