I am the Queen

Alexa couldn't say anything. Showed it? When? Where? How? Her eyes then shot to the ring on Alex's finger. Come to think of it, she never once saw it leaving his hand. It was always there. But she thought that it was just for appearance. That was why she took hers off, and he never once complained about it.

Alex took in a mouthful of air and sighed. "When we married, we stayed in the same room and shared the same bed every day until you decided to leave. I asked the chef to serve you brewed coffee and waffles because that is your morning routine. I renovated our house because I wanted you to have enough space for your clothes and jewelry. After all, shopping is what makes you happy. I renovated the garden and planted all your favorite flowers so every day, you would wake up surrounded by the smell of fresh roses. When you were pregnant, all my meetings and businesses were transferred home because I didn't want to leave you. When you were sick, I took care of you when I returned from work.. I would take the time off preparing and buying you gifts on your birthday, on our monthsary, on our anniversary, and on special occasions."

The more Alex talked, the more Alexa was confused. What did he mean by that? Stayed in the same bed when they were married? Wasn't that already a given?

Then she remembered after their first night, she heard gossips that it was rare for Alex to share a room and that it was not a custom for the Cole couples to sleep on the same bed.

But it was not the point. When did he ask the chef? She thought it was already a given that the food she likes would be served on the table. And the renovation of the house and garden, she thought it was only fitting that it would be renovated since she's the new Madam of the house. The place should have enough space for her things, and her likes should be met.

She was pampered since young, and all her demands were given without a word that she couldn't appreciate these gestures anymore. Was that her fault?  But he didn't say anything about it. He could have said that he was doing it all for her. Instead, he just remained quiet at the side like he always did.

When she was pregnant, she did ask herself why Alex was always in the house, but she couldn't remember most of it since she was either asleep or munching food.

And when she was sick? She couldn't remember he was there. All she remembered was the pain when he still went to work, even when she couldn't get out of the bed. She thought it was only a dream when he held her hand and changed the towel on her forehead. And the gifts . . . she thought it was his secretary who scheduled and booked the restaurants since he didn't personally give her the gifts. It turned out that she was only thinking that he was working, but instead, he was preparing for their date the whole day?

Alexa shook her head. "All you've said. Aren't they all a given in a relationship? How would I know that you love me with just those? They're just normal." Yes, all he did were normal. Nothing out of the ordinary from the things other men did just to get her attention.

Alex looked at her, eyes a little red and downcast. "I see . . . for you it may look ordinary. And those things I did maybe normal . . . but I never did those things to anyone. Not even my mother . . . Only you . . ."

Alex's face blurred as tears streamed on Alexa's cheeks. How could she have known that? He didn't say anything.

Tears filled her eyes, and she croaked, "Then when I left. Why didn't you stop me?"

Alex paused for a moment before he replied, "Because I thought that . . . you got tired from all the rules my family set upon you. I thought that it would be best if at least I could get a little bit of your freedom back to you. If you left you could do all the things that you couldn't when you were staying in the Cole's mansion."

"Then . . . what about Kristine?" she mumbled.

Alex's brows crumpled. "Kristine?"

"Yes. Kristine," she said, intending for it to be a shout, but it came out weak. Her feelings were rioting, and she couldn't think straight.

"Who?"

"Kristine Rogers!" Alexa jumped from her seat and went directly in front of Alex. Her hands held Alex's shoulders, nails digging on his skin. "The girl you dated in high school!"

"Oh, Kristine? She and I just shared the same love for books. That's all. We've never dated."

All of Alexa's strength disappeared, and Alex shot to his feet to hold her in place.

"Then . . . then . . . it was just all . . . rumors?" she mumbled.

She was in a daze until her eyes narrowed at Alex. "And you didn't refute them?"

Alex's brow rose. "You didn't ask me."

Alexa's mouth fell. Shen then laughed like she had gone crazy. She just might have trudged the thin wall between sane and insanity.

"Right now, all I can think is either to rape you or shove the end of the knife in your chest."

". . ."

Alex blinked and said with a stoic face, "I prefer the former."

  ----

"Wow! You're glowing!"

"What's the occasion? Why have you suddenly called for us after our get-together yesterday?"

Alexa beamed and kissed her friends' cheeks. She even kissed Kristine's before they settled on their seats.

"Well . . . I'm going to tell you something," Alexa started, her happiness was radiating from her voice.

"What is it?" everyone asked, smiling. Her happiness was contagious.

Alexa paused and stared at everyone before she beamed her brightest. "I'm single!"

Everyone's smile dropped except for Kristine. Their faces were baffled before they went into an uproar.

"What?!

"Why?!"

"How did it happened?!"

"What happened? You're still married yesterday!"

"Oh my God! Are you okay?!"

Alexa laughed and calmed everyone down with her hands.

"Now. Now. Everyone calm down. Let me explain." As she said so, she caught the twinkle in Kristine's eyes. The woman could barely hide her happiness at the news of her divorce.

"I'm sure the news didn't come out as a surprise since I'm sure you all know I'm not staying in the Cole's mansion anymore."

All the ladies looked at each other and cleared their throats. Of course, everyone knew. It just that, they pretended that nothing was wrong since they all knew Alexa loved Alex so much ever since high school.

One of her friends reached for her hand. "Oh my God. Are you okay?"

Alexa smiled. "I'm fine. I couldn't be happier."

It was silent for a moment before her friends said their words of encouragement.

"Well, I think it's good that you've got a divorce and set yourself free."

"Yeah. It's better than to let yourself suffer."

Kristine licked her lips and asked, concerned on her face but eagerness in her voice, "So what are you going to do now that you're divorce? Why don't you explore the world? It helped me from moving on."

Some looked at each other, and some raised an eyebrow, and some were waiting for the show.

But everyone was left speechless when Alexa's smile grew.

"Actually I have another news for you all," she said and rummaged through her bag. She then handed out envelopes to everyone and handed the last to Kristine, saying, "Open it."

Eyeing at each other first, they peeled the envelope.

You are invited to the grand wedding of

Miss Leonora West and Alex Cole