Chapter 66 Responsibility
"You fool! What do you think you're doing?" William yelled from the other end as soon as Xander answered the call.
He sighed and rubbed his brows with his fingertips. His head was throbbing.
"Do you want your kids to grow up as orphans?"
He frowned at his words.
"You took them away from their mother and kept them in that mansion while you're still at your penthouse. What's the meaning of this? They have grown up without a father. You have now also separated them from their mother. If you can't stay with them, then why did you take them?" William continued to scold him, without giving him a chance to speak.
"Grandpa I.."
"This's the last time I've helped you." he cut him off.
Xander paused upon hearing this.
"You asked her to bring them back." he said. It was a statement rather than a question.
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"But if you make another mistake... I'll never ask her to reconsider anything. Don't disappoint me."
"It's only a few days, Grandpa. I'm still processing the fact that they're my children. I need some time."
"That's why you have been given a second chance. But keep in mind that you don't have time and it's because of your own fault." William ended the call.
Xander sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He poured a glass of wine and took a sip.
"No one understands me or my situation." he said with a sigh and leaned back on the couch, closing his eyes.
Toby looked at him with sympathy.
"You made a mistake by bringing them to the mansion. You should've waited and discussed the matter with Aria. This way, the situation wouldn't have been as complicated." Toby said, looking at his tired face.
Xander nodded. "I was furious." he admitted his mistakes.
"Now that you have done it, don't back down from your responsibility."
Xander nodded in response to his words.
"Crystal is behaving out of line. You feel guilty towards her, which is why you have given her so much power. She had always made full use of it. But now she's going overboard. She's not your wife yet, but she acts like she owns everything. She even defied your orders. I warn you, this's just the beginning." Toby added.
Xander listened to him silently, saying nothing.
"What happened five years ago was wrong, but you weren't solely responsible. Ariadne had proven that it could've been prevented. I think she wanted you from the beginning. It's high time you took everything seriously. The kids are on the line."
Xander remained quiet. He appeared deep in thought. The room went silent.
"What's your impression of Cathy?" he asked abruptly after a while.
Toby frowned in confusion. "To be honest, I've never liked that woman. What's the matter?" he asked.
"Nothing serious."
Toby didn't push any further.
"Arrange two rooms in the mansion. Jose and I will be moving there tomorrow." Xander added as he sat up to drink his wine.
"You can take me along, too. I can help you win the kids over." Toby offered.
He was aware that the children hadn't fully accepted Xander as their father yet. As a father, he knew how to get along with children.
"No. You have a family. Stay with them. I'll manage."
"Okay, as you like."
"It's late... go home." Xander dismissed him as he finished his drink.
Toby looked at him for a moment before walking away. Xander leaned against the couch, closing his eyes. He recalled the conversation between Ariadne and Cathy. He didn't accompany Crystal and Emma to their car. He returned from the door and overheard their conversation. He was shocked by Cathy's words. She was Xander's babysitter and cared for him even after he had grown up. He brought her into the mansion in the hopes that she would take care of Ariadne like a mother. He knew she was angry at Ariadne for her actions, but he had no idea she hated her so much. He didn't confront her right away, instead sending her to Margaret.
..........
"You can do it Alex." everyone encouraged him.
Alex was standing with the help of his special chair, ready to take his first step. He gritted his teeth and stared at the floor, determined. The elders looked at him, nervous and hopeful. Adrian and Autumn had smiles on their faces. As usual, Xander stood at a distance. After a while of trying, Alex managed to lift his right foot.
"Yeee." the kids and Tiara cheered.
Alex landed his foot forward. He then lifted his left foot and placed it forward. His eyes widened and he smiled.
"Mommy, I can walk." he exclaimed, overjoyed.
"Yes, my baby." Ariadne smiled through tears.
Mary also wiped the tears from her eyes. Everyone was happy.
"Excellent."
The doctors were pleased with his progress.
After therapy, they made Alex sit in his chair. Ariadne pushed the wheelchair, and they all went to the hospital park.
"Once I'm discharged from the hospital, I'll beat you both in running." Alex declared proudly.
Everyone laughed. Xander also smiled as he watched them from a distance.
"Daddy, come here." Alex blurted out, looking at him.
Everyone fell silent and looked at him. Xander, on the other hand, stiffened as for the first time, one of them addressed him as 'Daddy'.
