"Maria," I called as she was about to return to the kitchen.
"When my guest arrives, can you please address me as Miss Alicia?"
Maria seemed surprised for a moment, then nodded and left.
Aiden wasn't aware of my marriage to Alexander, and since we would be getting a divorce soon, there was no use in him knowing.
A moment later the doorbell rang and Maria went to open it. Soon I saw Aiden coming in with several paper bags while Maria helped him carry some.
"You really didn't have to, you know," I said, showing them a corner to keep the gifts.
"How can I come to check on you empty-handed?" he said with a chuckle as he sat on the couch next to mine.
"Nice place, by the way. It seems the Blackwood family really does spoil you," he teased.
"Of course they do," I replied in a teasing tone.
Maria brought the snacks and juice and then left us. We chatted for a while before Aiden got up to leave in the evening.
We said our goodbyes and he left.
After he left, Maria helped me back to my room.
And there I was again… alone in the room.
Loneliness that I realized I had to learn how to live with, at least till my baby is born,I instinctively put my hand on my abdomen and smiled.
Third-Person POV
Alexander returned home exhausted.
As soon as he stepped into the house, his eyes fell on a bunch of paper bags in a corner of the living room.
There was no one in the living room, so he assumed Alicia was in their room and Maria must have already retired for the night since it was quite late.
He walked into the kitchen to get some water. On his way out, he ran into Maria, who seemed to have come to get some water as well.
"Mr. Alexander, you're back. Should I warm up dinner for you?"
"No need. I've had dinner already."
"Alright, sir," she said before turning toward the kitchen.
"Maria," he suddenly called out.
"Did anyone visit while I was away?" he asked, pointing toward the paper bags she had forgotten to clear.
"Yes, sir. Mrs. Alicia's friend visited in the afternoon."
Alexander nodded, but then noticed Maria seemed hesitant, as if she wanted to say something.
"Anything else I need to know?"
"Actually, sir… before her friend arrived, Mrs. Alicia asked me to address her as Miss Alicia in front of him."
Alexander's expression darkened, making Maria shiver.
"Was her friend a man?" he asked coldly.
Maria nodded.
"I couldn't quite recognize him, but he looked like a movie star… someone I always see on TV."
"Okay. Thanks, Maria," he said before heading toward the staircase.
Maria watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with the couple. They seemed so concerned about each other, yet they wanted a divorce.
Kids of nowadays, she thought.
Alexander walked into the room and found Alicia lying on the bed, scrolling through her phone. When she heard the door open, she briefly looked up before returning her gaze to the screen.
"You had a guest," Alexander said casually as he took off his suit jacket.
"Mm," Alicia replied absentmindedly.
His brows furrowed. Why was she suddenly acting like this?
"Why did you ask Maria to address you as Miss Alicia?" he asked. "Didn't you want your friend to know you're married?"
That finally caught her attention. She looked up at him.
"What's the use of him knowing?" she said calmly. "We're getting a divorce soon anyway."
Alexander stayed silent for a moment before speaking again.
"Are you sure that's the only reason?"
Alicia looked at him, confused.
"Wasn't your guest Aiden Firestone, the movie star?"
"What does that have to do with this discussion?" she asked, frowning.