Chapter 22 Birthdays
"Okay, let me know if you find someone. Yes, good night." Ariadne ended the conversation with Mr. Hart.
It was almost midnight. She was in her room as everyone retired to their rooms after dinner. The kids had also fallen asleep. She decided to draw some designs as there would be no work the next day since it was sunday. She took her notebook and began to draw.
After some time, her bedroom door clicked open, and two heads peeked through the slightly ajar opening. Ariadne became startled before realizing it was her kids.
"Happy birthday, Mommy!" they shouted together, making Ariadne's eyes widened.
She had totally forgotten that today was her birthday. The two kids dashed into the room and climbed into the bed. Ariadne smiled, covering her mouth with both hands. They sat either side of her.
"Thank you." She kissed on their cheeks while hugging both of them.
"You two are awake at this time!" Ariadne said looking at the kids, as it was past their bedtime.
"They told me to wake them up so they could wish you." Tiara answered for them as she entered the room, with a beautiful cake in her hands.
"Happy birthday, Aria!" she said with a big smile.
"Thank you, Tia."
"OK, kids, help me put this cake on the table." Tiara said as she approached the table in the room.
The kids climbed down the bed and went to help Tiara. Ariadne set her drawing book aside and approached them as well. Within a few minutes, the cake was ready.
"Now, it's time to cut the cake." Tiara announced.
"Yee." The kids clapped excitedly.
Ariadne blew out the candles before cutting the cake. She fed the cake to Adrian and Autumn first, followed by Tiara.
"Wait a minute, Mommy." Autumn said before both children dashed out of the room, and returned with gifts in their hands.
They handed the gifts to Ariadne.
"Oh, my god. You two have prepared gifts for me! Thank you."
Autumn had made Ariadne a card, and Adrian had brought her a pen.
"Wow...These are really beautiful."
Tiara also gifted her a bracelet.
"Mommy, Let's celebrate your birthday at a restaurant this year." Autumn suggested.
In Purple City, they used to celebrate Ariadne's birthday at home. As Zavion City was new to them, they wanted to explore the city.
"Okay, in the evening, we will go to a restaurant." she agreed.
They made their plan.
"Okay, everyone, get some sleep so we can look good in the evening." Tiara said, making everyone laugh.
.....
In the evening they went to Xaika, a five star restaurant. They visited the hospital before coming here. Tiara stayed with Alex, while Ariadne and Mary took the children to the restaurant. The restaurant had private cabins. The cabins were not like rooms. They had waist-length walls and open entrance with no doors. Others could see the people in the cabin, but it was still separated from them, giving them some privacy.
As they arrived, the attendant directed them to their reserved cabin.
"Ariadne!" someone called out as they were on their way to the cabin, causing them to halt.
Ariadne gritted her teeth as she recognized the voice. She reluctantly turned to face Crystal and Xander.
"Hi, Aria." Crystal smiled broadly as she stood beside Xander, holding his arm.
She was dressed in a gorgeous orange dress, while Xander wore a navy blue suit. Crystal's gaze shifted to Mary and the kids.
"Who are these kids with you?" she asked, confused.
"Mommy, it's the man..."
"What.... Mommy? Are they your children?" Autumn's words were cut off by Crystal, who was entirely shocked.
"Yes." Ariadne answered.
"Are you serious? You are not joking, right?" she couldn't believe it.
"These are my children, Crystal." Ariadne assured her.
Crystal's face paled as the first thought that came to her mind was whether Xander was the father of the children. She glanced at Xander who had a cold expression on his face. Crystal doubted her assumption.
"Who are they, Mommy." Autumn asked, drawing everyone's attention.
"I am your aunt." Crystal masked her insecurities and continued her sweet behavior. "And this is..."
"He is Mr. Blake. We have met him before." Autumn blurted out, causing Crystal's eyes to widen with another shock.
Xander cocked an eyebrow at the little girl, impressed by her memory.
"You are so adorable. What's your name?" Crystal asked.
"Autumn."
"It's a beautiful name."
"Yes I know. Thank you." Autumn gave Crystal a smile.
Xander was amused by her comment.
"Oh.... and yours?" Crystal looked at Adrian.
"My name is Adrian Miller." the boy said politely.
He was silent untill then.
"Nice name. It's nice to meet you too, Mary." Crystal said, to which Mary just nodded.
"So, are you here for dinner?" Crystal asked Ariadne.
The restaurant was expensive. Only upper-class people came here.
"We have come to celebrate mommy's birthday." Autumn answered.
Xander looked at Ariadne, recalling that Crystal and Ariadne had the same birthdate. However, he remained silent, indifferent, and didn't wish her.
"Oh...nice. We also came to celebrate. Today is my birthday as well." Crystal said as she moved closer to Xander and tilted her head up to look at his face with affection.
Xander smiled slightly.
"Ooo... Happy birthday, Miss." Autumn wished her.
