Arranged marriage : Married to an unknown man

Writer’s POV

The excitement of spending the day out masked Ariana’s sleep. She kept twisting and turning the whole night. And because of that, she jumped out of bed at three in the morning and took a quick shower. She wore the casual outfit she thought she would be comfortable in. She wore a black T-shirt and blue jeans.

She then stood before the mirror to tie her hair in a bun but she stopped her hands in mid-air when Xavier’s words came into her mind, he claimed that her hair was beautiful, soft, and silky. He wanted her to leave her hair open. Scarlet always made her feel downgraded, she always felt self-conscious about herself but now she wanted to feel positive in every way, she wanted to wash off whatever Scarlet had ever said to her. So, she let her hair open.

She then packed extra clothes in a bag as Daniel asked her to do. She wore a jacket as it would be chilly outside. She sat on her bed and waited for Daniel or Sean’s call. It was half-past four already and they said they would pick her up sharp at five. Almost after five minutes, she received a call from Sean saying that they had arrived. She excitedly picked up her bag, cap, and sunglasses and ran out of the room in excitement.

When she came out of her room she saw Xavier coming out of his room, wearing a casual outfit. She was mesmerized, she had never seen him in casuals, she thought only suits made him look charming, but in jeans and a t-shirt, he looked more handsome. But why was he wearing that for? That too in the morning?© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

He too saw her, ready with a bag for the day out. He was mesmerized by her beauty. He thought that she has the superpower to look cute in every outfit even in jeans and a t-shirt. His eyes lingered on her hair which made him smile secretly, “finally she let her hair down, finally, she realized how beautiful her hair is,” he thought to himself. He could see the excitement on her face, her eyes were also gleaming with excitement.

“Good morning.” She said when he stopped in front of her.

“Good morning. All set for the day-out? Have they arrived?” He asked, pointing at the bag she was holding.

“Uh.. yes. Sean just called me, they are waiting for me in the parking lot.” She said to which Xavier nodded his head.

“Umm…I think I should go otherwise we’ll get late.”

“Yeah, you should go.” Ariana nodded her head walked out of the penthouse and reached the parking lot. She saw Daniel and Sean leaning against a luxury SUV, wearing casual outfits, looking all handsome. She approached them.

“Good morning.” She chirped happily.

“Good morning, Princess. Excited?” Daniel asked, giving her a side hug.

“Good morning, Ariana.” Sean too gave her a side hug.

“So where are we going?” She asked excitedly.

“That’s a surprise, Ariana. But I’m sure you’ll like it.” Sean grabbed the bag from her hands and placed it inside the car.

“So, what are we waiting for? Let’s go.” She jumped happily.

Daniel and Sean looked at each other, secretly asking what to do. “He should be here by now. Where was he? Was he seriously not coming? What will happen to their plan if he ditches them?” They both thought.

“Just five more minutes and we’ll leave,” Daniel said making Ariana confused. They both wanted to leave sharp at five and now they wanted to wait for five more minutes.

Daniel and Sean sighed in relief when they saw Xavier walking towards them. They both smirked and exchanged the knowing look, after all, their plan succeeded. They knew that Hell would freeze but Xavier wouldn’t let Ariana go out without him being around her. They knew Xavier’s possessive side was taking over and they just planned to hike that side.

“Hey, Xavier, going somewhere?” Daniel asked, grinning ear to ear. Ariana turned around to see Xavier walking towards them. She got more confused as to why was he there.

“Yep. Coming with you.” Xavier replied coolly. Ariana’s eyes went wide listening to what he said.

“But you said otherwise the other day.” Sean raised his eyebrows.

“You clearly stated that you’ll not come with us. What made you change your mind overnight?” Daniel asked, knowing the fact that he was playing with Xavier’s mood. He just wanted to provoke him.

“I told you I was busy. I never said that I’ll not come.” Xavier shot back. “Now come on let’s go. You wanted to leave at 5 so what are you waiting for?” Xavier said & walked towards the car.

“Yeah, sure. Come, Princess, sit in front, beside me. I’m driving.” Daniel said, taking Ariana’s hand in his.

