Novel Square
The Call
Chapter 14 The CallContent (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“You might break that screen if you keep staring at it like that,” Tania told Nina, her hands steady on the wheels.
Nina sighed, consciously rubbing at her belly. “It’s a surprise that he hasn’t called yet after saying he would reach out.”
“Do not worry your pretty head too much. Xander looks like someone who would keep to his words. It would help if you got ready to leave for work now. I will drop you off.” She offered.
“Thanks, Tania.”
“Anytime. I will get some Chinese on my way back. I hope you wouldn’t mind.”
“I would love that.”
Nina’s phone rang, and she was surprised to see an unknown number. She has just a few people on her line. It mainly was Asher, Andrea, and his parents. With their fallout, she had blocked all four of them. Tania, Samson, her boss, and Xander are the only ones with her contact now.
“Why aren’t you answering the call?” Tania asked as she turned the car into another street.
“I don’t know who is calling.”
“Didn’t you apply to some companies? Could be one of them reaching out.”
“Oh, it skipped my mind.” She smacked her forehead, picking up.
“Hey, girlfriend.” The taunting voice drawled from the other end.
Nina gulped hard, gripping the phone tightly. Tania tapped her, motioning with her head to ask what was going on. She shook her head and blinked. “What do you want, Andrea?”
Tania’s eyes rounded like saucers. “Andrea?” She mouthed.
“What do I want? Have you forgotten your best friend so easily? That’s shameful.” Andrea teased further.
Nina felt the urge to reach into the phone screen and smack the life out of her. “I have nothing to say to you. Shouldn’t you be ashamed of yourself? What else do you want from me?”
“Oh, please. Stop whining already. It doesn’t suit you. Anyways, I thought you might like to hear my story. So let’s meet up.”
“I don’t care about whatever it is you have to say. Don’t you ever call my line again?”
“You know you want to. I was hoping you could send me your address, and I will come to you. I might as well buy you lunch.”
“Go fuck yourself!” Nina gritted, ending the call. “That bitch!” She yelled, breathing heavily.
Tania stopped the car in front of the grocery store. “Calm down. Take in a deep breath.” She urged, rubbing at her back.
Her phone rang again; this time, Nina picked up without checking to see who the caller was. “I said not to call me again!”
Xander chuckled awkwardly on the other end. “Is everything okay, Nina? It’s me, Xander.”
Tears forced their way down her face. “I can’t deal with this.” She wailed.
“Where are you right now?” He asked.
Tania snatched the phone before she had the chance to respond. “She is not in the best of shape. We are at the grocery store.”
“I will be right there,” Xander said.
Twenty minutes later, Xander had Nina seated in a booth at a restaurant as he tried to calm her down. Tania had been called at work, leaving Nina with him.
“How are you feeling?” He asked.
Nina inhaled deeply. “I hate her so much.”
“No, you don’t. You haven’t gotten to that stage yet.” Xander said in a reserved tone.
“What makes you think so? Do you know how much I want to get hold of her and slap her into a coma? That bitch feels no remorse whatsoever for what she did. Have I become a laughing stock to someone like Andrea, who has never known what it feels like not to be employed in her entire life? I have worked to the bone, yet I have nothing to show. How long do I have to live like this?”
“You won’t have to live like this anymore if you agree to my proposal.”
“What do you mean?”
Xander sat up, looking all businesslike. “Remember what I said to you before. You are a great asset. I have been working on entering the packaged food market for a while now, but I needed to be sure I had the right people on my team. So I would like to hire you as my head researcher; I intend to compete with M&M. Then you can teach Asher and Andrea a thorough lesson.”
Nina scoffed. “I see. So, you also intend to use me as your pawn, right? Use me to start a competition, and when everything gets complicated or you don’t need me anymore, then you throw me under the bus. That is just perfect! I have a job to get back to, excuse me.” She kissed her teeth, standing up.
“Get your ass back into the chair and listen to what I have to say,” Xander ordered in a dangerously low tone. She looked back at him in shock, prompting him to loosen his frown. “I am sorry. But you need to hear me out.”
Fixing her jaw stubbornly, Nina sat down, folding her arms. “I am all ears.”
“Truth is, I saw your credentials at my company. That was what prompted me to look for you again. I was determined to do as you wanted and stay away from you. But when I saw that file, I was convinced that the universe wants us to work together. M&M Foods is no longer what it used to be years back, and with you being out of the company, they will lose many points. The new company will only be under mine, and you will be in charge of everything else as long as it beats M&M hands down. That is going to be your first point of attack.”
Nina furrowed her brows as she tried to process Xander’s explanation. “Does this mean I am going to have a well-paying job?”
He hummed in response. “Including a house and car. It will be too much trouble hailing cabs in your condition.” He said, motioning towards her belly.
She wrapped her arm around it protectively. “Are you sure you aren’t doing this out of pity?”
Xander laughed dryly. “I have said countless times, Nina. I am a businessman. Trust me, never do something that will make me lose capital. My question to you is, are you open to this challenge? Do you trust yourself to do your best?”
Happiness settled upon her features. She nodded vigorously. “Of course, you know I will never back down from a chance to prove my skill. I am in.” A wide smile tugged at her chapped lips.
He wanted to sweep her off her feet and raise her. Seeing her so happy made him feel whole. Instead, he relaxed on the couch, letting her express her delight.
“Before I forget. What is the name of your company? I have never really heard you make mention of it.” Nina inquired.
Humbly, Xander took a sip of his drink. “It’s a conglomerate. X&J empire.”
Nina blinked slowly. “Is that a joke? You are the owner of X&J?”
“Yes, ma’am. Right in front of you. Xander Jackson Empire.” He affirmed, casually calling the waiter to make their order, leaving Nina in utmost shock.