CHAPTER 141
The door slammed shut, and his footsteps receded, leaving the room in an eerie silence.
Only then did Arianna open her eyes, tears spilling uncontrollably down her cheeks.
She wept without a sound, her wide-open eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Her heart ached, and she felt a deep chill that made her teeth chatter.
She curled up slowly, hugging herself tightly.
In that moment, she began to question whether the sweet moments she once shared with Xander were just a figment of her imagination.
If it wasn't a dream, how could he bear to hurt her so deeply?
How could Xander bring himself to inflict such pain on Arianna?
...
Arianna first met Xander during her first birthday celebration.
Grandpa King and Grandpa Johnson shared a close bond, and the former brought three-year-old Xander to their home for the celebration.
Grandpa King was immediately taken with Arianna, praising her beauty, noting her vibrant, expressive eyes, and confidently predicting that she would grow up to be a clever girl.
During her first birthday celebration, Grandpa King set her among an assortment of items, including toys, colour books, a piano, barbie dolls and even a electric car.
Rather than being intrigued by any of these objects, she bypassed them all. Her tiny limbs carried her directly to Xander. She grabbed his legs with her small hands and smiled brightly.
The guests burst into laughter, and Grandpa King laughed the loudest. He clapped his thigh, exclaiming,
"See, I told you Arianna was clever! Even at this age, she knows how to choose the best, picking out her future husband right away!"
Arianna had no memory of that moment; it was a tale her grandfather often shared with her during her childhood. His recounting was so frequent and detailed that she could almost recite it by heart.
Though she had never met Xander, her curiosity about the man she jokingly referred to as her ‘baby husband’ was only natural.
Years later, when the Johnson Group decided to expand their business, their focus shifted to Capital City. Arianna was 14 when her family made the move and settled there. The city was bustling and intimidating, but also exciting—a stark contrast to her previous home. She wondered if she would finally meet Xander, the boy she had supposedly chosen so many years ago.
Settling into her new environment, Arianna was filled with anticipation and nervousness, hoping to connect with the person who had been a part of her life story since she was a baby. She imagined what he might be like now and whether he remembered that fateful day as clearly as her grandfather did.
Grandpa King was overjoyed by the connection and generously gifted the Johnson's a house right next to the Kings'. This arrangement brought the Johnsons and the Kings together as neighbors, fostering a close-knit community.
When the Johnsons moved in next to the Kings, Arianna's grandfather decided to personally express his gratitude to Grandpa King for his kindness.
He brought Arianna, her parents, and her brother Charlie along for the visit, where Arianna had her first encounter with Xander, the legendary 'baby husband' of the Kings.
At only 17 years old, Xander was already quite impressive. Dressed in a simple sweater, his elegant facial features and tall, lean physique made him stand out. He exuded an air of effortless confidence, reminiscent of the charming protagonists found in comic books. Arianna found herself mesmerized by his presence.
The meeting between Arianna and Xander was a mix of formality and curiosity. Arianna's grandfather proudly introduced her, and she felt a mix of shyness and excitement as Xander's gaze met hers.
There was an unspoken connection between them, a hint of familiarity, or perhaps just the intrigue of meeting someone who had been a part of so many stories. The moments were filled with polite exchanges and smiles, setting the stage for a complex and intertwined relationship to unfold.
Arianna had often imagined what Xander might look like, but seeing him in person made her realize that her imagination had barely scratched the surface of his true handsomeness. His presence was almost overwhelming.
When he greeted, “Grandpa Johnson,” his voice was smooth and melodious, each word sounding like the most beautiful tune in the world.
Grandpa King introduced him, saying, “This is Little Ari. Her full name is Arianna Johnson, and she’s the little girl who grabbed you during her one-year-old celebration.”
Xander’s dark eyes met hers, and in that instant, Arianna understood the true meaning of love at first sight. She felt a rush of emotions, her heart pounding as she tried to process the intense connection she felt with him.
His gaze was steady and curious, as if he was trying to remember the little girl everyone spoke about. Arianna felt a blush rise to her cheeks, the room around her fading as she focused entirely on Xander. There was a depth to his eyes that drew her in, a silent promise of something extraordinary.
The atmosphere was charged with an unspoken energy. Xander's slight smile was both charming and reassuring, making Arianna feel a mixture of nervousness and exhilaration. She found herself hoping that he felt even a fraction of what she was experiencing at that moment.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Arianna could hardly concentrate on the conversations around her, her thoughts constantly drifting back to Xander. She was acutely aware of his every movement, every glance, and the way he interacted with those around him.
When their families finally bid each other goodbye, Arianna's heart was still racing. She knew this meeting had changed something within her, planting the seeds of what she hoped would grow into something beautiful. As she lay in bed that night, she replayed the day's events in her mind, a smile tugging at her lips as she drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the boy who had captured her heart with just a look.
