Chapitre 18: Interested

Scarlett sat in the back seat inside the luxury jet — a small lounge area. Meanwhile, in the front seat, Xander Riley is chatting with Ben and Logan. They seemed to be discussing serious business.

She ignored them as she was distracted by the stewardess serving her breakfast. Well, it couldn't really be called breakfast, more like lunch.

The dishes she serves are too heavy to eat in the morning — sirloin steak, pasta, salads, chocolate lava cake, and various drinks, even milk. The stewardess didn't stop. She came back with a plate of fresh fruit.

'Did this stewardess forget it's only 8 am?' She thought as she smiled at the stewardess when she put down the fruit plates. The table in front of her was now full of delicious food.

"Please enjoy your breakfast, Mrs. Riley..." said the stewardess with a respectful smile.

Scarlett smiled back at the stewardess, but only for a moment because seconds later, her smile disappeared when she realized how the flight attendant had called her, 'Mrs. Riley!?'

Had she heard wrong?

Since when did this stewardess know she would be Xander's wife? Did Xander tell those around him about their wedding plans?

Instantly she felt confused and worried. Does Xander plan to announce their marriage?

"Mrs. Riley, call me if you still need more food." The stewardess continued her words.

Scarlett realized that she really didn't hear it wrong. This flight attendant had indeed called her Mrs. Riley.

"Thank you…" Scarlett smiled back at the flight attendant after being shocked by how she addressed her.

More food? Did she think of her as a pig?

How could she ask for more food when the table before her almost fails to accommodate all the dishes!?

The number of dishes on the table should be for two people. It made her wonder if Xander would join her for breakfast.

Scarlett glanced in Xander's direction after the flight attendant had left her alone.

She wanted to ask Xander, but the man looked very serious and seemed to ignore her. After nearly half an hour, they flew not once the man greeted her. Maybe not even glancing at her, he had forgotten entirely she was on a plane.

'Damn you, Mr. Xander Riley!! You're so heartless!!' Scarlett can't help but scold Xander in her mind. She swiftly turned her eyes to the food in front of her.

Looking at the dish on the table, she became suspicious the food had come from the hotel they were staying at. She still remembered the steak she had ordered at the hotel, similar to the one on the table.

'Did they pack this breakfast from the Beachfront hotel?'

She put aside her curiosity for a moment as she finished her breakfast happily. She didn't leave anything on the plate, not even fresh fruit and a glass of milk.

After feeling full, she decided to watch a movie. But only five minutes passed, and her eyes felt so heavy. Her drowsiness was unstoppable. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep.

While in the front area.

"Master, the meeting this noon can't be postponed. Old master has arranged this meeting, and you must attend..." Ben Lewis had tried to clear Xander's schedule today, but he couldn't do it for this one.

Xander, reading a file on his iPad, slowly raised his head to look at Ben, but before he could answer him, his gaze caught Scarlett sitting in the back area. For a moment, he saw her. He secretly chuckled as he watched the girl sleep.

He stood up from his chair.

"Master?" Ben asked, confused, seeing Xander standing up. "About the meeting?"

"So be it." Xander massaged his temples before continuing, "You guys carry on without me!" He then walked to the back area and closed the connecting door.

Now, it was just Xander and Scarlett in the back seating area.

Xander stood before her and stared intently at her sleeping face; She looked innocent and beautiful. Unlike when she was awake, this girl looked mysterious and wary of her surroundings.

Especially when he was around her, this girl seemed to be keeping a distance from him, and he could feel that this girl didn't like him.

'So what did you expect, Xander!? She's just a random woman you asked to be your wife!'

Xander shook his head and sat down on the chair beside her. Now they are only separated by an aisle. After sitting down in his chair, he felt a little confused. Why was he curious about her?

He looked at her again with a frown appearing on his forehead.

Was it because she was the only woman who wasn't interested in him? While out there, all the women he meets are willing to do anything to get his attention.

But this girl? She even hid her true beauty from him. Not once did she seem to want to attract his attention through her beauty.

This made Xander curious, making him want to know more about her. Because this is something new for him. And for some reason, he felt that this girl's attitude tarnished his status as the number one bachelor in this country.

Before long…

Scarlett woke up from her sleep. She was surprised to find a thin blanket covering most of her body. She remembered she didn't use the blanket at all before falling asleep.

'Who?'

Before she could figure it out, in the corner of her eye, she saw Xander sitting in the chair next to her. His eyes were tightly closed, and his arms were crossed over his chest.

She was mesmerized.

'It's him who gave me this blanket?'

A smile bloomed on her face as she felt moved by his small gesture.

For a moment, she satisfied her eyes, looking at his handsome face this close; his nose looked so sharp, and his jaw looked firm.

"Miss Scarlett, are you satisfied with what you saw?"

Scarlett's heart almost stopped when she heard a familiar voice strike her ear. She froze, unable to move or even blink when their eyes met.

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Chapitre 19: First Smile

Scarlett caught stealing glances at Xander's handsome face, immediately turned her head, and looked out the window. She was so embarrassed and didn't know what to say. She wished Xander didn't talk to her anymore, ignoring her as he usually did.