“Ariana, if you want to go, come to the backseat and sit with me,” Xavier exclaimed, making Daniel and Sean smirk. Ariana frowned, thinking why was he reacting that way? First, he gatecrashed the trip and now he wanted her to sit with him. She huffed and gave up but she was still confused as to why Xavier was there when he had already refused to join them.

Daniel went on the driver’s seat, Sean sat beside him on the passenger seat. Xavier, beside Ariana in the back seat.

“Where are we going?” Xavier asked as soon as Daniel started the car.

“You’ll know soon.” Sean and Daniel said in unison.

Daniel drove to their first destination, happy with himself. He knew his cupid plan would work for sure. He promised himself that during this trip he would make sure to bring out the extreme possessive and jealous side of Xavier to bring out his feelings for his wife.

Ariana, on the other hand, was sulkily looking out the window. She gave a side glance to Xavier, he was busy scrolling his phone. She huffed inwardly, thinking why did he even come if he just wanted to spend his time with his phone.

Sean saw the scene of the backseat through the rearview mirror and nudged Daniel. Daniel looked at Sean, Sean bobbed his head asking him to look back. Daniel glanced in the rearview mirror and rolled his eyes, thinking he didn’t plan this trip for the two of them to sit in either corner of the car, not even looking at each other. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel thinking what he should do and smirked when a devilish idea crossed his mind. He straightened his sitting posture and gestured to Sean to do the same. Sean smirked, he completely understood what Daniel was up to, so, he sat straight and held the seat tightly with his hands.

Daniel glanced in the rearview mirror and purposely rolled the starting wheel to the right in a rush. Due to the instant jerking of the car, Xavier fell on Ariana who was sitting on the right side which made her gasp in surprise. Xavier placed his hands on either side of the door, trapping Ariana in between. They both stared into each other eyes, their lips almost touched. Xavier’s eyes fell on her lips which were parted due to a sudden jerk. He wanted to touch her lips with his, he was dying of anticipation, he had wanted to kiss her in the morning when he saw her coming out of her room looking fresh, excited, and happy. He forgot that they had an audience, he tilted his head and moved his face closer to Ariana whose breathing was ragged, her eyes were on Xavier’s chiseled face which was moving closer to hers.

Sean secretly took pictures of what was happening without letting them know.

Just when their lips were inches apart, Daniel blew the horn of the car, making both of them snap back into reality. Xavier hastily pulled himself away and groaned.

“What the hell Daniel? Are you drunk or what? Can’t you drive carefully?” Xavier snapped, making Daniel grin.

“Sorry, but a dog came in front of the car. I had to do that to save the dog,” Daniel said, looking at Xavier through the rearview mirror and winked. Xavier glared at him, he knew there was no dog and he did it on purpose.

“Instead of being engrossed in the phone, you should look around, Xavier, we’re here on the trip, not to work,” Sean said, looking over his shoulder.

“Daniel, you should drive carefully,” Ariana said softly.

“Sorry, princess,” Daniel smiled guilty, looking into the rearview mirror.

After that, during the whole ride, Daniel engaged everyone in talk. He purposely involved Xavier in his talk who was still busy on his phone. After almost half an hour, Daniel stopped the car in front of huge iron gates.

“Let’s go, we have arrived at our first destination.” Daniel got out of the car followed by Sean. Ariana stepped out of the car and frowned. She walked to Sean to ask him where they were.

“Sean, what’s this place?”

“Grandma’s Farmhouse,” Xavier spoke, looking at the large iron gates-on whose bars he used to hang and play when he was a teen. Nostalgia hit him hard, the Farmhouse held a special place in his heart. After all, he had spent most of his time there, skipping the classes in high school. When most of the teens engrossed themselves in drinking and partying, he and Daniel would come here to meditate, away from clatters of busy life direct into peace and fresh air. This place was more personal to him. He had never talked about this place to anyone else than his parents, Daniel and Sean.

“Let’s go,” Daniel said. All four of them walked inside. Ariana admired the place in awe. The place was built near a big lake. Her mood instantly brightened up when she saw a massive farmhouse, animal shelters, different crops growing in large fields. She smiled in satisfaction. All the greenery took her heart away. The peace in the place gave her immense pleasure.

