Chapter 5 - The Challenge

C H A P T E R  5 :  T H E  C H A L L E N G E 

The SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER Cruise Ship. Mediterranean Seas—Italy | 7:02 PM

"Anne, am I not pretty enough now? Not sexy enough?"

It was seven in the evening when Crystal was still twirling her body in front of the mirror. Admiring, at the same time doubting every corner of her beautiful body wrapped in a sleeveless dark blue dress with abstract motifs after trying dozens of other dresses. Elegant and sexy. The loose hair that Anne was combing was also quite sweet. But, still, for the first time in her life, she felt insecure. 

“You are always beautiful, Miss. Only a blind person will not be attracted to you," said the half-century-old nanny who always served her.

Crystal pinned her hands on her waist, puffing out her chest. "Yeah, you're right. If that bastard still isn't stunned, then confirmed, he is indeed blind."

"What do you mean, Miss?"

"Ah, no-no, never mind." Crystal waved her hand, sat back down in her dressing table chair, deliberately making Anne's task easier and at the same time diverting the conversation. Damn. She would never admit that there was one stupid man who was not stunned by her beauty. 

Crystal was still not finished when the phone on her dresser vibrated.

Aiden : Where are you? I want to see you before the last contest.

She hastily replied.

Crystal : Still in the room. What's the contest? Quinn says you almost won.

Aiden’s reply came swiftly, only a few seconds after she had sent hers.

Aiden: Playing piano.

That reply made Crystal's hands tremble, all of a sudden she felt cold. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed. Had they gone mad? Aiden was very good at playing the piano, that man also often taught Axelion to play some easy songs. But, for him to play with the crowd waiting for him to perform those complicated tunes and paying attention to every little details of his play... she was not sure that he would be all right. No. It would be difficult. In the past, Aiden had been the youngest piano maestro, until an accident had forced him to quit. How could she let Aiden show his lost ability?

Crystal: I will be there. Wait for me.

“That is enough,” Crystal said to Anne. Then she stood up and let Anne rearrange her dress  again before running out of the room where she had been staying while being on the yacht.

This is really stupid. This competition alone is stupid, she cursed in her heart.

Crystal intended to go straight to the ship's ballroom, where Aiden was, but she saw Aurora coming out of the room carrying a white cat she knew so well and it stopped her right on her tracks.

“Princess?” Crystal approached Aurora, who seemed very fond of the white-crowned cat.

Aurora smiled widely at her. "Hi, Crys?"

“Where did you get that cat from?” she asked matter-of-factly, as if she had just seen someone take one of her belongings.

“Huh?”

Crystal growled. “Gosh, I am referring to this cat! Where did you get it?”

“Oh, Xander gave it to me.”

“Xander?” Suddenly her mouth felt bitter.

“Yes, Xander. Xander William. Do you know him?” Aurora smiled, stroking Princessa gently. “He is a little naughty, but he has always been this good.”

She is not just any cat. She is the cat I would give to the person I like.

Crystal closed her eyes but growled inwardly remembering Xander's words earlier. Her body stiffened. Shit. What is so good about him? So he was referring to Aurora when he said that? She did not know why she was feeling this upset, perhaps her ego was hurt to find a man who was not attracted to her at all and instead liked a woman who was already married. Her own sister-in-law.

“By the way, Xavier looked annoyed earlier, he said you were throwing a tantrum. He refused to tell me what was going on. What is the matter, Crys?”

“Ah, yes. I forgot.” She cursed in her heart, remembering another unfinished agenda. It was supposed to be her with his Daddy, but now Xavier was dragged into it too. "Daddy caught me while running away from the competition with Xander."

Aurora’s eyes widened in surprise. “You?” said Aurora. “You guys have a thing? I thought you only have a thing for Aiden.”

“Our relationship is — um, it is a little complicated.” Crystal shrugged. “I will have to go now, Vee.”

Not entirely true, but it was not a lie either, she whispered to herself.

Crystal stopped in her tracks, gazing at the ocean through the yacht's glass. She simply stood there for a long while. Anger was still pressing down her spine. Why? She did not know what made her say and act like this. She even wanted to cry at some point.

For whatever reason, Aurora was already with Xavier, Xander William should not be chasing other people's wives, let alone giving Princessa to him! Gosh, and that name! If that guy wanted to give it to someone, that person should be — damn.

