Divorce To Restart: Vengeful Ex-Wife Strikes Back!

Chapter 21 Dining With Xander Jackson

XANDER’S HOME, NEW YORK. “Are you that excited to have her over?” Carla asked Xander as they arranged the dining table. Xander grinned sheepishly. He had invited Nina and Tania to have dinner with him at his house. He would have loved to have Nina alone, but he worried she might decline. But inviting her friend seems like a good idea. “I won’t say I am not. Nina is a long-time friend of mine, and I am just happy to have her around me.” The older woman smiled; she didn’t need anyone to tell her that there was more to his explanation. However, it felt nice to see Xander look radiant and bustling. He has never invited a female friend over except for the one who barges in like she owns the place. He hardly does anything aside from work. His diet and social life are unbalanced. He practically lives like a monk. She hopes this Nina lady will make a good impact in his life. “As long as your face keeps being this radiant. I don’t mind entertaining this woman every day.” Carla said with a wink. He scoffed, “Stop being such a bother. I already told you it’s nothing like that. Stop making me repeat myself.” “Yes, sir.” She drawled, hurrying off. Xander’s phone rang, bringing his attention back to it. He groaned at the screen before answering. “What is it?” Jace made a strangled sound on the other end. “So the thing is, my friends won’t be hanging out with me today, so I was wondering if I could just swing by your dinner. You know, get to meet Nina again and also her friend.” He emphasized the friend. His brother inhaled and exhaled deeply. “If you do as much as drive to the front of my house. I will call the cops on you. It is why Mum keeps dragging you. You are so nosy.” “Oh, I am at fault now for wanting to help my socially inept brother get through dinner without messing it up? Wow! Nobody appreciates me around here.” “I won’t warn you again. Please do not come to my house until dinner is over. I will entertain you anytime after that.” Xander can envision Jace’s pout. “And keep your face straight. You look ugly like that.” He teased. “I hate you.” “The feeling is mutual. Bye, baby brother.” He laughed as he pressed the red button before going upstairs to change. Nina and Tania arrived just in time when Xander had freshened up. The ladies seemed marveled by the state of the house. They have been quite surprised since they got picked up by the exquisite car Xander had sent over to pick them up. “Ladies, welcome.” Xander greeted me with a bright smile. “Oh, my goodness, Xander. Your house is beautiful. I won’t mind spending all my time in a space like this. Also, thank you for the beautiful ride,” Tania rambled. “I am sure it would suit you just fine. And you are welcome. I am glad you enjoyed the ride.” He replied, keeping a close eye on Nina. She seemed absent. “How are you, Nina?” Nina jolted when she felt Tania’s nudge by her side. She didn’t want to accept the invite and probably wouldn’t have if Tania had not insisted. She had appeared eager to come, and Nina didn’t want to be the joy killer. “I. I am fine, thanks. Thanks for the ride, too.” She replied dryly. Xander’s excitement seemed to go with the wind, and he regretted not letting Jace come along. “That’s nice. Please come to the table.” Xander said as he ushered them to the chairs. He brought out his phone and texted Jace quickly. In less than five minutes, Jace was walking towards the table. “Hello, beautiful people.” Jace grinned, making a face at his brother as he pulled him into a hug. “How did you get here so soon?” Xander asked in a whisper. “I knew you would need me, so I was just a few blocks away.” He boasted, releasing himself from the embrace before Xander squeezed him to dust. “Hello, ladies. I am Jace, Xander’s brother.” “Nina, I am sure you remember Jace,” Xander said, hoping that would change her mood. Nina smiled as she stretched her hand for a shake towards Jace. “It’s nice to see you again, Jace. Meet my friend, Tania.” “Nice to see you too. You look beautiful as ever. Hello, Tania. I am Jace.” He held up a flirty smile that had Xander feeling embarrassed. Tania, in her coy self, matched his expression. “Nice to meet you.” “Can we eat now,” Xander announced. The atmosphere became lively again, thanks to Tania and Jace’s nonstop chatter. Xander hates to admit it, but he really wouldn’t be able to survive without his brother. Nina looked hellbent on not wanting to be invited over next time. However, Xander only sees it as a reason to probe her further. Jace offered to show Tania around the house after dessert, leaving just the two at the table. “What’s up with you?” Xander asked when they were alone. “Nothing,” Nina replied with a shrug. He cursed inwardly. “It’s nice to know Tania is willing to further her education. So, how do you intend to cope with living alone? Do you need help?” She scoffed, glaring at him. “No, I don’t.” “You know I have a lot of extra space here. Considering your condition, you will need someone around you and my help. Carla will love to have the company.” Nina seemed to be running out of patience. “Didn’t I just make myself clear? I don’t want your help.” “Alright. But e hat’s with the attitude?” “You tell me. Why are you trying so hard to be the knight in shining armor? Didn’t I tell you that I do not need handouts?” Xander looked tired. “Why do you enjoy spinning things this way?” “Because you are trying too hard?” “But how is this a handout? And what is wrong with taking the help when you need it? You took the job offer, didn’t you?” “Well, I do have my resume to thank for that. And I appreciate you because you have done enough. I haven’t even started the job yet, and the boss is already offering me a place to stay.” “I am only offering as a friend. Carla won’t even mind. She is like a mother to me.” “I don’t want it.” Nina sounded angry. “I don’t want anyone to be nice anymore.” “Come on, Nina. I don’t mean any harm. I swear it.” He said in a gentle tone. Nina sighed, knowing she was probably going too far. “Maybe if I hadn’t taken it, people like Andrea and Asher wouldn’t have made a fool out of me. Whenever everyone renders help on a platter of gold, it’s all an attempt to use me. It would be best if you didn’t treat me like a charity case. I don’t want to feel used again and-” Her voice broke as she spoke. They went from zero to a hundred so fast that it drained Xander’s energy. “I will never do that to you. I promise to treat you better.” “Well, I remember the others made that promise, too. Thanks for the dinner, see you tomorrow, boss. Tania!” She yelled, hurrying to the door. “What happened?” Tania asked Xander while rushing towards the table to grab her bag. “Thanks for coming to dinner, Tania. It was nice having you over. Sorry for the stress. Have a good night’s rest. Make sure they get home safe, Jace.” Xander instructed his brother as he headed upstairs, leaving the other two confused.

