CHAPTER 244
At the villa, Arianna was in the kitchen with Grandma King, learning how to perfect the family’s sauerkraut fish recipe.
Although Arianna already knew how to prepare the dish, Grandma King had the special techniques she wanted to pass down. She insisted that Arianna learn them so she could make the dish for Xander in the future.
Arianna, of course, was happy to oblige. Sauerkraut fish had always been one of Xander’s favourite meals, especially when made by his grandmother.
Grandma King patiently demonstrated each step, and Arianna paid close attention, eager to get everything just right. After a little more than an hour, the dish was finally complete.
The delicious aroma filled the kitchen, and Arianna couldn’t help but wonder if Xander would be able to tell it was her handiwork with just one bite.
She decided to prepare a few additional dishes, and by the time everything was ready, it was already past seven. Xander usually arrived home by then, but that evening, there was no sign of him.
Taking off her apron and washing her hands, Arianna walked into the living room and picked up her phone from the couch. She had planned to message Xander to check on his whereabouts but noticed an unread message from him on WhatsApp.
Xander: *[Something’s come up tonight. I’ll be home later than expected. Don’t wait for me—go ahead and have dinner without me.]*
Arianna checked the time and saw the message had arrived thirty minutes earlier. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. He had promised to make it home for dinner, and she had gone through all the effort of cooking a full meal, only for him to not make it.
Still, she knew how unpredictable Xander’s work could be, and last-minute emergencies were part of the territory. She understood that sometimes, duty called.
Just then, Grandma King walked over and asked, “When is Xander getting home?”
Arianna set her phone down, masking her disappointment with a smile.
“He got caught up with something tonight, so he won’t be home for dinner. But come on, Grandma, let’s eat.”
“That boy!” Grandma King grumbled. “He should have told us sooner if he wasn’t coming back. You went through all this effort for nothing!”
She waved a hand dismissively before continuing with a playful grin, “But it’s his loss. He’s missing out on a feast! Don’t worry, Arianna. I’ll make sure none of this goes to waste, and I won’t save him a single bite!”
Arianna couldn’t help but laugh at her words, her mood lightening. She nodded eagerly, “Alright! We’ll finish every last bit ourselves!”
Linking arms with Grandma King, Arianna led her toward the dining table.
…
Meanwhile, inside a private room at an exclusive club, Xander pushed open the door and walked in.
The usual crowd was notably absent. It wasn’t like Zach to hold back—he typically thrived on hosting big gatherings, inviting everyone he could think of. But tonight was different; only three others were present: himself, John, and Harmony.
Their gazes shifted toward Xander as soon as he stepped inside.
Zach, ever the loudest, was the first to speak. “Look who finally decided to show up! We’ve all been waiting on you!”
Xander gave Zach a sharp look before his eyes fell on Harmony, who was seated gracefully on one of the sofas. She met his gaze with a gentle smile.
“It’s been too long, Xander.”
“Yeah, it has” he replied briefly, before sitting down.
Zach, clearly in the mood to celebrate, wasted no time picking up a bottle of red wine. “Now that we’re all here, let’s make this night count! It’s been ages since the four of us had a proper get-together. Tonight, we drink until we drop!”
He poured the wine into everyone’s glasses, raising his own first.
“A toast to Bunny’s return!”
Those closest to Harmony affectionately called her ‘Bunny,’ a nickname that had stuck over the years. She smiled, reaching for her glass and holding it up.
“Cheers.”
John lifted his glass quietly, glancing over at Xander, but he maintained his usual laid-back attitude.
Xander, on the other hand, was fixated on Harmony. Instead of joining in with the wine, he addressed the nearby waiter with a firm tone, saying, “She’s not having wine. Get her a glass of juice instead.”
It was obvious to everyone in the room who the drink was meant for.
Zach frowned, clearly annoyed. “Come on, Xander! It’s just a little wine to celebrate Bunny’s return. One glass won’t hurt her! Do you have to be this protective?”
Harmony smiled gently, turning to Xander. “I can manage a drink, Xander. It’s okay.”
But Xander stayed quiet, his face giving nothing away.
A moment later, the waiter came back with a glass of juice. Xander took it and placed it right in front of Harmony without saying a word.
Harmony looked down and let out a light laugh, her tone teasing.
“You’re still the same, Xander. Always looking out for me.” She shook her head slightly, setting the wine glass aside and reaching for the juice instead. After taking a small sip, she looked back at him with a playful grin.
“Are you happy now?”
Xander stayed silent, giving only a brief nod in response. His calm demeanour didn’t reveal any feelings.
Zach, however, couldn’t hide his frustration. He clicked his tongue in exaggerated disappointment and waved his hand dismissively at the situation.
“I can’t believe this. Juice at a celebration? How sad.”
He then turned to John, raising his glass with determination.
“Forget them, John. Let’s just enjoy our drinks.”
John, always the more reserved one, nodded lazily before clinking his glass with Zach’s.
The sound of their glasses meeting echoed softly in the room. Without a second thought, Zach lifted his glass to his lips and gulped down the entire drink, savouring it as if it were his last.
“Now that’s how you do it,” Zach declared with a grin, wiping the corner of his mouth. He glanced around the room, his energy infectious as he urged Jonathan for another round.
Meanwhile, Harmony watched the exchange with an amused smile, sipping her juice, while Xander remained a silent observer, his mind elsewhere despite the lively scene around him.
