Chapter 53 The Third Child
Ariadne turned around and saw Xander standing behind them.
"Mr. Blake. Come, join us." Mr. Montecarlo said.
Xander took a step forward and stood between Crystal and Ariadne. He looked at Ariadne with a frown. She averted her gaze.
"Congratulations, Mr. Blake." Zidane said, saving Ariadne from his intense glare. They shook hands.
"Miss Miller, congratulations to you as well. I forgot to greet you earlier" he said to Crystal.
"It's ok...Thank you."
"I didn't know you have three children." Xander went right to the point.
"Yeah, we were talking about it... she managed her work and three children at the same time." Georgia praised Ariadne.
"I have help at home to look after my kids. Now that they have grown up, it's not as difficult."
"How old are they?" Georgia asked.
"Four years."
"We hadn't met your other child." Xander interrupted.
Ariadne paled, unsure what to say. Zidane gave her a concerned look.
"He has some health issues, so he doesn't go out as much as his siblings. But only for the time being. You will definitely see him once he gets better. He's the most adorable of them all." Zidane answered on her behalf.
"You seem to know him very well, Mr. Watson." Xander frowned.
"Of course we get along well. I like all three of them, but he's my favorite." Zidane replied.
"Yeah, he's close to Ariadne. So it's normal that he's close to her children as well." Crystal said, placing her hand on Xander's arm.
She turned to Ariadne before adding, "Why didn't you bring them along, Aria? After all, it's their aunt's engagement."
'And their father's, too.' Ariadne said in her mind.
"Don't keep them hidden. Let them see the world."
Ariadne frowned as she realized Crystal was indirectly accusing her of hiding the fact that she was a single mother.
"You're overthinking, sister. They're exploring the world quite well. It's just that they're too young to enjoy such parties." she replied.
"But they missed a great party." Crystal argued.
"They had attended numerous grand parties. Have you forgotten that they attended the gala just a few weeks ago." Ariadne shot back.
Crystal was speechless. However, she wouldn't back down.
"Yeah, I forgot. Your daughter designed a pendant, which was auctioned off. You have already gotten your daughter to work. She will be the youngest jewellery designer."
"Of course not. She always notices me working and gives it a shot out of enthusiasm. I simply made it special for her because it was her first design. It was a gift for her. She's just a child. Now, she will concentrate on study and enjoy her childhood. In terms of work, they will decide for themselves what they want to be when they grow up. It's not necessary for them to follow in my footsteps." Ariadne replied calmly.
Crystal almost rolled her eyes. Xander silently listened to Ariadne. He still appeared shocked by the revelation. The Montecarlo family, on the other hand, appeared to be impressed with Ariadne.
"Yeah, I heard about a kid designing a pendant. So it's your daughter. They're lucky to have a mother like you. They're learning good things." Georgia said.
Every year, the Montecarlo family was invited to the gala. However, they never showed up. They maintained a very private lifestyle and attended few parties. They attended Xander's engagement, as he was a powerful figure.
"Hello, Mr. Montecarlo." a voice said and everyone turned to see the newcomer.
"Miss Blackwood. How are you?" Ross said, surprising everyone.
Ariadne looked at Tiara. "Do you know each other?" even she was shocked.
"Yes... Surprised?" Tiara smiled.
Crystal's eyes narrowed at her. She was enraged that the Montecarlo family knew nothing about her but Tiara, a nobody.
"Well. She helped one of my friends in a complicated case. She's an extremely intelligent lowyer." Ross said.
"You two know each other as well?" he asked.
"Know each other? She's my family. We live in the same house." Tiara almost yelled as she said.
This time, it was Ross who appeared surprised. Ariadne shook her head, smiling. She was aware that Tiara knew many influential people around the world.
"She's my sister, Tiara Blackwood." Ariadne introduced her to the other members of Montecarlo family.
They all greeted her warmly.
"Mark and Jennifer are waiting for you on the dancefloor." Tiara said, looking at Ariadne.
"Why are we here? Let's dance, Mr. Montecarlo." Zidane stated as he heard Tiara.
"Yeah, let's go, honey." Georgia dragged Mr. Montecarlo to the dancefloor, without waiting for his reply.
Everyone watched as the couple began to dance.
"Would you like to dance with me, Miss?" Ross said, drawing everyone's attention.
Ariadne was taken aback because she was the one Ross had asked. Her face flushed from the way Ross looked at her. He made her feel like a queen.
"Okay." she replied, holding his extended hand.
"Wow. Since Ross stole my partner it's only fair that I ask you... Would you like to dance with me?" Zidane asked, looking at Rosalind.
Rosalind giggled before taking his hand.
"It'll be my pleasure." she stated.
"Let's go then." Ross commented.
However, before they could leave, Tiara blurted out.
"Why don't you join them, Mr. Blake? You two are the couple of the evening. Everyone wants to see your dance."
Ariadne looked at Xander.
"Yes, please join us, Mr. Blake." Zidane also said.
