CHAPTER 284
Arianna pressed her lips together, gathering her thoughts as she prepared to speak. Just as she opened her mouth to say,
“Xander, when I was at the off—”
The sudden ring of his phone cut her off, pulling her words back before they fully formed.
Xander glanced at the caller ID on the screen, which displayed “Ronald.” With a sigh, he placed the phone on the dashboard, his expression apologetic.
Arianna looked away casually, pretending not to have noticed the call details.
He slipped on his Bluetooth earpiece and answered briskly, “Yes?”
As Ronald launched into a discussion about work, Arianna leaned back, resigning herself to hold off on her question. She understood how much he had already set aside to make time for their evening together, and she didn't want to disrupt his focus on his responsibilities.
The call stretched on, filling nearly the entire 30-minute drive with talk of contracts and deadlines. As they finally reached their destination, Xander ended the call, breathing a sigh of relief as he parked. He stepped out first and quickly circled to her side, opening her door with a warm smile.
“After you,” he said, his hand gently guiding her as she stepped out.
He handed his keys to the valet, then slipped his arm around her as they entered the softly lit restaurant. It was a familiar place—one they had come to often, especially for Arianna, who loved the chef’s specialities that always seemed to suit her taste perfectly.
The restaurant manager approached them with a welcoming smile.
“Mr. King, Mrs. King,” he greeted them warmly, quickly catching himself.
“We’ve reserved a special table for you both. Please, follow me.”
Arianna and Xander shared a quick look and a smile as they followed the manager through the elegant dining room, their footsteps muffled by the plush carpet as they moved toward their favourite table. The ambient lighting and gentle hum of conversation created a cosy atmosphere, setting the stage for a memorable evening.
The manager, who had been with the restaurant for many years, had seen every stage of Arianna and Xander’s relationship—right from the early days of dating to their eventual marriage. It was clear he felt a warmth toward them as he guided them to their usual table.
As Arianna settled into her seat, she took in the familiar surroundings—the soft lighting, the cosy decor, and, of course, Xander sitting across from her. These small, comfortable details lifted her spirits, brushing away any lingering unease.
Seeing Xander choose this place reminded her that he still remembered the little things that made her happy. It was reassuring, a silent acknowledgement of all they'd shared.
She found herself smiling as she looked at him, her expression warm and soft, her eyes bright with affection.
Xander looked up, noticing her gaze. A curious smile touched his lips, and he arched an eyebrow.
“What’s on your mind, Ari? You’re staring.”
She lifted her glass, wrapping both hands around it as she took a sip.
“Well, you are my husband,” she replied playfully, meeting his gaze with a smile.
“I just feel like looking at you—is that a problem?”
Since his return, he’d noticed a new boldness in her, as if she enjoyed teasing him just to get a reaction. He leaned in a mischievous spark in his eyes.
“Maybe I didn’t do enough to tire you out last night,” he murmured, his voice dipping,
“And now you’re looking at me, are you craving a little more… attention.”
Arianna’s cheeks flushed as memories of the previous night surfaced, her pulse quickening at his playful words. She looked away, trying to keep her smile in check, but the warmth between them only deepened.
The memory of the previous night flashed through Arianna's mind at Xander’s words, and a rosy blush instantly coloured her cheeks.
If there was an award for being shameless, Xander would win it easily. She could never match him in that department. She gave him a playful yet indignant look, sipping her lemonade as if to cool herself down.
The manager observed them with a fond smile. He’d always thought of them as the sweetest pair, so he was genuinely taken aback when he heard about their breakup two years ago. Seeing them together again, just as affectionate as before, felt like a happy ending had finally arrived.
Xander locked eyes with the manager and, without even looking at the menu, confidently placed their order.
“We’ll go with our usual, and feel free to bring out any new specials you think we’d like.”
The manager nodded, clearly happy with the request.
“Absolutely,” he replied with a friendly smile.
In the middle of the restaurant, there was a beautiful white grand piano, a feature that guests could either request a pianist to play or take a turn themselves if they wanted.
Every time they had come here before, Arianna would sometimes tease Xander into playing a song just for her. The sight of the piano flooded her with those memories, and she turned to him with a gentle smile.
“Would you play something for me, Xander?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Xander raised an eyebrow and signalled to a waiter before looking back at her.
“Is there something specific you’d like to hear?” he inquired.
Arianna’s face brightened, and she quickly replied, “I just want to hear you play.”
He studied her for a moment as if weighing the idea, and she quickly added,
“It’s just a suggestion. I know you’re the CEO of the King Group now—you probably don’t want to be seen playing in public. It’s fine.”
A small smile appeared on his face as he responded,
“It’s been a while since I’ve played, but if my wife wants to hear it, how could I refuse?”
He reached over and lightly touched the tip of her nose with his finger.
“Right now, I’m not the CEO. I’m just Xander—your husband.”
Arianna felt her heart race, warmth spreading through her at his words. Who said Xander wasn’t romantic? He knew how to make her feel special!
Xander held her gaze with a soft intensity before he stood up and walked to the piano. Just before he started to play, he looked back at her, his voice low and warm.
“For you, Arianna, I’d play a thousand songs if it would make you smile like that.”
As he settled in, he continued, his voice filled with a tenderness that was rare and meant just for her,
As he continued to look at her, his voice filled with a tenderness that was rare and reserved just for her,
“Every note, every chord—it’s just a small part of what I feel for you.”
The first gentle notes filled the air as he added, “I hope this melody tells you what words sometimes can’t, Ari. You’re my whole world.”
His fingers moved along the keys, and soon, a beautiful melody began to flow, filling the restaurant with its gentle sound.
Arianna felt her heart skip a beat, her cheeks flushing as she held his gaze from across the room, fully caught up in the music and the love he was pouring into every note.
Arianna propped her chin in her hands, a soft smile spreading across her face as she watched him play. The world around them seemed to fade, leaving only the music and the two of them in that perfect moment.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
