Chapter 34

"No!"

"No!"

Both Anika and Tyler exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention at the table. Anika felt awkward, her ears reddening. She wished her Dad would enter at that moment.

"Why aren't y'all eating already?" Jack's voice was heard as he descended the stairs, bringing relief to Anika. Her Dad was her hero.

"He finally decided to join us," Alexa remarked. Dinner was served, and Anika's eyes met Zane's, noticing his suspicion. She focused on her food.

After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room except Jack, who retreated to his study.

"Aunt, we're ready to go," Zach stood up and walked over to his aunt.

"You're leaving? I thought you guys were going to spend the night here," Alexa said with a hint of sadness, having enjoyed chatting with Ariana.

"No, we're leaving," Zach declared.

"But it's late..."

"Don't worry, Aunt, we're staying," Ariana interrupted with a smile. She grabbed Zach's hand and dragged him away to talk privately.

"I am not spending the night here," Zach resisted.

"C'mon, it's just one night, and look at your aunt, she's happy that you're staying. Please, let's stay, at least for your aunt," Ariana pleaded with puppy eyes. Zach sighed, glanced at his aunt, and then back at Ariana, finally nodding.

"Thanks," she smiled and sat beside Alexa. Ariana hadn't anticipated the entire family being so welcoming, and she found herself enjoying chatting with Alexa.

"I have a gift for you," Alexa brought out a large box and handed it to Ariana with a huge smile.

"For me? Thank you,"

"You're welcome, dear. I also adjoined your room and Zach's together at his villa," Alexa added.

"Oh."

"It's part of my engagement gift to you," Alexa said. Ariana forced a smile, eager to see what was inside the box, but Alexa stopped her from opening it. Alexa instructed Charles to take Ariana to Zach's room. Ariana hesitated, considering changing her mind and going home. But then she thought about it; she could always sneak into Anika's room later. That seemed better than facing Zach's stern face at the villa.

An idea struck her, and her face lit up. That was a brilliant idea. However, Charles stopped at a door and gestured for her to enter. "Thanks," Ariana said and went into the room.

As soon as she stepped into the room, she stood in awe. The room was breathtaking and offered a beautiful view of the city. It was spacious, three times the size of her former apartment combined.

She placed the box on the table and admired the view from Zach's room. The door opened, and Zach entered.

"We need to talk, but take a shower first," he said.

"Okay,"

She entered the bathroom and was amazed. It was larger than her former bedroom. She decided to take her time bathing—it was better than facing Zach's expression. After bathing, she wore a bathrobe but then remembered she had no extra clothes with her.

Coming out, she found Zach lying on the bed. "Why aren't you dressed yet?" he asked.

"I don't have anything to wear. Have you seen my clothes?"

"I think the servants collected them,"

"Ask your sister if I can borrow her pajamas," Ariana suggested. Zach hesitated, assuming Anika would hate him now, but finally agreed.

"Okay," He went to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. He received a text from his aunt and frowned.

"The door is locked from the outside, my aunt did this,"

"What am I going to wear?" Ariana panicked.

"Calm down, I'll get you a shirt to wear," Zach walked to his closet. Ariana sat on the bed and opened the box Alexa gave her.

She was completely speechless. Inside was an erotic lingerie set.

"Here, wear this," Zach handed her his shirt. He saw the lingerie but pretended not to.

"Ariana, go get changed,"

"You expect me to wear this?"

"Not that, this," He tossed the t-shirt on her face and sat on a chair. Ariana debated which one to wear. She decided to wear both.

She changed and walked out, immediately covering herself with the blanket.

"So, what did you want to talk about earlier?" she asked.

"We'll talk tomorrow," He stood up, went into the bathroom, and changed. Ariana noticed a small box inside the large one. She opened it and was taken aback. Her face flushed as she saw the packet of strawberry condoms.

Zach chuckled at her reaction. "Is this your first time seeing a condom?" he asked as he sat on the couch.

"Well... yes," Ariana stammered, hiding the box like a forbidden item. She hadn't expected this from Alexa's gift.

"Is your aunt always like this?" she asked.

"You wanted to spend the night here, so you deal with it," Zach arranged the cushions on the couch and lay down to sleep.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" she inquired.

"We'll talk tomorrow; go to sleep,"

"Care to explain the video I saw on the internet?"

"Wow, I didn't know that's how you say thank you. Anyway, you're welcome," Zach said sarcastically. Ariana furiously hurled a cushion at him, but he caught it with his eyes closed.

"Goodnight," He yawned.

Ariana lay on the bed but felt uncomfortable in what she was wearing. After some time, she tiptoed to Zach's closet and took a pair of pants. She removed the lingerie, wore Zach's pants, laid on the bed, and finally fell asleep.