“This place is so beautiful and quiet. How do you find this place?” She asked, looking around.

“Yes. The most beautiful and quiet place out there. And Princess, this is the place where I and Xavier spent our teen years at.” Daniel said, circling his arm over her shoulders.

“And the place they showed me when we became friends in college,” Sean spoke circling his arm on her shoulders from another side.

“I think we should go and meet grandma. Come, Ariana.” Xavier said, removing their hands from her shoulders.

He held her wrist and made her walk with him. Daniel and Sean smiled and walked ahead of them.

An old lady almost in her eighties smiled when she saw them walking towards her. She looked at them in adoration. Her mind went back to the past when these grown-up men were naughty teens and used to come here to play in fields. She remembered all their naughtiness, they used to disturb peacefully sleeping animals and would always run to her when animals chase them for disturbing them. Although she was not their real grandmother, still, she loved them as one. She may have grown old yet she remembered everything.

“Good morning, Grandma,” Three of them hugged her tightly.

“Good morning, my favorite children. It’s been long you came here.” She said, getting emotional.

“Sorry Grandma, but responsibilities hit us hard.” Xavier smiled sadly, breaking her embrace.

“Who’d say that these grown-up men who are now businessmen always used to come here to run away from their responsibilities.” She said, patting Sean’s cheek.

“Where’s grandpa, grandma?” Daniel asked.

“He is out of the town, dear. Anyway, Daniel, when you called me yesterday informing me about your arrival, you said that you’ll be bringing someone special with you? Where’s that person?” She asked.

“Yeah, Grandma, meet Ariana, the special one,” Daniel said, gesturing towards Ariana who had been standing at a little distance from them.

“Come here, sweety. Why are you standing there?” She waved at her. Ariana slowly approached them and Daniel introduced her to Grandma.

“Princess, she is Grandma Jenny. She and her husband, Grandpa Robbin, are the owners of this Farmhouse.”

“Good morning, Grandma.” Ariana bowed her head, joining her hands in front of her. “I hope you don’t mind me calling you grandma?” She asked politely. She was instantly embraced in a tight hug.

“Dear, you can call me whatever you want.” She broke the hug and cupped her face. “Goodness, you are such a beauty. You must be really special to these boys that they brought you here otherwise they have never brought anyone here before.” Ariana blushed at her remark.

“So, who’s girl is she?” Grandma Jenny asked playfully looking at the three of them. Ariana’s blush deepened. Xavier started coughing, Daniel and Sean smirked.

“Grandma, I’m hungry, I want breakfast. Come.” Xavier dragged Grandma with him to the house. He didn’t want to pick up that topic. The rest of them followed. When they went inside, a young man came into their view.

“Jason, how are you?” Daniel hugged him. Sean and Xavier greeted him too. Jason was their childhood friend and crime partner.

“Ariana, meet Jason, my grandson.” Grandma Jenny said. Jason looked in Ariana’s direction, he was awestruck by the beauty standing in front of him. He approached her with a smile he greeted her.

“Good morning. I’m Jason, Grandma’s favorite grandson. Welcome to our farmhouse,” He extended his hand for a handshake. Ariana glanced at the young man, almost of her age, smiling boyishly, but she couldn’t just shake his hand. So, she bowed and greeted him. Jason didn’t feel offended, he just smiled at her.

“Ariana, come, sit and have breakfast,” Xavier said who didn’t like the way Jason was trying to approach her. Ariana nodded her head and sat beside him. He filled her plate with fresh organic food and a big full glass of fresh milk. After breakfast, they went outside to explore the area. Xavier tugged on Ariana’s wrist and pulled her closer to him to make some distance between her and Jason, who had been walking beside her.

Xavier’s phone buzzed, making him stop in his tracks. It was an important call he couldn’t ignore. But he also couldn’t leave Ariana alone. Daniel approached him and took hold of Ariana’s wrist.

“Go, Xavier, take your call. I’ll show her around.” Xavier gave him a warning look, saying to look after her.

