Christina King

Who would've expected Alex to invite me to her house?

I got there about thirty minutes ago and while thinking of how awkward the conversation was going to be, waited in her sitting room. I couldn't just help but notice how everything in the building was fancy, you wouldn't spot a speck of dust on the table or a single stain on the white tiles. Everything was made to perfection and I, not being used to stuff like that, had to make myself the neatest and most disciplined I could be.

Just imagine me walking out of her house after breaking her mom's favourite vase.

Anyways, the wait was not too long like I thought it would be. I only stayed about five to ten minutes before I saw her walking towards me. It was that moment things started to get a little weird. I did know which to do, smile or just stare and before you come at me, imagine standing face to face with someone you wouldn't spend a minute with.

I didn't know if it was her regular look without make up but Alex looked sick. She had eye bags and I easily spotted them even when she was at a distance. Her skin was a little paler than usual but not too much for anyone to notice. That was one of the few times I saw her without make up and for someone that has done so much to make me feel lower, I wasn't expecting her to ever do this.

"Hey"

"Hi, are you okay? You kinda look sic_"

"Alexandria" Leo abruptly walked into the room with a white box in his hands. Unlike usual, he wasn't in a shirt or suit. In fact, that was the first time I saw him in something casual since when we were kids. As a matter of fact, he actually looked better in sweats and a T-shirt than he did in a suit. If it was up to me, I'd rather wear something comfortable than to suit up every single time. Thinking of it, Leo actually looked the most responsible out of all of us. Anyone would think he was older than his age.

"Christina, you're here too?"

"What a surprise?" I smiled "Didn't think you'd be here today"

Honestly, if I did, I can assure you I wouldn't be here.

"I did" Alex said "I thought it would be nice to have all three of us here together"

I don't cause then, it would be two against one. It was very obvious they were both not on Lucas's side and if Leo was there to keep butting in, I wouldn't get the real truth from Alex. It was a good thing he was just watching out for me and all but I really wanted to hear from Alex herself. Besides, the whole thing revolved around her and I was really hoping to listen to more than just the words of her mouth. For all I know, she could twist some things up. Not saying she's a liar but one of the two parties had to be lying.

"So you invited him?"

"Yes she did" He replied "Is it a problem?"

"Of course not" Alex laughed "I'm very sure Christina here is your biggest fan"

My mind went back to the party and all that happened there which made me realise, how were they still friends if Leo handed the video clip to me? I mean, she wasn't still happy with what happened and I happened to be the one getting all the negative energy. I could just feel the tension in the room. Alex was still upset about what happened and anyone would expect her to be cause her reputation got tarnished throughout the whole thing. It wasn't my fault but I really didn't want to sit here feeling like she only let me in because I knew about Lucas.

"Alex, I know you're still mad about the party stuff and I_"

"Oh please Christina" She cut me off "If I was so angry, I wouldn't let you near my home, would I?"

I smiled an obviously awkward smile in return, knowing well it was very impossible for her to just let it go. I didn't say a word about it, however, and decided to not press on.

"So Christina" Leo said, sitting down at the further end of the couch "Are you here to know more about your assistant?"

"He's my chef actually and yes, I'm here to listen to Alex herself"

"Good, I hope this changes your mind about him."

It seemed the matter was more than I thought it was, with the way Leo was putting it. Every single thing in him was against Lucas, I'd never seen him dislike someone so much. Even Alex, who happened to be the victim according to their story, wasn't as upset as Leo was. I was beginning to believe there was something else besides the one I knew. Maybe another reason why there was this much hatred for him.

"Listen Christina" Alex started "Lucas is more than you think he is. It'd be better for you to_"

"I'm just here to hear your side of the story"

I guess the way Leo acted was the reason for my sudden harshness and everyone in the room noticed it.

"Okay, then let's get right into it"

"Good"

"Lucas once worked for my mother and we happened to be good friends when he first arrived. He was excellent in his field and we were really thinking of giving him a promotion when" That was the point she paused. I knew what she was about to say next and how much discomfort it brought but she was taking too long to say those words. "Well, when he"

There was another pause and my patience was really running thin by just sitting there and watching her look between I and Leo every single time. I didn't know if she knew it but I really wasn't concerned about that part of the story. I understood how much it affected her but if she successfully got over it then I guess it was more of an accomplishment than pain.

"He saw you trying to end your life, I know about that"

"Christina, I think y_" I raised my hand to cut Leo off and turned to him to say "She's obviously very okay" That made him sink back to his seat.

"He had the video and um, he wanted to" Then there was another long pause. At that point, I was beginning to believe it was not just about that. Honestly, it looked like she didn't know the words to say and the minutes she took to realise them only made my curiosity rise to its peak "He wanted to upload it and"

I wasn't the best at it but I could read the way she acted, the way her eyes were roaming around the room and how she would glance at Leo, then back at me. She wasn't crying, neither were her eyes teary so I was certain it wasn't making her emotional in any way. That made me realise it had to be more than just her saying her truth.

"Is there a problem with you talking Alex?"

"Christina, what in the world has gotten into you?" Leo spoke up "It's a really delicate matter, don't you understand she needs time to speak?"

"No, I don't Leo. I'm not trying to force her into talking or anything but she's taking too much time. It's almost as if she doesn't know what to say"

"What are you talking about? Of course she knows what to say. Not everyone is strong enough to just talk"

"Fine, you don't have to talk too much Alex. I'll make it easier for you. How about I ask you questions and you answer"

"I think that'll be better"

The idea was good to Leo but just a glance from Alex was enough to see she wasn't. She looked suddenly afraid, like she preferred just talking herself. She didn't say anything against it so I went on with my questions. "When you told Jenifer you found truth, what did you mean?"

"Well, I had to say so because he didn't want anyone knowing about what was going on"

"So he made you tell people you found truth and you yourself had no idea what the truth is?"

"Well" Leo started "I don't thi_"

"Please Leo" I cut him off again "I'd like to hear from Alex herself"

"Yes, he did"

"But if I'm correct, you were happy during the time. You didn't look like someone that was getting blackmailed, why?" There was no reply to my question and so I went on to ask "I also got to know that he abused you and you were still a model. Why is it that no one ever noticed any bruises or scars on your body? And also, your mom happens to be one of the very very powerful people in the country now so if he truly took so much of your money, why wasn't he arrested for it?"

"Calm down Christina, one question at a time" Leo said "She's not comfortable with it"

"I don't need her to be comfortable with it Leo. If it's the truth, I don't see a reason why it's so difficult to say it"

"Once again, not everyone is strong enough to just talk"

"Is there something you're not telling me? You didn't find it hard to talk, even Lucas, who was also involved in this, didn't either. He didn't post the video, did he? And no one knows about it besides us. Your work is going fine and from the way it is, he's the one facing everything. Besides, I can clearly remember seeing your car three days ago and plot twist, Lucas just happened to be there with me"

"What are you talking about?" Leo said, looking at Alex like he was waiting for an answer from her.

"You didn't know? I have a reason to believe Lucas and Alex are still in contact and my question is, why? Obviously, they're not supposed to be able to bear each other's presence after all that happened and_"

"Please leave my house Christina. Get out"