CHAPTER 201
After a gruelling ten-hour flight, the plane finally touched down. Arianna felt the strain of sitting for so long and eagerly stretched as soon as she unbuckled her seatbelt. Meanwhile, Xander stirred as if on cue, his eyes fluttering open with the precision of an internal alarm clock.
They disembarked swiftly, moving through the exclusive lane reserved for VIPs. It wasn’t long before they were outside, stepping into a waiting car. The sky was painted with the warm hues of dusk, the golden rays of the setting sun casting a magical glow over the horizon.
Arianna gazed out the car window, taking in the scenery. There was something oddly familiar about the place, a nagging feeling that tugged at the corners of her mind. After a moment of contemplation, she turned to Xander, her curiosity piqued. "Are we on Barrkjaer Island, Xander?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Xander glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Yes," he answered, his tone betraying nothing.
Arianna's eyes widened, a blend of disbelief and amazement flashing across her face. Barrkjaer Island wasn't just an ordinary place; it was legendary. The island was believed to be the sanctuary of two ancient gods who, after enduring countless trials, finally became lovers and vowed to stay together for eternity. They had retreated to the island to live out their days in peace, and their story had imbued the island with a reputation as the ultimate destination for weddings and honeymoons.
The island had always been significant to Arianna. She first became aware of Barrkjaer because its name closely resembled Xander’s last name, King. Captivated by the island's romantic history, she had once fantasized about getting married and honeymooning there. Two years ago, she even shared these dreams with Xander, meticulously planning a future that never came to be. When their engagement ended, so did her hopes of ever visiting the island.
And yet, here they were.
Arianna couldn’t help but question Xander’s motives. Was this location a random choice, or was there something more behind it? The more she tried to understand him, the more he remained an enigma.
As the car drove on, Arianna found herself lost in thought, trying to unravel the mystery that was the man beside her.
The drive lasted over an hour before they finally reached their destination. The hotel was an imposing structure, an ancient castle that had been painstakingly restored to its former glory. With its towering spires and intricate stonework, it exuded an air of majesty, as if it had stepped out of a medieval fairy tale.
As Arianna and Xander exited the car and approached the entrance, it felt like they had been transported to another era. The grand halls and elaborate décor captured the essence of a time long past, making it feel as though they had stepped into the pages of history.
Arianna’s initial fatigue began to dissipate as she took in the breathtaking surroundings. The place was everything she had ever dreamed of and more. She had longed to visit this island, and now that she was here, the reality surpassed even her wildest imagination.
Xander, watching her from the corner of his eye, noticed the spark of excitement in her gaze as she took in the castle’s grandeur. A small, satisfied smile tugged at his lips. Ronald’s suggestion, it seemed, had been a good one after all. Xander felt that doubling Ronald’s bonus was more than justified.
After checking in at the lavishly adorned front desk, they headed upstairs to their room. Xander had reserved the presidential suite, the most luxurious accommodation the hotel had to offer, complete with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. As Arianna stepped onto the balcony, she was met with the breathtaking sight of the expansive ocean laid out before her. The cool breeze carried the briny scent of the sea, and she couldn’t help but close her eyes, taking a deep breath, and savoring the refreshing air.
Just then, she noticed movement from the balcony next door. Her eyes flickered to the side, and she was surprised to see a familiar face.
"Oh... it’s you?" she exclaimed, recognizing the woman instantly.
It was the strikingly beautiful woman Arianna had bumped into at the airport earlier. The woman looked equally surprised but quickly recovered, flashing a warm, gentle smile.
"What a small world, Ms. Joh," she said softly.
"Are you here on vacation as well?"
Arianna nodded, still taken aback by the coincidence.
"Yes, it seems we were even on the same flight."
The woman’s smile deepened. "It appears our paths were meant to cross again."
Before Arianna could respond, she heard the familiar sound of footsteps behind her. Turning, she saw Xander approaching. His gaze swept over her before settling on the woman next door. His voice was casual but laced with curiosity as he asked, "Who are you talking to?"
Arianna leaned closer to him, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"It's the woman I mentioned earlier—the one I bumped into at the airport. I never imagined she’d be staying right next door."
Xander’s expression remained unreadable as he glanced at the woman on the adjacent balcony. His gaze was inscrutable, making it difficult for Arianna to tell what he was thinking. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to this chance encounter, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
After Arianna mentioned the woman next door, Xander glanced over at the adjacent balcony, expecting to see someone there. To his surprise, the space was empty, devoid of any sign of the person Arianna had described.
“There’s no one there,” Xander stated flatly.
“… That’s imposing—” Arianna began, but her words trailed off when she saw for herself that the balcony was indeed vacant. Puzzled, she murmured, “She was there just a moment ago. Maybe she went back inside?”
Xander seemed entirely uninterested in the mystery. Instead, he checked his watch, a slight frown creasing his brow as he noted the time. “Let’s grab something to eat,” he suggested, his tone as neutral as ever.
Arianna’s stomach growled in agreement. She hadn’t eaten much before they left, and the long flight had only intensified her hunger. Without hesitation, she nodded, “Yes, let’s do that.”
Hunger was a sensation Arianna was all too familiar with from her years living abroad, where meals were often scarce and far between. The gnawing emptiness in her stomach was something she had come to despise.
As if on autopilot, Xander took her hand, his grip firm yet gentle, and started leading her toward the door. The gesture was so natural that it caught Arianna off guard. She found herself suddenly pausing, her eyes drifting down to where their hands were intertwined.
“What’s the matter? Don’t feel like going?” Xander’s voice broke through her thoughts, his tone devoid of any particular emotion.
Arianna quickly shook off her surprise and snapped back to reality. “No, it’s nothing. Let’s go.”
She resumed walking, though her mind was still processing the moment. Xander’s behaviour was a stark contrast to the aloofness she had grown accustomed to. His sudden warmth and these small gestures of affection left her uncertain. Was he simply playing the part of the devoted husband to maintain appearances, or was there something deeper behind his actions?
As they walked through the elegant corridors of the hotel, the question lingered in her mind. Arianna couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Xander’s sudden shift in demeanour, but for now, she kept her thoughts to herself, focusing instead on the prospect of a good meal to ease her growing hunger.
