Chapter 50 A Conversation
The drive to Xander's penthouse was silent. Ariadne remained at the far end, away from Xander. Her dress drenched the seat beneath her. However, he appeared unconcerned. His attention was focused on his phone. Ariadne felt awkward. After what happened at the festival, she wanted to stay away from him at all cost. Unfortunately, she was always caught up in an unexpected situation with him. Furthermore, it was her first time riding with him, which made things even more awkward.
She wasn't sure if Xander was aware of it or not.
They arrived at the tall building. The large, bright nameplate that read "PEARL" was visible to her. It was one of the most famous buildings in Zavion City. When the car entered the premises, it didn't stop at the front entrance. It rounded the building and came to a stop at the back entrance. She had never been here before, so she looked around curiously.
They got out of the car. Xander started walking without saying anything and entered the building. Ariadne followed him. She took in the lavish place as they made their way to the elevator.
When they got into the elevator, she realized they were alone. His men didn't follow them. She felt self-conscious as the elevator door closed. She lowered her head, while Xander stood silently behind her.
She felt suffocated being alone in a lift with him. The seconds felt like hours to her. After a while, the elevator door opened.
"We're here." Ariadne was startled by Xander's voice and looked back at him.
However, Xander didn't look at her and left the elevator, walking past her. She followed him. She looked around and saw that they were in a small corridor with only one door.
"What place is this?" she asked.
"My penthouse." Xander said, looking at her.
"Your penthouse?" Ariadne exclaimed in shock.
Everyone, including Ariadne, knew that Xander never brought anyone to his penthouse, not even his Grandpa. However, she told herself that he might have changed that rule. After all, a lot had changed over the last five years.
"In the past, you wouldn't let anyone into your penthouse." she commented.
"I still don't." he replied as he pressed a few buttons on the pad attached to the door.
A small screen above the keypad lit up and he pressed his thumb to scan.
Ariadne was stunned by his response.
"I can change elsewhere. You don't need to bring me to your penthouse." she said.
She didn't want to go into his penthouse if he didn't like it.
"Since I've brought you here, it's only fair that I take you to my penthouse rather than somewhere else." he replied, casually.
The door opened with a click. However, Ariadne appeared uncertain.
"I wouldn't have brought you here if I had an issue with it. Get inside." he added, gesturing for her to enter.
She was both surprised and uncertain. Nonetheless, she entered and found herself in the midst of darkness. The lights turned on one by one in a few seconds, illuminating the luxurious living room. Xander entered after her and closed the door. She looked around with awe.
The place exuded class. Everything in the place was grey or black, including the walls. However, the atmosphere was soothing and peaceful. Ariadne never got to know about Xander's preferences in home decor. The mansion where she used to lived during their marriage was mostly painted white, which she preferred.
"This way." Xander said before walking past her and entering a room.
Ariadne calmed herself down and followed him. When she entered the room, she realized it was a bedroom.
"You should take a bath before putting on dry clothes. There's mud on you." he said, standing near the door, and looked at her lower body.
"Oh shit...I'm sorry. Your house will be dirty." Ariadne felt embarrassed when she looked down at her dirty dress and shoes. She had not noticed it earlier.
"People are there to clean. Don't bother with that." Xander said with a blank expression.
"The bathroom's there, and the bathrobe's in the cupboard, inside. Take your bath while I get a dress ready for you." he pointed to the bathroom for her and left the room, closing the door.
When left alone, Ariadne looked around the room. The room was quite large and lavish, with a dark interior. She entered the bathroom after placing her bag on the table next to the couch. She expected the bathroom to be painted black or gray as well. However, it was all white. She opened the cupboard and found the bathrobes, neatly arranged inside. She took one and quickly got to work. She wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.
After a while, she opened the bathroom door and peeked outside. When she was certain that no one was present, she exited the bathroom wearing an ankle-length bathrobe. She looked around the room again, taking in all the details.
"It's his room." she muttered conclusively.
Her gaze fell on a floral dress lying on the bed. She approached, picked it up, and looked around. She frowned as the dress was beautiful. She hesitated for a moment before going to the bathroom with it.
When she came out of the room she saw Xander sitting on the couch in the living room. He was sipping wine from a glass, looking blankly at the wall, deep in thought. He had changed into a maroon t-shirt and trouser.
"It's done. I should leave now." she said, drawing his attention.
