A/N: It was Christmas time when I wrote this chapter and all I think is how cruel I am to this two character in the Christmas time.

Why do we keep hurting each other?

Tell me why then why it should be

That we go on hurting each other, making each other cry

Hurting each other without ever knowing why

Can we stop hurting each other?

(Hurting Each Other)


Chapter thirty-one: Stupid Moments and Actions

My clenched jaws tighten even more as I read the header of the newspaper I'm reading right now.

Is there a trouble in paradise?

Business mogul and CEO of Vause Airline Company was seen last night leaving a bar with one of her ex, Ms. Fig of Litchfield Construction Company. The two were seen being cozy in all, inside the bar and exchanges lingering touches. Fig was set to marry Alex but because of twist of some event she married Piper Chapman, one of the best-selling author right now….

There were several pictures taken of the two in compromising position but what caught my attention the most was when Alex opened the door of Fig's car, they were photographed almost kissing in the mouth. I could feel my eyes starting to burn but I willed myself not to cry. I have done enough of the crying for almost a week now. It is a good thing that Kim doesn't suspect anything because we tried to act natural in front of her.

"Good morning, sunshine, Piper." Alex said to Kim then kissed her in the forehead. She walked near me and tried to do the same but I tilted my head so her kissed just landed in my cheeks. I could see her right brow going up but said nothing.

The nerve of this woman!

"Good mor…morning too, Lexie." Kim said enthusiastically.

"How are you feeling today, sunshine?" Alex asked while Gina poured coffee for Alex and hands her a copy of the same newspaper I'm reading.

"I'…I'm feeling great. In fact I wa…want to go to the park later." Kim said excitedly.

"I'm sorry but we can't because I have a very important meeting with Fig later." She said then drink her coffee.

"Apparently you are more important to me, so don't worry, sweetie, I will be the one bringing you to the park but can we go to the studio first?" I said with a smile to Kim. She eagerly nodded her head and thanked me. I just smiled to her weakly and looked at Alex. I could see her jaws clenching from what I said but she didn't countered it.

"It's okay Le…Lexie." Kim said while eating pancake.

"Come home early. I want to have dinner with the two of you." Alex said looking at me intently.

"I highly doubt it." I said in a whisper. After our heated encounter Alex hasn't been around to have dinner with us. Kim always asked where she is but I can't answer her directly.

How I am supposed to say that she is with her other woman?!

"We will have dinner later and that is final." Alex said with finality in her voice then opened her newspaper. I wanted to observe her reaction of what she will read in the newspaper but it was too big and covered her face. I just sighed hard and helped Kim to eat her breakfast.


"Fuck! Fuck those paparazzi! I need to talk to Nicky about this hyenas!"

I can't stop my jaws from clenching and tightening from the different pictures printed in the newspaper. Fig might be a little touchy in the pictures which has no meaning at all and those wolves took advantage to have a story. Though many assumed that we will marry each other because of the length we are seeing each other and the profit we will gain with such union, we didn't really thought about it during the time we were together because we are both career driven person and all we want is someone to keep us warm in cold nights. Our relationship is more open during that time, nothing is really serious between us. The common knowledge of business and respect to each other maintained the friendship we have plus they are a longtime acquaintance of my family. I just hope Piper hasn't seen these pictures but based on her reaction, I think she knew about it already.

"I thought you don't care anymore what Piper will think of you."

Yeah but as my wife I need to respect her, right?

"So this is all for respect?"

I didn't answer it. After our heated discussion, I can't shook up the feeling of pain so I went to the bar almost every night and there I saw Fig one night. I can't really tell Nicky about what I feel for Piper because I don't want to hear the "I told you so" speech, so in my drunken state I blurted it all out to Fig. To tell she was surprise was underrated because I don't really showed emotion except when we were in bed. When it was time for us to depart, I tried to kiss her to prove that I can go back to being an emotionless being but I can't bring myself to kiss her on the lips, she just chuckling shrug it and bid me good bye. While preparing to go to work before breakfast, Fig called and said that she has a business proposal for me which I grabbed immediately. Doing business with Fig always prove that it is a lucrative investments.

"At least Piper is still preparing everything for you before you go to work except she is not around anymore to give you a kiss."

"Gina." I called Gina.

"Yes, Ms. Alex?" Gina asked immediately in my side.

"I don't want to see any newspaper from now on in this house." I said to her.

"Yes, Ms. Alex." Gina answered then removed the newspaper in front of me.

"Hers also." I said then pointed to Piper. I could see the shocked in her face but I remained stoic to not give any hint on what I'm feeling right now.

"Afraid of your own ghosts?" Piper said sarcastically.

