Diana

"Where's Alex?" an elegant woman, dressed in a smokey red cashmere-like gown. Blonde hair that was tied in a bun, with few locks gracing the left side of her face.

She stood tall in her black wedge heels with a black handbag. She's Liz, Alex's friend and also the daughter of his powerful collaborator.

Her beautiful brown eyes was laced with excitement as she was asking one of the workers where Alex was. The young lady, dressed in a maid uniform smile politely and informed her that Alex is inside.

Even though she has only visited the place twice, the way she converse with Alex and laugh with him when she was around made the workers think there's something between them, but then, Stella showed up and they forget that thought, because of how Alex reaction to Stella was far different from his reaction to Liz.

He usually smiles like he didn't want to embarrass Liz, since what she's laughing at is not funny.

"Thank you." she said to the girl and left.

...

Meanwhile.

"Thank you." Stella said to Alex, while she reached up her hands to touch his hands that was placed on her neck line and pulled it away slowly.

She moved back to return her gaze to the TV screen. "Let's talk about this after everything is really over. For now, let's stick with the friendship." she said.

Alex didn't want to force out a reply from her. He believes she needs time, but glad he has made his wants clear to her.

He didn't know how to make up for those wasted years, but hope to make her happy. Even though she seems changed, that woman he loved was still there and he's going to bring it out.

"Fine! I will wait." he said.

Stella nodded, "let's face the screen now." Stella said, changing the topic, but her heart skipped when Alex's face suddenly appear in front of her.

His gaze strolled down from her widened eyes to her lips, making her gulped subconsciously, "may I?" he asked and Stella shook her head, to indicate a 'no'.

"Please," he pleaded and closed the gap between their lips, pressing his lips to hers, while Stella's blinked nonstop. She watched him moved back and look into her eyes again, "please." he pleaded again.

She was considering saying yes, even though she was against the idea, but then, "Alex?" a woman's voice was heard.

Alex pulled back and looked towards the entrance to the living room, where Liz stood frozen on the spot.

He was surprised to see her as she didn't informed him that she will be paying him a visit, but at the same time, friends are free to pay surprise visits, so he smiled and "Hi Liz." he greeted.

There's no need to mind her expression right now, as he had told her he's not interested in her.

Stella's head snapped towards Liz's direction and watch Alex, who has stood up and walked towards the woman, who had her eyes glued at her.

She wondered who she was, to appear in Alex's home just like this, but couldn't bare to get jealous, even though a bitter feeling is kissing her heart right now.

She averted her gaze as the lady peck Alex's chin as a form of greeting, but noticed Alex wasn't expecting such intimacy but still flowed with it.

Alex who had plans for a handshake or perhaps light hug was stunned when he got a peck, but it's no big deal. If he makes it a big deal, then they will have to talk over it, which he's not interested in.

"You didn't tell me you were coming today," Alex said as they began walking towards where Stella sat.

Liz's inside was in turmoil. Alex said he didn't want any romantic relationship, fine!

She believed they can take it slow. Feelings grow from somewhere and she believed he could later change his mind. She wasn't in a hurry, because Alex was really not associating with women like he did with her.

But now, he was about to kiss a woman? A very beautiful one at that. Even though Stella is dressed casually, she paled in comparison when beauty is the topic.

She kept looking at Stella, while walking elegantly beside Alex, with her shoes making a cling clang sound as it collided with the marble floor.

Alex noticed Stella's troubled expression and smile. He got nothing to hide, so he's calm.

Stella wondered if he has moved on already, but didn't understand why he asked her to consider him a few minutes ago. She didn't know what to think, since Alex isn't that type of person, so she just blocked away all thoughts.

Getting to where she sat, "Stella meet Liz, a friend of mine and my business collaborator." Alex introduced Liz to Stella.

Stella nearly sighed out in relief but quickly controlled herself and stood up, facing the elegant woman in front of her, who had an unpleasant expression on her face, because of how Alex cleared their relationship in the introduction, but didn't know the worst is yet to come.

"Liz, meet my wife Stella, the mother of my daughter." Alex introduced, making Liz nearly lost her footing as if Alex's words were some kind of a force that hit her hard.

"What!" Stella exclaimed and Alex winked at her, which Liz didn't notice.

Stella cleared her throat and smiled at Liz, who has gone pale already. "Hi!" she greeted, not extending her hand, as she's sure the woman wouldn't shook it, but who cares.

Even though she was caged by Shane since all these years, she's not a weak person. It's obvious Alex wanted the woman off him, and she didn't want someone to snatch her love as well, at least not when she was in a possible to protect it right now.

She didn't wait for a reply, which she doubt she's going to get, before, "I will head to my room now." she said, smiled at both of them and left, with her heart still racing at Alex's introduction.

'Her room?' Liz doubted if she heard her right.