billion book
Finding Nia
Chapter 10 Finding Nia
TANIA’S APARTMENT, NEW YORK. “You did what?” Tania bickered, spitting shards of the ice cream in her mouth. Nina sighed in exhaustion. “I just thought it was the best thing to do. The last thing I want right now is any burden.” She swallowed the rest of the content before sharing her opinion. “You shouldn’t have done that. From your description, Xander is not a bad guy and never was actually. So why would you go as far as blocking him when he can help greatly.” Nina stared down at her pale palm, feeling tears in her eyes. “I am just so tired of thinking I can’t do without a man, or a man has to be in place for me to get my life together. It was the same mistake I made with Asher. I don’t want history repeating itself.” “But you never can tell who the good one will be unless you test the waters. How long has it been since you blocked him?” “About two weeks.” “What? Two weeks? Why didn’t you tell me anything?” Tania questioned. She pulled at the tail of her hair. When she decided to block Xander, Nina wasn’t thinking it through much. It dawned on her days later when it kept ringing in her ears how unnecessary she acted. Xander was not the one that caused her pain. She should channel her anger at the offenders, not someone else who might just be willing to help. Her heart still aches no matter how hard she tries to let go. Every night, she wakes up gasping for breath from the nightmare she keeps having of Andrea and Asher coming after her. They hurt her so much that she doubts a day will come when her heart will heal from everything she has been through. Tears rolled down her face. Nina wiped it off. “I don’t know what I am doing, Tania. I want to break free. I wish there were somewhere I could go to start a new life and forget about everything. But I have nowhere to go, and even if I did, I don’t have enough money to embark on such a journey. Everything keeps working against me. How am I supposed to be a parent when I am a wreck?” She sobbed. Tania patted her back gently. “Don’t be like that. You never know what the universe has in store for you. You have gone through a tough time. But it would help if you didn’t let that bring you down. I have observed you over the years, Miss Nina. You are strong, and you never back down easily from something you believe in. I would have thought you would be the one to walk out of that doomed marriage, but you kept holding on to the belief that it would work out. I salute your courage. It’s fine if your old friend never meets with you again. We will make sure to find a way out of it. Don’t be discouraged. I am here for you.” She managed to smile weakly. “Thank you, Nina. I don’t know how to thank you enough for all you have done for me since I arrived here.” “I wish I could do more. Come now, let’s binge-watch some movies and sleep in tomorrow.” “Sleep in? Aren’t you going to work?” Tania hissed, “Well, our little miss wants to treat her husband, especially tomorrow, and she doesn’t want anyone around to say we will cause too much distraction.” Nina scoffed. “I will never understand Andrea’s ways of doing things. I can’t stay up for too long. I have got to be at the store tomorrow.” “Why not do it this way? I will cover for you tomorrow. Your boss will not mind. You look too tired, so rest while I do the work.” “Are you sure? Although, I won’t mind the rest. Pardon me if I sound too selfish.” Tania giggled. “Well, if that were the case, I wouldn’t be the one to bring it up. So do not worry. I will handle it. Come on now, and I will pop some corn and make a sandwich real quick if we are going to see a good movie. And it should go well with good food, too.” She winked, making her way to the kitchen. Nina laughed lightly, forgetting her worries for a moment. ~~~~ “Why are you here, Tania?” Samson, the grocery store owner, asked her when she sat in place of Nina by the counter. “Just lending a helping hand,” Tania replied, grinning from ear to ear. She knew Samson wouldn’t mind, which had made it easy for her to come up with the idea. He shook a fat finger her way. “I know you are trying to help, but do not let it wear you down.” “If you know Nina truly, you won’t doubt her person for once. I offered to help. If it were up to her, she would rather die of hunger than ask for assistance.” “Alright, if you say so. Work hard.” He smirked, heading to the back. Tania hoped Nina would listen to her and get to sleep well. She couldn’t help but hear her muffled cries at night and how exhausting the job was. Tania herself has never had much help around due to the death of her mother when she was in high school. To survive, she had no other choice but to drop out. However, she had people who were friendly to her and always ready to help. People like Samson, who was a friend to her mother, and a few others, too, had helped her a whole lot. She couldn’t have many friends because they thought she had no future. Her apartment was on the verge of being taken away when she got the job at Nina’s former house. Nina extended her generosity to the monthly pay, and she even did it so that she doesn’t have to pay tax from the one she takes home. Nina had everything documented. Tania’s life feels stable because she earns above the minimum wage. The least she can do is help her guardian angel in any way she can. The day went by quickly, and as Tania was about to end her shift for the night, a breathtakingly handsome man with broad shoulders and hair shining as it had just left the barbershop walked in. He had an incredible aura surrounding him that made Tania consider him familiar. Xander glanced around quickly; not seeing the familiar face made him feel deflated. He cleared his throat lightly and walked to the counter. “Hello, good evening.” Tania beamed at him. “Good evening, sir. How may I help you?” “I am looking for Nina. She works here, but I am unsure if she does anymore.” “You must be Xander.” “You know me?” He asked in surprise. She chuckled. “Let’s just say I have heard a few things about you. I do know where Nina is. How about you wait for me a little, and I take you to where she will be.” Xander’s face lit up in appreciation. “Thank you so much. That would be great.” “Alright.” She grinned, hurrying off the counter.