"Call me Aunt Crystal." she said with a smile before looking at Ariadne.
Anyone who saw Crystal would assume she was a very kind-hearted woman. Ariadne wanted to roll her eyes.
"Happy birthday, Aria. How about we celebrate together?" Crystal proposed, causing Xander to frown, which didn't go unnoticed by Ariadne.
"I don't think that would be... appropriate. You two should celebrate privately. We shouldn't disturb you. Mr. Blake wouldn't like that. Let's celebrate it privately with our loved ones. And, yes, Happy Birthday, Crystal. Have a good evening and enjoy the day. We should leave now." Ariadne said without giving Crystal a chance to protest.
It was not like Crystal would have protested. After all, she would prefer to spend the evening alone with Xander. She proposed just to pretend as a kind person in front of Xander. However, Ariadne knew Crystal better than anyone else, especially Xander.
"Let's go kids." Ariadne left with her family for their cabin, without waiting for a reply.
.
"You have met her children before! Why didn't you tell me?" Crystal blurted out as soon as they settled into their cabin, which was two cabins away from Ariadne's.
"What's there to tell?" Xander shrugged.
"Are .... Are they yours?" Crystal asked hesitantly.
"What? No. Why shouId they be mine?" Xander frowned.
The topic of Ariadne's children always irritated him and made him angry. However, he failed to notice Crystal's relief when she heard his words.
"Umm...I am just confirming. She would never have left, if they were yours, because they would have been her strongest weapon in forcing you to stay with her. Grandpa William also would have supported her." Crystal stated.
"Hmm, exactly." Xander's face darkened with a complicated expression as he pondered Crystal's words.
"She is not married. Then who's the father of her kids?" Crystal added.
"Why are you concerned about the father of her children?"
"She is my sister, Xander. I am just worried. I hope she didn't get pregnant after sleeping with some random guy." Crystal said, pretending to be a caring sister, while tarnishing Ariadne's image at the same time.
Xander clenched his teeth but didn't say anything.
"Anyways, the children are adorable. They are happy and enjoying their lives."
"Yes." Xander recalled their smiling faces, especially the kids.
"Our child would have been the same age if...."
"Don't bring up the past." Xander cut her off.
"Yeah, I just.. forget it."
The waiter delivered dinner and drinks to their cabin, and they began eating.
...
"Are you sure, you don't want help?"
"Yes, Mommy. I will be fine." Adrian assured her mother.
The two stood a few feet away from the men's restroom. Adrian told Ariadne that he needed to use the restroom after finishing their dinner, so she brought him here.
"Ok. Call me if you need anything." Ariadne agreed reluctantly.
Inside the empty restroom, leaning his back against the wall beside the sink, Xander was smoking a cigarette. He heard a click, and the door opened, revealing a child entering the restroom. Xander recognized him immediately. However, he didn't stop smoking.
Adrian looked at him and his cigarette for a while before getting down to his business. He felt uncomfortable as Xander watched his every move. Adrian turned his head to meet his gaze and Xander looked away, amused. Adrian zipped his pant after finishing his business. Then he headed to the sink. Xander's gaze returned to him. He used the small basin provided for children to wash his hands. There was also a stool by the sink. He moved the stool in front of the larger sink and climbed on it. He washed his face before wiping it with a tissue, then looked in the mirror to check for any dirt. Xander was impressed by how smoothly Adrian did his business without any help. Children his age usually needed help to use a restroom, especially in a restaurant.
"You shouldn't smoke in front of a child." Adrian stated as he finished his work.
He also replaced the stool where it had been previously before washing his hands again.
Xander cocked an eyebrow at him, trying to intimidate the child. However, Adrian didn't budge and continued to stare at him. Xander was surprised to see that the child wasn't afraid of him. Every child feared his intimidating glare. He lifted his cigarette, which was almost finished, and smashed it's head against the wall before discarding it in the trash can.
.
Ariadne was concerned as she waited near the men's restroom for Adrian. She once considered knocking on the door, but decided against it as there could be other men. After a while, the door finally opened, and Adrian walked out.
"Have you done?" Ariadne hurriedly approached him.
"Yeah."
"Did you have any problem using the washroom?"
"No, Mommy."
"Good boy." Ariadne sighed, smiling.
The door opened, interrupting their conversation, and Xander emerged from the restroom. Their eyes locked, and silence fell.
"Oh, Mr. Blake." Ariadne smiled awkwardly.
"We should go now. Let's go, Adrian." Ariadne held Adrian's hand and turned to leave.
"Ariadne!" Ariadne stopped as Xander called her name.
Both the mother and son turned and looked at Xander.
"Happy birthday." Xander said, startling Ariadne.
She didn't expect him to wish her. He never wished her birthday during their marriage.
"Thank you." she nodded before they resumed walking.
Xander looked at their retreating figures. Adrian looked back at him before they turned down the hallway, making Xander smirk.