Chapter 41 Mark Steele
As Jose mentioned, someone delivered Ariadne's dinner to her room shortly after. After returning to her room, she freshened up and changed into comfortable clothes.
She was about to eat her dinner when the doorbell rang. She became anxious about who it could be. After what happened at the dinner party, she became purplexed. Nonetheless, she went to open it. Her mood became worse as soon as she saw the person. Without waiting for anything, Crystal entered the room and closed the door.
"How dare you cause a scene at the dinner party? You caused Xander a great loss as he made Tom his enemy. All thanks to you." Crystal yelled, pointing a finger at Ariadne.
She was enraged at Xander's protective behavior toward Ariadne at the dinner party. She kept her cool in front of everyone and refrained from lashing out at her. Now that she had the chance, she didn't waste a second.
"Hold on.. hold on. It wasn't me, but you, who caused Xander's loss." Ariadne pointed.
"Now you are blaming me when, in reality, you are the real cause of this drama. Didn't you tell that man to humiliate me?" she asked sharply.
Crystal fell silent, glaring at her.
"Don't think I will not be able to realize your games." Ariadne added.
"Yes, I ordered him to humiliate you in front of everyone." Crystal remarked, moving closer to her.
"So what? What are you going to do to me? Are you going to tell Xander? Do you think he will believe your words?" she challenged her, smirking.
"I don't need to do anything, just as I didn't do anything at the dinner. Everything was well taken care of without my involvement. Didn't you see it?" Ariadne responded calmly, which irritated Crystal even more.
"Don't fly too high, Aria. Xander backed you just because he respects women. Don't think he has anything for you. He simply protected his image in front of everyone."
"I didn't think anything, Crystal. I'm not interested. I came to enjoy the festival. You better stay away from me and keep Xander away from me as well. Now you can leave; I am going to eat."
Crystal stormed out of the room in a fury.
..........
The next day came with new hopes, and Ariadne prepared to start over. She wore a knee-length dress and came downstairs to join Lady Linda for morning coffee. They were sitting in a place outside the building. It was an open area with a roof and a table.
Ariadne and Linda were accompanied by two other women. They discussed the Autumn Collection and how they liked their jewelry.
After Ariadne revealed her identity at the Gala, everyone knew who she was. It was a big news on the internet, and for a few days after the Gala, Ariadne was the talk of the city. People became more excited as she announced that they would be launching in Zavion City. As they intended to build a workshop as well, they would require a local investor who could help them in managing the business here. In order to find a suitable investor, Ariadne went to the business festival. However, her first day was ruined by Crystal and Tom. She hoped to find someone in the remaining two days.
While they came to this place, some went to the garden, while others stayed in their rooms. As they were talking, a Rolls-Royce pulled up to the entrance. Ariadne had her back to it, so she didn't notice the car.
"Isn't this Mr. Steele?" a woman asked.
"Yes. I think, he has just arrived. I didn't see anyone from the Steele family yesterday." the other woman remarked.
"He's so handsome. He had been abroad for quite some time."
Ariadne furrowed her brow when she heard them. She immediately turned and looked at the man who had just gotten out of the car. The man stood 6.1 inches tall, had dark hair, and wore a black business suit. Ariadne's eyes widened as she recognized him.
"Mark?" She remarked, surprised.
"Yes, he's Mark Steele. The new CEO of the Steele Group. Do you know him?" one of the women asked.
However, Ariadne didn't hear her as she focused on the man. The man was looking around after getting out of the vehicle when his gaze fell on Ariadne.
"Ariadne?" He immediately spoke the name, as he recognized her as well.
Ariadne stood up as the man smiled at her and waved his hand. She approached him, looking at him from head to toe. He had changed a lot.
"Is this really you, Mark?" she asked.
"Yes. It's me." Mark opened his arms and gave her a big smile.
Ariadne giggled and ran the remaining distance between them before jumping into his arms. Mark lifted her and swirled her around. Ariadne screamed like a little girl. Lady Linda and the other two women looked at them with surprise.
"Oh, Mark. I have missed you so much." Ariadne spoke as he lowered her to her feet and broke the hug.
"Me too, Aria. It's been a long time. I see.. you have grown into a gorgeous lady." he praised, looking at her.
"And you have grown into a fine man." Ariadne said mischievously, and they both started laughing.
"Haha. Let's go to my room. We have so much to talk."
"Oh, sorry.. sorry, you must be tired. I kept you standing here."
