CHAPTER 232
One by one, she excitedly recounted her part-time jobs, trying to present them in the best possible way. However, despite her efforts, the resume came out looking...uninspired. No matter how she worded it, there was a certain dullness that she just couldn't shake.
Arianna took breaks now and then, biting her lip in annoyance. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, uncertain about how to turn her simple experiences into something that would catch attention in such a tough job market.
Xander, who had been going through some papers Ronald sent him, looked up to see Arianna sitting across the couch, her face showing deep concentration and worry. She was lost in thought, her brows knitted together as she struggled with her resume.
He couldn't help but grin at the scene. He had seen this side of her before—focused and determined, yet sometimes unsure of herself. It was a side she usually kept hidden, but he found it charming.
“What’s up?” Xander asked, breaking the quiet.
Arianna nearly jumped, startled by his sudden question. She turned to him, his eyes warm and curious, and let out a small sigh.
“It’s just…this resume,” she confessed, a touch of frustration in her tone. “I feel like it’s lacking something. It’s so...basic.”
Xander leaned back, thinking about what she said. "What do you want it to convey?" he asked, genuinely curious.
She sighed again, running her fingers through her hair. "I want to prove that I’m more than just a name on a page. I have the passion and drive for this, even if my experience isn’t from the biggest companies. But it all just seems so...bland.”
Xander nodded, getting where she was coming from. He had seen plenty of resumes, but this one felt different—it wasn’t just about skills. It was about standing out and making a mark in a field where personality could matter.
“Well,” he said thoughtfully, "sometimes it's not just about what's on the paper but how you present it. You have to show them who you are, not just what you've done. Make them see the person behind the words."
Arianna looked at him, pondering his advice. Maybe he was right. It wasn’t just about listing her experience—it was about telling her story in a way that resonated, that made the judges curious to see more of her.
With a newfound determination, she turned back to her laptop, ready to give it another shot.
Xander watched her intently.
Arianna wasn't always like this. During her university days, she was a star student, always excelling in her courses. Her professors frequently praised her, confident that she was destined for greatness in the field.
Back then, she brimmed with confidence. She had boldly declared that she would apply to be an anchor at Starlight TV, and even if there was just a single spot open, she was certain it would be hers.
If she hadn't been forced to go abroad, she might have already become a well-known news anchor by now.
Seeing her now, anxious over something as simple as an audition, stirred something within him.
Xander felt a deep urge to help her reclaim that confidence, to be the support she needed for her dream.
“There is a way you can almost guarantee passing the audition. Want to hear it?” Xander suggested calmly.
Arianna’s eyes shifted from the laptop screen to Xander, curiosity and a hint of scepticism in her gaze. “Are you…thinking of pulling some strings to get me in through the back door?”
Xander raised an eyebrow, giving her a bemused look. "Seriously? You think I'd do that?"
Arianna blinked, slightly taken aback by his immediate refusal.
It wasn’t as though she wanted to take the easy way out or rely on underhanded methods to achieve her dreams. That wasn’t her style, and she prided herself on earning her success. Still, she couldn’t help but feel a little miffed at how swiftly he dismissed the idea. Wasn’t it normal for husbands to support their wives in every way possible, even if that meant bending the rules a bit?
Sensing her slight irritation, Xander's lips curved into a knowing smile. "You’re Mrs. King now, Arianna. If I went and pulled strings to get you in, your success would be attributed to being Mrs. King, not to Arianna Johnson. Is that what you want?"
She knew he was right. Logically, it made perfect sense, but it didn’t make her feel any less frustrated. This was her dream, after all, something she wanted to achieve on her own merits. Yet, in the competitive world of television, any edge could make a difference.
"Alright, Mr. King," Arianna sighed, crossing her arms. "What’s this other brilliant suggestion of yours?"
Xander noticed her cheeks slightly puffed in irritation, a sign that he found endearing. "I won’t open that kind of back door for you," he said, his voice calm but firm.
"But I can give you a different kind of advantage."
Arianna furrowed her brows, considering his words. Another advantage? What could he possibly mean by that? Then, a glimmer of understanding started to form in her mind.
The problem with her resume was that it lacked that certain spark to make it stand out. It hit her then—Xander King, the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire and a renowned business mogul, was right in front of her. How could she have overlooked that?
Xander had seen and evaluated countless resumes from exceptionally talented individuals. He had an eye for what made someone or something stand out, a knack for spotting potential that others might miss. With his guidance, her resume could surely go from ordinary to extraordinary.
All her previous unease vanished. With newfound determination, Arianna grabbed her laptop and climbed onto the bed beside him. Adopting a humble and eager-to-learn demeanour, she looked up at him and said,
"I could use your expert guidance, Mr King."
Xander smirked, leaning back against the headboard with a satisfied expression. He raised his chin slightly and teased,
"Hmm? What was that? I didn’t quite catch it."
Arianna knew he was enjoying this moment a little too much, but she was willing to play along if it meant getting his help. She flashed him her most charming smile and said in a more deliberate tone,
"Please review my resume and give me your invaluable feedback, Mr. King."
He arched an eyebrow, clearly savouring her humility. "What did you just call me?"
Rolling her eyes inwardly but keeping her smile intact, she leaned closer and purred, "Hubby."
Her sweet, playful tone sent a jolt through Xander, and he felt his heart skip a beat.
