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
Chapter 47 All OutDAWN’S HOME, NEW YORK.“Isn’t this a bit too much?” Minny slurred from the kitchen as she watched her sister light up the candles she had placed in the middle of the table romantically.Dawn stared at her handiwork in satisfaction. “I can’t keep waiting for long. I need to make him see what he is missing.”She rolled her eyes. “You will be disappointed. Those Jackson brothers are nothing to write home about. Trust me.” She said, walking away.Dawn refused to be discouraged. Xander is nothing like his brother, Jace. The car horn outside made her heart jolt. She rushed off to stare at herself in the mirror. Satisfied with her look, she went to open the door for Xander to come in. “Wow! Are we expecting others?” Xander asked when he sighted the decoration.She flushed in embarrassment. “No, it is just for the two of us. Remember this is my invitation. You are not supposed to complain about whatever it is I do.”He raised both hands in surrender. “My bad. So what are
Chapter 48 Nina, at all cost.M&M FOODS, NEW YORK.A knife could slice the tension in the boardroom. Asher tapped his foot on the floor anxiously. He had expected his parents to arrive at the due date, and they had to go all out to humiliate him by allowing the board members to come before them.“How long are we expected to wait for your parents, young man?” Jason asked sternly.“They—they would be here soon.” Asher stuttered in response.The door opened, letting in Darren and Leila. They looked chilled despite keeping others waiting.“We do not appreciate your disregard, Mr and Mrs Taylor.” One of the members said.Darren scoffed. “You all asked for it. Maybe I might respect you if you aren’t acting so shady. How dare any of you suggest selling my company after so many years? My family and I have worked tirelessly over the years. You can’t endure a bit of a challenging time. How shameful!” He hissed.“Why won’t you just trust my son to handle everything?” Leila questioned.Mr Anderso
X&J EMPIRE, NEW YORK.“You had your things brought to work?” Jace asked Xander as he walked towards the car to drop him off at the airport.He had insisted on coming to work that morning when he could have just stayed home and gotten ready for his trip.Xander grunted in response, dialing Nina. “Why is she not picking?”“Because she has something to do. She is probably in a meeting or something. Didn’t you say your goodbyes early this morning?”“I just want to let her know I am leaving.”“You can always call her when you get to your destination. Stop dropping calls like you might be joining your forefathers soon. And please call your driver to drop you off at the airport. Whenever you travel, it’s stressful for me, and I have to do the drop-off.”“Are you admitting that you will miss me?”“Oh, please don’t get ahead of yourself.” Jace snorted, pulling his face away as he hurried to the car.Xander chuckled. “Hey, you don’t have to walk me to the car.” He said, turning to Dawn, who had
Chapter 50 The MessageNINA’S HOME, NEW YORK.Nina groaned as she felt a dull ache below her belly. She has been on her toes all morning in the lab and hasn’t had much time for herself. She remembered she should have called Xander to ask how his trip went. Only to take her phone from the bag and realize the battery was down. She plugged in the phone and got rid of her clothes quickly.Hunger got the best of her, and Carla's pasta and grilled chicken had her nose twitching. She hurried out in excitement.“I was just about to come get you,” Carla said, stretching her phone to Nina. “Xander just called. He says he has been trying to reach you, but your line is off.”Nina smacked her lips. “I didn’t know it was off; I am charging it now. Thanks.” She mumbled, taking the phone from her and redialing the contact. “Hey.”“Nina!” Xander sounded very relieved when the line connected. “It's so nice to hear from you. I was about to lose my mind. How are you?”“I am fine. Sorry, I just got home t
Chapter 51 Her FateX&J EMPIRE, NEW YORK.“Have you all seen this?” Carlos rushed into the office.Everyone raised their heads to look at him.“Seen what?” Joshua asked.“Check your mail.” He repliedEveryone tapped on their computers quickly, and their eyes rounded like saucers at the message.Dani cursed out loud, not minding that she was on the work premises. “What the fuck? Why would they do this?”Carlos managed to find somewhere to sit. “I was just as shocked as you.” “Did you know they were going to do this, Nina?” Matilda asked.Nina blinked back into the present. Her eyes couldn’t leave the screen. The company split its department budget in half, which is very severe because they are on the verge of making more products, as prompted by market demands.“I—I have no idea. The Finance Team told us we would never have to worry about funds.” She stuttered in response.“They lied.” Dani hissed.Joshua shook his head. “This is probably a mistake. I think it is best if we ask the h
Chapter 52 Who is the problem?JACE’S PENTHOUSE, NEW YORK.Jace groaned as his phone rang loudly. He blinked rapidly to adjust his eyes to the beaming sun. He let out a wince at the sharp ache in his head. He had a Migraine from his excess drinking last night. He managed to sit up and glanced around quickly for his damned phone that wouldn’t stop ringing.“What?” He bellowed at his brother on the other end.Xander sucked his teeth and switched to video call. Jace mumbled some incoherent words under his breath. Before he finally allowed the switch.“Are you drunk?” He asked.Jace sniffed and staggered towards the kitchen to get water. “The right question is, do I have a hangover? And yes, I do.”“Why is that?”He winced, rubbing at his head. “Please, Xander. You are not around, so do not make me worry about what you think of me. Do I not have the right to drink on the weekend after working my ass off all week and getting bossed around by that witch you call a friend?”Xander exhaled an