Chapter 47 A Visit
"None of this would have happened if they had allowed me to stay with you." Crystal said bitterly, expressing her anger.
"They did as they were told. It's not their fault." Xander replied, sipping his juice.
He was eating breakfast with Crystal in his room at noon. Because of the drug, he slept for a long time and woke up a while ago.
"But Xander, you needed me. Only I could have helped you in that situation. We're getting engaged and we have slept before, so what happens if we do it again?" Crystal was furious after hearing what happened last night. She couldn't stand Ariadne near Xander, and last night they almost slept together.
"I dislike doing anything while unconscious."
"You don't do anything in your conscious state either." Crystal expressed her disappointment. "You didn't even kiss me once in these five years. You also refuse to let me near you."
"Crystal, you know the reason. I don't want to talk about it now."
"Yes, I understand that you care about me, and don't want to disrespect me. But what if I want this. I'm not going to hold you responsible for anything. What happened in the past isn't your fault."
"I don't want you to go through something like that again, Crystal. You deserve respect, and I'm only giving you that. Please end this conversation now." Xander dismissed the subject as he became annoyed.
His head was already throbbing from pain.
"Okay... So, when are we leaving the resort?" Crystal changed the subject.
Even though she was upset, she was relieved that nothing had happened between Ariadne and Xander. So, she didn't press the matter any further.
"You can go prepare. We will leave after a while."
"Okay... We have a lot to do since our engagement is next week. I'm very excited." she exclaimed enthusiastically, as she stood up after finishing her breakfast.
Xander nodded but didn't say anything. Toby and Josh walked inside after Crystal left the room.
"Miss Ariadne left the resort early in the morning with Mr. Steele and her friend, Jennifer." Jose informed.
"Okay. We will leave after a while. Make the arrangements." Xander instructed.
Jose nodded before leaving the room to prepare for their departure.
"How are you feeling now?" Toby asked as he sat down on the couch.
"Much better... Where were you two when I went into her room?" Xander looked at him sharply.
"We were a little... busy." Toby didn't tell the truth.
"I need to thank her and also apologize to her." Xander sighed.
He had no recollection of what happened inside the room. However, due to the pain in his groin area when he awoke, and as Toby explained to him, he discovered that he had tried to force himself on Ariadne and she kicked him to the floor before calling for help.
"Yeah." Toby said.
...............
It was a few days after the festival. Xander was looking at his phone while his car was stuck in traffic on his way to the old mansion. He was going to see William after a long time. After a few days, he would get engaged. He had been restless lately. Thousands of thoughts raced through his mind, and he felt uncertain. One particular person was constantly on his mind. However, it wasn't Crystal, but Ariadne. He didn't see her after the festival. He needed to meet her and apologize to her. But, because of his engagement, he became overly preoccupied. He somehow found the time to pay William a visit. Even though he knew William wouldn't attend the party, he would still ask. It was more of an excuse to meet the old man as they rarely met anymore.
He was getting irritated because the car had been standing there for a long time.
"Boss." Jose called him, drawing his attention to him.
When he looked at him, Jose motioned for him to look outside the car. Xander followed his gaze and saw Ariadne and Zidane, walking together into a mall. He frowned while watching them.
"Zidane Watson is in the city? When did he arrive?" he asked, still looking at them.
They disappeared inside the mall. His mood worsened.
"I heard he came two days ago." Jose informed. "He met with Mr. Wright and also visited the construction site."
Clenching his jaw, Xander averted his gaze and focused on the road as the car drove away.
.
After a while, they arrived at the old mansion. Throughout the drive, he kept thinking about Ariadne.
"We're here, Boss." Jose said from the passenger seat.
He got out of the car and went into the mansion. Jose followed behind him.
When he got to the living area, he came to a halt, frowning. He didn't expect to be greeted by the scene that awaited him. Autumn was drawing while sitting on the floor, and William was sitting next to her on the couch.
"What's she doing here?" he asked.
"What do you mean? They're my great-grandchildren, my heirs. Why wouldn't they be here?" William gave him a sharp look.
He was informed about Xander's arrival. Xander rolled his eyes. William always adored Ariadne, and Xander had doubts that he loved her more than his own grandson. So, it wasn't surprising that he adored her kids as well. He could even give them all of his property. So he didn't doubt anything when William referred to them as his heirs.
"Of course. My mistake."
"Hello!" Autumn greeted him with a smile.
"Hello," Xander couldn't help smiling at the girl.
