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The appearance
Chapter 69 The Appearance
BURGER HOUSE, NEW YORK. Nina laughed lightly into her phone as she mumbled a thank you to the waitress who helped pull out a chair. Tania was on the other end, cracking her up with her field trip memories. “I am glad you are having fun.” She mused, checking through the menu. Tania hummed in response. “How have you been?” “Good, I am getting closer to my delivery date. And I must admit, Xander has been of so much help within his short time here. I hardly do anything.” “That’s nice of him. I was about to think of him as some villain.” She giggled. “That makes the two of us.” “So what are you up to?” “I was craving a burger for lunch, so I came out to have some.” “Does Xander know you are out by yourself?” Tania inquired. Nina snickered. “Oh, please. I am not a child, you know. But he is aware of where I am. He had a meeting to round up and would join me soon. Like a mother hawk, he keeps a close eye on me. Can be annoying sometimes.” She admitted that she enjoys having someone look out for her. “You don’t know how relieved I am to know someone is there to look after you. How is Carla?” “She is good. Her son is recuperating just fine, too.” Their conversation extended as they kept discussing random things. Someone about to make his exit out of the cafe paused halfway when they sighted Nina. Asher blinked rapidly in disbelief. He mumbled an apology to someone attempting to leave with him still at the door as he stepped aside to look closer at Nina. “I would be damned.” He mumbled to himself; even if someone decorated her face with accessories, he still would recognize her. Asher didn’t think he would ever get to bump into her easily. Even the private investigator he had hired couldn’t find her; did he lie about not finding her? Or he just got scammed? Asher reasoned. He cleared his throat slightly when he reached the table. Nina looked up to see who it was, her eyes rounded like saucers in shock. Tania kept asking what was going on on the other end. Asher’s eyes lingered on Nina’s belly, making her more conscious. An angry cloud fell on her facial expression as she ended the call. She has never really thought about what she might do when she eventually comes in contact with the man who had caused her so much pain again. “Nina. Oh my goodness! It’s you, Nina. Nina baby, how are you doing?” He asked, pulling a chair to sit on without seeking her permission. There was too much excitement in his voice that made Nina cringe. “I have been searching all over for you. I didn’t think I would ever get a chance to see you again. How is our baby doing? I have missed you so much.” He said, a severe look on his face. Nina raised a brow as she watched him ramble on nonstop. He dares to think talking to her like nothing happened is okay. “I do not know who you are, sir. You should leave before I call the security on you.” Asher was taken aback, but he didn’t hide it. Although, he wasn’t expecting her to hug and smile at him. It’s the first time in a long time. “What-what are you saying? Of course, you know me. I am your husband.” He paused, correcting himself. “Was your husband, I know. But it doesn’t matter now. I will explain how it all happened to you. Please return to me, us, and your family. The company is suffering an enormous deal, and only you can bring back its lost glory, Nina. I know it must have been hard living by yourself with no family. You know I am your only family. Come home with me; we can discuss our differences and settle things as adults.” He said, stretching out his hand to touch her. She snatched her hand quickly from the table; her face reddened at the creepy goosebumps lacing her body. It’s the audacity Asher possesses talking to her like nothing ever happened between them. Nina wished she could toss the water glass at him and have him scream in pain. But her hand was on her belly protectively like she feared he might be intending to take her child away from her. “Baby, why do you look so red?” Jace arrived from nowhere, putting his arms around her protectively. He turned a sharp eye towards Asher. “Is this man bothering you?” “And who are you?” Asher queried. “Her man. You have a problem with that?” He retorted. “Is he bothering you, Nina? And do you know him?” Jace asked again. Nina held Jace’s gaze, feeling incredibly grateful, and nodded. “Yes, I do not know who he is,” she replied while trying to stand up. Asher got up, too. “Come on, Nina. What is with the denial? I am your husband, I mean ex-husband, but there is an explanation. Nina?” He raised his voice, getting in her way. Jace stood in between them and stared at Asher with no emotion in his eyes. “Take one more step towards her, and you will end up in jail or coma. Either of the two trusts that it wouldn’t bode well for you.” He threatened. “Nina-” He tried to call her unrelenting. “You do have a death wish. I see.” Jace stated. “Don’t test me. You do not want to see what I can do to you. Come, baby. Let’s go.” He said, reaching for Nina’s hand. None of them said anything to each other until the car was on the road. Nina kept scoffing and wondering how she missed that attitude on Asher’s end when they were together. It was how easily he could erase everything that ensued between them and act like they had only been apart for two weeks. Shaking her head to clear, she glanced at Jace and remembered that Xander was supposed to pick her up. Jace must have been in the space coincidentally. “Thank you, Jace. Your arrival felt like a miracle.” She managed to say. Jace smiled at her, keeping his eyes on the road. “He is your ex-husband, right?” “Yes.” “That bastard. Xander does have a good instinct. He couldn’t leave his meeting and asked me to help pick you up. He would rather trust me than his driver. I am glad I was the one who came, though, and not the driver. That bastard should be locked up. Are you okay, though?” She sniffed, nodding slowly. “I am fine. Can you take me home, please?” “Alright. I need to make a quick order. Still want that burger?” He asked with a soft gaze. “I have forgotten that I wanted something. I guess the burger wouldn’t be so bad. I will get hungry later.” “Burger it is, then.” Jace grinned, turning the car into another street. It didn’t take long after Jace dropped Nina off at home that Xander also arrived with a worried look on his face. He found Nina on the couch with a blanket wrapped around her while staring blankly at the TV. His face fell at the sadness in her eyes. “Nina?” He called out softly, sitting close to her. “I am going to kill him if he ever comes near you again.” Nina sniffed, blinking back the unshed tears in her eyes. “It’s okay, Xander. We are divorced anyway. There is nothing he can do to me.” He cupped her face in his palm, staring intensely into her eyes. His heart raced pretty fast when Jace told him about Nina’s situation. Xander’s first intention was to storm Asher’s office and give him a good punch in the guts. But Nina’s safety mattered more, and he had to return home to her. Silence reigned between them briefly, and Xander leaned forward to kiss her. Nina caught up on his intended action and moved her head away. She blinked rapidly, avoiding his eyes. “Nina, I-I didn’t mean-” Xander attempted to explain himself, feeling embarrassed by his action. “Good night, Xander,” Nina said, hurrying towards the room without sparing him a glance. He cursed out loudly, throwing himself onto the couch. He just had to ruin the moment.Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.