CHAPTER 104
Those three words made Arianna’s hands clench into fists. If Xander was suggesting she make it up to him in bed or something equally shameless, she was ready to reward him with a few punches!
Xander locked his gaze on her delicate face, noticing that she was thinking of something inappropriate. He then said slowly, “Be my caregiver in her stead.”
Arianna was slightly taken aback. “That’s it?”
Xander cocked an eyebrow. “What else? Or could it be…you want to make it up to me in bed?”
He deliberately emphasized his last two words close to her ear, enunciating them slowly. The heat from his breath made her ears turn red, betraying her emotions.
Arianna pushed him away as hard as she could, putting some distance between them. She retorted defensively, “Did... Did anyone say anything about making it up to you in bed?”
Unfortunately, her reddened face betrayed her guilt. How could that scumbag know what was on her mind?
She lowered her eyes to avoid Xander’s teasing gaze and surreptitiously took a deep breath. With her emotions finally calming, she was about to refuse when her words stopped short. A sudden thought occurred to her, and she paused again.
Arianna remembered Ronald calling her two days ago, asking her to take care of Xander. She had refused without hesitation at the time.
Could that have been Xander’s second reason for bringing Tiana home, aside from wanting to test Arianna?
Was he upset that she had refused to be his caregiver and had therefore gone about the situation in such a roundabout manner just to force her to submit and obediently allow him to control her?
Judging from Xander’s self-righteous, insufferably arrogant, and vindictive character, there was no way he could tolerate it when she did not do as he wanted. The sum of all that made Arianna confident that her guess was 100% valid!
How childish! Did he have nothing better to do?
Arianna frowned for a moment before curling her lips into a smile. She raised her eyes, looked at his intense gaze, and said,
“You’re right, Mr. King. I chased your caregiver away, so it’s only fair that I find a replacement.
“Since you hold me in such high regard and have entrusted me with this important task, it would be impolite of me to refuse.”
“Alright then, I shall be your caregiver for the next few days and take good care of you!”
Xander did not expect her to agree without hesitation, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He looked at her glimmering black pupils and the sly, mischievous glow within them—it was just like the look she had in the past.
He knew that some naughty ideas must have popped up in her mind again.
In spite of that, the way she was then made him really happy.
Xander pretended not to know anything and replied, “I can’t wait.”
Arianna still had something to say, but her stomach growled in hunger before she could get the words out.
Her words became stuck in her throat, and she couldn't help but cover her stomach awkwardly. It was a blow to her spirits.
Xander's gaze shifted downward, and he glanced at Arianna's stomach. His lips curled up into a smile, making her feel even more embarrassed.
He opened his mouth and said, “I’m hungry too. My caregiver, Arianna, should make some breakfast for me.”
With that, Xander immediately turned around and walked out of the kitchen.
Arianna stood there for almost half a minute before coming back to her senses. She had expected Xander to make some cutting remark to make fun of her, so she was somewhat surprised to see him being ‘overly merciful’.
Even so, that little bit of kindness paled in comparison to all his bad behavior!
‘He wants breakfast, does he? Alright, I’ll let him enjoy the special breakfast that I’m going to make for him!’
Arianna grinned coldly. She turned around, opened the refrigerator, and took out some ingredients.
Xander always ate Western-style breakfast, but she was not going to make Western-style breakfast for him. Instead, she boiled some noodles and added simple ingredients like vegetables and eggs.
Having gotten used to doing everything by herself abroad, she had acquired a bit of skill and could therefore whip up a big bowl of aromatic noodles with ease.
Arianna took a small bowl and divided a portion for herself, which she devoured in a couple of bites. The rest was poured into a big bowl, whereupon she rolled up her sleeves and added all kinds of seasonings to it!
She stirred it with her chopsticks, looked at the ‘insidious breakfast’ before her, and nodded in satisfaction.
“Breakfast is served.”
She walked out carrying the noodles, set them down on the dining table, and pushed them in front of Xander. Then, she handed him the chopsticks and spoon with a smile that rivaled the most excellent of service, saying, “Please enjoy, Mr. King.”
Xander first looked at her courteous expression, then at the bowl of noodles. The assortment of various seasonings looked rather intimidating!
At first glance, it was evident that the meal might be a challenge to stomach.
Xander's expression became somewhat perplexed.
Arianna observed his demeanor and couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction deep within. She knew Xander all too well. It was highly unlikely that he could stomach something like that due to his selective palate. After all, he had lived a privileged life and was accustomed to enjoying only the finest gourmet dishes.
Arianna’s ’s large eyes blinked a couple of times as she spoke innocently, “Why aren’t you digging in, Mr. King? Doesn’t it suit your tastes? I put in effort to make this, but my culinary skills can only do so much. If it doesn’t meet your standards, you’re welcome to find someone more qualified.”
She knew Xander had the resources to devise more malicious schemes to torment her if she continued to resist his demands, so she chose to comply for now.
However, if he thought she would pamper him, he was sorely mistaken. Her aim was to show him that any attempt to control her would only result in reciprocal suffering.
She wagered on either Xander backing down voluntarily or both of them enduring until the very last moment—a game of chicken.
Her assumption was that Xander would find such treatment intolerable and capitulate first. Lost in her musings, she lifted her gaze and encountered a sight that left her eyes widened in astonishment.
