I know, I know. I am the worst. Lot of threats, pleads, questions and anger on my Instagram direct messages. Thank you. I am moved. That is why you guys should read my A/N. I repeat Vauseman is the endgame but not today. I am a sadist, or some says so.

And by the way, Happy Birthday PREPON. I know you don't read fanfictions.

"O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;

It is the green-ey'd monster, which doth mock

The meat it feeds on."

― William Shakespeare, Othello

She gave the cab driver Polly's address and started sobbing. Although she was well aware that the cab driver was looking at her from the rear view mirror but she took no notice. She looked disheveled and broken. Soon her sobs turned into pool of tears and she cried for herself and for Alex. she cried for those kisses, the warmth and her unrequited love. She cried for their yesterday, today and tomorrow. She cried for her stupidity. She cried remembering how special Alex Vause made her feel. It was such a shame that mighty Alex Vause was nothing but a liar and a cheat. She looked away from the cab window and tried to gain control of her emotions.

Polly was shocked to see the state Piper was in and her tear soaked face, but did not ask a single question. There was an unspoken understanding between Polly and Piper which made them the best of friends. Polly could always read between the lines and she knew exactly when to raise a question and when not to.

Piper had a long hot bath, washing away every kiss, every memory that she made with Alex Vause. she remembered how Alex made her feel, how intense and delicate she could be, how she,Piper Chapman wanted to taste what she taste like but how it ended up. Was I out my mind to believe such a person and for Pete's sake, fuck? These thoughts made her more and more angry as she finished her bath, she got out from the bath tub and looked at her just fucked face. She saw a hickey on her neck, a reminder that Alex Vause branded Piper as her sex cow. Nothing else but a sheer humiliation, a victory for her and Piper was defeated. It seems to be a clear fact now. The smart Ass Piper from New York Times was fooled and defeated and Piper wanted to get her power back. She wanted things to go back as they used to be, when her life was not so complicated.

Alex called the New York Times and asked for Caputo. She hated to call but she needed all the publicity she could have for her the launch of her upcoming Rock album. Caputo recognized her as Piper's friend and Alex did not want to jeopardize this opportunity and she requested about writing an article, to which Caputo said he was happy to help a friend of Piper's. Alex could not ask Caputo for another journalist but she tried saying that she needed an unbiased opinion. Piper was her friend and it would be hard for Piper to say bad about her friend but Caputo was pretty sure Piper was professional enough to handle this article. Besides she was the best he got. Since he was praising Piper, Alex could not help but grudgingly agree on a date, yes, tomorrow is better she said. But she told Caputo not to say anything about their discussion at all to Piper. She did not want to pressurize Piper and let her know that she spoke with her boss. Of course to which he agreed.

Piper slept for sometime after the bath and Polly waited patiently. Pete was out of town so the two friends had ample of time to catch up. When she was making dinner she heard Piper walking towards the kitchen. She made hot chocolates for both and push Piper's mug towards her as she sat next to Polly.

"So.."

"I don't know how to start".

"So are you in love with her?"

"God, no, no, I hope I'm not"

"So, you are not sure, you lesbian?"

"It's not funny Pols and I'm not gay. I'm not. I'm just experimenting and but if I'm brutally honest I should say I just discovered what sex is supposed to be."

"So you fucked her?"

"No."

"She did, didn't she?"

"Jeez Pols, is this an interrogation session?"

"If you are not telling me what this Supercunt did to you, and Piper don't lie to me but you came home crying, and I hate when people walk all over you. I'm you friend. You gotta see my point. She got a girlfriend? Is it the problem?"

"Something like that."

"So she has a girlfriend, is she that sick psycho who hit you, then I don't blame her"

" No, it's not her. I don't know really."

"Yet she had sex with you. Did you ask about it?"

"She won't tell"

"Did you specifically ask about it?"

"She said she went to see her mum the other day. What a lame excuse?"

"Why should it be an excuse? Why can't it be the truth?"

"It did not sound alright."

"Piper Elizabeth Chapman, just because something did not sound right, can it be a lie? What has happen to your better judgment?"

"I don't know. My judgment is clouded when I am with her. It's like this intense pull towards her. I fall for it all the time. She is messing with my head."

"Do not let anyone mess with your head but I guess you just acted stupidly without trusting her. You gotta give people a chance Pipes. "

"Let's see. Now what's done is done. I said some pretty nasty things to her face."

Piper could not remember the better part of it but she remembered the how painful Alex looked. She deserves it right, does she? I sound stupid now when I think about it.

"Oh Piper, your foot in mouth disease? "

"I don't know Pols. I get mad, I react. You know the drill."

"I think you were stupid."

