Chapter 67 Dinner Together
Xander was in a good mood after Alex addressed him as 'Daddy'. He put on a mask and followed them inside the restaurant. As they passed through, Autumn kept looking back at him. When Xander raised his brow at her, she looked away. They entered a private cabin. Xander looked around. It wasn't as cozy as the five-star restaurants, but it was still nice. Everyone took their seats. Tiara sat between the two kids, with Mary next to Adrian and Jose beside Autumn. Xander sat next to Jose. Autumn tugged on Jose's hand, causing him to look at her.
"Why is he wearing a mask?" she asked.
It was loud enough for everyone to hear. Jose looked back at his boss before smiling at her.
"So that no one can recognize him." he replied.
"Why? Are the police looking for him?"
Tiara burst out laughing while Jose pressed his lips together to hold it in. Xander stiffened, embarrassed. His daughter thought he was a criminal. He removed his mask, without saying anything.
"No. Your dad is the most famous person in this country. If he's seen in public, people will bother him." Jose replied, saving his boss.
Autumn and Adrian looked at Xander.
"Is he a celebrity?" Autumn asked, her eyes widening.
Jose smiled at her innocence. "No. He's a businessman."
"Like Mommy?" she exclaimed, turning to face Xander. "Do you also design jewelry?" she asked, curious.
Xander felt at a loss for words. How could he make a four-year-old understand his work? Adrian also appeared curious.
"No. I design... machines." he answered after some thought.
"What machines?
"Um....Computers."
"Wow." Autumn exclaimed in awe.
Adrian stared at him silently.
"Adrian designs toys." she added proudly.
Xander looked at Adrian, surprised.
"Do you have an interest in technology?" he asked him.
However, Adrian didn't reply and averted his gaze. Xander felt ignored.
"Yes, he's interested in technology. He also made several toys at home." Tiara answered for him.
"Oh, really? I would love to see them."
"I left them in Purple City." Adrian replied this time.
"Oh.. no problem. You can make new ones." Xander said.
Adrian simply nodded at him. They placed their orders for dishes. Xander decided to eat something light because he was unsure about the food here.
After a while, the waiter brought their food, followed by a woman.
"Aunt Elisa, how are you?" Autumn asked the woman the moment she saw her.
"I'm fine, my dear." Elisa smiled at her.
"Good evening, Aunt Elisa." Adrian also greeted her.
"Good evening young man."
Xander observed how the children interacted politely with the woman, who was Ariadne's friend. Mary and Tiara greeted her, too.
"Hello Mr. Blake... It's a pleasure to have you visit our restaurant." Elisa greeted Xander and Jose.
The majority of their customers were from the middle class. Only a few upper-class people visited there. Even they were below Xander's status. Xander simply nodded with a smile at the woman before looking at his food.
"Has that girl from your school bothered you again?" Elisa asked, looking at Autumn.
Xander frowned as he heard that and raised his head.
"No. Adrian didn't let them bully me. I've made some new friends as well. We protect one other. Mommy has told me to do so."
"Good... do you know your mother used to protect me and the other kids from bullying at school?"
Xander was shocked. That wasn't what he knew about Ariadne. In fact, Crystal had told him that Ariadne and her friends were the biggest bullies at school. He was confused.
"Really?" Autumn asked.
"Yes. She's a good woman.. ..be like your mother."
The children smiled proudly as their mother was praised.
After a while of talking, Elisa left them to eat their food. They talked while eating. Xander and Adrian were the only ones who ate their food quietly. Xander didn't complain about the food because he found it delicious. They returned to the mansion after dinner.
...
As Xander entered his room, he was struck by nostalgia. He was given Ariadne's room. It was actually his room, but he never stayed there after marrying her. He scanned the empty room before approaching the cupboard and opening it. Her dresses were still neatly stored on one side. He stared at them for a while. He sighed and grabbed some casual clothes from his side to change into. After changing his clothes, he sat on the couch with a glass of wine. There was a knock at his door.
"Come in." he said, assuming it was Jose.