“Don’t go anywhere alone.” He said to Ariana and walked away to take the call. Daniel dragged Ariana to the grass field. Ariana removed her sneakers to walk on grass barefoot, to feel the essence of moist, lively grass.

“Come, Ariana, I’ll show you animals here.” Daniel dragged her with him and showed her horses, rabbits, sheep, cows, and many others. When he was showing around, Ariana stopped to see the baby pigs that were playing in the mud inside the wooden boundaries.

“Look, Daniel, these baby pigs look so cute.” She squealed.

“Not as cute as you. Wanna play with them?” Daniel, without warning, opened the wooden gate and the baby pigs came rushed to Ariana. They started licking her bare feet which made her jump due to the tickles she felt.

“Aaaaa, they are licking my feet. Daniellllllll.” She shrieked and hid behind him but piglets came running to her.

“Why are you hiding? You said they look cute. See, this one even wants to kiss you.” He picked one of the baby pigs and brought it near her face.

“No, Daniel, keep it away.” She started running but Daniel didn’t stop, he too ran after her, enjoying every bit of it. He was laughing hard. Baby pigs too ran after Ariana.

Xavier was still on call. Grandma, Sean, and Jason were talking about their memories of this place. Xavier hung the call and approached them. He was about to ask for Ariana when he heard a high-pitched sound.

“Aaaaa,” He looked in the direction to see Ariana being chased by baby pigs. He wanted to laugh at the scene but instantly got surprised when she came, climbed on his feet, and hugged him. He was shocked for a moment. His body went stiff. What did just happen?

“Xavier… Xavier, save me. These piglets are licking my feet.” She mumbled against his neck while jumping on his feet, not allowing herself to step on the ground. Xavier came into reality and snaked his arms around her. He smiled at her cuteness.

“You’re afraid of pigs?” He chuckled but she didn’t look up and gripped him more tightly when she felt pigs licking her feet.

“I’m not afraid. They are tickling me.” She mumbled.

“Then why are you walking barefoot?” He asked, gripping her tightly to stop her jumping.

“I wanted to feel moist grass.” She said softly, raising her head.

“Princess? You won’t give a kiss to this baby.” Daniel was laughing, holding a baby pig in his hand.

“Aaaa, Xavier, please keep him away. He’s making that piggy kiss me. Xavier, Xavier, please.” She squealed and again hid her face in his neck. He laughed out hard at her cuteness. She’s such a baby. Everyone present there joined him and laughed.

“Don’t worry he won’t come near you,” Xavier assured her, still laughing.

“Daniel, why are you teasing the poor girl? Keep the piglet away.” Grandma scolded Daniel by pulling his ears.

“Ow…Grandma, I was just playing. And she said these piglets are cute. I was just showing her how cute they really are.” Daniel laughed.

“Shut up, Daniel, don’t be a child. Keep it away. You’re scaring her.” Sean scolded him.

“But this baby in my hands wants to kiss her,” Daniel said and approached the couple.

“Daniel, don’t you dare come near.” Xavier snapped, but inside he was laughing.

“Jason, go take all the piglets back to their place,” Grandma said to Jason. Jason grabbed the piglet from Daniel’s hand and shooed away other piglets that were still trying to lick Ariana’s feet.

“Hey, they are gone,” Xavier said softly, caressing her hair with one hand.

“Promise?” She mumbled.

“Promise.” Ariana looked around and when she didn’t find any piglet she stepped away and glared at Daniel.

“Daniel, how could you?” Saying that she charged at him, making him run. Not knowing what she did a few minutes ago she ran after Daniel.

“Sean go and look after Daniel, make sure he doesn’t tease her anymore,” Grandma said. Sean who was laughing nodded his head and ran after them.

“So, she is your girl…and you like her, don’t you?” Grandma looked at Xavier who was now looking at Ariana’s running figure. His eyes snapped at Grandma.

“What are you talking about, Grandma?” He asked, not meeting her eyes.

“You know Xavier, These eyes may have become old but they have seen the world more than you. These eyes are way too experienced.” She smirked.

“Grandma, I’m not understanding,” Xavier said. A tint of blush could be seen on his face.

