Chapter 54 Where It All Started
(At Miller Residence)
"Finally. I'm now officially Xander's fiancee. Soon, I'll be the Blake family's lady." Crystal smiled as she leaned against the headboard of her bed, holding a glass.
"Cheers!" Catherine yelled from beside her, and they raised their wine glasses in celebration.
"I'm happy for you. You deserve it, Crystal. Only one woman can have Xander Blake, and that's you. Not that bitch, Ariadne." she added.
Crystal's face turned ugly when she heard the name. She gritted her teeth.
"She will never have him. I've worked so hard for this day. What has she done to get him? Nothing. It was I who was always by his side... It was I who always obeyed him like a dog. That bitch has only insulted him, gone against him, and argued with him." she paused.
"But still.. The only thing he sees is her. Ariadne, Ariadne and Ariadne...." she gritted her teeth.
"But I'm not one to back down. I've always wanted to be the Queen, and he's the king. So Ariadne had to leave the picture...and I made sure of it." she smirked as she looked at her engagement ring.
She stood up from the bed and approached the cupboard. After searching for a moment she found a small box.
"What is this?"
"This's where it all started. It's the first gift from Xander." Crystal approached the bed and sat down.
She opened the box and pulled out a pendant.
"Wow it's beautiful." Catherine inspected the pendant as she held it in her hand.
She saw the name 'Angel' on the back side of the pendant. "But this.."
"This was for his 'Angel'.. Ariadne. He gave me this to deliver to her."
"Then how did you keep this until now?" Catherine frowned in confusion.
"Because I never gave it to Aria, but kept it for myself." Crystal smirked.
Catherine's eyes widened, surprised.
((FLASHBACK))
The next day after Ariadne's sixth birthday...
"Wow. It's beautiful." Ariadne exclaimed, looking at the pendant Crystal was wearing.
"Xander gifted it to me." Crystal replied, cheerfully.
"Xander? But he didn't give me any gifts." Ariadne was surprised.
She was expecting a gift from him. He had become a special friend to her over the last year. Even though he was four years older than her and didn't talk much, she liked him. He didn't give her any gift, and was in a hurry, so she couldn't even talk to him much. However, she was happy that he came to her birthday party. She knew Xander was from a wealthy family and didn't attend parties. But she just learned that he gave Crystal a pendant. Her face turned sad. Crystal swallowed after noticing her sad face.
"Don't be s..sad, Aria." she paused to think of an excuse. "Actually, he only brought one gift. He said he would give you a gift next year." she said.
"Why did he bring only one gift?" Ariadne pouted.
"Because he didn't know it was also your birthday. Perhaps he forgot. If you want, I can give it to you." she said the last words reluctantly.
"No. He gave it to you, so it's yours now." Ariadne said, glancing down at her own pendant.
"You are very nice... It's also beautiful, by the way." Crystal remarked, pointing to Ariadne's neck.
"I got it from Mark." she said, a smile on her face.
Crystal sighed with relief.
.....
"Did you give Aria the pendant?" Xander asked.
Crystal's face turned pale. A few days later, Xander paid another visit to the Miller residence with William. He had already met Ariadne, but she wasn't wearing his pendant. After the birthday, he kept pestering William to pay another visit to the Millers. He was very excited, hoping to see Ariadne wearing the pendant he had gifted her. He chose to give her a pendant so that it would always be with her, as he couldn't. Day by day, he developed a strong affection for her, and even began to feel possessive of her. The pendant was a symbol of him for her. He was unsure whether she would like it or not. However, his mood was dampened when he didn't see the pendant around her neck. Instead, he saw a different pendant on her neck. Though he was curious, he couldn't ask her. He felt strangely nervous around that little girl. He waited and asked Crystal when he had the opportunity.
"I'm sorry.. bbut...she didn't like it and gave it to me." Crystal replied hesitantly.
"What? She didn't like it?" he frowned, surprised.
It was a custom-made, expensive pendant. He even hired a designer to create the design, as he preferred to do things perfectly.
"Did you mention that it's from me?"
"Yes.. I told her. But she liked the pendant that another friend gave her more than this one. She gave me this one and kept the other for herself." she showed him the pendant.
It was hidden under her dress. Xander became angry as he stared at the pendant around Crystal's neck.
"Which friend?"
"Her classmate, Mark Steele."
Xander's expression darkened as he felt insulted.
((END OF FLASHBACK))
The room echoed with laughter.
"Do you know? Ever since that day, Xander has hated Mark." Crystal laughed aloud.
"You made a fool of them both. But it's worth the risk. It's absolutely stunning." Catherine stated, pointing to the pendant.
"Yes. I liked it, so I kept it." Crystal said arrogantly.
She never felt guilty about it; instead, she believed it was meant for her.
"Xander was a shy boy as a child. But he was always egotistic. It was very easy to use it against him. And Ariadne was a stupid girl." she added with a smirk.
