CHAPTER 206
Ronald couldn’t help but reflect on how his incredibly serious boss managed to have a wife, while a friendly, easy-going guy like him couldn’t even find someone to date. It was a frustrating irony, but all he could do was keep those thoughts to himself. After a moment of genuine contemplation, he offered another suggestion.
“If saying the right words isn’t your thing, Mr. King, then maybe the next step is more… physical. You know, taking things to the bedroom. It might even help if you two had a baby together. Sometimes that's what brings couples closer.”
His parents were a prime example—his mother and father had grown more in love after his mother became pregnant with him. He hesitated for a second before, in a moment of thoughtless boldness, he asked,
“You’re, uh…still doing well in that area, right, Mr. King?”
The second the words left his mouth, Ronald froze. His face went pale as he realized what he'd just implied. No man, especially not someone like Xander King, would ever tolerate such a question about his...abilities. He instantly regretted it and clamped his mouth shut.
Fortunately for Ronald, Xander appeared too lost in his own thoughts to register the awkward remark. After what felt like an eternity of tense silence, Xander finally broke it, his voice cold and decisive.
"Head back to the hotel."
Ronald exhaled silently in relief, thankful that his life wasn’t about to take a sudden detour out of a moving vehicle. Maybe, just maybe, his clumsy attempt at advice had struck a chord—Xander seemed to have taken it to heart, after all.
…
By the time Xander returned to the hotel, it was nearing five in the evening. Arianna was lounging on the couch, nibbling on some of the complimentary mini biscuits that had been provided in the room.
She was quietly relieved to see him. The thought of him storming off and leaving her stranded on the island without any means to get home had crossed her mind, and it wasn’t exactly pleasant. She wasn’t sure if she even had enough money left to book a flight back herself.
More than that, being abandoned in a foreign country just felt too lonely and disheartening.
Xander’s eyes lingered on her, then shifted down to the biscuits she was munching on. Noticing his gaze, Arianna quickly raised the little snack and said,
“These were free, you know.”
Arianna wanted to make it clear that she wasn’t spending his money frivolously.
Xander’s eyes softened, though it was hard to tell what he was thinking. He hadn’t intended to scold her; in fact, he wasn’t upset at all. If anything, there was a twinge of something else—concern, perhaps.
He opened his mouth to say something, but the words seemed to get stuck. Instead of talking, he simply strode over, gently took her hand, and pulled her up from the couch.
Without a word, he led her straight out of the room.
"Where are we going?" Arianna asked, instinctively tugging back. Her mind raced with all sorts of ridiculous scenarios. Was he really that bothered over a few biscuits?
Xander shot her a brief look, his expression unreadable.
“To eat.”
Arianna blinked in surprise, her resistance fading. A slow smile tugged at her lips, and she quickly nodded,
“Oh. Well then, let’s go!”
When it came to food, she was always on board.
Xander couldn’t suppress the slight huff of amusement that escaped him. She could be stubborn about so many things, but when food was involved, she was easily the most agreeable person in the world.
They found themselves back at the same hotel restaurant from the night before. After they were seated, Xander slid the menu across the table toward her.
“Order whatever you like.”
Arianna stared at him, momentarily taken aback. This was… unexpected. He had been brooding and moody all day, yet now, here he was, bringing her out for dinner like nothing had happened. He was even kind and considerate.
It was almost like he’d turned into a completely different person in the span of a few hours.
Had he secretly mastered some ancient art of emotional transformation?
A teasing voice interrupted her thoughts.
“What’s the matter? Do you plan on staring at me instead of eating?”
Flustered, Arianna quickly ducked behind the menu to hide her expression. How embarrassing. Her mind had wandered off while she was supposed to be picking out her meal.
In her haste, she began pointing at random items, ordering without much thought. When she finally lowered the menu and glanced at the waiter, she was met with a bewildered expression.
Confused, she furrowed her brows, wondering what had prompted such a reaction.
Xander’s deep voice broke through the awkward silence, a trace of amusement lacing his words.
“Are you sure you want to order three bowls of soup?”
“What?” Arianna’s eyes widened in horror as she looked down at the menu, realizing she had indeed ordered three large bowls of different soups—nothing else.
Her face turned a shade of pink as the embarrassment washed over her.
Arianna couldn't help but internally blame Xander for the whole situation. His unpredictable behaviour had thrown her off, and now she’d embarrassed herself in front of the waiter.
No wonder the poor guy had looked at her like she didn’t know what she was doing.
Before she could say anything further, Xander smoothly reached over, taking the menu from her hand.
“I think it’s better if I handle the ordering,” he said, his tone a mix of amusement and authority.
He quickly selected a few of Arianna’sfavouritee dishes, glancing up at her afterwards with a hint of playful teasing in his eyes.
“Satisfied?”
Ariann, still flustered from her earlier misstep, felt a surge of irritation rises within her.
“Yes, yes! That’s enough!” she snapped, a little more sharply than she intended.
Rather than getting upset, Xander seemed to find her outburst amusing. His mood appeared to brighten even further, and the faint smirk on his lips deepened. His calm reaction only heightened her confusion. How could he go from brooding and distant to relaxed and almost playful in such a short time?
Then, to her surprise, Xander asked the waiter to bring out a bottle of red wine.
Her curiosity piqued even more. What on earth had happened in those few hours he’d been away? His earlier mood had been cold, distant, and hard to read, but now he seemed completely transformed. She had no idea what to make of him.
Being around Xander often felt like navigating a maze of emotions and unspoken thoughts, and Arianna couldn’t help but feel mentally exhausted from the constant guessing game. How was she ever supposed to figure him out?
As the waiter returned with the wine, she could only sit there, trying to process the strange turn of events.