Xander looked at her, his eyes widening as he took in her appearance. The dress fit Ariadne's body perfectly. Her wet hair hung from her shoulder. She looked appealing. Xander's intense gaze made her feel self-conscious. But before things got bad, he averted his gaze.
"Come here and drink this. You will not catch a cold." he said, pointing to the seat opposite him.
Ariadne noticed there was a bowl on the table next to the couch. She wanted to deny, but decided against it, as it wouldn't take long to drink the hot soup. Sitting across from him, she drank the soup. It contained ingredients that prevented colds. She felt better after drinking the hot liquid.
"Um... did you borrow this dress from someone or buy it?" Ariadne asked, hesitantly.
"None. But no one has ever worn this dress. It's yours now and you don't have to return it." he replied, reading her thoughts.
His words made Ariadne confused.
"Oh... anyway.. thank you for the help." she said.
Xander simply nodded in response. Both of them kept sipping their liquids. The silence felt awkward.
"Um... so you live here alone?" Ariadne asked after a while, trying to ease the tension.
"Yes."
"Did you make this soup?" she asked, glancing at the soup as it dawned on her.
"No. My chef prepared it." he replied.
Ariadne was visibly relaxed. Though she was receiving shock after shock tonight, it would have been extremely awkward if Xander had made her a soup himself. She glanced into the kitchen, but there was no one.
"There's another kitchen on this floor. No one enters my penthouse until I summon them." Xander explained, reading her thoughts.
Ariadne nodded in understanding. Of course, there would be a separate kitchen and savants for him. He could not possibly do everything on his own here. The room fell silent again.
Suddenly, she realized something. He lived here alone, without a companion. Didn't he feel lonely? He looked gloomy, with no signs of joy. However, she didn't ask him as she felt it would be too much. But he wouldn't be alone for long. His engagement was in just two days. They would eventually get married. Her throat dried up as she thought about it.
"So, how's your engagement preparation going?"
"I don't know." he said, casually.
"What? It's your engagement." Ariadne was surprised by his indifference.
"There're people to take care of it."
"Oh...yes." Ariadne lowered her face.
It was the first time they sat together and had a normal conversation. In the past, there was always a third person, usually Crystal. Xander never talked to her in private. If he did, he would either argue and blame her for something, or completely ignore her. Back then, she was desperate to get even a fraction of his attention and time. However, he had never granted her any. Now that they had chosen separate paths, Xander was giving her both time and attention. Ariadne realized, as it wasn't the first time he expressed concern for her. He had expressed concern for her several times recently. She couldn't understand why he was doing this.
"You appear very excited about my engagement, huh?" Xander said in a mocking tone, bringing Ariadne back from her thoughts.
She frowned when she processed his words.
"I'm just... happy for you. For the both of you. You had always wanted this." she replied with a smile.
"You once claimed to love me. Don't you feel anything now that I'm going to engage to someone else?" Xander said, looking into her eyes.
Ariadne was caught off guard, and her face turned pale. She hadn't expected this question. She looked at the glass he was holding.
"Answer my question, Ariadne." he added seriously. Ariadne swallowed.
"No... I don't feel anything anymore. it's all in the past now. We've all moved on." she replied.
"Haha... sure." he laughed, making her flinch.
"By the way, whom have you moved on with? Is that Zidane?" he asked, clenching his jaw.
"I think I should leave now." Ariadne said firmly, realising where the conversation was going. She wasn't going to tolerate his harsh words.
She placed the bowl on the table and stood up abruptly.
"Sorry...I didn't want to... scare you." Xander sighed and straightened in his seat, placing his glass on the table.
However, Ariadne didn't want to stay any longer.
"Everything's done. It's time for me to leave." Ariadne said, calmly.
"Okay," he said, defeated.
Ariadne didn't wait for him and began walking towards the door. However, when she tried to open it, she realised that it was locked.
"So impatient to leave.. huh?" Xander's voice startled her.
She turned around to find him standing behind her, hands on his pant pockets.
"Please open the door." she said.
However, instead of opening the door, he approached her, reducing the distance between them. Ariadne took a step back, only to find herself plustered on the wall.
"Sure.. But before that I've something to say." he whispered as he bent over her.
Ariadne felt uncomfortable by the closeness. Her breathing quickened.
"What are you doing?" she was visibly pale.
"Relax... I won't harm you. I just have a proposal for you. A good one." he said, raising an eyebrow.
Ariadne frowned as she noticed a faint smirk on his lips. She felt uneasy about what he was going to say.
"What is it?" she still asked, knowing full well that he wouldn't let her go without this conversation.