CHAPTER 59
Xander went downstairs in a great mood, while Arianna trailed behind him, her expression sullen.
As she tended to the flowers, Aunt Julia greeted them warmly. “Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. King.”
Xander smiled and casually replied, “Morning.”
Aunt Julia was taken aback. Xander had always been reserved since his childhood, rarely showing any warmth. His demeanor shifted when he was with Arianna, but after their breakup two years ago, he reverted to his distant self.
Wait. He seemed even colder now.
It had been ages since Aunt Julia witnessed Xander in such high spirits. Was this a dream?
It had been ages since Aunt Julia saw Xander in such high spirits. Was this a dream?
Glancing out the window, she confirmed: no pigs were flying.
As she turned back to the scene, her eyes widened, and her hands fluttered in disbelief.
Then her gaze landed on Arianna's face, and realization dawned.
So... Xander's sudden change was because he was in love!
In the dining hall, Grandma King sat at the head of the table, with Arianna on her right and Xander on her left. Her gaze drifted between the two, catching a glimpse of something unusual.
There was a small wound at the corner of Xander's lips, and Arianna's lips looked slightly swollen.
Grandma King couldn't help but smirk, her amusement bubbling up inside her. She suppressed her laughter but couldn't resist the occasional teasing grin.
It seemed like they had quite an eventful night!
Grandma King couldn't suppress her amusement, her laughter bubbling up as she observed Arianna and Xander. It was clear that something interesting had happened between them.
Her choice to stay there seemed to have been a wise one. The way Arianna and Xander were getting along hinted at a quick progression in their relationship.
Turning her attention to Arianna, Grandma King said, “Arianna, dear, make sure to eat well. You've been working hard. Eating more will help you regain your strength, alright?”
Arianna nearly choked on her porridge upon hearing her words. She quickly composed herself and managed to swallow it down.
She forced a smile, attempting to mask her discomfort. Arianna wanted to interject and explain the situation, but she knew that doing so would blow their cover. So, she remained silent, playing along with the charade.
To her surprise, Grandma King continued, her words only adding to Arianna's unease.
“Make sure you recover quickly, Arianna. We need to start planning for your future family with Xander! And not just one child, but many! When the time comes, I'll be here to help you with them!”
Arianna really choked this time, coughing uncontrollably as her cheeks flushed a deep red, the color spreading down her neck. She struggled to regain her breath, feeling utterly mortified.
Now she understood where Xander got his relentless nature from.
She shot a covert glare at Xander. He had it easy, sitting there calmly and elegantly enjoying his breakfast while watching the scene unfold.
Grandma King hurriedly patted Arianna's back, trying to help her regain her composure. However, she was unwilling to drop the topic. "Arianna, isn’t that a wonderful plan?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
Arianna could feel the pressure mounting. She forced a smile, desperately trying to think of a response that wouldn't expose their pretense. She glanced at Xander, hoping for some kind of rescue, but he merely raised an eyebrow, still composed and unbothered.
Arianna clenched her fists tightly under the table, her mind racing with indignation.
A good plan? Who would want to mother Xander’s children?
Just earlier, when they were in the room, he had been so infuriatingly close to crossing a line… If it hadn’t been for her sheer determination, he would have taken full advantage of the situation!
Despite her internal fury, she reminded herself of their agreement. She had to play her part convincingly.
Taking a deep breath, Arianna blinked a few times, forcing a bashful smile to her lips. She turned to Grandma King, trying to mask her true feelings, and answered with a forced cheerfulness,
“Yes, Grandma King, it’s a lovely plan…”
Grandma King beamed with delight when Arianna finally responded to her suggestion. Like a child celebrating a victory, she clapped her hands joyfully. Turning her enthusiastic gaze to Xander, she said, "Xander, did you hear that? You must make this happen!"
Xander paused in the middle of cutting his bacon, his eyes meeting Arianna's with a mischievous glint. His voice, deep and smooth, resonated through the room as he replied, "I heard it. I will... work harder."
The innuendo in his tone was unmistakable, and it sent a shiver down Arianna’s spine. She felt her cheeks flush again, but she maintained her composure. Xander then casually placed a piece of bacon into his mouth, chewing and swallowing it with an elegance that belied the suggestive nature of his words.
Arianna's mind raced, trying to balance the act of keeping her irritation hidden while also playing the role she was supposed to. She glanced at Grandma King, who was positively glowing with happiness, her eyes twinkling with anticipation for future grandchildren.
"That's the spirit," Grandma King chimed, her voice filled with excitement. "I can't wait to see you both as parents. You'll be wonderful!"
Arianna forced another smile, feeling the weight of the charade pressing down on her. Xander’s seemingly effortless composure only made her more determined to play her part convincingly.
Underneath the table, she clenched her fists, steeling herself for whatever came next. She would navigate this situation with grace and patience, no matter how challenging it might be.
