CHAPTER 115
When Felix noticed Arianna's prolonged silence and immobility, his expression soured immediately. His tone turned cold as he demanded,
"What's the matter? Must you continue this charade just because I asked you to remove your mask?"
The Summers were one of the three influential families. As the host, Felix couldn't risk offending Zach over a mere dancer.
He scoffed disdainfully.
"You should feel privileged that Mr. Summer wants to see your face, even if you don't seem to appreciate his kindness. If you won't do it yourself, then I'll have someone do it for you!"
Felix raised his chin imperiously and signaled to his men.
They nodded in agreement and advanced towards Arianna in a threatening manner.
Arianna's fists clenched suddenly as she surveyed her surroundings with urgency, mapping out the room's layout and calculating her escape route near the door.
As Felix's subordinate moved to grab her, Zach intervened unexpectedly, grasping the man's hand firmly to halt his advance.
"Hey, hey, can't you be a bit more gentle? You can't handle a lady so roughly. We should treat women with care, right?"
His words were aimed pointedly at Felix, who was taken aback momentarily. His stern expression softened instantly, replaced by a conciliatory smile.
"You're absolutely right, Mr. Summer."
After scolding Felix, Zachary turned his attention back to Arianna with a sly grin.
"Taking off the mask straight away is a bit mundane. How about we make things interesting with a game?"
He gestured towards a pool table positioned on the far side of the room. "Do you play pool? Let's have a friendly match. If you sink five balls, you win. You'll receive five chips for each ball you sink. But for every ball I sink..."
Zach's gaze lingered on Arianna's long legs, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"...you'll remove one piece of clothing."
A ripple of excitement and anticipation spread through the room, accompanied by whistles and cheers. "Mr. Summer's a pool shark!"
He locked eyes with Arianna, his expression teasing yet confident.
Arianna gritted her teeth imperceptibly. She suspected Zach might be deliberately testing her, possibly because he had recognized her.
Considering the circumstances, she felt she had little choice but to decline.
Then again, it was just a game of pool...
In the past, Arianna had often joined Xander, John, and Zach for outings, witnessing firsthand Zach's prowess at pool. She acknowledged his skill but knew her own abilities were not far behind.
She speculated they were evenly matched, with a chance for her to outshine him if she performed exceptionally well. Winning would mean she could earn more money without revealing her identity by removing her mask.
Arianna smirked slightly and replied softly,
"I can't resist your gracious invitation, Mr. Summer. I accept your terms."
"Awesome." Zach clapped his hands together.
"Let's go, Beautiful. The pool table awaits."
Arianna and Zach made their way to the pool table, accompanied by the curious gazes of the other men who followed closely behind.
The stakes were clear: Arianna would have to remove an article of clothing for every ball she failed to pocket. With only two garments left, the prospect of her being completely exposed added an edge of excitement to the atmosphere.
Their match captivated the attention of everyone present.
Arianna and Zach positioned themselves at opposite ends of the pool table. Arianna selected a cue at random and gripped it firmly, testing its weight and balance in her hands.
Zach scrutinized her for a brief moment before declaring,
"According to my horoscope today, gambling might bring me bad luck. So, I'll let one of my buddies take my place."
He gestured with a sweeping motion toward the various young men gathered around, eventually pointing to a secluded booth in the corner.
"One of my best bros will step in!"
Ariana's grip on the cue tightened as she lifted her gaze abruptly to follow Zach's indication.
A man sat quietly in the dimly lit booth, partially obscured by shadows that had shielded him from Arianna's earlier notice. No one had approached him, respecting his solitude.
As Arianna locked eyes with him, she recognized his familiar face despite the dimness.
His long legs were elegantly crossed as he leaned back casually against the sofa, holding a cigarette delicately between his fingers. The ember glowed softly at the tip, casting a faint illumination around him.
To her utter surprise, Xander had been quietly present in the room all along, observing everything that had transpired.
Arianna's pupils contracted suddenly, her breath catching in her throat involuntarily.
Xander took his time, savoring the last drag of his cigarette before extinguishing it in the nearby ashtray. With deliberate steps, he uncrossed his legs and approached her slowly.
The man emerged from the shadows, his tall, lean frame and sharply defined features casting an aura of intimidating allure.
Despite his striking appearance, his demeanor exuded a chilling aloofness that kept others at bay, leaving them hesitant to meet his gaze directly.
As he approached, Arianna’s eyes flickered nervously, her fingers tightening around the cue in her hands. She instinctively tucked her hair to shield her face, hoping to conceal her identity.
Learning pole dancing was a means of survival during her time abroad, a skill she kept hidden from Xander. She had deliberately altered her voice earlier, confident that he wouldn’t recognize her under the mask.
Moreover, if Xander had recognized her, he would have reacted more aggressively instead of maintaining his composure.
Arianna silently exhaled a sigh of relief. She chided herself for getting too worked up and potentially revealing her identity!
With that realization settling in, she lifted her gaze once more, locking eyes with Xander's...lips.