However, the person who entered was Tiara, not Jose. He raised his brow, questioningly.
"Aria has agreed to go meet Axel Chomsky. You can make the arrangements. She told me to let you know." she said.
Xander frowned, as she could have informed him herself. However, he was relieved that she had agreed.
"Okay. Inform her that we will go tomorrow."
"Why not tell her yourself? I'm sure you have her number."
"She also told you to inform me on her behalf. Didn't she?" Xander glared at her.
"Good night, Mr. Blake."
Tiara smirked before turning to leave.
"Wait." Xander stopped her as he remembered something.
"Have the kids slept?" he asked.
"You should check yourself." Tiara replied, turning towards him.
Xander shot her a death glare. He hated it when people disobeyed him.
"Aria does this." she added and left the room.
He drank his wine in complete silence of the room. He exhaled deeply before placing the glass on the table and getting up. He walked up to the door and peeked outside. The mansion was quiet now that everyone had retired to their rooms after returning from the restaurant. Most of the lights were turned off as well. He silently closed the door and began walking towards the children's room. He looked around when he reached their room. He quietly opened the door and entered the room. They were sleeping peacefully in their beds. He smiled while staring at them. After a while, he turned and left the room.
..........
"The audacity of that bitch. She slapped me in front of everyone... In front of the maids... And Xander said nothing to her." Crystal stated, fuming.
She was sitting on the sofa in Margaret's penthouse. Margaret, Emma and Cathy were present with her. Cathy had been living in the penthouse with Margaret since Xander dismissed her from her duties at the mansion.
"She had Mr. Blake kick me out of the mansion. Mr. Blake didn't deny her for once. I worked there for many years, and he fired me like that." Cathy said.
She also didn't forget the humiliation she had to experience because of Ariadne. Her authority was destroyed in front of everyone. She hated Ariadne even more than she did before.
"All this because of that bitch, Ariadne." Emma spoke up.
"I'll talk to Xander. Don't worry." Margaret assured them.
"I don't think he will listen to you." Cathy stated.
"He has moved into the mansion with Jose." she added.
Despite being sent away from the mansion, she still had a few loyal maids who reported everything that happened there to her.
"What?" Margaret was shocked.
"So she's using her kids to get Xander back. We can't let this happen." Emma said, gritting her teeth. There was urgency in her voice.
"It will never happen. That bitch will never be in my son's life." Margaret yelled. Her hatred for Ariadne was visible in her eyes.
"But she's the mother of Xander's children." Crystal expressed her concerns.
"I haven't acknowledged those kids and will never do so. You will bear the Blakes' heirs." she declared.
"But Xander..."
"Let him do whatever he wants now. Once you become his wife, everything will change." Margaret said, giving her an assuring smile.
Crystal smirked. Though she had no idea why Margaret hated Ariadne so much, she was happy to take advantage of it.
"Yes, we need to get them married as soon as possible, before that bitch can do anything else." Emma remarked.
They all nodded in agreement.
.....
"So, what information do you have on the crippled child?" Crystal asked.
"My informer couldn't reach him. There's tight security around him, and he's always accompanied by someone." Pamela said, which irritated Crystal.
They met again. This time, they chose a different place.
"But he did get some information." Pamela added.
Crystal's face lit up with anticipation.
"The surgery was successful, and he's currently undergoing walking therapy."
Crystal nodded, not particularly impressed, as she already knew this much. She was desperate to find out something about Ariadne. Her main concern at the moment was the kids, so she kept a close eye on them.
"Okay. Here's two million." she said, taking a package from her bag and placing it in front of Pamela.
Pamela took the package and placed it in her own bag carefully. Crystal watched her movements with hawk eyes.
"Thank you." Pamela gave her a shippish smile.
"When will you give me all of the copies?"
"After you have paid the full amount."
Crystal had paid her once before. The last transaction was completed via online payment. This time, she arrived with cash.
"Okay, your payment will be completed the next time. I want all of the copies at our next meeting."
"Yeah, sure."
"And don't double cross me this time." Crystal warned her.
"I wouldn't dare."