“Let me make you understand. Why did she came running to you for help when others were standing there? She came to you like you are the only one who she thought would provide the protection she needed. Why did you hold her tightly, locking her in the safety of your arms? Why were you looking at her with admiration during breakfast? And most importantly, why are you blushing?” Grandma asked making Xavier’s heartbeat drum faster.

“She noticed all of that?” He thought to himself. And was he blushing? No. Why would he?

“I’m not blushing, Grandma. And whatever you said is not true.” He reasoned out. But Grandma knew what feeling he had for that girl. It was pictured all over his face. She thought that Xavier was confused about his feelings towards that adorable girl. She was old and had seen a lot of people, just by looking at people she could tell who is awful and who is not.

“Come with me.” Grandma took hold of his wrist and made him walk towards the area where Sean, Daniel, Jason, and Ariana were chasing hens to grab them. She shook her head. Daniel again disturbed the resting hens and now they are out of the cage.

Xavier’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Ariana, laughing her heart out while chasing the hens. He had never seen her laugh before. She had smiled but never laughed the way she had been laughing now. He was mesmerized.

“See? You can’t even take your eyes off her.” Grandma teased. Xavier averted his eyes.

“Xavier, I don’t know what’s stopping you from confessing your feelings. But look at her she’s so pure, lively and full of energy. She knows how to treat and respect others. I have seen many young girls who come here to have fun but they feel disgusted when any animal touches them. They never treated workers of this Farmhouse with respect. But look at this girl, not bothering about her clothes, she is chasing after those hens in the mud. And she’s so adorable. Look how crazily she’s laughing and running after hens. She’s a nice girl.” She patted his back.

Unknowingly, Xavier smiled in satisfaction. Grandma was an old and experienced woman, she barely talked about people she didn’t know about. But he was happy that she gave her a review about Ariana. Ariana can make anyone fond of her, especially elders.

“You know Xavier, Someone once said. Mature man and a crazy woman are a deadly combination.” Xavier laughed at Grandma’s comment. “She is a rare gem, Xavier. Don’t let her slip away.” She whispered those words.

“I won’t Grandma. Thank you.” Xavier hugged her.

“Go, Xavier, spend your time with them. Live a little. In this stressful life, if you get a chance to enjoy yourself like a kid, believe me, it’s a blessing. So just go, be a kid.”

“Yes, Grandma.” Xavier laughed and walked towards where all the kids were playing.

“Jason…there.. go.. go catch.” Ariana laughed, chasing after fast running hens.

“Why did you do this Daniel?” Sean was continuously snapping at Daniel for letting the hens free.

“Hey, I didn’t do anything. I just opened the door to check on them but they started running. What is my fault?” Daniel said annoyingly while chasing after hens.

“I got one…yay!” Ariana screamed happily. Jason approached her and stood beside her in the mud.

“You did it, Ariana. Good job.” Jason laughed at her excitement. She was jumping happily that she forgot she was standing in slippery mud; she lost her balance but before she could fall, Jason grabbed her by her waist. She gripped his shirt to regain balance, the hen flew away from her hand.

Xavier saw the scene, his blood boiled at the scene in front of him. The hands which gripped his shirt when they kissed were now gripping someone else’s shirt. He was hell sure that if he hadn’t felt jealousy before he sure was feeling it now.

“What the hell is happening here?” Xavier’s voice boomed. Jason and Ariana abruptly pulled away and maintained a distance between them.

“Ariana, what are you doing in the mud? Come out right now.” Xavier exclaimed.

Ariana who was now covered in the mud nodded her head and walked out slowly. Jason tried to give her a helping hand but Xavier beat him in that.

“Here, hold my hand.” Xavier extended his hand. Ariana grabbed his hand and stepped out of the mud.

“What were you doing, huh? See, you are now covered in mud.” He said softly, wiping mud from her face with his handkerchief.

“Sorry, I was so engrossed in chasing hen that I forgot where I was going.” She said softly, not looking at him. Xavier sighed.

“It’s okay.” He said, tucking her hair strands behind her ear.