He approached the couch and sat down. Jose followed suit.
"Where's your brother?" he asked her. He wanted to ask about her mother but decided against it.
"He's in the garden." Autumn replied, her eyes fixed on her drawing book.
William stared at them.
"So you have already met with them."
It was a statement rather than a question.
"Of course. Aria had brought them herself to meet with me." William replied, smiling affectionately at the little girl.
"You also developed an attachment to them." Xander commented, looking at his grandfather.
William appeared happy, and he knew it was because of the kids.
"What brings you here?" William asked.
Xander looked at Autumn and hesitated to speak.
"Can we talk in private."
William nodded and turned to Autumn. "Dear, why don't you go play with your brother for a while. After talking with this man, I'll give you a piggyback."
"Really?" Autumn exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Yes, my dear." William laughed.
"Yeee. I'm going to inform Adrian as well." Autumn said as she stood up with her drawing book and dashed to the back of the mansion.
A maid served them coffee, and they all took their mugs.
"Are you really going to give her piggyback?" Xander asked, surprised.
"Of course." William shrugged.
"What do you think you are? Twenty years old?" he frowned at him.
William was in his nineties and had grown weak.
"That's none of your business. Tell me, why are you here?" William asked, shifting the conversation away from the children.
Xander sighed as he leaned into the couch and closed his eyes. William was intently observing him.
"I'll be engaged in three days." Xander said.
"Oh.. so you've decided to go with it." William shook his head, disappointed.
Xander sighed again as he opened his eyes and sat upright.
"Of course, that's why it was announced publicly. I know you don't like Crystal, but she's the best option. And she has earned it..."
"I've no objections to whatever you do, Xander." William interrupted.
"I don't want to know anything about her. If you want to marry her, then you can do so. I only want to see you happy. But.." he paused before adding, "you're not looking happy. You're looking confused or perhaps frustrated." he looked into his eyes.
Xander averted his gaze.
"I'm just tired... Office work and the preparations of the engagement... nothing else." he said.
"If you say so. Then, why are you here?"
"Of course, to invite you to my engagement party."
"Oh... my blessings are always with you. But I don't thing I can attend with my current health." William said.
Xander nodded but didn't say anything. He only wanted to meet with him. William was the only family member he was close to, but that too was in the past. Still, he loved him and felt at ease in his presence. However, his egoistic nature prevented him from confessing it.
"Okay, it's time for me to play with my great-grandchildren." William said before standing up and heading to the back door.
However, he came to a halt and turned around.
"By the way, since you're already here, you can join us for lunch. Of course, if you have the time. It's not every day that you pay this old man a visit." he said before leaving.
Xander stared at his back as he drank his coffee. Silence fell. Jose looked at his boss, who appeared to be deep in thought.
"What are you going to do, Boss? Should we stay for lunch or leave?" he asked, hesitantly.
"We will stay for lunch." Xander said after a while, placing his coffee mug on the table.
He stood up and went in the same direction as William. Jose was surprised for a moment before smiling. He quickly got up and followed his boss.
When Xander entered the garden, he noticed the three people looking at a small, handmade house. It was made out of soil.
"It's beautiful." Xander exclaimed as he examined the house. All three of them turned towards him. Xander approached them.
"Adrian made it." Autumn announced loudly.
Xander looked at the boy, who was covered in mud on his hands and face. He was looking at the house with satisfaction.
"You did excellent work." Xander ruffled his hair.
Adrian smiled as he looked up at him. "Thank you."
"Okay, now go take a bath. After that we will all eat lunch." William announced.
The boy nodded before following a maid inside the mansion.
"Great-Grandpa, you promised to piggyback me." Autumn exclaimed excitedly.
"Of course I did, my dear."
Xander frowned and looked at William.
"He's old, he can't carry you." Xander interjected as Autumn approached William.
"But he promised me." Autumn pouted.
"His bones aren't as strong as ours. He'll break his bones." Xander explained.
However, Autumn's expression became sad.
"Ignore him. I'll give you a piggyback, come." William crouched down and Autumn went to climb on his back. However, Xander held her.
"You're not going to climb on his back." He stated firmly.
Autumn's eyes welled up with fear at his harsh voice.
"You brat. Stop scaring her." William yelled.
Xander became tense, looking at Autumn's face. The girl was about to burst into tears.
"Don't cry. You want a piggyback. Okay, fine. I'll give you that. Please, don't cry." he said quickly to stop the girl from crying.