"Oh, it's absolutely fine. Can you accompany me to my room?"
"Umm.." she glanced back at Lady Linda, unsure.
"I came with them. I will inform them..wait." Ariadne walked towards the ladies.
However, Mark followed her and approached them as well.
"Hi, I am Mark Steele." Mark spoke before Ariadne could say anything.
"We know you, young man." Lady Linda smiled.
"Oh...umm...can I just borrow her for a while? We are childhood friends and met after eight years." Mark asked the elderly woman.
"Oh, sure... no problem."
"See you in the evening, Lady Linda." Ariadne promised her, then turned to the other two women and nodded.
As she said her goodbyes to them, Ariadne felt as if she was being watched. She looked around, but no one was there. However, her attention was drawn to the glass-covered balcony on the third floor. There was another balcony, but it was open and empty. She furrowed her brow, wondering if anyone was behind the glass. She stared at the black glass for a while before averting her gaze and leaving with Mark.
The man behind the glass clenched his jaw as he witnessed the scene.
"Your coffee, Boss." Jose's voice came from behind.
Xander took the mug from him and sipped. "So, Mark Steele is back in town?"
"Yes, Boss." Jose cleared his throat before adding, "He's also staying in the third floor, in the room next to Miss Ariadne."
Xander frowned as the news didn't please him.
Mark Steele was Zavion City's second wealthiest bachelor, after Xander. As the two families were rivals, they didn't like each other. To add his annoyance, Mark was Ariadne's childhood best friend.
"Miss Crystal invited you to have breakfast together in the garden." Jose informed him.
However, Xander didn't respond.
"Isn't there a golf course here?" he asked instead.
"Yes, Boss... behind the resort."
Xander nodded in response before saying, "Get ready... We are going there... now."
"Ok, Boss. I will make the arrangements." Jose immediately left the room to prepare.
.
"Wow. You're in my floor." Ariadne exclaimed as she and Mark entered the room.
"Lucky me... huh?" Mark winked at her, causing her to roll her eyes.
"You haven't changed." she smiled, shaking her head.
Mark was always a fun guy, flirting with Ariadne and making her laugh. They sat on the couch.
"It's a long time." Ariadne sighed, recalling the last time they had met.
Mark went abroad for further study shortly before Ariadne's marriage to Xander, and when he returned after four years, she had already left Zavion City.
"Very long, Aria. How are you?" Mark asked seriously this time.
"I am better now. How are you?"
"As you can see. Perfecty fine." he raised his hands to point at himself and Ariadne giggled.
"I wanted to meet you when I returned, but you had already left... I heard everything."
Silence fell and Ariadne lowered her head as they both became serious.
"I was devastated that I was not there for you during your difficult time. I am sorry, Aria." Mark took her hands in his as he looked into her eyes. He looked sorry.
"Hey, don't say that. Nothing was your fault... it's just... I made a mistake... even though you tried to stop me... But I did not listen to you and... I paid the price." she sighed.
"Even if he didn't want you, he had no right to treat you like that. He took revenge in a disgusting way. I hate him for hurting you." Mark clenched his jaw.
"Hey, relax.. it's all in the past. The difficult time is over, and I have moved on." Ariadne assured him.
"Really?"
She nodded with a smile.
"Good. From now on, nothing bad will happen to you. I am always going to be there for you."
"Thank you, Mark."
"So, tell me about your life.. what you did after leaving Zavion City and returning after so many years?" he asked, leaning into the couch.
Mark had been out of the town for a few months and returned the day before. He rested before joining the festival the next day. So he didn't know what had happened since her return. He only learned of her return and was eager to meet her. Ariadne told him everything about her life and he was stunned. Since they had not seen each other in a long time, they had a lot to catch up on.
After a while, Mark freshened up, and Ariadne ordered food for breakfast. They decided to spend their time after breakfast at the golf course. Mark, like Xander, disliked crowded places. So they went to have a good time in a fresh environment, despite not knowing how to play golf properly.
...
On the golf course, Xander was eating breakfast at a table beneath a large umbrella. There was no one else in the ground besides him and Jose. It was a peaceful environment. He had finished one round and decided to eat his breakfast there before continuing. Jose stood silently beside him, admiring the beautiful view.
"Isn't that Miss Ariadne?" Jose remarked as he spotted two figures approaching the golf course in the distance.
Xander looked in the same direction and noticed them as well.