Novel 543
Apologies
Chapter 43 Apologies
XANDER’S HOME, NEW YORK. “I shouldn’t have come down here,” Nina mumbled as she parked in front of the house. “Well, you are here now. You might as well go inside.” Tania interrupted her soliloquy. “Why didn’t you just suggest that I call him instead? Coming here is a stretch. What if he has a house guest or doesn’t take visitors on his resting day? It’s not working hours. Won’t I be accused of using my privilege of knowing him to take advantage?” “Well, it wouldn’t make sense if you don’t use such an opportunity occasionally.” She joked. Nina cut her a glare. Tania had insisted they visit Xander for her to explain herself to him and find the best solution to the situation at hand. Nina had resisted, but Tania knew how to be persistent. Her face paled at the thought of Xander getting angry at her for doing something as cruel as causing another person bodily harm. Tania noticed her demeanor and sighed. “You look like you have just bumped into a ghost. Relax, Nina. I already texted Jace, and he assured me that you, I mean, we can come. Take a deep breath.” She swallowed the dry saliva in her mouth and did as told. Tania opened the door quickly before she had a change of mind. “I should have called,” Nina muttered when they got to the door. Tania ignored her friend’s distorted state and pressed the doorbell. A smiling Jace opened up, ushering them in. “This is exactly how I should keep starting my day. Blessing my eyes with beautiful views like this one.” Jace chatted. He looked a bit too happy to see them. Nina smiled weakly, “I am so sorry for coming here unannounced. Where is Xander?” “He would be down in a minute. And you are always welcome here, Nina. You know that. Please come in and make yourselves comfortable.” Jace ushered them further in. He turned to Tania with a flirty raise of his brow. “So, how are you doing beautiful?” “Jace, who is at the-” Xander paused halfway down the stairs when he sighted Nina. His emotions switched from settled to a bit of anxiousness. “Nina, you are here.” He stated, covering the last stairs in short steps. Nina blinked, attempting to stand up, but he was quick to reach her and hold her back to the couch. “Hi, Xander. I am so sorry for coming without calling. Jace said we could come.” Xander smiled. “You know you don’t have to seek permission to come here. It is always open for you. Welcome, Tania. It’s nice to see you again. Pardon my manners.” He said, standing up to hug her. Tania squealed in his arms. “I would never be annoyed for the life of me.” “Why don’t I show you my cooking skills, mam?” Jace drawled, reaching for Tania as he guided her towards the kitchen, excusing the others. Xander couldn’t help but notice the nervous state Nina was in. “What is the matter? Did something happen? You were fine last night. Did your ex or Andrea do something to you? Do I need to go after them?” He rushed out his words in a short time. The concern in his tone made Nina melt. But then she remembered what she had to tell him, and her heart thumped as she worried about how he might react. “Not all of that. Something happened last night that I didn’t mention to you. It dawned on me when I was alone in the corners of my room that I did wrong.” “Talk to me, please.” She sniffed, bowing her head. “Last night, Miss Baker said something that didn’t sit well with me. I was hurt and triggered. So I followed her to the restroom and gave her a piece of my mind. I mean-I washed her with the faucet. And I-I washed off her makeup in the process.” Nina raised her head to look at him. “I know I might lose my job for this. But I am ready to apologize to her. Please don’t take my job away from me.” He felt a bubble of laughter in his throat. However, Xander cautioned himself. It was a different thing when Dawn said it, but hearing Nina admit to it herself makes him proud of her. “She came here last night saying you beat her up.” Nina gasped loudly. “It’s okay, and I didn’t take her seriously. I thought she was just being dramatic. You both had a fight, which was her fault, yet you are here to apologize. You won’t be losing your job, Nina. Moreover, it happened outside work. Thankfully, she is here right now. You can tell her whatever you want to say.” “She-she is here?” Nina asked, unable to hide the surprise in her voice. Xander waved his hand quickly. “Not in that manner. I couldn’t drive her back home as I was exhausted, and Dawn could be quite dramatic, so I let her spend the night. She is still upstairs.” As he stopped talking, Dawn walked into the living room. She had a cold expression on her face when she sighted Nina. “Oh my goodness, Xander, what is she doing here?” She queried. “To apologize to you,” Xander replied, not taking his eyes off Nina. “It’s your floor, Nina. Take it.” He urged. Jace and Tania watched closely from the kitchen. Nina nodded briskly and got up, making her way towards Dawn. “Hello, Miss Baker. I know you probably don’t want to see me right now-” “Of course, I do not want to see you.” Dawn bit back. “Dawn,” Xander called out, giving her a cautious look. She flared her nose and turned her face away. Nina continued. “I want to blame assaulting you on the pregnancy hormones. But then I know it is not entirely true. I am taking responsibility for my actions, and I am genuinely sorry for putting my hands on you. It was wrong of me to do, and I apologize. Please forgive me. It will never happen again.” “It wouldn’t because you will not be working in the company ever again.” Dawn gritted. “Stop getting ahead of yourself. You are neither a shareholder nor a CEO. So don’t make such a decision like you own the company.” Jace retorted with a snort. “Stay out of it.” His brother warned. “Anyway, Dawn, she already apologized. I am sorry on her behalf. No one is losing their job. Please accept her apology. She shouldn’t be on her feet too long.” Xander said. Dawn glanced around the room and gulped hard. Her insides fumed with anger, but she did her best to keep it at bay. “I don’t have a choice. It’s all good. I have forgiven you.” She said, not meaning any word. “Thanks, Dawn.” Xander smiled at her. “Thank you, Miss Baker.” Nina managed to smile. “Tania and I will leave now. Thank you for being so helpful, Xander and Jace.” She mused. Xander stood up. “You have to go now? I thought you would stay back and hang out with us.” He said to Nina. Tania noticed Nina’s discomfort and was quick to come to her rescue. “We have somewhere to be after this. See you guys some other time. Let’s go, Nina.” They bade their goodbyes hurriedly and left. “What the hell is she doing there?” Tania asked as they got into the car. Nina sniffed, focusing on the road. “I don’t think I want to know. I am just glad I have my job back. Time to focus on what matters.” She leaned further into the seat with her arms folded. “You bet.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.