“It’s okay, darling. Now go and wash up the mud and change into something new. Okay?” Grandma said, coming from behind. Ariana nodded her head.

“Come, I’ll show you the bathroom.” Grandma took her hand and walked her inside.

“Come on, Xavier bro, give me your hand too,” Jason asked for help.

“Come out yourself!” Xavier snapped, making Daniel and Sean laugh out loud. Sean helped Jason to come out. Jason was confused as to why Xavier reacted that way. He had never done that before.

“Is he PMSing?” Jason whispered in Daniel’s ear at which Daniel couldn’t control himself and laughed out hard.

“No Jason, he isn’t. You know him since teen years, he doesn’t like sharing and you tried to take his candy from him.” Daniel said between laughs. Xavier heard it and charged at him. Daniel sensed it and stepped away making Xavier fall into the mud. Xavier groaned and pulled Daniel into the mud as well. Sean and Jason were laughing hard. Xavier and Daniel dragged them in too. They all started throwing mud on each other. After playing for don’t know how long they stopped and laughed looking at each other.

“Daniel, see what you did! Now, what will I wear? I don’t even have extra clothes.” Xavier grumbled.

“Don’t worry we packed extra clothes. We knew you’ll join us.” Sean smirked, teasing him.

“Whatever,” Xavier rolled his eyes and moved out of the mud. They all then showered and changed into new clothes.

Ariana too showered and changed. Her hair was wet because of showering so she sat on the embankment of the lake to air dry her hair.

Xavier came out of the house and saw her smiling to herself while drying her hair, looking amazing in a white T-shirt and jeans. He approached her.

“Do you like the place?” He asked. Ariana sat straight and glanced at the wide fields.

“Very much. I never saw this much beautiful and peaceful place before and the air here is so fresh.” She smiled, inhaling the fresh air. Xavier felt satisfied that she liked the place. Now, one more memory added to the list of memories about this place.

After half hour of exploring the place, talking and laughing, remembering their good old days, they decided to leave.

“Xavier,” Grandma called him. Xavier walked towards her.

“Don’t let her go and take good care of her.” She whispered to which Xavier smiled and nodded his head.

“Daniel, Sean, next time I want to see your girls too.” She narrowed her eyes towards them. Daniel and Sean laughed.

“Oh, come on, Grandma, let us live a little. One of us is hooked, that is enough.” Daniel said and got smacked on his head by Xavier.

“Ariana, darling, come here,” Grandma called her. Ariana approached her. She cupped her face and whispered.

“Ariana, you’re a very kind girl. And a perfect match for Xavier.” Ariana’s eyes went wide, Grandma smiled and nodded her head. “I know darling and I also know that you like him. Ariana, Xavier is a very kind and soft-hearted person but a little dumb, it takes him long to realize what’s right for him but he’ll surely realize. Just give him some time.” She patted her cheeks.

Ariana nodded her head not knowing if he would ever like her or not but she surely knew that she liked him. She didn’t know for how long their relationship would last but she was sure that she would not be able to like anyone else in her life the way she liked Xavier.

“Bye, Ariana. Do visit soon.” Jason waved at her.

“Bye Jason. It was fun spending time here and I’ll try my best to visit here soon.” Ariana smiled sweetly at him. Xavier scoffed.

“Okay, time to go. Goodbye, Grandma. Take care.” Xavier tugged Ariana’s wrist and made her sit inside the car and sat beside her.

“Got too close to Jason in a short time huh?” He asked her. Ariana frowned.

“It’s not like that. I was just saying goodbye to him.” Ariana said.

“Come here,” He tugged her closer possessively and kissed the side of her head.

Ariana felt something strange. She couldn’t understand what. Did she feel loved? “No.” She thought to herself. “No, it’s not what you think. Shut your rubbish thoughts and enjoy the trip.” She scolded herself.

Daniel and Sean sat in the car, this time steering wheel was in Sean’s hand.

“Ready to go to the next destination?” Sean asked.

“Yes,” Ariana replied happily.

“But where are we going next?” She asked.

“That’s a surprise, princess, and I bet you’ll like it,” Daniel said and then they headed to their next destination.