It was already late at night when they arrived back at Maple Residence. It was hazy outside with cold weather and it actually hurt a little when the icy cold breeze assaulted their faces.
Arya closed the half-opened window before she checked through the fridge and storeroom to see what they needed. After that, she called Emma to get them to go over earlier to clean up and only went upstairs after finishing all of that.
The man was playing Starcraft after he showered. She could hear the theme music of the game from far away. Upon seeing the focused look on his face, she decided to leave him alone and went into the bathroom for a bath instead.
As usual, he had prepared the water for her after he finished.
When Xavier went back into the bedroom, she was done bathing and was flipping through some blueprint-like documents on the bed. He switched off the lights and the bedroom went dim. Her focus broken, Arya suddenly lifted her head.
He went beside her and grabbed the blueprints from her to study them with the dim wall light. They were documents of the South River project. He sighed before leaving them on the chair aside.
"You must be really motivated to read these in the middle of the night."
He slipped beneath the blanket. Before Arya could react, his long arms wrapped around her and his hoarse voice reached her.
"Since you're so motivated, why don't we have some fun ourselves?"
Arya was stunned for a moment. His pleasant fragrance made her lose herself again. Suddenly, her restraints were removed as he pressed down onto her. His cold kiss accurately landed on her collarbone...
She took a deep breath and wanted to say something before, but she now forgot all about it. She noticed that she had become less and less resistant to him. Unable to help herself, she was getting more and more used to him sleeping beside her.
Sometimes, when she woke up during the night, without even looking, she would unconsciously reach out to the side until she touched his body, and her tightened chest would relax after she knew that he was still beside her. Then, she would continue sleeping as she held his hand.
Arya did not realize that Xavier was like a drug to her. As days went by, she was slowly getting more and more addicted to him, and it would be too late to stop when she recognized it.
After a while, she relaxed and took off his clothes with her slender arms. She then asked quietly beside his ears,
"Have you called Mother?"
"I'll call her tomorrow. Focus now, Missus!" He said with an uneven tone, then...
...
They only stopped around midnight and she slept away soon afterward. It was near noon when she woke up the next day. Things were pretty happening downstairs when she came down after washing up. Daniel, Bella, Michael, and Olivia were all present. However, what surprised Arya was that even Robert was there. To her disappointment, Arianna was nowhere to be seen.
Robert was talking to Xavier on the veranda and he nodded from time to time, appearing to be in agreement with what Xavier was saying.
Emma and the others were working in the kitXavier while Bella and Olivia were looking at a piece of traditional watercolour art together. It seemed like Bella had painted it herself.
"Arya, I heard from Xavier that you're handling the South River project. Is that true?" Michael asked Arya as she sat down on the sofa.
Arya nodded. "Yes, Father."
"The documents from the government should be ready sometime in the middle of next month. You have to make good use of your time now, especially since there's pretty fierce competition this time." Michael beamed.
"I got it, Father." She already knew that Smiths was very capable, and they would probably be their top competitor this time.
Michael wanted to say something again, but as his eyes glanced over to Daniel beside him, he stopped and just nodded.
After a while, Arya went outside when she heard the sound of a car engine. Xavier, who was chatting with Robert, followed Arya outside as well.
"Mother?" Arya was surprised to see Arianna. She did not expect Xavier to actually able to convince her to come.
She then looked at the man beside her in surprise. "How did you convince Mother? I've mentioned it to Mother before, but she didn't answer me. I thought..."
"I have my ways." Xavier did not answer her directly and just gave her a mysterious smile instead. He then walked in front and greeted Arianna,
"Mother."
Arianna nodded with a smile. "I'm not late, am I?"
"It's alright. My parents are here, and Father-in-law should be here soon," Xavier replied humbly.
Arianna's eyes darkened slightly. She then drew a deep breath.
"Mmm, let's go in for now."
Arya did not say anything at all as her eyes were focused on observing Arianna's beautiful face. She did not miss the brief moment of sorrow on her face.
"Arya, you go in with Mother first. I need to call James. Pass me the phone." Xavier turned around and looked at Arya.
She was startled for a moment before nodding and handing him the phone before going towards Arianna.
"Is the school going to start the new semester soon?" Arya found a topic to talk to her mother about.
"Mmm, I just came over from the school. We are planning to hire several more lecturers this year, so I shouldn't be as busy as I was last year. I can be more focused on supervising my thesis students," Arianna replied.
...
The mother-daughter pair then went into the house.
As Xavier was about to call James, another car arrived and he raised his head to take a look.
It was James and the others!
Arya and Arianna halted in their steps and looked back when they heard the cars arriving.
The car slowed down and stopped near Xavier. There was another black car right behind it and Arya recognized the person driving as Benjamin's secretary, Liam!
Benjamin and Richard are here!
Arya had this thought in her mind.
Arya looked back at Arianna worriedly. Her mother did not seem very at ease and her eyes darkened a little before taking a deep breath as she looked at the car.
