Chapter 51 His Angel
"I heard that you have been looking for a property for a while... And that you're interested in a particular property on the market place."
Ariadne's eyes grew wider. She had been looking for a property for her jewelry brand, which was set to launch in Zavion City. She was particularly interested in the properties on the market place. She had also found one, but it belonged to Xander. So, she didn't make any progress on purchasing that property.
"I've never wanted to sell that property, but I don't have any plans for it either." Xander continued. "So I've a proposal for you. I'm ready to sell you the property... but there's one condition."
"What condition?" Ariadne narrowed her eyes at him.
"I want to be a business partner of Autumn Collection... precisely... a shareholder." he said.
"We don't have a business partner.."
"I know. But you need one right now."
"We don't..."
"Shhhh." he cut her off. "Don't be irrational. Think about it with your mind as a businesswoman, that you're. Discuss it with your family... And then give me your answer. I'm in no hurry."
Ariadne fell silent as she thought about it.
"Another thing.."
She looked at him as he spoke.
"I apologize for the incident at the festival." he averted his gaze as he continued. "Saying that I wasn't in my right mind will be an excuse. It was a shameful act and I'm really sorry for it...also.." he looked into her eyes.
"Thank you for handling the situation so well. I owe you for that." he said sincerely, catching Ariadne off guard.
She hadn't expected him to apologize.
"It's ok. Now please open the door." she said, gathering herself.
However, Xander didn't move.
"What now?" she asked.
"I know that Zidane and you are close. I've no idea how deep your relationship is." he paused, as if considering something before adding, "He may appear to be a good man but in reality he isn't. He's a two-faced, dangerous man. I'm warning you for your own good."
Ariadne frowned. "Oh, really? Then, Why did you give the contract to Watson Group?"
She was not sure if he was telling the truth or just jealous. She wasn't blind to see the fact that he despised her closeness with other men. Furthermore, she had known Zidane for four years and had never received a bad vibe from him.
"Because your plan was the best one. And it was entirely your design. Moreover, I can deal with him." he stated.
Ariadne became furious. However, she refrained from expressing it. It would only delay her departure which she didn't want.
"Okay, let me go now. It's getting late." she said, lowering her head.
This time, Xander moved aside from her and unlocked the door. They silently left the penthouse. A car stood at the back entrance to the building. Xander opened the car's door and held it for Ariadne.
"Thank you." she said as she got into the car.
Xander shut the door and crouched down at the window.
"Consider my proposal." he reminded her again.
However, Ariadne only nodded, without looking at him.
"One more thing.."
Ariadne looked at him, irritated. She didn't want to listen to his nonsense anymore.
"You're looking beautiful in this dress." he said, taking her by surprise.
However, she stiffened when she saw the affection in his eyes. Their eyes locked. Time seemed to freeze. He appeared reluctant to let her go.
He smiled at her before shifting his gaze to the driver. Ariadne saw the sadness behind his smile. She kept looking at him as he instructed the driver.
"Drop her off safely."
"Yes, Boss," the driver said, starting the car.
Their gazes met again before the car drove away. Xander kept looked at the car until it was out of his sight.
He took out a cigarette and went to the small garden to smoke. He looked up at the sky while smoking. After a while, Toby arrived and stood next to him.
"So you gave her that dress. huh?" he commented, breaking the silence.
"Why do you care? It's not like the dress belongs to your wife." Xander replied.
"Oh, common. I would have given you one of my wife's dresses if you had asked."
"No need."
"Yeah, I can see that."
"I believe your wife's waiting for you." Xander said.
It was his way of dismissing Toby. However, he didn't leave.
"She can wait... But now... my friend needs me."
"You're delusional."
Toby laughed at his comment.
"Well, isn't it romantic that you're getting engaged to a woman in a few days, but you're looking at another with this intensity."
"I was simply saying goodbye to her."
"Yeah yeah...."
"She used to look at you with the same intensity... in the past." Toby paused and silence fell.
"We realize the value of a person when we lose them. Isn't it?"
Xander closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. "What do you want?"
"Nothing... Just came to advise a confused person."
Xander cast him a death glare. However, Toby wasn't going to back down.
"Isn't it funny?... The mighty Xander Blake is confused between two women..." he hadn't even finished when Xander turned and walked away, furious.
...............
The engagement day had finally arrived. The event was held at Blake Planet, one of Zavion City's most expensive and luxurious resorts. As expected, the venue was exquisitely decorated. Nearly all of the guests have arrived. However, Crystal hadn't arrived yet. To everyone's surprise, Xander arrived before Crystal. He wore a green tuxedo and was accompanied by Jose and Toby. Margaret and Crystal's parents had also arrived. Everyone congratulated them while waiting for Crystal. Xander was surrounded by a few bussinessman as they talked.
