Chapter 30 In the Restaurant
"Why are we here?" Xander looked around, sitting on the chair at a table of two people in an opening.
The place was beautifully decorated. There were a few tables, each located a long distance away, providing privacy. They were surrounded by grass and trees, and the lights created a romantic atmosphere. Crystal had invited Xander to dinner and insisted on choosing the restaurant.
"Well, it's a new restaurant and we had not been here before, so I thought we should try something new." Crystal stated, adjusting herself in her seat.
"It's Watson Group's restaurant."
"I know."
Despite the fact that Watson Croup and Blake Corporation were working on a project together, Xander still disliked them. So he was not happy that Crystal took him to Watson Group's newly opened restaurant. It's the same place where the majority of Watson Group employees lived, including Ariadne. Xander's expression hardened at the thought of her, and he turned to Crystal.
"Have you come here to create a scene? You know that Ariadne lives here." he narrowed his eyes at her.
A lot of drama had already occurred between them. It was as if the situation had resumed exactly where Ariadne had left the city five years ago, with everyone's hatred for her having increased tenfold. Any time, another issue could arise between them. And Xander was becoming increasingly irritated by this.
"What? No. How could you even think that, Xander? I have never created a scene. It was always Ariadne. I have always done what you said. Even I had no idea that she lives here. How could you..." Crystal's eyes moistened.
Xander sighed and closed his eyes, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. He was not in a good mood for a few days.
"Look, don't cry. I am simply not in my right mind. I am currently dealing with a lot.... and these dramas." he opened his eyes and looked at Crystal.
"I don't want any unnecessary trouble right now. My intention was not to hurt you." he said softly.
"I know. I will never do anything you dislike. I know you are very busy. The gala is in just a few days. I only wanted you to get some fresh air." Crystal explained.
Xander relaxed after seeing her smile. This was Crystal's speciality. She never gave Xander a hard time and always tried to understand the situation.
"I have heard a lot about this restaurant. And look, it's all true. It's such a romantic place."
"Yeah the place is beautiful." Xander admitted, looking around again.
The tension eased, and they resumed their conversation.
"Are the participants the same as last year, or have there been any changes?" Crystal said after a while, changing the subject.
"Red Diamond will be replaced."
"By which brand?"
"Autumn Collection." Xander frowned as he uttered the name.
Crystal paused. "What? Autumn collection?"
"Yes."
"Finally... Xander, you must gift me at least one of their items." she smiled broadly.
"Sure."
"l love their jewelry. But I could not get my hands on their product."
Autumn Collection was essentially a Purple City brand, so their showroom was in Purple City. They sold their products all over the world via their website. However, they didn't sell their limited-edition items online. So those who didn't visit Purple City were unable to purchase their limited-edition items.
"You could have told me and I would have brought one for you." Xander replied, making Crystal blush.
"You are very sweet."
With the mention of Autumn Collection, something came to her mind.
"Your mother mentioned that Ariadne had given her an Autumn Collection bag." she paused "Also....that... you insulted her in front of the entire staff." she added hesitantly.
"No one has insulted her. She humiliated herself by accepting the bag." Xander didn't hide his displeasure on the matter.
"Xander, it's a compensation from them, that they offered on their own. It's not like your mother asked for the bag." Crystal said plainly.
"Has she started complaining about me to you?"
"It's not like that. She is close to me, so she simply shared her feelings."
Xander nodded, knowing her mother was indeed close to Crystal. They also went shopping together quite often. Xander recalled how Ariadne and Margaret never got along well. In fact, Margaret despised Ariadne. However, she did like Crystal and they had a good relationship.
Being with Crystal was very easy for Xander. No one was against their relationship; rather, they believed Crystal was the best option for Xander because she was a beautiful and successful woman. Though his Grandpa disliked Crystal, he didn't say anything after his divorce from Ariadne. In addition, Crystal was a very submissive girl who understood Xander well. She always tried to please him and never went against his wishes or did anything he disliked. She knew how to handle Xander's rage as well. It was also easy for Xander to pursue her if Crystal became angry. He only needed to buy her an expensive gift, and she would be satisfied. It was a huge relief for him, as he was not a romantic man and didn't like pursuing women. And she never attempted to dominate him. That was why Xander was never irritated and always felt at ease in her presence.
Ariadne, on the other hand, was an entirely different story. One thing Ariadne was very good at was to enrage Xander. He could never be calm in front of her.