However, God was not on her side. Because a few seconds later, she heard the Ice Prince call her name.

"Miss. Scarlett…" His voice sounded playful as if he was trying to tease a little kid.

Scarlett secretly gritted her teeth.

After keeping her expression relaxed, she turned her head to look at him nonchalantly.

"Yes?"

Xander smiled inwardly, seeing the girl's calm expression, but it was clear from the look in her eyes that she was annoyed. An idea suddenly appeared in his mind.

"Miss. Scarlett, you should know that our marriage is based on a contract. But, you also must remember that we will get married in the registry office, this country's official institution…."

"Yeah, so?"

Xander didn't answer immediately but crossed his legs casually while stroking his lips with his thumb. He looked at her with calm eyes. For a moment, he just stared at her. His eyes never left her, and that made Scarlett feel uncomfortable.

'Could you spit it out? Why are you making me as nervous as I am now?'

She wanted to scold him, but she restrained herself. Even though she was upset inside, on the surface, she was smiling like a flower that blooms in spring.

"So when we get married in front of the Marriage Registrar's officers, you will appear with your real appearance…." He calmly said.

Scarlett frowned. What does it mean? Why did she have to take off her wig?

"So you're saying I should go there in my original appearance? Without my wig?"

"That's what I said!"

"Is it necessary?" She couldn't believe this man would ask her to appear without her wig. She might have refused to marry him if she had known about this condition.

'Damn you, Xander Riley!'

Scarlett didn't want to appear in her original appearance. It's too risky to be seen by many people. Especially if someone took a picture of her with Xander Riley. Obviously, that would get her into new trouble. She didn't want to attract attention while in this country.

"Yes!" His firm tone left Scarlett speechless.

Seeing how determined his eyes were, Scarlett realized that she couldn't change his mind. But, even though it was pointless for her to express disapproval, she would try it. After all, they married just for convenience.

"Mr. Xander, I don't mind if you see my true appearance. However, I don't want anyone to see it. So, can I use this..." she deliberately made her voice sound miserable. That way, she was hoping this man would understand her.

"Do not worry, Miss. Scarlett. I will arrange everything, so no one will see you, let alone take your picture, except for the officer we will meet later."

Of course, this ice prince would not give in to her pleas.

She has no other choice but to agree to his arrangement. She will trust him.

"Okay, then I agree." Scarlett faintly let out a long sigh, then turned her gaze outside and tried to enjoy the clear sky. However, the clear sky outside was a far cry from her gloomy mood—irritated with Xander Riley.

Why is he suddenly making such a request!?

If this man didn't know her actual appearance, he wouldn't be able to make this request, right?

It feels weird.

It was as if this man was purposely trying to make fun of her. Is he?

While Scarlett looked up at the sky in annoyance at the same time, Xander quietly smiled.

Somehow he felt happy that he could make this girl appear with her actual appearance. He'd rather see her like that than in her ugly wig.

He feels amused with the new feeling he has now. At first, he didn't really care about this girl's appearance. Completely disinterested. But after seeing her beautiful hair and attractive eyes, he became curious.

He didn't know why he was like this, but it was clear that he was happy to see her.

Shortly after...

The pilot announced they would be arriving in 10 minutes.

She looked at Xander. She saw him rest his eyes. Instantly she felt like a failure trying to beg him for one last chance.

How could she wake him up? This man might give her his irritated-looking face again.

'Did he really sleep or pretend to sleep?'

One last time she cursed him in her heart before she stood up from her seat and entered the toilet. She didn't have time to plead with him anymore. She had no choice but to take off her wig and contact lenses.

When the toilet door closed, Xander opened his eyes. A playful smile appeared in his eyes as he rubbed his brows in satisfaction.

Before long…

Scarlett returned to her seat. She was surprised to see him awake. She saw him reading something on his iPad.

'Gosh!! This man is faking his sleep!' She chuckled silently and ignored him.

"You look, just fine with that appearance, Miss Scarlett. But why are you hiding it?" Xander was amazed to see her beautiful hair, which suited her small face so well. And her turquoise eyes could stir something inside him when he saw them.

Scarlett glanced at him, "Just fine? You mean beautiful?"

This man is really stingy. Stingy smile. Stingy talking. And now, he was also stingy in praise.

What's so hard to say, beautiful?

"Well, you could say so..."

"Oh, that's a compliment for me if Mr. Xander thinks I'm beautiful." Scarlett paused to smile at him before continuing. "Well, I don't like people seeing my beauty. That's why I hide it. It's too troublesome to handle the hungry wolves out here seeing my true appearance."

Scarlett couldn't stand talking to this ice prince anymore.

"I see." The corners of his lips curved into a faint smile. At the same time, Scarlett saw his smile. She was stunned. It was the first time she saw him smile, and he looked even more handsome.

Scarlett feels she could be in big trouble if falling in love with this man. So, hastily, she averted from looking at him while trying to divert her thoughts.