Although Cairus and I never said it to each other, we knew. Both of us could only take so much in this well-kept marriage. Respect and limitation still remained, and there was never an allowance for mistakes or disloyalty. So I was just as petrified when he allowed Siena to pull him over, snatch him from my gaze, and leave me alone like I really was just a secretary he could ask someone else to look after. We hadn't been on good terms for quite a while now, but he had never been like this. The Cairus that I knew would reluctantly decline someone, even a plan set by his mother if he knew I stand on the other line. But maybe I'm starting to lose that too. I breathed hard and looked up the ceiling. I composed myself, and restricted the tears wanting to build up on my eyes. Come on, Alliana. You can't expect Cairus to not have a friend— or be with a friend. Maybe he's still annoyed and went out to cool down. That could be it. Like I was told, I stayed inside the office and waited for Ms. Lopez, which I assumed was Cairus' current secretary. She entered the door several minutes after Siena and my husband left, and decided I didn't have enough disclosure today. "Well... I guess it's nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Orlov," she said in a gentle yet friendly tone— completely different to the personality she showed earlier. "Excuse me?" I pretended to protrude my brows, and color my eyes with perplexity. "Oh, no, no. The secret's safe with me. I've been your husband's secretary for almost 5 years and I can assure you, I did not tell a single soul." She walked towards me with positivity. The genuine and sincere kindness in her eyes locked me in and I felt corner. "How?" Was the only word that came out my mouth. My eyes followed her as she sat beside me, and I could tell she was excited when I lowered down my walls. At some point, the look on her face relieved me. The way her lips curved made me see her as a friend longing for a catching up conversation. I do not know anything about Ms. Lopez. Not even her name, but I wonder why she said it was nice to finally meet me. Also.. "You're his speed dial number one, named My Gatlin with a heart. There's a folder titled Gatlin in his computer, full of your pictures when you're a kid, teen, and there's one wearing your wedding gown." She smiled at me. "Sorry if this will creep you out, but I have always wondered what kind of person you are." My lips parted. Suddenly, I felt as if the world stopped, and I was transported in a series of memories— Cairus and I on our exact wedding day, our college dating days, moments when we're still crushing over each other. I have never heard a story about me in one of Cairus' people. We were secret lovers, and I had no idea what I looked like in other's point of view. What am I in Cairus' life.. A smile brushed my lips, and finally, I was able to sincerely return the smile. "I see..." Bitterness and doubts within me faded into thin air, replaced by an overwhelming joy. Learning my place from someone else's, hearing how even after the growing disparity between me and Cairus, deep inside he knew I was still his wife, was a different kind of assurance I didn't think I need to feel at ease, and happy. There's actually a living person in his company who knows about us. "Ms. Lopez—" I mentioned her name, about to ask a question when she cut me off, unintentionally, to correct me. "Stella. Please call me Stella." Her smile widened a bit. "How do I call you?" "Alliana." My expression turned a bit sheepish. "May I just ask, Stella. Why did you act like you don't know me earlier?" Stella giggled. "I had to! But then Sir Cairus actually asked me to make you feel comfortable, so... I take it that I'm free to befriend you and let you know I'm in on the secret." Stella felt like a free-spirited, talkative, optimistic friend that's fun to be around. Definitely not the usual traits of a secretary, but I couldn't be any thankful she was the one working with my husband for such a long time. I just know she could easily combat stressful situations, and that made me feel bad that I'm about to replace her. Stella and I talked like some old friends who just had the chance to share what has happened the past years. I heard a lot of stories about Cairus, about the company, about the reason why Stella's resigning, which was due to her pregnancy, and in return told her about Cairus and I. Except that point in our lives that changed the course of our relationship. I enjoyed every bit of moment I spent inside that room, until I asked about Siena. "Ms. Siena Augustin's a close friend of Sir Cairus. I believe their closeness are on par with Sir Cairus and Sir Cyan's relationship." Cyan.. that was his cousin. His closest cousin from his father side. And hearing that Cairus' relationship with Siena was equal to that seemed almost implausible. Cyan and Cairus knew each since they were 4. They were inseparable— up until now. I remained silent. My brows furrowed a little, and my lips stretched. I didn't want to further ask Stella. I currently didn't have the guts to indirectly share about the wall that's been between me and Cairus, but that only made me feel greedy. I want to know more about Siena, about their relationship, and how they became friends. But wasn't the one who's supposed to know more about that... is me?