"No but those news are just thrash and I don't want to pollute Kim's mind on what she will see in the newspaper." I answered seriously. Piper just sighed hard and then continued eating her breakfast. I just wanted to protect her from the wolves but she looked sadder than ever.


I called Daya to tell her that I will be late to come to the set because I will be bringing Kim. She assured me that its fine and I don't have to worry about a thing. I prepared everything that Kim needed then rode the car silently. Alex texted that she will try to come with us in the park but I highly doubt it. She was always drank when she comes home at night. I tried to fulfill my duties as a wife during the first night just like what she told me but she just shun me away and told me to get dressed. One time before the pictures came out, Alex smelled smoke and a distinct woman perfume which I think belongs to Fig. So I guess Fig is fulfilling my job as her wife on that part which is just ripping my heart more into pieces.

"Sweetie, I will just be looking at the set for a while, okay? Then I promise we will go to the park and play but can I ask a favor from you?" I asked Kim while our driver stop in front of the set.

"Sure." Kim looked at me expectantly.

"Will you just behave in the sit designated for you?" I asked her.

"Yes. Don't wo…worry, I will just draw things to make you ha…happy." Kim said then kissed me in the cheeks.

"Sweetie, you bring joy to my life, always remember that." I looked at her teary eyed then kissed her in the forehead. Maybe I can't really hide my sadness anymore.

"Me too." Kim said then smiled at me. I can't stop but hug her and kissed her some more in the head. Lately Kim is becoming my anchor to stay sane in this world I have. After a few minutes of composing myself and Kim, we got out of the car and walked to the set. Everyone greeted Kim cheerfully and to my delight no one asks who she is. It still a rule of Alex not to divulge Kim's identity to the public to make sure that she will have privacy, so even if someone asks who she is , I'm not allowed to answer it. She is still shy to talk to people but there are improvements with her social skills.

"Good morning, Piper. My, my, who do we have here?" Ruby Rose cooed and kneeled in front of Kim. Kim automatically hide to my back but I could see that she looked at Ruby Rose curiously. I followed here line of sight at and see her curiosity on Ruby's tattoos. Ruby see it too and to my utter surprised she take off her top and spread her arms.

"You know you can touch it, honey." Ruby said to Kim. Kim looked at me asking for permission and I just nodded my head. Kim excitedly walked in front of Ruby and traced with her fingers the tattoos.

"You know my sis…sister, Lexie, has the same drawings in her body." Kim said to Ruby.

"Oh really?" Ruby said then chuckled a little when Kim traced a ticklish part of her body.

"By the way, my name is Ruby. How about you, little one?" Ruby asked tenderly.

"Kim." Kim answered still focused with the drawings.

"Good morning to you too, Ruby. I'm sorry if we are bothering you." I said apologetically.

"No its fine. It's refreshing to see someone this curios with my tattoos." Ruby said then hug Kim. To my surprise, Kim didn't shoved Ruby away but just giggled.

"Say goodbye now, Kim, we don't want to disturb Ruby anymore, don't we sweetie? I still need to make my rounds in the set." I said to Kim.

"No its fine. I don't really have anything to do right now. I just got my script for the next episode that I will shoot next day so if you want I can baby sit for her while you round the set." Ruby said then lifted Kim.

"Is it really okay with you?" I asked her. Kim just clapped her hand. I do want someone to look after her while I'm away aside from the baby sitter we have.

"Yeah. I think we will be best bud from now on." Ruby said then tickled Kim in the side.

"Be good with Ruby, okay?" I silently thanked Ruby after I left a kiss to Kim and do the rounds as fast as I can.


"So that's all for my proposal. Do you have any question?" Fig asked everyone in the meeting room. I looked at Nicky but she refused to look at me. I just sighed hard and shook my head when Fig looked at me. I didn't really understand everything what Fig has said but my secretary will review it to me. After a few minutes, everyone left the room except Nicky, Fig and I.

"Can I talk to you, Alex?" Nicky said in a serious tone. I nodded my head.

"Fig can you wait for me in my office?" I said to Fig. I needed to give her the documents my secretary has prepared for this meeting and I need to discuss some of this documents to her. When we are alone, Nicky approached me and to my disbelief, she punched me right to the face.

"Fuck! Why did you do that?" I asked angrily at Nicky. I hold my hurt jaw and licked the cut in the corner of my mouth. She ready herself again to strike but I dodged it and tried to hold her. She tried again to hit me but luckily I caught her hand and pinned her to the table.

"What the fuck, Nicky? What is wrong with you?!" I asked her when she tried to wiggle free from my hold.

"What is wrong with me?! What is wrong with me?! How about you?! What is fucking shit wrong with you, Alex?!" Nicky shouts then brutally wiggle out of my hold. I look at her with puzzlement. She go to the newspaper stand in the corner of the conference office, opens it then throws it to me to the section where my face and Fig are printed. I just look away at Nicky and sit properly.