Benjamin came out first. His sharp eyes darted over the moment his feet touched the ground. Beside him, Xavier could feel Benjamin's eyes soften when he looked at Arianna. They then hardened a little and went back to their usual calm in the end.
"Xavier!"
"Grandfather, Father," Xavier greeted politely.
"Let's go in." Arianna went into Maple Residence without so much as a glance at Benjamin and Richard.
Benjamin's expression darkened when he noticed that.
"Let's go in now. It's pretty cold outside," Xavier said, signalling Richard and Benjamin to go in. James, Liam, and two bodyguards in black suits were holding a bunch of stuff as they plodded over.
As they went into Maple Residence, because Michael had worked with both Richard and Benjamin before, they greeted each other. Also, Bella and Daniel had contacted Richard before, so they were not exactly strangers.
Still, Richard was surprised when he saw Robert!
How was the Arianna's father? Was he the grandpa Arya mentioned before?
Richard was lost in his thoughts for a while as he stared at Robert in disbelief. Robert just gave him a cold smile.
Richard quickly turned over to Benjamin. Seeing that he was not surprised at all, he asked,
"You knew about this long ago, didn't you?"
Benjamin did not answer him. Instead, he averted his gaze with an unpleasant expression, especially because of the fact that Arianna did not look at him again since he came in.
Robert, of course, seemed displeased about him being there as well.
Michael and Daniel tried to soften the atmosphere to make things go more smoothly.
After a while, lunch was ready and the whole family sat down together. Benjamin sat beside Arianna, but the both of them did not look very comfortable. Since everyone knew what had happened, they purposely avoided some sensitive topics.
Arya would really love to know how Richard and Benjamin would react after they found out about what happened to Victoria, but they seemed pretty distant, so she could not deduce anything from their expressions.
The man beside her would try to join in the conversation from time to time. He could obviously feel that Robert was being pretty harsh towards Richard and Benjamin, but he restrained himself for Arya's sake.
After lunch, Arya felt like the atmosphere in the living room was suffocating, so she went out to the veranda for some fresh air. Unexpectedly, Benjamin went out with her as well.
"Today must be tough for you, Arya." Benjamin coughed a little, his voice sounding hoarse.
Arya held onto the railing and looked at Benjamin, his expression clouded as he went silent for a moment. He did not say anything and just shut his eyes.
"I've heard about what happened to Victoria. I have no right to ask you to forgive her. I'm just going to let you guys be. Your grandmother experienced high blood pressure yesterday and she's now resting at home. She's thinking about letting Victoria take over Johns Media. She asked her to retire from the entertainment industry after all that has happened lately and just focus on running Johns Media."
Benjamin sounded sorrowful when he spoke. "As for the things you sent to West Park, your grandfather and I looked through them. I'm sorry for what you've gone through all over the years. I know that you don't have a good impression of the Johns family, but you can never erase the fact that we're related by blood... So, come back often if you have the time..."
"I thought you'd ask me to let go of Victoria. Father, actually I've been longing to know did you separate with Mother back then because of the power of the Hudson family?" Arya's eyes suddenly brightened when she spoke as she observed Benjamin's face quietly.
Benjamin was stunned for a while. His eyes looked complicated, and Arya seemed to sense a resentful vibe from him.
Hidden under his sleeves, his hands clenched into fists.
After some time, Arya smiled before he could reply.
"I've never thought of you as someone like that, but what if I told you Mother told me that she has reserved all her feelings for you even until now... Would you feel guilty about it?"
"She would never let me blame you, but, Father, isn't it enough having one woman that loves you? Why did you betray her, and betray our happy family? No, you betrayed Mother much earlier... Victoria's birthday isn't that far away from mine..."
Benjamin's face froze up as he heard Arya's question, he felt horrible when he saw Arya's mocking expression, he wanted to say something back, but it seemed as if everything he said would be just a pathetic excuse.
Noticing that he kept quiet, Arya took a deep breath and went back into the living room. She saw Arianna standing beside the door just as she turned around.
She was a little startled, but did not say anything and went on her way.
"Aria..."
The two of them looked at each other for some time. Arianna had a complicated and painful expression on her face. She wanted to leave right away, but after some thought, she still went towards him.
"Long time no see. You seem pretty good just like... just like before..."
Benjamin looked at Arianna who was beside him now. His deep voice was uneasy, and even a little nervous.
No one would ever guess that even he, a seemingly powerful politician, could act like an inexperienced and fearful teenager before her. Had it not been for that single mistake, could they still be happily married right now?
"Have you been doing well all these years?" Benjamin asked her another question when she did not reply to his previous one. He asked her ever so carefully, afraid that he might have made her unhappy after going as far as to ask Arya to invite her over.
Arianna did not reply. She turned around and looked at him as he stopped talking after his questions. Then, she said coldly in a distant tone,
"I came here today for the sake of Arya and Xavier. I don't want the children to worry about me. Are you just going to do nothing about Victoria mocking your daughter in public during Mia's wedding? You know that incident had nothing to do with Arya, yet you still allowed people to continue spreading this nonsense. Do you know it has become a traumatic experience in your daughter's heart?"