"She's still a fool. I didn't expect her to show up at the party. I thought she would cry in her room and not show her face for a while." Catherine laughed.
"Me too. She's a shameless bitch." Crystal scrunched her nose.
However, her expression hardened as she remembered something.
"But... I didn't like it when Xander danced with her." she gritted her teeth.
"His behavior have started to reflect his affection for her again. He has repeatedly defended her and doesn't even hesitate to approach her in public." she paused for a moment, recalling what happened at the party.
"Today, I noticed the expression in his eyes. For a moment.... I thought he wouldn't put the ring on my finger. I must stop his growing weakness for her. I need to do something quickly." she looked at Catherine, serious.
Catherine, on the other hand, appeared relaxed, shrugging her shoulders.
"Maybe it was just an anxious moment for him. The engagement went smoothly. You're worrying for nothing. She has three bastards, Crystal. Xander will never go after her." she declared confidently.
Crystal went silent as she pondered her words.
"May be you're right." she replied after a while. "I'm overthinking it."
"Yes, she's in no position to challenge you. She will be a laughing stock if she tries anything. But if you want to teach her a lesson, I'm always in." Catherine said with a smirk.
Crystal smiled, feeling more relaxed.
"Since her return, nothing has worked against her. Everything failed. We need to think differently now." she stated, sipping her drink.
"Ask me if you need my help." Catherine said.
She had always been Crystal's faithful friend.
"Sure. For now, let's enjoy the night."
.....
(At Pearl)
Toby opened the door and entered a dimly lit room. In the corner of the room, Xander sat on the couch, resting his head on it. He held a glass of wine with his eyes closed. Toby approached him and placed a package on the table in front of the couch. He looked around the place.
"Are you celebrating your engagement in this way?" he asked.
Xander opened his eyes and lifted his head to take a sip from the glass. He ignored Toby's question. His face was flushed, and he looked a mess.
"By the way... Congratulations. You're now a committed man. But why aren't you looking happy?"
Xander glared at him but said nothing. He closed his eyes again, pretending no one else was present.
"So now that you're committed, perhaps we will see your wedding soon." Toby continued even after being ignored.
"Are you here to taunt me?" Xander asked, without opening his eyes, his jaw clenched.
"What? Why would I do that? It's a night of celebration." Toby pretended shock.
"Leave me alone!"
"Drinking to your wits' end won't make you feel better." his tone was serious this time.
"That's none of your business." Xander said and sat up straight, irritated by Toby's words.
He suddenly remembered someone who always told him to mind his own business. He shook his head and muttered something under his breath as he thought of the person. Toby frowned as he noticed Xander's actions. He immediately realised who Xander was thinking about.
"Did you notice how everyone looked at you while you danced with her?"
"It was just a dance." Xander replied casually.
He didn't need to be told who Toby was referring to.
"Yeah, we all saw it. Is it necessary for you to argue with her all the time? You didn't spare even your engagement day."
"I wasn't arguing. She's just too stubborn."
"Like how arrogant you are?" Toby cocked his brow at him. Xander gave him a death glared in return.
"She's no better than me... always arrogant and disobedient."
"Now you've got an obedient girl. You're also engaged to her. So what's your problem?"
Xander clenched his jaw, remaining silent.
"What? Answer me?"
There was no response.
"You can't answer me. Your ego won't allow it. You still love her. Despite everything, your heart couldn't forget her. And that's why you're like this... A miserable, lonely man, despite having everything in his life. Because you don't have the only thing your heart wants." Toby said aloud.
"I only asked about her children and their father. And no... You're mistaken. I don't love her anymore. I don't care what she does. That arrogant woman!" he cursed, clenching his jaw. He felt angry, which irritated him even more.
"Then, why did you ask her about her children?" Toby asked, and there was again no response.
"Because you care for her.." he continued.
Xander didn't deny him as he silently looked up at the ceiling.
"That's how you ruin your relationships. You care for her, but you won't accept it. If you had asked her nicely, she would have answered you. But no... you're a jealous man."
"I'm not jealous." Xander shot back, glaring at him.
"Yes, you're. You announced your engagement because you were jealous... jealous that she had moved on and had a happy family, which you had failed to provide for her. But you didn't need to proceed with the engagement."
"What would I have done instead?"
"You had a chance to try..."
"Everything has ended between us. She has already moved on. She doesn't want me anymore." Xander cut him off.
"And what about you."
"It doesn't matter."
Toby sighed. "You can express your feelings to her....or at least explain what happened back then. Then let her decide what she wants."
"It's too late. I'm now engaged. And it's best for all of us."
Toby shook his head, defeated. "Do you know what? Sometimes I feel like you deserve it all."
"Get out." Xander roared and threw the glass at Toby.
Toby dodged it easily.
"Good night, Xander." he exited the room, leaving a furious Xander behind.