CHAPTER 87
As Arianna approached the front desk, the young receptionist politely intercepted her, explaining that she wasn't listed as a guest for the hotel's presidential suite. If Arianna wished to go upstairs, she needed permission from the registered guest.
The realization stung Arianna. Just the night before, Ronald had escorted her up without issue, but now she faced a bureaucratic hurdle. Frustrated, she pulled out her phone and hesitated before dialing Xander's number.
Rochelle's words had ignited a spark of hope within Arianna's heart. For the past two years, she had struggled to heal from the public humiliation of their breakup. The pain was a constant companion, and the wounds felt as fresh as the day Xander abruptly called off their wedding.
As she waited for him to pick up, Arianna wrestled with conflicting emotions. On one hand, Rochelle's advice urged her to seek clarity and possibly mend their fractured relationship. On the other hand, fear gripped her — fear of rejection, of reopening old wounds, and of facing the truth that perhaps Xander had never truly loved her.
From then on, the ache had always lingered, a thorn buried deep within her heart. It surfaced intermittently, causing sharp pangs, yet Arianna could never quite pluck it out.
Maybe the only path to true liberation was to confront it head-on...
The dial tone echoed in her ears, quickening Arianna's pulse with each passing second. She had no idea what response awaited her. Would it mirror the pain of two years ago, or was there a chance for reconciliation, a chance that perhaps misunderstandings had clouded their past?
In those fleeting moments, Arianna's thoughts swirled in a chaotic whirlwind, emotions churned, and her mind raced with uncertainty.
At last, the call connected, and in that breathless moment, her world seemed to hold its breath along with her.
"Hello." The voice that responded wasn't the familiar, deep resonance of Xander's. Instead, it was a soft, melodious female voice.
"Hi, who am I speaking with?"
Arianna was taken aback, her mind racing with disbelief. Could she have dialed the wrong number? She quickly glanced at her phone screen, confirming the eleven digits matched Xander's number precisely. There was no mistake.
Yet, the voice on the other end belonged to a woman.
Confusion and a tinge of anxiety crept into Arianna's thoughts. Why was a woman answering Xander's phone? What could this mean?
The voice on the other end persisted in its sweetness, unaware of Arianna's turmoil.
"Hello? Who are you? Are you looking for Mr. King? He's in the middle of changing his clothes, so it's not a good time—"
Arianna couldn't bear to hear any more. The reality sank in with brutal clarity, shattering her impulsive hopes and leaving her feeling foolish and vulnerable. Without another word, she disconnected the call.
Standing amidst the empty hotel lobby, Arianna felt a profound sense of loneliness. The bustling atmosphere of earlier had vanished, leaving her isolated in her disappointment.
She couldn't help but realize that those who had access to his private suite were either intimately close to him or had received his explicit permission. The stark truth pierced through her, leaving her feeling exposed and deeply hurt.
Xander had already summoned another woman mere moments after Arianna had departed. It was likely another confidante of his. Knowing his nature, he was meticulous about his personal belongings, particularly something as intimate as a cell phone.
One could only speculate about the depth of their relationship if she had the liberty to casually answer his calls!
If that were indeed the case, he should have summoned her the previous night instead of feigning innocence and pretending to be a pure hearted man !
Perhaps it was a stroke of luck that Xander didn't pick up the call. Had he answered, Arianna might have foolishly questioned him about the real reasons behind their abrupt breakup two years ago, setting herself up for potential ridicule.
While it was undeniable that Xander had come to her rescue multiple times, it was only because she served a purpose to him. He needed her to maintain appearances for the sake of the King family matriarch and to facilitate his dalliances elsewhere. There was no deeper sentiment involved.
Arianna blamed herself as well—she had failed to control her emotions during that period and still harbored remnants of her misguided feelings for him.
She deserved this disappointment!
Emotions surged within Arianna as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. With a determined breath, she composed herself, swallowing back the tears. Pocketing her phone, she turned on her heel and departed without a moment's hesitation.