Benjamin was startled when Arianna questioned him. Instantly, he put up an apologetic expression on his handsome face, but he did not defend himself. After all, he was at fault in this matter...
"I understand that it's a difficult situation for you, but you should know your daughter well. I don't care how you and Layla betrayed me back then. I also don't care how Victoria imitated her mother and attacked Arya, but I just hope that you can protect this peace Arya has found after marrying Xavier. This is something you can do, isn't it?"
Arianna looked at Benjamin straight in the eye's,
"Arya has always been concerned about us. I have to say that I'm not a responsible mother to her..."
"Aria, I'm sorry... I've always felt guilty towards you all these years. Every time I see Arya, I'd... I went to look for you at the school before... I wanted to talk to you. If... If..."
"What for? Can't you give me some peace alone? You know very well that Layla came and looked for me the last time. Moreover, things are over between us. Please don't be like this," Arianna sighed.
"Aria, we're not young anymore. I wish to live for myself," Benjamin said quietly.
"Please stop saying that. I'm tired. I don't want to argue with you on this anymore. Since you said so, then please go back to your wife and live happily ever after with her. I'm not interested in interfering at all. I'm fine. You don't have to worry. Things are great for me now. Didn't we live peacefully all this time? Why do you have to break the peace now?" Arianna raised her head and looked at Benjamin.
"I can't let you go, Aria..."
Arianna's expression changed and she had a mocking smile on her face when she heard Benjamin's words.
"So? Who do you think I am? Don't forget that you have your own family now. Don't make me look down on you!"
"I've never touched her except that night! Aria, you knew that I thought she was you, so..." Benjamin looked guilty and his eyes were cold.
"Who knew she would go overseas in secret, and even give birth to Victoria?"
Arianna laughed coldly at him. Having lost interest, she was about to head back into the house.
"There's no meaning to your words now. No matter how good your reasons are, you can't erase the fact that you've betrayed me, Benjamin. I hope that you can be responsible and bear your faults. At least, that can still impress me."
"Aria!" Benjamin coughed lightly as he grabbed Arianna's hand, but she swiftly avoided him.
Benjamin closed his eyes in agony after he saw Arianna step back into the house. He took a deep breath as the pain seeped deep into his heart. Depression shrouded him.
There were some mistakes that could never be corrected. No matter how hard he tried, there was nothing he could do.
After some time, Arianna went back to school and the Michael couple had something to work on as well. Robert and Daniel were going to play golf. Richard invited Xavier to visit West Park some time, but Arya rejected. She really did not want to see people that would make her upset.
Xavier just let her be.
After they went back into the living room after sending them off, Arya sat down tiredly as she accepted the cup of tea he handed her.
"I don't know what Mother told Father, but from the way he looks, he seemed pretty sad..."
"Father should still have feelings for Mother. His eyes say it all," he replied indifferently.
She gave it some thought before nodding. She then sighed,
"There seems to be an uncrossable realm between them. There's nothing I can do to help."
She placed the cup down and then looked at the man beside her. She stared at him for some time before asking,
"Will you make the same mistake in the future?"
He looked up from the newspaper and glanced at her. After a brief moment, he replied,
"Do you think there's anyone else that can satisfy me besides you?"
"Can't you be more serious? I'm not joking around here!" Arya grabbed a pillow nearby and threw it at him as her face blushed.
He blocked the pillow she threw with one hand, and then replied to her with a serious expression,
"Do I not look serious to you right now?"
Arya glared at him before cleaning up the table. All of them were items Bella had brought over from the Knight Residence. She moved the bags a little and she saw their contents.
Velvet antler?
Velvet antler wine?
Those words reminded her of the aphrodisiac qualities of the contents!
However, did he really need it?
Arya was stunned for a moment. She glanced at him and saw that he had already gone back to reading his papers. She then packed the stuff up swiftly, but her sudden movements actually alerted him.
He raised his head and saw her flushed face.
"What's wrong? Are you sick?" He put down the newspaper and wanted to help.
"Nope, it's alright. I'll do it. You sit down!" She moved around and continued to work on packing.
He had better not touch these things. She remembered that Bella made her ate some supplements and she had felt odd after that.
Xavier looked at her in doubt. He suddenly grabbed the bag she packed and she quickly seized his hand.
"These are mine..."
"Let me see what's inside!"
"No!"
"Just a look!"
"No, don't move!"
She hugged the bag in front of her, and at that moment, someone's phone rang. Xavier gripped her arm with one hand and took out the phone with another to answer the call.
"Arya, it's me..."
A deep voice reached his ear, sounding a little familiar. Xavier took a small pause as frigidity surfaced on his face.
Arya soon noticed that something was not right. She tilted her head over and looked at the phone screen curiously.
"What's wrong?"