CHAPTER 19
Arianna waited anxiously in the private room, her heart pounding with anticipation as she listened to the commotion outside. The swift response of the authorities left her momentarily surprised, marveling at the efficiency of the police force.
"Wow impressive" she mumbled.
As the sounds drew closer, Arianna steeled herself for the next phase of her plan. With a mixture of determination and disgust, she maneuvered Alfred's unconscious form, positioning his arms around her shoulders.
The sudden burst of noise signaled the arrival of her expected guests, and Arianna braced herself for the confrontation that lay ahead.
Arianna executed her plan flawlessly, allowing herself to fall as if pushed by Alfred's unconscious weight. As the door swung open, she prepared to deliver the lines she had rehearsed
Police-"
But her words caught in her throat when she locked eyes with the unexpected visitor.
Instead of a uniformed police officer, it was Xander who stood before her.
Arianna's breath caught in her throat as shock and disbelief washed over her. Stupefied, she could only stare at him, her carefully prepared words forgotten in the face of this unforeseen twist of fate.
Xander's gaze swept across the disarray in the room, his eyes lingering on the sight of Alfred sprawled on the floor amidst empty liquor bottles.
As his scrutiny turned towards Arianna, her disheveled appearance and flushed cheeks did not escape his notice. The telltale marks of hickeys on her porcelain skin only added to the tension brewing in the room.
Arianna's breath caught in her throat as she observed the transformation in Xander's demeanor. The tightening of his fists and the chilling set of his lips sent a shiver down her spine. The intensity of his gaze bore into her, radiating anger and betrayal.
An icy chill descended upon the room, suffocating Arianna as she felt the weight of Xander's rage pressing down upon her.
It was as if the very air had turned hostile, making each breath a struggle against the oppressive atmosphere.
Xander stormed towards Arianna with determined strides, his grip firm as he seized her wrist and hoisted her upright from the floor. Despite her efforts to resist, Arianna found herself powerless against his strength.
Stumbling, Arianna was forcibly led out of the room by Xander, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and uncertainty.
As they emerged into the hallway, Arianna's gaze fell upon Alfred's subdued men, as well as the familiar figures of Zach and John, standing nearby with concerned expressions.
It became evident to Arianna that Xander's sudden appearance was prompted by a call from Zach and John, who had alerted him to the unfolding situation.
Arianna couldn't help but berate herself for overthinking the situation, even as the man before her radiated hostility so palpable it could be cut with a knife.
It was clear that Xander's demeanor left no room for doubt—he was seething with rage, and Arianna couldn't shake the feeling that he wanted nothing more than to tear her apart.
Upstairs, Xander pressed Arianna against the door with a force that left her breathless. His eyes, once filled with a murderous intensity, now betrayed no emotion whatsoever.
It was a stark contrast to the terrifying aura he had exuded only moments before, leaving Arianna unsettled by his unnerving calmness.
Despite the apparent calmness of the situation, Arianna remained on high alert. She could feel her blood running cold as she braced herself for what she knew could be the most terrifying moment with Xander.
Arianna's breath caught in her throat as Xander's intense gaze swept over her, scrutinizing every inch of her being from her forehead down to her exposed shoulders.
The storm brewing in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine, and she found herself unable to look away.
In a low, menacing tone, Xander issued his demand, sending a chill down Arianna's spine.
"Are you going to take it off, or shall I?" The implication of his words hung heavily in the air, leaving Arianna with no illusions about the consequences of her decision.
Take it off, or he was going to do it…
Was Xander asking her to strip so he could scrutinize her body, searching for evidence of betrayal and infidelity?
Arianna blinked, a pang of sadness washing over her. Despite her lack of expectations from Xander, his words cut deep. He didn't inquire about her well-being or offer her a chance to explain.
In that moment, Arianna couldn't shake the feeling that the man standing before her was a stranger, his actions and words painting a stark picture of his distrust and indifference towards her.
Arianna's heart clenched with a sudden wave of sorrow, her eyes betraying the hurt she felt. Despite her guarded expectations regarding Xander, the callousness of his words struck deep.
He made no inquiry into her well-being nor offered a moment for explanation.
In that fleeting moment, Arianna's world seemed to tilt on its axis.
Was this truly Xander, the man she once loved deeply? They had shared countless memories, growing up together and sharing years of companionship and romance.
As the weight of disappointment settled over her, Arianna couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal. The man before her felt like a stranger, his indifference shattering the image of the once-beloved Xander she had held in her heart.
The pain of realizing that the person she had trusted implicitly was now so callous and distant threatened to overwhelm her.