He looked at everyone before approaching Alex. No one had spoken with him since the previous day's events.
"I did it, Daddy. Did you see?" Alex asked, excitedly.
Ariadne moved aside as Xander crouched in front of him.
"Yes. You did good." he smiled and ruffled the boy's hair.
.
The children spent some time with Alex before bidding him farewell. Tiara and Jose led them to the car. Mary followed them while Ariadne stayed with Alex. The place fell silent as only Alex, Xander, and Ariadne remained. Ariadne avoided looking at him.
"There's no need of it, but as you want, she can stay with us." Xander said, referring to Tiara.
"As I said before, I don't trust you." Ariadne said, looking at Alex, who was playing with a toy.
Xander thanked her for sending the kids back to the mansion. However, she made it clear that she was only doing this for her kids. Mary and Tiara would stay at the mansion to ensure the children's safety.
"I've something to say." he said, clearing his throat.
"If you want to say that, Crystal's innocent... I'm not interested. I don't care what she's.. just keep her away from my kids or I'll do it on my own, which you will not like." she glared at him.
"It's not about Crystal.... it's about your jewelry brand." he said, making her frown.
"What about my jewelry brand?" Ariadne narrowed her eyes at him.
Xander couldn't help but chuckle at her suspicion.
"I only mean good," he said, waving his hands in the air.
"I talked to a gemstone dealer. They have agreed to work with us." he added.
"Who?"
"Axel Chomsky."
Ariadne's eyes widened upon hearing the name. Axel Chomsky was the world's most well-known dealer. He was a legendary man. Everyone wanted to do business with him, but didn't get the opportunity as he chose his partners very carefully.
"You mean the great Axel Chomsky?"
"Yes. He has returned from his foreign trip and will spend a few days at his village house. He has invited us to meet with him in person." he explained.
"Within the next few days?" Ariadne asked.
"Yes. I can schedule it for tomorrow if you agree to go."
"No.. I can't go right now." Ariadne replied after some thought.
"It's only for two days. He will leave in a few days. We should seize this opportunity."
"I can't leave my kids alone when everyone is after them. Alex is also undergoing therapy." Ariadne shook her head.
"I'll handle everything. Nobody will bother the kids anymore. I promise. Jose and Toby will be staying with them." he said.
"I don't trust you." Ariadne turned away from him, approaching Alex.
Xander sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Okay... but think about it again, and let me know if you change your mind." he said from behind.
Ariadne turned and glared at him before pushing Alex's wheelchair towards the building.
......
"Take us to this place." Tiara handed her phone to Jose.
They were on their way to the Mansion. It was the first time the kids travelled with their father. Xander sat beside the window, with his brooding aura. Both of the kids remained silent. Even Autumn didn't say more than was neccesary.
"It's a restaurant." Jose said, looking at the location on the screen.
"Restaurant?" Xander asked, puzzled.
"The kids want to eat dinner at that restaurant. We've been there a few times. Aria's friend owns the restaurant." Tiara explained.
"Which restaurant is this?" he asked.
"It's just an average restaurant, Boss. Not a five-star one." Jose replied hesitantly.
Xander had never been to a cheap restaurant before.
Tiara rolled her eyes. "Oh, common... They have good food." she stated.
"Yes. I love their food." Autumn exclaimed, excitedly.
However, her smile faded when her gaze met Xander's, who frowned at her.
"I want to go there." she pouted, crossed her arms and glared at him in defiance.
Xander raised his brow at her. She was protesting. Adrian also glared at him.
"Okay. Let's go there." he replied.
He had a faint smile on his face, amused by their behavior. Autumn smiled with joy.
After a while, the car came to a halt in front of a restaurant. When Xander looked around, he recognized the place.
"It's..." he murmured under his breath.
It was the same place where Ariadne used to come during her school days. It belonged to her friend's father. He once advised her not to associate with such people, but she ignored his advice. It had grown into a big restaurant now, but it was still not suitable for people like him.
The children got out of the car. However, Xander remained in his seat.
"Are you not coming with us, Boss?" Jose asked.
Xander was about to reply when Tiara interjected. "Aria brings them here frequently and eats with them as well. The kids will be upset if you refuse to join them, Mr. Blake."
Xander narrowed his eyes at her before he sighed.
"I'm coming." he finally agreed.