"Part of the plan." I answered briefly.

"Pat of the plan? Part of the plan?! Fig is one of friends who we can rely on and she will not allow herself to be part of your crude plan!" Nicky shouts again. "For the first time since your mother passed away, Vause, I see you smiling genuinely again and I know that Piper has everything to do that about your happiness. Please do not throw that away because of the stupid hatred you have!" Nicky said angrily. I stood with determination and grab Nicky in the collar. It is the first time to see Nicky this mad at me and because of the plan.

"You think this is stupid?! You think it is stupid to avenge my family from what her family has done?! And why are you so concern with Piper? " I said furiously readying myself to punch Nicky.

"Piper is not really my concern here but you! She has nothing to do with what her family has done with yours! She doesn't deserve this. You deserve to be happy! As your best friend, I don't want to see you doing stupid things just because of the hatred you are feeling. Let it go!" Nicky said not dodging the punch I'm about to launch.

"You don't think I didn't tried that? I tried so many times but I can't! I can't forget my family had experienced in the hands of the Chapman!" I said while the tears flowing in my eyes. I released her in my grip and kneeled in front of her.

"Maybe you don't need to forget. Maybe you need to start over again with her. Maybe she is the best thing that will ever happen to you. Give it a chance, Vause. After what happened to your family, this is the first time I see you this happy. Kim is even showing positive progress. Don't be so coward." Nicky said then hug me tight. We are not really an emotional friends but right now I can't stop myself from crying.

"Maybe I don't deserve to be happy." I said then cried some more in Nicky's shoulder.


"Thank you, Ruby, for taking care of her while I'm making my rounds." I said to Ruby when she handed me Kim. Kim is already napping on her shoulder.

"No problem. I've heard that you two are going to the park. Can I come?" Ruby asked with pleading eyes.

"I really don't know if we are still going because she is sleeping but you can come if you want." I said then called the driver to fetch us.

"Hey if you want I can drive for you." Ruby offered politely.

"Thank you but I think what you have done for us is enough already. I don't want to impose anymore." I said shyly.

"Nonsense. I'm hooked with this little one here." Ruby said excitedly then kissed Kim in the cheeks.

"Okay. Thank you very much. Let me just message our driver." I called the driver to just meet us in the park because he is also our body guard then I texted Alex what park we will stay. There is still a little bit of hope that Alex would come but until we arrived at the park, there is no reply from Alex. Kim is already awake when we arrived at the park. She excitedly clap her hands and jumped excitedly out of the car when it stop to the park. It is a good thing that I prepared a picnic basket for the day. Kim really enjoyed the park and the company of Ruby. Alex never came nor replied to my message.

"Thank you for accompanying us in the park. The least I can do is to offer a dinner to you but it will only home cooked because I need to put Kim in bed." I asked Ruby.

"That would be nice." Ruby said then drive to our house. I just told the driver and the Kim's nanny to meet us in the house. Ruby insist that she gets Kim while I will be the one getting all Kim's stuff at the back.

"And then he said I'm not a retarded, I'm an eggplant!" Ruby said the last part with a funny face and we laughed hard to the joke.

"So I see we have a company for the dinner." Alex opened the doors to us with eyes so intent I feel so awkward. Before I can even answer her, I heard someone called her inside. I looked at her back and I see Fig holding a bottle of champagne.

What is she doing here?


After composing myself, I ask Nicky to sue the paparazzis who took my pictures with Fig and ask for a restraining order not to get near me or Piper. After all my instruction, Nicky just smirked at me.

"Hey Nicky, I have to tell you something." I called Nicky before she go out of the conference room.

"Yeah?" Nicky asked curiously.

"Yes, I think I love her." I finally admitted what I'm feeling to Piper in front of Nicky. I could see her eyes go wide and she shouts on top of her lungs.

"I hope you make it right soon, Vause." Nicky said after jumping around like a rabbit. I just smile at her. I immediately organized my things to finish my work.

"Good morning, Ms. Alex. I'm sorry to interrupt your supposed meeting with Ms. Fig but we have an emergency with Vause Airline. Your attention is really needed with this one." My secretary informed me immediately about the situation but all I could think of is my promise to Piper that I will come to the park with them. I entered the office with a scowl because I don't think I could keep my promise to Piper and Kim.

"I'm sorry Fig for being late, something came up." I said then sit in the chair and log in to my computer.

"It's fine. I know how companies work and sometimes emergencies do happen." Fig said while drinking champagne.

"Can I just give to you the documents later after I attended this emergency?" I said while typing fast in the computer.

"Oh sure. I heard Kim was already staying in your house. Can I see her then you can discuss the documents to me after. That way it will be convenient for the both of us." Fig said while emptying her drink.

