Divorce To Restart: Vengeful Ex-Wife Strikes Back!

Chapter 9 A chance

XANDER’S HOME, NEW YORK. “I am coming,” Xander responded to the person by the door. Hurrying into his shorts, he ran downstairs to get the door. Carla has gone grocery shopping and won’t be back in a while. Checking the intercom, he was surprised to see his brother and mother. He would have expected Jace to press the code in since it is his usual way of dropping by without prior notice. “What’s with the pretense? Why didn’t you let yourself in?” Xander questioned Jace while hugging his mother lightly. Jace made a gesture towards their mother while flaring his nose. “Welcome, mum. Come in.” He invited them. Venus didn’t say much as she entered the house. Carla is indeed doing an excellent job at keeping the house intact. Sometimes, she would prefer to see his home in disarray from a long night party. But Xander’s life is too straightforward, and it worries her. “Do you not have anyone upstairs?” She asked, hoping the answer would be positive. “You want to check?” Xander retorted, not taking a hint. Jace rolled his eyes and went to the kitchen to make himself something since he didn’t bother to ask the others if they might be interested. “About the other night….” Venus started. “I am sorry, mum. But I enjoyed the food, thanks.” Xander cut her short. She hissed. “Can you stop trying so hard to avoid discussions and man up? I don’t want to keep hearing your halfhearted apology. Your father is just as stubborn as you are, but that doesn’t mean he hates you. Why won’t you give him a chance?” “Mum, how do I give a chance to someone who would not talk to me? How am I supposed to make amends when he doesn’t acknowledge that he hurt me? I can’t keep trying to understand him, Mum. I am fine this way.” “If that is how you want it.” “I am cool by it.” He insisted. She sighed, feeling deflated. “Have you thought of going out and having fun like the rest of your mates do? How about your girlfriend? When do you want me to meet her?” “I don’t hear you probe Jace about his personal life. Why are you probing into mine?” Venus looked towards Jace to come to her rescue, but he turned his face away instead. Chewing on his sandwich like he doesn’t give a care in the world. “You don’t exactly live normally like the rest of your peers. At first, I thought it was just you being busy getting your company together. But now that you are doing very well, that you have lots of people at your beck and call, I would expect you to be more loose and have fun. What’s going on, baby? You weren’t always like this. What changed?” Xander wanted to say a lot changed. Losing the one person his heart opened up to made him see no reason to enjoy life. Moreover, it is hard to explain the many things that have changed in his life. He chuckled dryly. “I don’t know what you are talking about, mum. I am doing just fine. You should keep an eye on Jace instead.” Jace rolled his eyes, snorting. “Why do you all have to mention my name every time? Can’t you do without referring to me?” “Shut that big mouth of yours.” Venus rebuked. “Shouldn’t you be concerned about your brother’s uninteresting lifestyle?” She turned to Xander all of a sudden. “Tell me, why do you have this big head as your friend? What happened to meeting other people?” “Lord, have mercy. Why are you so against me, mum?” Jace questioned. “Because it doesn’t feel right that you are your elder brother’s best friend. You are his sibling and shouldn’t be anything more besides that.” She defended her point. Xander couldn’t hold back his laughter. It’s been a while since he saw the two of them go back and forth with each other. Their mother seems to delight in messing with Jace despite knowing how much he detests being toyed with like that. “Let Jace be, mum. I am not complaining to you, am I? Stop stressing him out.” He said. “Wow! Thanks for coming to my rescue.” Jace said in sarcasm. Venus snickered, softening her gaze towards Xander. “Please, baby. I am only saying this for your good. It’s high time you start living to the fullest. Stop hiding away from the world and have fun.” “Mum’s words of wisdom.” Jace mocked. “One more word from you, young man; I would toss you this bag of mine.” She threatened. “Isn’t that your Birkin bag, mum?” He teased further. Venus flared her nose, “hold me back, Xander. I am going to beat him to a pulp.” Xander did nothing and only leaned back into the couch, watching them in amusement. His family can be quite a handful. Venus’s phone rang, bringing everything to a halt. “Shoot!” She cursed at the phone screen. “I need to leave now, baby. I have a spa session with my girls. Bye, don’t forget what I told you. Love you, baby.” She mused, kissing Xander on the forehead. “Bye, Mum,” Xander said. “I love you, mum,” Jace yelled after her. “Get behind me.” She yelled back. Jace laughed heartily without control. Xander shook his head. “Why do you always have to get on her nerves like that?” He asked. Jace shrugged, grinning sheepishly. “I can’t help it. Not when you get the entire attention. That is the only way I get to have her attention.” “Good for you,” Xander mumbled, going to the study. “Don’t tell me you are going to get busy again. It’s the weekend. We should be out partying.” “I just need to check my email real quick. I remember asking Lisa to send me the files of those who applied for the job post.” “But the company is not even set yet. Why are you hiring already?” “For good reasons, trust me.” He replied, tapping on his laptop keyboard. The first resume he saw made his heart flutter. He sat down, reading through the page hurriedly. It was the last place he would expect to see her. But here they are, as it should be. “What’s with the smirk?” Jace asked, stretching out his neck to peek at the screen. “Well, I guess everything will be more fun than expected.” He replied, grinning from ear to ear.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.