"You are my friend, don't forget that."

Just then Piper's phone rang and it was Caputo, wanting Piper to meet him tomorrow, although she was on leave for two more days. She agreed, at least she can bury her head in her work and not think about the Alex Vause effect on her.

She borrowed Polly's car, because she did not want to bump into certain someone, and went to office the next morning. She tried her best to shut her mind by humming the songs on radio. She reached her office and bumped into Stella as she was coming out of the elevator.

"Oh, Chapman. We are together in your next story."

"My what?"

"Did you not meet Caputo?"

"No I'm going to."

"It's about this rock album.."

Piper did not hear a single word Stella was saying after that. Rock album, is it Alex's? She remembered her promise but wondered how would Caputo knew about it. Anyway no need to speculate. If she has to do it, she has to do it. Go interview and come back, unscathed. For once in her life, she was happy that she had to go with Stella. At least she will keep Alex on her toes.

Caputo explained about the assignment and Stella was jubilant about it. Finally she will have some quality time to spend with Piper Chapman. Piper intrigued her and she was sick of the wait. Stella was not a person with integrity and commitments but she was all for hot chicks and one night stands. Piper never showed any interest about her which made Piper more interesting and mysterious. She vowed herself to try her best to woo Piper and solve the mystery.

Since the launch of the Album was couple of weeks away Caputo said they needed to do it in that evening, if Piper was free,to which Piper agreed. She just wanted to finish this off. Sooner the better. She checked her phone. No texts. Of course Alex would not text her. After Piper blabbered like she was insane. What was I thinking? She thought to herself. I could have listen to what Alex said. She feared that she threw away the best thing that has happened to her. She felt a tap on her shoulder and it was Stella and she was ready to go.

"Call this Alex Vause and ask for directions?"

"No, it's ok."

"Have you been there?"

"No, I googled it"

Which was not a lie.

Piper was thankful that she borrowed Polly's car. It was far easier than hailing a cab. Since it was just after 1p.m, there was less traffic and they reached the studio in twenty minutes. After parking the vehicle, Piper dialled Alex's number. She had no choice.

"Yes, what do you want?"

"I'm here for the interview."

"Okay, I'm in. Come."

"Thanks."

See. it was not that hard. In couple of hours this torture would be over and I would have a bottle of vodka on my own after I go home.

The office door was open and Alex sat on the sofa. After seeing them she stood to welcome them.

"I'm Piper Chapman from New York times and this is Stella, she is our freelance photographer."

Who the fuck is this Stella chick.Alex wondered giving Stella a mere nod. The smirk in Stella's face disgusted Alex. she had tattoos all over too. The way Stella looked at Piper, although Piper was not aware of it, gave a sharp pang of pain to Alex's heart. She was never mine and if she is not willing to listen to me, what am I supposed to do? Alex was consoling her troubled mind. Stella continued to take Pictures of the studio and at one point it was only Alex and Piper since Stella went to the other side of the studio to take Pictures of Nicky and the staff.

There was a deafening silence between them and it clung to them like a poisonous cloud that at any moment could choke the life from them. Neither wanted to let go of their ego and be the first to speak, both were hurting and it was so obvious because Piper saw how painful the look Alex gave her. Their eyes met but soon they looked away not wanting to reignite that electrifying feeling, doubts and fears made them worry. Alex did not want another rejection and Piper did not want to accept that she was wrong.

"Photos are done, Pipes"

They heard Stella.

Pipes? They both looked at Stella, Piper in awe and Alex in agony. She felt her heart was ripped and thrown away. It was true Piper was never hers and anybody can flirt with her but to see that nightmare happening in front of her, broke Alex. Her husky voice cracked but she tried her best to act cool and as usual, in control. Only Piper saw it and her heart was melting. Am I allow to feel sorry about her? She was thinking to herself and she wanted to hurt Alex for hurting her, she wanted to flirt with Stella, not because she fancied her but to show Alex that she can play too if she puts her mind to it. She can be a cold hearted sadist. But the pain in Alex's face was too much for her to bear. She cursed herself for not talking to Alex while Stella was away and she was not comfortable to talk to her when Stella was lurking around.

Piper got everything she wanted, she shook hands with Alex as if she was a total stranger and went away. And Alex saw Stella put her arms around Piper's waist when they leave and she wanted to punch Stella's face and smash her teeth. That would put an end to her fucking smirk. But she checked herself. She had no right, absolutely no right whatsoever. She had to back off, until Piper come to her senses, although how much it killed her at present.she was in agonizing pain, her shoulders were slumped and her eyes cast down in a mournful gaze. She hated every minute of that interview. She wished she did not ask for it.