"Oh sure. I know Kim will loved to see you. Join us for dinner, so you can also meet my wife." I said excitedly. When we were still together Fig had met Kim for several times and Kim is a bit fond of her.

"Do I need to bring anything? And it will be my pleasure to meet the one who stole the heart of the most elusive bachelorette of New York according to the news." Fig said with exaggeration.

"Nope but please don't charm my wife too much. I don't want us to cut ties this late in our friendship." I said humorously. She bid goodbye after a few minutes and I emerged myself with work while waiting for Piper's text about their whereabouts. It was already four in the afternoon when I resolved the problem that occurred in the company.

"Oh shit!" I cursed hard remembering about my promise to go with Kim and Piper to the park. I look for my personal phone but to my dismay it was drained to the core.

"What the fuck!" I cursed loudly again. When bad luck strikes you, it strikes you well. I immediately called for my driver to go to the house. It is no good to go to the park anymore as I know that Kim will be taking her nap already in this time and Piper would be wise enough to bring her home. When I arrived at the house, I asked for the both of them immediately but Gina told me that they are not yet in the house. After a few minutes of instructing the maids to prepare a dinner, I go up to our room and freshen up a bit. I'm already finish when Gina told me that Fig is already in the house.

"Good evening, Alex. I see nothing's change here except it feel warmer and homelike." Fig said looking at our wedding picture and some pictures of Kim and Piper laughing at the camera.

"Yeah. I know." I said then looked at one of the pictures taken in the Paris.

"Can I have a champagne?" Fig asked after a few minutes of looking at the picture.

"Sure." I answered her then I heard a car stopped in front of the house. I look at the front camera to see who it is and I almost punch the monitor in what I saw.

What the fuck is she doing here? And why is she so comfortable with Piper?!

"Take it easy, Alex." Fig said while holding the champagne bottle. I didn't answer her because I am set to open the door, get Piper and Kim from her and lock them in our room.

"I never seen you this jealous when we were together. This Piper is really something." Fig said before I opened I door. It just registered in my mind but I don't answer it.

"So I see we have a company for the dinner." I said when I open the doors myself for them. I could feel that Piper is so awkward with my gaze but she didn't look away. I started to descend the stairs and when I was near enough to get Kim, I stretched my arms to get her from Ruby. Ruby looked at Piper hesitantly to my irritation. Piper just nodded her head then smiled at her sweetly. I forcefully yanked Piper to my side which she just yelped. I could see that Ruby wanted to stop me from what I'm doing but she didn't said a word. One of my brow goes up to challenge her on what she will say but after a few seconds and a deep sigh I don't hear anything. I ascended without a word to enter in the house but Piper stopped me abruptly before totally entering the house. I looked at her questioningly but she didn't said a word. She turn around to Ruby.

"Ruby, please do come to our house. I'm sorry for my wife's behavior. I think she is just really tired right now. We will just put Kim in the bed then we will go down to have dinner." Piper said softly. I can't control myself from smiling when Piper said my wife.

"Fig, can you entertain Ruby for a while. We need to put Kim in the bed." I said to Fig with a smirk. I could hear Fig chuckled but obeyed my instruction. I could see in my peripheral vision that Fig gestured her hand to Ruby to come in. We go to Kim's room silently but I could see a big scowl in Piper's face. We placed soft kisses to Kim's face then she dragged me to our room.

"Feisty, aren't we?" I said playfully.

"You! How could you treat Ruby like that when all she do was to help me?!" Piper shouts when I closed the door to our room.

"Help you? To what? To have a simple dinner with you or to flirt with you?" I shouts back at her.

"Oh! Look who's talking right now?! Who brought her bar friend here to have dinner with us?!" Piper said irritated.

"I invite her because we have a business proposal to discuss." I said with a lower voice.

"You mean monkey business?" Piper said harshly.

"So you believe what those crappy news were writing about me and Fig?" I looked at her with disbelief.

"You don't give me any reason to believe otherwise." Piper said not meeting my eyes. I don't know but what she said struck me to my core and the idea that she don't trust me hurts like hell.

"Why would she trust you? From the start of your marriage, you make her believe that all the things you are doing is for revenge and nothing else."

Fucking damn!

I look at her and see the forming tears in her eyes. For the first time after our heated discussion last week, I really look at her and see how sadness is permanently residing in her eyes. She gets a little thinner too. She lacks vibrant and energy.

And don't forget the pain painted in her face every time she looks at you.

I suddenly yanked her to me and hug her tight. I placed soft kisses in her hair.

"I'm sorry." I said sincerely.

After a few minutes of kissing her hair, I could feel my shoulders getting wet and then to my surprise tears also fall in my eyes.

I think I need to make it right this time…for us…for our happiness…