.Chapter 39 A Thing X&J FOODS, NEW YORKNina hurried towards the office, feeling thankful for escaping Dawn. It would have been too awkward bumping into her after yesterday. She had thought something was happening between her and Xander, and she was right. Now she knows why Dawn might feel some way about her association with Xander. Even though she feels hurt that Xander never took the liberty to tell her that he is in a relationship, he denied it when she asked. On second thought, they probably just put a label on it. Nina feels that either way, it's none of her business as long as she knows not to get into Dawn’s way. As she entered the office, she was shocked to find Xander by her table. He stood with his hands in his pocket and eyes darting around the space. None of the assistants were around yet. Xander looked up at her with a smile that faded when he saw her face. There were tired lines on them, and they almost looked bloated. “Nina.” He called out, trying to help her to si
Chapter 40 The Joker’s Face JACKSON’S HOME, NEW YORK.“That witch! How dare she come into our lives and try to come between my man and me? I am going to show her what tough is like.” Dawn kept talking to herself as she washed her hands in the restroom. Nina stepped into the space, happy that Jace had caught a clue, and directed her towards where Dawn would likely be. “Were you saying that to me?” She asked from behind with a smirk. This time, Nina didn’t bother to cover up her baby bump. She had handed her jacket over to Jace. Dawn scoffed in distaste when she looked down at the bump. “You have no shame, do you? Following another person’s man when carrying someone else’s child.” “What man are you talking about?” She cackled dryly. “Are you trying to play dumb? If you two were ever going to work, you never would have broken up in the first place. Keep to yourself, or I will make your life hell.” Nina sucked her teeth and took intimidating steps towards her. “Do you know what I d
Chapter 41 The Greedy FellowTAYLOR’S HOME, NEW YORK.Asher rubbed at his tired neck as he stared intensely at the chart in his hand. It’s ridiculous that a food company that hasn’t clocked a year in the industry has made more sales than M&M Foods in the last two years. Although everyone knows X&J has always done exceptionally well with their business. However, it never caught his interest since they are not in the same line of business.Things seem to have taken a different turn now that they are taking the lead role. The board is beginning to threaten to sell out the company if there is no positive change in sales. There must be a reason why a new company is making such waves. To make matters worse, he has been trying to reach Nina, but her line isn’t going. She probably had him blocked.All of the places that he can imagine she might be hiding, he has no idea where. Since she has no family or actual friends besides Andrea, it's like her life has no exact trace. Asher pulled at his
Chapter 42 The Fiery QueenNina’s face paled as she tightened her grip on the steering wheel while watching Andrea enter her car and drive off. She couldn’t sleep a wink over the night as her thoughts roamed. She was only thankful that the office wouldn’t be resuming until tomorrow.What she did to Dawn was uncalled for, and Nina wouldn’t be surprised if she found the cop on her tail. All of her outbursts and the discomfort that comes with being pregnant and having her hormones do whatever it is they like to make her so angry that she wishes she had enough courage to get a gun and pump a few bullets into Asher and Andrea.Tears laced her eyes heavily. Nina gasped in a bid to catch her breath. It is all their fault. Their actions threw all her years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering trust to the wind. And she is left with nothing. Her hand rubbed at her belly unconsciously. If only she were not pregnant, maybe it would have been easier to move on with her life and not have a fra
Chapter 43 ApologiesXANDER’S HOME, NEW YORK.“I shouldn’t have come down here,” Nina mumbled as she parked in front of the house. “Well, you are here now. You might as well go inside.” Tania interrupted her soliloquy. “Why didn’t you just suggest that I call him instead? Coming here is a stretch. What if he has a house guest or doesn’t take visitors on his resting day? It's not working hours. Won’t I be accused of using my privilege of knowing him to take advantage?” “Well, it wouldn’t make sense if you don’t use such an opportunity occasionally.” She joked. Nina cut her a glare. Tania had insisted they visit Xander for her to explain herself to him and find the best solution to the situation at hand. Nina had resisted, but Tania knew how to be persistent. Her face paled at the thought of Xander getting angry at her for doing something as cruel as causing another person bodily harm. Tania noticed her demeanor and sighed. “You look like you have just bumped into a ghost. Relax, N
Chapter 44 Jewels OrphanageX&J EMPIRE, NEW YORK.“What are you doing?” Xander asked Dawn when he noticed her peering into his phone.She pouted, trying to hide her smile. “Nothing. I was just wondering why you had the phone on the lock to that extent. What are you hiding, huh?” Dawn wiggled her brows at him.He raised a suspicious brow. “Why are you interested in whatever I am hiding?”“Nothing. I just used to know your passcode to the house, and now you changed it.”“I didn’t change it because of you. I did this to keep Jace out of my house. But he knows it now anyway, and I hate that he keeps that much tab on me.”“I don’t think I would ever like your brother.”“He doesn’t like you either. So I bet that is just perfect. No one will get hurt.”“You do know he gets down with my sister, right?”Xander stared blankly at her. “Meaning? Isn’t your sister in a relationship?”Dawn mirrored his expression. “Does that make any sense? Since when do you give excuses for irrelevant behaviors?”
Chapter 45 Uncle J.RJASON’S CABIN, NEW YORK.“Is it you, Uncle J.R.?” Nina asked, still in disbelief.Jason’s eyes almost watered. “It's me, Nina. I can’t believe you have grown this much. How did I miss your growing up this much?”Xander watched silently as the drama unfolded.The both of them stood up to hug each other. Only then did Jason notice the bump hiding behind Nina's sweater. He held her gaze with shock in his eyes.“Is it Xander’s?” He asked, looking towards his nephew with a distant emotion in them.Nina chuckled. “Not at all, sir. It's a long story.”“Well, this is your home now. You are welcome to say everything until whatever time.” Jason assured.“What happened?” Nina asked when she returned to her seat. “I waited for two years, constantly watching the door with the hope that you will walk in again. But you never did. I was transferred from one foster home to the other, which was tormenting, by the way, until I got a chance to live my life and forget everything.”Jas
Chapter 46 Blabbering MouthREMINGTON HOSPITAL, NEW YORK.“What is all this about?” Xander frowned as he settled in the chair opposite Jason. “Nina says she uses this hospital. Is she okay?” He asked.Jason held up a blank stare. “Are you asking me that?”“Of course, why can’t I? You hardly come by the office, and the day you finally choose to, I am the one you put a call through.”Without a word, his uncle placed a pill container before him, watching him sternly. Xander gulped when he realized what it was all about.“Xander, you are pushing me to have no choice but to rat you out. Why do you keep doing this to yourself?”He scratched the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly. “Is this about the other day at the cabin? I can assure you I was playing around. It's nothing serious.”Jason didn’t look any convinced. “The more you lie, the more angered I become. Aren’t you worried about how much your nonchalance will take from you? Do you not care at all?”“It makes me more focused.”“Hel