CHAPTER 8
The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Grandma King's spacious bedroom.
With a soft sigh, she stirred from her slumber, stretching her arms above her head in a languid motion. As she reached for the ornate bedside table, her fingers brushed against the familiar weight of the remote control.
With a decisive click, she switched on the television, the screen flickering to life with the morning news. As she adjusted the volume, her gaze focused intently on the screen, eager to catch up on the day's events.
But as the headlines flashed across the screen, Grandma King's eyes widened in disbelief.
Her heart skipped a beat as she watched the news unfold before her, the shock of what she saw rippling through her.
"What the ......"
Quickly regaining her composure, she sat up from the bed with a sense of purpose, her movements deliberate as she made her way to the edge of the room. With each step, her mind raced with questions, her thoughts consumed by the implications of what she had just witnessed.
As she stood before the television, her expression grave, Grandma King knew that she needed to act swiftly.
With a determined nod, she reached for the mobile, her fingers dialing a familiar number with practiced ease.
"Summon Xander to me at once," she instructed the butler, her voice firm and unwavering.
"I need to speak with him immediately!"
An hour later, Xander arrived at the mansion, finding his grandmother amidst a flurry of activity as she sorted through gifts.
"Grandma, what's so urgent that I had to over immediately?" Xander inquired, his tone tinged with curiosity and a hint of apprehension.
Upon spotting him, Grandma King's face lit up with genuine delight, her eyes twinkling with warmth as she greeted him.
"Ah, Xander, my dear," she exclaimed, her voice filled with affection.
"Come, come, take a seat."
Xander's curiosity piqued as he scanned the room, his gaze landing on the table adorned with an assortment of elegantly wrapped gifts.
"What's all this about, Grandma?" he pressed, a furrow forming on his brow.
With a gentle smile, Grandma King beckoned him closer.
"I'm in the midst of arranging gifts for an upcoming marriage proposal," she explained, her tone light and cheerful.
"Why don't you have a look and see if there's anything you'd like to add?"
"Proposal. What proposal?" Xander asked confused.
Grandma King let out a knowing chuckle, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, Xander, there's no need to feign innocence. It's quite obvious that the marriage proposal is for Arianna."
Xander's brow furrowed as he chortled in response. He strode over to the sofa and took a seat, his expression calm and composed as he glanced at the table laden with gifts.
"There's no need for me to contribute anything. There will be no proposal!" he stated calmly, his voice carrying a hint of finality.
Grandma King's confusion quickly turned to frustration, tinged with a hint of anger.
"Xander, you spent the night with the girl," she admonished, her tone stern.
"It's all over the news. Have you no regard for her reputation? Are you not going to take responsibility? Is this how I raised you?"
Two years had passed since Xander publicly called off their marriage, yet he had never disclosed the reason to Grandma King.
Despite her disappointment and sadness over Arianna's abandonment at the altar, Old Madam Barker had harbored a deep affection for the young woman, considering her as dear as her own granddaughter.
She had even distanced herself from Xander for a year following the incident. But now, with news of their recent encounter spreading like wildfire, she was determined not to let Xander ruin things any further.
"Besides, don’t you have feelings for Anna?" Grandma King interjected, her voice tinged with concern.
"That's why you spent the night with her, isn't it? Are you trying to tell me that you two were just having a casual conversation?"
A coldness flickered in Xander's eyes at the mention of Arianna's name.
The memory this morning, seeing her crying by the beach flashed through his mind, briefly stirring a sense of doubt within him.
But he quickly pushed aside any hint of sentimentality.
Xander's thoughts churned with bitterness as he reflected on his feelings for Arianna.
"I thought I did," he admitted to himself, his inner voice heavy with disillusionment. "But reality has a funny way of revealing the truth.
She's nothing but a manipulative woman, skilled at deception and willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants. She's not worthy of my feelings."
"Well, say something," Grandma implored, her brows furrowing with concern as she watched Xander lost in thought.
Xander remained stoic, his emotions carefully concealed as he gave a nonchalant response. "Grandma, you needn't worry about this matter. I'll handle it."
Her frustration mounting, Grandma King's voice hardened with anger. "I've indulged your whims before, Xander. But this time, you must take responsibility for Anna. Otherwise, there will be consequences!"
Xander offered no retort, instead elegantly straightening his suit jacket and offering a courteous nod before making his exit.
"Fine, whatever," he muttered dismissively as he moved to leave, planting a quick kiss on his grandmother's cheek before departing.
As Xander walked away, Grandma King leaned back in her chair, a sly smile playing at the corners of her lips.
"Go on, Xander, dash away like a startled hare, but mark my words, this time, the game will be played by my rules," Grandma King muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with a mischievous twinkle.
As Xander disappeared from view, Grandma King leaned back in her chair, a gleam of anticipation dancing in her eyes. "Oh, it's on," she whispered to herself, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.
With a graceful exit, Xander left the Kings family's old mansion, the car gliding smoothly away from the grand estate.