All of a sudden, there was a commotion as someone made their appearance.
"The waiting is over, Mr. Blake. Here's your woman... The lady of the evening." someone commented, drawing Xander's attention.
He turned towards the entrance, and everything came to a halt for him. His gaze fell on the woman he had loved his entire life, standing there in a gorgeous blue gown with her hair loosely open. For him, she was the most beautiful woman and she looked like an angel in that gown. His angel.
"Beautiful." he murmured.
Their gazes locked when she looked at him and Xander's thoughts drifted back to the day when he first saw her... and fell in love with her.
((FLASHBACK))
22 years ago...
A boy sat in the backseat of a car with a scowl on his face. There was an elderly man sitting next to him in the moving car. The little boy was upset with his Grandpa because he had brought him to a party despite his refusal to attend. He disliked parties where people crowded like ants. He didn't even know the people whose party they were attending. His grandpa, William Blake, sat calmly beside him, ignoring his displeasure, as the car sped toward it's destination. After a while, they arrived at the venue. They got out of the car after the guard opened the door for them. The boy looked around the mansion, which was brightly decorated and filled with people in shiny dresses, carrying gifts. He frowned in irritation. Looking at the decorations, he realized that it was a birthday party. As they entered the mansion, some people approached them and conversed with his grandfather. They settled into the couches.
The boy looked around and found a secluded area with no people. He began to move in that direction.
"Don't go too far," William warned the boy before instructing a guard to keep an eye on him.
When the boy walked through the door, he discovered a garden. It was also decorated but no one was present or so he thought until he noticed a girl sitting on a bench. Her back was towards him. He was about to look away when he noticed the girl was shaking. After some thought, he approached her to see if she needed help.
When he stood in front of the girl he was taken aback. The girl was younger than him and wore a blue princess dress with her hair in a bun. With her innocent face, she looked like an Angel descended from heaven. The only thing that didn't fit were the tears in her doe-like eyes.
"Hey, why are you crying here alone?" he asked, concerned.
She was holding a doll and another was on the bench next to her. The girl looked at the boy.
"My doll has broken." she replied after looking at him for a while.
The boy noticed that a leg on the doll had broken.
"You've another one." he pointed at the other doll on the bench.
"But I like this one." she pouted.
"What makes it special? Both are the same." he asked.
"It's dress is blue, which is my favourite colour." she said, hugging the broken doll.
"Oh, I see. It's a nice colour... May I have a look?"
The girl handed him the doll, hesitantly. He noticed that the leg was repairable, but the joining part was broken. He thought for a moment before taking the other doll and removing it's leg from it's body. The two dolls were similar, but wore different colored dresses. He attached the leg to the broken doll.
"It's fixed now." he said.
The girl's eyes widened with surprise and she rose from the bench. She snatched the doll from his hands and examined it.
"Wow... it's really fixed." she exclaimed with awe.
A big smile adorned her cute face. The boy looked at her with amusement.
"Thank you," the girl said, beaming.
"You're welcome... Angel." he smiled at her.
The girl giggled.
"My name is not Angel."
"Then, what's your name?"
"Why should I tell you. I don't know you." she narrowed her eyes at him, causing the boy to laugh.
"You have a point." he pretended to think of a solution before saying, "Hi, my name is Xander Blake. And yours?" he extended his hand as he introduced himself.
For some reason, he was eager to know her name. He really liked her, which was unusual for him. Everywhere he went, children wanted to talk with him, but he disliked their approach and avoided them. However, he felt a connection with this little girl and approached her himself.
"Umm.." the girl looked at his extended hand.
She was about to shake his hand when a loud voice came from the distance.
"Aria... where are you, baby?" The girl's face turned towards the voice.
"Ariadne? What are you doing over there?" Another voice asked.
The boy noticed a man and woman standing at a distance.
"Oh no! Mom and Dad are searching for me. I've to go. Bye."
The girl said before dashing towards them, leaving Xander's hand hanging in the air. But he didn't seem to be angry. He smiled awkwardly and retracted his hand as he watched the girl retreat. The girl spoke with her parents before heading to the mansion. However, before entering the mansion, she turned around and waved at the boy. The boy stood alone in the garden.
"Ariadne" he uttered the name. "Nice name, but Angel is a better fit for you." he muttered under his breath.
He also followed them into the mansion. Surprisingly he didn't feel as irritated as before.
((END of FLASHBACK))