Crystal smiled in ecstasy, hoping that this time Xander would dance with her.
"Sure." Xander replied with a hard expression.
They all walked towards the dance floor, hand in hand with their partners. When they got to the dance floor, Ariadne felt awkward as Ross placed his hand on her waist and moved closer to her as they took their positions.
"You're not uncomfortable with me. Are you?" Ross asked, looking at her face.
"No, I am fine." she said.
She looked around and spotted Mark and Jennifer. They smiled at her. She avoided looking at Xander and Crystal. Unbeknownst to her, Xander's eyes kept returning to her, observing her every move. Ariadne concentrated on the dance while Ross engaged her in small talk. The man wasn't bad and she began to feel at ease.
After the song ended the couples switched partners. Mark and Zidane walked towards Ariadne. However, before they could reach her, Xander appeared in front of her.
"May we?" he asked, extending his hand.
Ariadne looked at his hand hesitantly, while Crystal was furious. However, she maintained a smile on her face.
"It seems we have to wait longer to dance with her." Zidane commented, looking at Mark.
"No, you don't have to." Ariadne said, indirectly denying Xander's approach.
However, Xander wasn't going to back down. He held her hand and prevented her from approaching the other two men.
"Common. Just one dance... they can wait." he said.
Ariadne was still unwilling to dance with him.
"It's ok, Ariadne. Perhaps I can dance with Miss Crystal this time." Zidane said, extending his hand to Crystal.
"May we?"
Crystal gladly accepted his hand.
"Okay, then I will dance with Mr. Montecarlo, and Mark with Miss Montecarlo." Jennifer said from beside.
Everyone agreed and took their respective positions alongside their partners. Another song began and they all started to dance. While others were enjoying the song, there was tension between one couple. Ariadne avoided looking at Xander while his intense stare was fixed at her face.
"How long are you going to avoid me?" he said finally.
Ariadne's eyes widened as she looked at him.
"I didn't want to dance with you. I'm not comfortable."
"Why."
"I don't know." she averted her gaze.
"You feel comfortable with them, right?"
Ariadne didn't answer as he already knew it. Silence fell between them.
"Did Crystal's pregnancy inspire you to become a mother?" Xander asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
Ariadne turned to face him, stunned.
"Is the father of the three children the same or different?" he asked further when he didn't get any answer.
"Are you insane?" she asked this time, enraged.
"No, you're insane. Three kids, Ariadne... really? And that too without...."
"Stop your nonsense." Ariadne cut him off.
She tried to break free from his grip, but he refused to let go. He sighed before adding.
"Sorry.... What's wrong with the third child?" he had a thousand questions on his mind and couldn't decide where to begin.
"You should only talk about your future children with Crystal. My children are none of your business. The same goes for my affairs." Ariadne said, gritting her teeth.
"Let me go." she added, glaring at him.
Xander sighed again before abruptly releasing her and leaving the dance floor for the restroom. Only then did Ariadne realise the song had ended. Zidane approached her, and Crystal went to get a drink as she saw Xander leave for the restroom. Another song began, and the couples continued to dance.
In the bar, Crystal sipped her drink while staring at Ariadne, who was now dancing with Zidane.
"You did it intentionally." someone said.
Crystal turned to see Tiara. Crystal frowned, as if trying to understand what she had said.
"Oh, about the kids?" she laughed.
"Ofcourse. And as you can see, another one of Aria's secrets has been revealed." she gave a cheering gesture.
"She has become a baby-producing machine. Haha... Three kids... My god. Is this how she made her name? By making babies for men? It suits her, though." she added, scrunching her nose in disgust.
Tiara simply stared at her with a calm expression.
"You know what, Crystal? Sometimes we dig our own graves. You will not understand it today, but one day you will. I'll be there to remind you." Tiara whispered next to her ear.
"Oh, really? What are you going to do to me to expose another of her bastard children?" Crystal cocked her brow.
"You will know when it's time." Tiara said, smirking.
She turned and left, leaving Crystal alone. Catherine joined her immediately.
"What was that bitch saying?" she asked.
"Nothing important." Crystal shrugged.
Xander returned from the restroom after a while. When he looked around, he saw Ariadne dancing with Mark. He frowned when he saw Jose dancing with Tiara. However, he said nothing and remained in a corner. The dance eventually ended, and it was time for dinner.
Ariadne avoided Xander and Crystal for the rest of the night, before returning home.
.....
In another part of the city, in a dimly lit room, the news of Xander and Crystal's engagement was broadcast live on a news channel. A woman sat on the couch in front of the TV. She was completely focused on the broadcast.
"Oh, Crystal. You took too long for this day." she said as she drank from the glass she was holding.
"Anyway, it's better late than never..." she paused and started to laugh.
"I'm going to be rich now.... Sorry, Crystal, but you can't keep all the fame and riches to yourself. After all, I helped you catch the biggest fish. It's only fair that I get at least a small portion.... Meet you soon." she smirked and gulped down the remaining wine.