Her stomach tightened. Her breath turned short. What actually happened to her? Aiden was fighting for them. Why was she even thinking about that man—wait. Her eyes widened as she suddenly recalled something: Aiden! That was right... Aiden was waiting for her! Why did she even stand here like an idiot?!

Crystal quickly ran, making the sound of high heels colliding with the marble floor as she rushed her way through the hall that led to the ballroom. The guard opened the door and she peeked in. The ballroom was already full of people dressed to the latest fashion. However, the atmosphere was somehow quiet. Her eyes roamed, trying to find Aiden in the crowd while calling him.

First ring.

Second ring.

Still no answer.

Until, the sound of the piano playing made her blood freeze. It took a while for her before she finally recognized the song.

Crystal lowered her phone, gripping it tightly. Then, she started walking through the crowd who were watching a piano performance at the far end of the room. There she saw him, Aiden Lucero— her charming prince playing Liszt's La Campanella, one of the hardest songs the piano world had ever produced, to perfection. His fingers continued to glide swiftly over the piano keys flawlessly.

She smiled, her eyes welling up with tears. She felt a huge relief. It was as if the boulder that had been clogging her soul this whole time had been.

The sound of applause and admiration flooded the ballroom as soon as Aiden's performance was over.

Crystal still froze, continued to watch him standing by the piano and nodding respectfully to the audience. Then, his gaze roamed through the crowd — as if searching for something. Until those brown eyes sparkled when they met her blue eyes and his lips formed a warm smile that mimicked the warmth in his eyes.

When he stretched out his fingers, asking her to come closer, she did not think twice before going up to the stage to welcome his hand and enter his waiting arms.

"Oh my, Eden. You surprised me. I am so relieved. Your golden hands are back. Your ability to play has returned," she said, her voice hoarse and hoarse.

Aiden's chest rumbled with laughter. The man stroked the top of her head before landing a kiss on her forehead. “You are mine. For your sake, I will push to the limit.”

“I know.” Crystal smiled, snuggled closer to him, her arms wrapped around his waist tightly.

"Never mind, Daddy Javier! You do not have to bother with the contest! Just get these two married already!" Andrés screamed loudly.

Crystal turned to look at him, normally she would always give Andres a scornful look, but tonight — with Aiden, she only looked at him with amusement. Meanwhile at the far end of the room, both Xavier and Javier looked intently at Aiden and said some things incoherently — seemed to be cursing under their breath.

Until all of a sudden…

“How long are you going to stand there? Come down here, someone has to fix the mood for this party.”

Crystal glared when she found Xander William already standing at the bottom step of the stage, staring lazily ahead with his hands stuck inside the pockets of his pants. Unlike Aiden who wore a black suit, Xander usually wore a dark blue suit, just like Crystal's.

“You!” She growled, removing her arms from Aiden, then approached Xander with a defiant face. “Why are you plagiarizing the color of my dress?!”

“Are you always fussing over unnecessary things like this; the name of the cat, now the color?" He raised an eyebrow, glancing at Aiden behind her back, before looking back at Crystal with a mischievous glint.

“What?!” She gaped.

Xander glanced up, then climbed the stairs and walked past her. “You are done, right? If you are, please come down with your pampered Meng, let me fix the mood here. Classical music is good yet difficult, but you do realize that not everyone has expensive ears, right?" Xander asked, ignoring Aiden's cold and suspicious gaze.

“W-what did you say?” She still did not want to divert the conversation about them getting married. She watched the gaping guests, Javier laughing, then went after Xander who was standing beside Aiden.

“Get down,” Xander repeated again, although that was not what Crystal meant. In fact, without any manners, he had already sat on the piano chair, deliberately giving another wordless expulsion.

“You crazy man!” She growled, preparing to take off her shoes. Intending to throw it at the insane man, as well as channeling her unreasonable anger from earlier.

However, Aiden restrained and led her down, while Xander started his play.

Once Xander played, the mood of the room immediately changed. Not only because of his beautiful voice that accompanied the piano, but also his choice of songs which was truly extraordinary. She gaped at him singing Marvin Gaye — a sex-themed song up there.

She was speechless, but she could still swear in her heart; Damn, crazy man!

* * *

What was even more insane, his action had make them unable to escape from Javier's trial.

Crystal looked up as Xander stepped into one of the special rooms on the yacht. Of course not voluntarily, six bodyguards with L E O N I D A S badges were standing guard on either side. Xander himself looked resigned.

