Chapter One

I was busy scanning the television when I saw someone familiar that caught my attention. I saw a man wearing the Philippine Navy Uniform, beside her is a woman with an ash gray blonde hair. The arm of the man was wrapped around the waist of the woman as they are walking by on their way out of the hotel.

I can clearly see the face of the man, but I can't see the face of the woman because she is walking with her head down and a few strands of hair covered her face. Beside them is a ten man in a black suit, it seems like they are a bodyguards because of their ear piece that usually bodyguards wear.

I felt a pang in my chest when I saw how the man possesively hug the woman when a bunch of reporters from different station approached her and ask her some questions. The men in black beside them got alarmed so they blocked the two and immediately guided them to walks fast to the waiting car.

The man in uniform opens the door and carefully hold the arm of the woman, and guided her to sit on the passenger side. I also saw how he carefully buckle the seatbelt of the woman, and when he see's that she is already comfortable on her seat, he immediately go to the driver's side, and drive the car away from the bunch of reporters. I saw next, a black car where the bodyguard's road, tailing them.

I glance at my phone when it beep, I took it but when I saw who texted me, I immediately put it back on the table.

I turn my gaze back at the screen, and a picture of a woman is already plastered in there.

"Oh my god, is that Alicia Laurentia deFilippis?" Ysha Marie, my personal assistant uttered, that makes me glance at her side. My brows knotted because of what she said.

"You know her?" I curiously asked, her eyes are still glued on the tv.

I stared at the picture and studied her features, the woman is smiling sweetly in there. She has a white skin complexion, her eyes is brownish. Her pointed nose match her pouting lips.

She is indeed very beautiful in any angle. I can't help but compare myself to her. 

I am confident with the beauty that I have, but when I saw her, it seems like, I can't even pass the half of a beauty that she have. I don't want to feel insecure but that is what I am feeling right now.

"Ofcourse, who wouldn't be, she is the only daughter of the emperor in Rome, she is really very beautiful." She proudly said.

Admiration is written all over her face, her eyes even twinkled. 

I felt jealous because of how Ysha stared at her, for almost ten years since she became my personal assistant, this is the first time that I saw her admire a woman except me.

I shouldn't feel this but I can't help it. Jealousy is eating me up right now, especially when I read the caption.

The Grand Duchess of Rome is here in the Philippines, she is escorted by the most eligible bachelor in the Philippine Navy. There is a rumor that they are spotted having a dinner in a famous restaurant. Could it be that they have a relationship?

The Grand Duchess of Rome? That explains why she is that beautiful. Her features speaks royalty.

I can't help but think, if she is from Rome, what is she doing in the Philippines with Alexander?

"Adeline, is that Alexander,  your boyfriend?"

I was snapped out of my reverie when Ysha spoke. I looked at her and saw her reaction, her eyes widen in disbelief, she looks so shocked.

Who wouldn't be? 

The woman named Alicia is with Alexander and her arm was clung on his arm, and they are both smiling sweetly at the camera. Alexander was in his navy uniform and looks so dashingly handsome in it, while Alicia looks stunning in her long backless evening gown dress.

I immediately averted my gaze back at the television because I don't want her to see the tears that's starting to form on my eyes. My chest tighten seeing their position.

"Yeah." I replied. My voice almost trembled.

I swallowed the lump that starting to form in my throat.

"Did you know about this?"

"Yeah."

"And you are okay with it?" She asked incredolously. "The rumors said that they are spotted dating, is Alexander cheating on you?"

"No," I replied for the third time. " And yeah, I'm okay with it. They are not dating, they are just eating dinner," I explained, convincing her but I can't even convince myself.

I decided to close the television because I can't stand seeing them together.

"You are okay with it?" Disbelief is written in her face. "They looks so sweet in the picture. Are you sure they don't have a relationship?" She asked, concerned.

I smiled at her faintly and decided not to answer her question.

"I am a die hard fan of Alicia but I don't like it if Alexander is cheating on you with her. You are only for Alexander, and I don't want them to just link him with other woman, even if that woman is my idol." She added, her face is serious.

My chest lightened a little because of what she said. She is still loyal to me, despite knowing that she is a die hard fan of Alicia.

"Thank you, I really appreciate your concern, it makes me happy that your loyalty is still on me." Her mouth fell open because of what I said. 

"What are you saying? Ofcourse, my loyalty is still, and will always be with you, no matter what." She said assuring me. I smiled faintly, our gaze met. She suddenly looked hesitant when she see's my reaction.

I compose myself, stand up and  decided to go back to my room. I suddenly want to be alone.

"Alessana, are you really okay?" I stop right on my track when I heared her question. I inhaled deeply and nodded at her.

"I--i s-should be. I-i choose this. I-i s-should be okay," I answered stammering. My voice already trembled. Tears is threatening to fall down on my face.

"Paine," she said softly. As if on cue my tears started to fall down on my face when I heard the name that she utter. That is my second name, and she just call me that whenever she feels that I am not okay and I needed her comfort.

I immediately ran towards her and cried on her shoulders. My body began to shake because of my uncontrollable sobs. She hug me and caressed my back slowly as if comforting me.

After a few minutes, she withdraw from our hug and guided me to sit in the sofa. She wiped the tears that keeps on falling on my face. And looked at me, "Paine, what really happened?"