billion book
Is it Nina?
Chapter 27 Is It Nina?
XANDER’S HOME, NEW YORK. Dawn entered Xander’s house by pressing the code. She chose not to use the doorbell, considering herself a part of the house already. Carla was the first to see her, and the older woman didn’t hesitate to show her displeasure. Dawn sneered at her before gliding toward the study where she was sure Xander would be. “Hey, baby.” She cooed from the door, making her way in. Xander raised his head from the book in his hand. He checked the time, and it was past nine. “What are you doing here this late, Dawn?” She scoffed. “When have I not been at your place at whatever time? It never bothers you.” “It always bothers me. I do not like people coming around my house without prior notice.” “But I am not people. I am your favorite person.” She said, making a cute face. Xander didn’t look a bit impressed by it. “I am still not pleased with it, Dawn. You have a fucking phone. Let me know when you want to come again. What if I had someone over?” Dawn furrowed her brows at his last sentence. “What? Since when did you start having someone over aside from me and Jace?” “Why do I have to explain that to you? Not even my mum can get such a conversation out of me. Come on, let’s go. I will drop you home.” He offered, standing up. She remained seated with her hands folded. “I am not going anywhere, and you will have to work hard to get me out of here. Is this about Nina? Ever since she started working with you. You have changed.” “Isn’t change a constant thing? Also, now that you mention Nina. Can you stop trying so hard to be the villain? Your complaints about her work many times are uncalled for.” “That doesn’t make them invalid.” She defended. “I expect you to be professional and stop letting your dick control you. I am only doing my job.” Xander bit down on his lips as he stared her down. “You know, just the right buttons to press to make a person mad. But I am not in the mood for your silly attitude so I will let this slide. Let’s get you home.” He said, heading to the door. “Do you still want her so much that you gave her a house and a car? She is just a head researcher of a new company. At least she is supposed to have worked for a year before she gets those benefits.” Dawn said, boring holes into the back of his head with her eyes. He gripped the doorknob tightly. Xander knew Nina wouldn’t take the house and car from him if he had offered it to her as a friendly gift. That was why he had lied about the company giving it to her. She didn’t doubt that, and it made him feel at ease knowing she was at close range to look after. No one was supposed to know about it. It wasn’t the company’s money. Everything has his name on it, except if a particular someone has been nosing around. He turned an angry eye at her. “Have you been going through my stuff, Dawn?” He questioned. “I don’t need to go through it to know some things are missing from what is yours. I see Nina driving your BMW. It’s one of your favorite go-to cars, and I know the plate number before you tell me many people drive the car. And as for the house, I heard Nina calling out the address to someone on her phone. What is this all about?” Her nosiness made her look less attractive to him. Xander kissed his teeth. “You don’t know how much I detest what you just did. You wouldn’t have noticed that if you weren’t willing to find out. Please keep it to yourself because the last time I checked, it was my house and car, nothing belonging to the company. Now get up, and let me drive you back home.” He gritted, not leaving room for any further joke. Dawn did as told and stood up. She sat quietly in the car while Xander drove. She is not ready to let go of the conversation so quickly. “What happened between you two, and why are you helping her?” Xander cursed under his breath, feeling frustrated. “Can’t you do us both a favor and keep quiet?” “Why should I have to do that? You are acting like you do not know how I feel, Xander.” “What are you talking about?” “You know well that I am into you. I want you to be mine, yet you casually give another woman attention, expecting me to be fine with it.” He didn’t say anything until he drove straight into Dawn’s compound and got down from the car. Dawn ran after him. “Say something, goddamnit!” She screeched. Turning a blank expression towards her, he lowered his tone. “I think you need to rest, Dawn. It’s getting late, have a good night’s rest.” He said, walking away. Dawn stumbled to the back, feeling her insides swell for a scream. She couldn’t think of any other person at fault except Nina. No matter how annoying she might be. Xander has never walked out on her or given her such a terrifying look. She didn’t think there was anything to worry about before, but now she knows. She would do everything in her power to stop anyone in her way. ~~~ Xander gulped down the entire content of the glass the bartender passed to him, and he couldn’t resist the urge to order another one. It felt good. “Are you supposed to be chugging down something like that?” Jace questioned in a singsong voice behind him. He groaned with an eye roll. “Can’t I just have a moment to myself? Why are you always after me?” His brother shrugged, pulling out a stool to sit. “It’s not my fault you forgot your phone at home.” “How did you guess I would be here?” “I called Carla to ask why you aren’t picking up, and she said you must have dropped your phone in a bid to take Dawn home. I put it all together and figured you must be frustrated and needed to burn off some steam. And where else is the best place to do something like that? Right here. Call me a genius.” He grinned. “Good for you.” He said with no enthusiasm. “What did Dawn do this time?” “It’s not this time. It’s all that Dawn has been doing that is getting on my every nerve.” “What happened?” “She has been going after Nina for no reason. Only to find out today that she has been tending to me.” “I bet she found out about the car and house.” Xander squinted his eyes at his brother. “Now I see where all of this is coming from. You told Minny.” Jace blinked in guilt, not denying it. “That wasn’t intentional, and you know that I take Minny to the house whenever I try to hide away from a new chick. She asked that we go to the house, and I told her it would no longer be available. I only explained briefly, I promise.” He looked more pissed. “I can’t believe the kind of people I have around me. What is wrong with you? You have a bloody house, a penthouse to your name, and more than enough money to rent a fancy staycation. Yet you go to my house whenever you want without respecting my boundaries.” Xander raised his voice, forgetting they were at the bar. Jace felt embarrassed as people’s attention was getting drawn to them. “But I have always fancied using what is yours, and you have never complained.” “Well, I am glad you know it is mine, and now I am complaining. Do you see where I would have an actual problem with you? It is if Nina ever finds out about this. I promise you won’t like what I would do.” He hissed, storming out of the bar. “He hasn’t paid.” The bartender said. Jace huffed. “I will sort it.” He assured.