The entire Leonidas family, from Javier to Aurora, were already in this room, but Aiden was not included.

"What the hell. I feel like a criminal," Xander grumbled as soon as the bodyguards let him go. But, as soon as he found Aurora, he immediately winked. “Hi, Darling.”

Suddenly, Xavier and Crystal glared, while Aurora snorted lazily. "Aren't you the criminal?"

"Me? A criminal?" He pretended to look hurt.

"You messed up the contest, Xander! How could you take Crystal away?! Just follow the contest properly!" Aurora grumbled.

Crystal pretended not to notice as Xander gave her an annoyed look, which purposely did not give any clarification. After all, the conclusion was not her fault. Her parents and sister, who thought so.

"Wait! Me? Xander? Taking he away?" Xander chuckled. “That us so funny. I have never—"

"Wait, what was your name earlier?" Javier interrupted, his brow furrowed.

"Xander, Sir."

"Only Xander?"

Xander smiled politely. "Xander Peter Raul William."

“I am sure I did not see you on the contest list," Javier said, his eyes probing.

Before Xander could answer, Xavier answered, ”Why would he even go for anyway? Even if he wins, I still will not approve—"

"Xavier. I asked him," Javier said firmly, enough to silence Xavier, even though his gaze on Xander grew sharper.

Again. Xander smiled calmly. “I am not participating in the contest, Sir."

“Not participating?"

“I am quite self-conscious. My wealth is still too little to match a princess—“

“Do not even try to humble brag! What do you think of William Corp? Roadside pizza shop?” Aurora interrupted, ignoring Xavier's stare at her.

"Oh my gosh, Vee. It should only be our secret,” Xander sulked as if it was a big secret, but the man's mischievous smile could not hide the arrogance behind it. Then, Xander looked back at Javier with a respectful gaze. “I am really sorry, Sir. I did not mean to lie, but I am just afraid my answer will hurt your ego."

“Why is that?" Javier's gaze grew sharper, calculating. "Have you found a better girl than my daughter?"

No, Daddy. But, he already likes your daughter-in-law, Crystal mumbled in her heart, but she did not say it out loud — knowing it would only hurt her own prestige.

While smiling, Xander shook his head. "Not really, Sir."

“Then what is it?”

Xander fiddled with his hair, looking tormented. "Come on, Sir! I am Xander! Xander William!" Xander said tiredly, this time his gaze was fixed on Crystal. “It is not that I want to demean your daughter, but I am too good, almost like a God really, to even enter a contest just for a spoiled brat like her."

“Brat, you say?" Crystals exploded. Her pulse was racing. She stood up hastily, stepping over towards Xander with her chin up. Removing the distance between them to just a few inches. "Oh, brat, huh.” Crystal smiled sarcastically. “Then you are a goddamn pedophile who stiffens just by seeing a brat in underwear. How was that? I am fantastic, right? You have never seen a brat as sexy as Crystal Leonidas!”

Xander's laughter was in the air. “You are too delusional."

“Should I kiss you here? Making out with you right now? So that we can prove who is delusional, William?!”

"What?!" shouted Angie.

Crystal grimaced. Her back stiffened. Covering her mouth with both hands, she looked around at each of the family members who were all wide eyed.

"Wow. You are so brave," Xander whispered.

She grimaced even more. "Daddy, this... I can explain,” she stuttered, especially seeing the darkening gazes of Javier and Xavier — ready to devour her. Especially Xavier. "So, so, this is—"

"Okay. So you are a God." Ignoring Crystal's words, Javier who had managed to control himself stepped closer to Xander.

"Yes, Sir. That is what I said.” Xander looked unperturbed.

Javier smiled sweetly. "What a coincidence this Leonidas wants to play with gods. I have never tried it," he continued, not wanting to waste time. "Let's make a bet; roughly how long does it take for a Leonidas to bankrupt a God?"

"Daddy!"

"Three days?"

Crystal and Xavier answered in unison. Their expressions were a complete opposite of each other. She was frightened, while Xavier was interested. Very interested.

Holding her breath, she knew very well that her sweet Daddy’s smile was a signal of peril. However, the look on Xander's face seemed to think that it was just a joke to be laughed at. Stupid bastard. “You can try, Sir," Xander said, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.

"Wow! I like brave young people," Javier chuckled, while a devilish look appeared on Xavier's face.