CHAPTER 235
The results were scheduled to be released at eight o’clock that evening.
Out of the thirty candidates who had passed the initial audition, the interview had cut the competition in half, leaving only fifteen to advance to the next round. The stakes were higher than ever.
Arianna had been restless from the moment she woke up that morning. She had tried to distract herself throughout the day, but as evening approached, her anxiety heightened. By the time the clock neared eight, her heart was pounding in her chest.
Her hands trembled as she opened her laptop, hesitating before clicking on the email that would reveal her fate. For a moment, she couldn’t bring herself to read it, frozen by the fear of failure. What if she didn’t make it?
She was startled by the sound of the door opening. Xander had returned earlier than she expected.
As he stepped into the room, he loosened his tie, his sharp eyes immediately locking onto her anxious figure. Without a word, he crossed the room, sat down beside her on the sofa, and gently pulled her into his arms.
He kissed her softly on the forehead, his voice calm yet teasing as he said,
“The results come out today, don’t they? I thought I’d come back early to comfort you… just in case you didn’t make it.”
Arianna glared at him, her nerves mixed with frustration at his lighthearted jab. She punched him lightly on the chest, though her voice was filled with determination.
“I’m going to make it. Don’t jinx me.”
Xander smirked, raising an eyebrow as his gaze shifted to the laptop screen.
“Oh really? If you’re so sure, then why haven’t you looked yet?”
Arianna stiffened at his words, her fingers frozen over the trackpad.
“I’m not scared,” she protested, though the crack in her voice betrayed her.
“I just… I just haven’t had the time to check it yet.”
Xander let out a low chuckle, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
“Right. So confident, yet still too nervous to click the link?”
Arianna couldn’t take it anymore. She forced herself to move, her fingers brushing over the touchpad as she opened the email. But as soon as the list appeared on the screen, her courage faltered. She barely skimmed over the first few names before her nerves got the better of her.
Letting out a deep breath, she covered her eyes with her hands and slumped against Xander.
“Okay, fine. I admit it—I’m scared to look. Can you… Can you check for me instead? Just tell me if I made it.”
Xander’s smile softened as he wrapped an arm around her more securely, his fingers gently prying her hands away from her face.
“You’ve got this,” he said in a low, reassuring voice. “But I’ll check for you.”
With one final glance at her, he turned his attention to the screen, his expression unreadable as he scanned the list.
He scrolled through the list, his black eyes moving swiftly over the names.
Arianna, still hiding her face in her hands, grew increasingly anxious as the seconds ticked by. When Xander didn’t immediately respond, she began to panic.
"Well? Did I make it? Xander, tell me!"
Yet, he remained silent.
Arianna’s heart plummeted, convinced she had failed. She cautiously peeked at his face, only to see a strange, unreadable expression. Her pulse quickened as dread began to creep in.
Unable to wait any longer, she turned toward the laptop, her eyes scanning the list. The first name wasn’t hers, nor the second. Panic continued to rise in her chest as she scrolled down. But just as she neared the bottom of the page, there it was—her name, Arianna Johnson, sitting proudly on the second-to-last line.
Her breath hitched, hands flying to cover her mouth as relief and joy flooded her entire body.
She had passed!
The overwhelming sense of excitement surged through her, her eyes sparkling as she processed the realization.
She turned toward Xander, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and playful reproach.
"Why were you so quiet? You scared me! Shouldn’t you be happy that I passed?"
But Xander’s focus wasn’t on her question. He didn’t respond to her teasing. Instead, his gaze was fixed on the screen, his brow furrowed in thought. Something on the list had caught his attention.
Arianna’s excitement faded slightly as she noticed his distracted expression.
"Xander? What’s wrong?"
His eyes lingered on the screen for another moment before he finally answered, though his tone was distant as if his mind was elsewhere.
"It’s nothing... Congratulations, Arianna. You did it."
Though his words were meant to be celebratory, Arianna couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. She glanced at the list again, wondering what had caught his eye.
Arianna was perplexed. Following Xander’s gaze, she noticed he was staring directly at her name on the screen.
Was he surprised that she made it through the interview?
"Xander?" She waved her hand in front of his face with a smirk. "Did you forget how to read? Or are you just so mesmerized by my name that you can’t look away?"
His dark eyes blinked, bringing him back from his trance. He gave a faint smile, tapping her nose playfully. "You didn’t let me down, Arianna. Well done."
Hearing him praise her so sincerely made a warm, fluttery feeling bloom inside her chest. She had grown accustomed to his teasing, but genuine compliments from Xander were rare and carried significant weight.
He leaned closer, his fingers gently tipping her chin up, his gaze locking with hers. His deep voice carried a hint of mischief as he asked,
"Now that you’ve passed the interview and secured a place, don’t you think it’s time to properly show your appreciation?"
Arianna raised an eyebrow, her heart skipping a beat at his suggestion.
"Show my appreciation?"
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t deny he had a point. If it hadn’t been for Xander’s guidance with her resume, his tips for the interview, and the confidence he instilled in her, she probably wouldn’t have made it past the initial screening.
Her success was their success.
Sighing in playful defeat, she straightened up and looked him in the eye.
"Alright, alright. You’re right. I owe you a proper thank you for all your help and support."
Blushing slightly, she leaned in and planted a soft, quick kiss on his lips, feeling her pulse race as she did.
Xander's brow arched as he touched his lips, a playful glint in his eyes.
"That’s it? After all, I did for you, you think a little peck is enough?" he teased, his voice low and laced with amusement.
"Do you know how rare it is for someone to receive *my* expert advice?"
Though his words were spoken with arrogance, Arianna knew he wasn’t wrong. Xander had always been extraordinary—brilliant in everything he set his mind to.
His achievements, both academically and in the business world, were unmatched. People sought him out for his wisdom and expertise, and his success was a testament to his genius.
Arianna, by contrast, had come from a much humbler background. She didn’t have the vast resources or knowledge that Xander did, but she’d worked hard. Still, without him, this victory wouldn’t have been possible.
She smiled, knowing full well that her small token of appreciation wasn’t nearly enough for someone like Xander. But it was the best she could offer—at least for now.