******************* Jace peeped from behind the door. “May I come in?” He asked. Xander sniffed and took a sip of his wine. “Sure. Did they get home safe?” “Yes, I made sure of that.” “Do you want a glass?” He asked. “I wouldn’t mind.” They remained quiet, giving Jace enough time to study his brother. “What’s wrong?” Xander remained tightlipped, just staring hard at the glass in his hand. “Why aren’t you saying anything?” “I have nothing to say.” He grumbled. “I am very certain you have a lot to say. Nina was all cooped up in the car, barely breathing. Tania and I heard you two arguing. Don’t you think it is too early for that?” “Do you think I wanted to argue with her? I was only offering to help, and she went all hot on me like I was the one who harmed her.” Jace sighed, putting down his wine glass. “Truth is, I heard the argument, and I just wish you would be more understanding of where Nina is coming from. You said it yourself, and it’s not like I lived with her. For someone whom a person has betrayed, she has known half of her life. It would be hard for her to trust someone else so easily.” “But I have never given her a reason to doubt me. Not even when we had to break up; it was all a setup. Shouldn’t she know me better than that?” “She might know. However, it is a lot for her to take in now.” Xander flared his nose as he stared intensely at the wine glass. He felt very hurt at Nina’s reaction towards him. It made him feel foolish. Even if she has a lot on her mind, it doesn’t seem fair to him that she chooses to react so crudely. Jace chuckled. “You are still very much in love with her.” “That doesn’t concern you.” “Yeah, right. Have you had your dose?” He asked, keeping his eyes to the ground. Xander cursed under his breath. “I will be back.” Jace hummed in response, watching Xander search his closet hastily like he was drunk. Many times, he can’t help but feel sorry for his brother, who seems stuck up on one woman. It had started as something that he would get over. Only years passed, and it appears Xander had opted for the monk lifestyle. “I hate to say this. But why aren’t you trying things out with Dawn?” He asked. Xander gulped the pills hard and hurried to the mini fridge to get a water bottle. “If you hate to say it, why bother?” “I am just wondering why you are not curious to make a move.” He huffed, throwing himself into the bed. “Dawn is an emotional person. I like her only as a friend and nothing more. If I make it a joke to have a pass, she might interpret it as my way of proposing to her. Don’t be surprised if the tabloids announce our engagement the next day.” Jace laughed. “She is crazy.” “But I thought you were having some cozy moments with her sister, Minny.” “Hell no. That would be the death of me. She is crazier than her sister. The few times we met, she tried to get into my phone. I wonder what goes on in both sisters’ heads. The lady’s coochie I want, but a crazy bitch tailing me around town, I can’t deal.” He said, distracted by the notification on his phone screen. “Mum will be the happiest person if one of us gets married to the Baker’s girls,” “I would rather join the monastery,” Jace said with a shiver. “You are crazy.” Xander laughed. “Have you thought of doing something to Dad’s company?” He snorts. “You think I want anything to do with it? That older man would do better to sell the company or hand it to you. I want nothing with it.” “You have so many complications that I worry I will be affected by them soon.” “Suit yourself, moron! Get out of my house already.” Jace snickered. “I was just about to leave.” He said, standing up. “Say hello to Minny for me,” Xander mumbled, not turning to look at him. “I hate you.” His brother replied, grinning sheepishly. Minny had sent him a text that she was waiting at his house. How Xander got to know about it surprises him. “Same here. Goodnight, slut!” “Right back at you, monk!” He retorted, making his way out of the room. Xander inhaled deeply, resting on his back; he stared blankly at the ceiling, wondering what Nina might be up to at the moment if she was still pissed at him or had found peace in the hands of sleep. The very first day he saw her again after many years, Xander knew he wanted her to himself once again. Even though it is undeniable how tasking that would be for him, he is willing to try; breaking up with Nina brought many things to a halt in his life. It’s not like he regrets anything. The thought of her then always made him excited, and all he wanted to do was see her again and again. The day she slapped him for cheating and ended things between them, Xander had roamed the entire campus aimlessly. It felt as if he had no control over his body. When Xander got a grip on himself the next day and headed to Nina’s house, she wasn’t there. He searched for her at her faculty, and when he found her, she looked livid. Her words were reassurance that she didn’t want what they shared anymore. He should be angry that she didn’t give him the benefit of the doubt and was quick to end everything they shared. Xander had promised himself that he would tell her a piece of his mind when they next met. However, things turned out differently, and all he could think of was to protect her and make sure she never got sad again. His eyes lingered on his phone by the bed lamp for a while. He contemplated calling or texting Nina. Inhaling, he did none of it and instead turned his back, letting sleep ease his worries.