"Mr. Hart." Crystal said abruptly, looking behind Xander, jolting him out of his thoughts.
Xander frowned before turning his head and saw Mr. Hart, Ariadne's manager. The man smiled at them and hesitantly approached their table.
"What a pleasant surprise? Mr. Hart, how are you?" Crystal greeted the man.
However, Xander remained silent.
"I am fine, Miss Crystal. Thank you for asking." He said before turning to Xander. "Good evening Mr. Blake."
Xander nodded at him.
"I don't mean to ruin your dinner date. I just came to drop off my daughter at the park." Mr. Hart cleared his throat, afraid Xander would resent him for disrupting their date.
"Oh, it's not like that." Crystal said politely. "So, you also live here?"
"Yes. Most of Watson Group's employees live here."
"Oh, I see."
"It's a pleasure for us that you have come here for your date."
Since the restaurant was new, it would gain more exposure if someone like Xander visited.
"Miss Ariadne would have come to greet you two, but she is out of town." he added.
"Out of town?" Xander asked this time.
"Yes, she went to Purple City for some work. Her kids are at the park."
Xander and Crystal both looked at the park. Even though the park was quite far away, Xander spotted the two siblings playing happily with other children. There were about 7-8 children in the park, along with some elderly people and guards.
'She left the children alone?' He pondered in his mind.
Then he remembered Mary looked after the children. He assumed it would be a few days' journey. However, he could not stop thinking about why Ariadne had gone to Purple City.
"I should leave now. Have a good evening." Mr. Hart left as the waiter brought their dinner.
As they concentrated on the food, nobody spoke. Xander's eyes were occasionally drifting towards the park.
Suddenly, their attention was drawn when they heard a commotion. They noticed that everyone in the park had gathered in one spot, as if something had happened there. Xander frowned.
"What's happening there?" Crystal asked, also frowning.
From the crowd, a man dashed to the back of the restaurant. Xander stood up from his chair when he heard someone called out for a doctor. Without thinking, he began walking towards the park.
"Xander, wait. Where are you going?" Crystal also got up and followed him.
He walked through the crowd and came to a halt when he saw the scene in front of him. There was an old man sitting on the ground, terrified. A woman held him securely. A shattered tile lay just inches away from him. And just beside the shattered tile was Adrian, sitting with his hands holding his bleeding leg. He was in pain. Autumn was sobbing beside him, trembling.
"What happened?" Xander approached the boy and examined the injury.
"The roof tile of the swing has fallen. It would have fallen on the elderly man if this little boy hadn't arrived and pushed him in time. But the tile fell on his leg instead." a man in a guard uniform informed, making Xander frowned.
"We need a doctor." he said before taking out his handkerchief and tying it around Adrian's leg, where the cut was.
"Aah." Adrian yelped with pain.
Xander looked at the boy's face. Adrian was trying hard to hold back his tears.
"A guard went to get the doctor. The building has a first-aid room. We need to get them there." the guard said.
Xander looked at the elderly man, who appeared pale. But he had no injuries; he was simply shocked.
"Let's go then?" Xander lifted Adrian into his arms.
"Ummm, Sir, I think I should carry him." the guard said hesitantly.
"Bring the elderly man with you. I am taking the kid." he instructed.
...
"It's just a cut and will heal within in a few days. There's no fractured bone." the doctor said after examining Adrian's leg.
"Who are you?" Xander asked the man dressed in a guard's uniform.
He was watching Adrian while the Doctor bandaged his wound after injecting him. Autumn and Crystal stood next to them.
"I am a guard here, Sir."
"Why is no one from his family with them?"
"Their family members do sometimes stay with them here, but not always. We watched over the children while they played by themselves. They are safe here." he informed.
Xander nodded.
"There's nothing to worry about. Just make sure to have a checkup tomorrow." the doctor said as he finished his work.
"Where is their apartment?" Xander asked as he approached Adrian on the small bed, followed by Autumn.
"In the upper floor. I will drop them safely." the guard said.
"Are you feeling better now, Adi?" Autumn asked.
"Yes." Adrian answered slowly.
"Show me the way." Xander said seriously, leaving no room for debate.
"Ok, Sir."
"Let's go." Xander said to the kids before lifting Adrian back into his arms.
The children did not protest and simply obeyed him. Crystal wanted to tell Xander that they didn't need to bring Adrian to his apartment as the guard could do it. However, seeing his expression, she refrained from doing so.
The guard led the way.