CHAPTER 105
Xander elegantly lifted the chopsticks and savored the noodles with grace. His handsome visage remained serene and unruffled throughout, as if dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant rather than on Arianna's concoction.
She observed incredulously as he consumed each mouthful with apparent satisfaction, hardly flinching even when sampling the soup. Setting down the chopsticks, Xander offered his verdict,
“Not bad.”
Arianna’s lips parted in surprise, caught off guard and unable to formulate a response.
What was happening? She was utterly flabbergasted.
Xander dabbed at the corners of his lips with a napkin before gracefully leaving the dining hall.
It wasn't until his footsteps faded away that Arianna finally dared to glance at the now nearly empty bowl. Only a small amount of soup remained. She couldn't believe her eyes—had Xander really finished the entire meal?
Could it be that Xander had no taste buds at all? Or was she secretly a culinary genius, capable of turning random ingredients into a surprisingly delicious dish?
Lost in thought, Arianna absentmindedly picked up the spoon Xander had used. She dipped it into the remaining soup, brought it to her lips, and took a hesitant sip.
The moment Arianna tasted the soup, her face contorted in disgust, and she promptly spit it out.
The flavor was downright repulsive!
She glanced in the direction Xander had walked off. How could someone as notoriously selective as him stomach such a concoction?
Puzzling over it for a while, she couldn't quite grasp his motive. Perhaps he was determined to assert dominance over her at any cost!
If that were the case, she was eager to see just how long he could endure it!
Arianna cleared the table, washed the dishes, and stepped out of the kitchen.
A voice echoed from above. "Ms. Arianna."
She raised her gaze and spotted Xander leaning casually against the balcony rail on the second floor, one hand resting on the railing. He looked down at her and requested, "Could you bring me a cup of coffee?"
‘He really doesn’t miss a chance to give orders.’
Arianna flashed a polite smile. "Sure thing, Mr. King. Coffee coming right up!"
Turning swiftly, she headed back into the kitchen.
Xander had always preferred americanos. He disliked sweet flavors, so he made sure his coffee was always sugar-free.
Once Arianna prepared the coffee, she poured two-thirds of the cup with sugar and stirred vigorously.
Just to be certain, she took a small sip. The sweetness was overwhelming, almost like her teeth were dissolving.
Arianna quickly downed a glass of water to rinse away the intense sweetness.
‘Let’s see if he can handle this!’
Arianna carried the coffee upstairs and entered the study.
Xander was seated behind the large desk, deeply engrossed in his work. His intense gaze was fixed on the computer screen while his nimble fingers danced across the keyboard, focusing on some important business matters.
Arianna observed his concentrated profile, momentarily captivated by his handsome appearance.
His strong nose, soft lips with a hint of pink, and chiseled jawline were like works of art crafted by a divine hand.
She remembered why she had been drawn to him in the first place—it was impossible not to be captivated by such angelic features.
"Am I really that pleasant to look at?"
The sudden question caught Arianna off guard, and she instinctively started to reply, "Ye—"
But midway through her response, she abruptly realized her slip and snapped out of her momentary lapse to meet Xander's teasing gaze.
He had subtly shifted his attention to her, his eyes dancing with amusement.
Arianna inwardly chastised herself. She was engaged in a psychological standoff with Xander, and she couldn't afford to be swayed by his handsome appearance.
A scoundrel with charm was still a scoundrel!
Arianna placed the coffee cup on the desk and spoke respectfully, “Your coffee is ready, Mr. King.”
“Thanks,” Xander replied quietly. Instead of drinking it right away, he simply said, “You may leave.”
‘Has he learned his lesson?’ Arianna wondered.
She wasn't about to give up so easily. Arianna reached out and pushed the cup closer to Xander, saying,
“You should drink it while it’s hot, Mr. King. It's at the perfect temperature to enjoy its aroma.”
Xander's fingers paused briefly on the keyboard. He then lifted his gaze to meet Arianna’s, sensing her underlying intentions clearly.
“Sure,” he replied calmly.
He lifted the cup and took a large sip. The overly sweet taste flooded his mouth, but his expression remained impassive, devoid of any visible reaction.
Arianna observed Xander intently, her eyes wide with anticipation, expecting him to show some discomfort or make a mistake. However, he remained composed and unaffected by the taste.
She glared at him resentfully and continued to stare at him.
Xander drank half the cup, placed it back down, and commented, “Not bad.”
Arianna was speechless.
As she went out of the study, she did not give up and continued to lean against the door. Peeking in through the crack, all she saw was Xander drinking the rest of the coffee in one gulp.
She began to question everything in her life.
