Arielle received a text from Xylan asking her where she would like to have dinner?
It was already evening, the sun hadn't set yet but she was closing early. Fortunately today, she didn't encounter Mr Everest but she knew he was just biding his time until he strikes again.
Arielle decides to pick a well known restaurant, a five-star restaurant and only VIPs could afford to eat there and even so they'll have to book a week in advance otherwise they'll be turned away.
She wanted to subtly test the type of man she was going to marry, his capabilities and power in the society otherwise she fear he would just be at risk trying to protect her.
Unknown to Arielle, the five-star restaurant she picked was in fact Mr Xylan restaurant.
A black SUV stopped just in front of her art gallery and Arielle heart started racing.
Alarm begs rang in her ears and she wondered what she would do at this moment?
She thought it was Mr Everest, he was back to kidnap her again but Mr Xylan wasn't around to save her this time.
She began having a panic attack as her hands trembled, she pondered about quickly calling Mr Xylan for help when a text message notification rang from her phone.
She took her phone from her bag and read the message, her heart still thumping violently.
'It's me, Xylan. I have come to pick you up.'
The message read.
Arielle looked up at the SUV again and at that moment the window rolled down, stopping halfway. Xylan stared emotionless at her, but his eyes weren't as cold.
She stared deeply at him, a strange sense of calm engulfing her.
'Let's go together'
Another message from him finally convinced her and her legs began moving again, her fears evaporated like it was never there.
The moment she stepped in, the drive speed off to their destination.
They arrived at the restaurant 30 minutes later and immediately when one of the staff saw Mr Xylan, he informed everyone else and news quickly reached the management before they could even enter the restaurant.
All eyes were on them and Arielle could notice this. All the employees were wary of Mr Xylan, they didn't want to offend him in any way possible.
The manager quickly rushed from his office after hearing Mr Xylan was around and went to personally greet him.
He was visibly shaken and cautious as well and this doesn't go unnoticed by Arielle.
She concludes that Mr Xylan wasn't a simple rich man if he made the five-star restaurant react they way they were.
This either means he's very respectable, rich and had a lot of power or it means he's feared and for good reasons.
He's incredibly strong and mysterious. He could be involved in the mafia, but Arielle can't jump into conclusion based on just her speculations.
The manager himself escorted them to their table and personal took their orders, she noticed how the other waiters and waitresses stayed away from their table.
After their meal was served, Arielle decided this was the perfect opportunity to probe him about his life and background since that's the reason they were there in the first place.
"So Mr Xylan, what do you do for work?" Arielle asked, trying to sound casual.
"I manage things." Xylan reply was short and precise but also vague.
"And what are the things you manage?" She probed further.
"Eat your stake, you'll love it." he ignored her question, he proceeds to take her plate of steak and cut it up to smaller pieces for her, "Now eat," his voice was commanding.
She obeyed and ate but soon after turned to him for another question, "What's your family name? What do they do?"
"You will know all this soon enough, no need to be hasty." Xylan replied instead, his voice as always, calm and steady but with a hint of finality.
"I will introduce them to you in due time, have patience."
She was stunned by what he was saying, was she being too forward? Isn't this a reasonable pace since they were soon going to be married and she doesn't even know anything about him or his background.
She doesn't even know his last name so she can't even stalk him on social media or do a background check on him and his family.
Did she overstep? She wondered to herself but decided she didn't after giving it so much more thought.
She didn't bring up the wedding planning after that and she could somehow tell Mr Xylan wasn't completely comfort there.
As they were on their way to his SUV, Arielle confronted Mr Xylan once more about his background.
"Mr Xylan, why can't I know your last name at least? Why are you being so secretive with me? Is this how you'll treat me as your wife if you get married?"
"If?" Mr Xylan question, arching a brow.
"Yes because this dinner left me unsure whether I really want to reply to you." She answered honestly.
Mr Xylan stopped in his tracks and so did Arielle.
"I won't. However, you want to be treated or whatever you want, I will definitely do it." Xylan replied.
"Stop pretending!" Arielle accused.
"I'm not." his seemed to he truthful and that stunned Arielle who didn't know if she should believe him or not but she's still curious why he doesn't disclose anything about his family.
"How can I trust your words only?" She pouted.
Xylan let out a sigh then turned to the restaurant, "This restaurant is a family business."
Arielle's eyes widened with the realization. The top restaurants in the city that everyone wants to eat in is owned by his family? It was a huge thing he's reveal to her.
The identities of the restaurant owners has always been hidden from the public, because of this, Arielle felt he was slowly warming up to her and he might not be so bad.
"Next time, let's not come here."
He began walking again and Arielle followed along.
The way he said that struck Arielle as odd but she decides to brush it off and focus on that fact he came here despite him feeling uncomfortable.
She thought he probably didn't answer her questions was because they were at his family restaurant and our conversation might not be private.
Arielle figured his family dynamic might not be too different from hers and most of the top families. Everyone competing in a power struggle, hurting each other in the process.
She wonders if she made the right choice to include herself in such family strife but brushed it off, doubting now would lead to nothing.
Inside the SUV, Xylan requested her to choose another place for them to discuss their wedding and she happily agreed.
After that day, Arielle decided she should take the next step and introduce Xylan to her family, she wanted to get everything done as soon as possible so she could focus on her career.
Arielle arranged a day for them to meet him at their family house. She was nervous, she hoped they'll accept him because they never supported her in anything. Giving her capital for her business was more like a charity, a way to save face, so outsides don't think their family is struggling.
Arielle arrived at her childhood home with Xylan, both painful and happy memories filled the walls with the mansion but she pushes that aside to focus on the task at hand.
A maid showed them to the garden pavilion, where her family was gathered, waiting for them.
Arielle introduces Xylan to them but their reaction upon seeing him leaves her speechless.