shuhaige
Her New Home
Chapter 28 Her New Home
NINA’S NEW HOME, NEW YORK. Nina was awed by the simplicity of the four-bedroom house. The interior had simple, warm, elegant touches that made it feel welcoming, just like the owner of X&J Empire. She wondered if it was the first house Xander had lived in when he started the company. It had too much of his aura. “You like what you see?” Xander asked behind her with the last of the boxes in hand. She giggled. “It’s beautiful. Isn’t this too much for a mere staff, though?” He couldn’t respond yet as he went into one of the rooms to drop the box before joining her again. “It’s not too much, and I can assure you there is nothing like a mere staff in my company. Everyone is considered important.” It seemed like the couch was calling out to her, and Nina gladly received the invitation as she sat in it, heaving a sigh of relief. “This feels so good. I bet I have to attest to the beautiful treatment for both high and low-level staff. That is so thoughtful of you.” Xander joined her on the couch. “I remember someone telling me years ago that she wished people would be treated as humans first, not where they come from. It stuck with me when I was building X&J.” Nina smiled at the memory. “You remember all of that?” “There is no way I would forget. Like I said before, you made a huge impact on my life that I doubt you were aware of. Thank you, Nina.” “It’s funny how everyone has something to say about what I did or the other, and I don’t remember any of it.” “That is because you are who you are. You do things not just because it is necessary, but because you consider it right.” “Yeah, I guess.” He observed her closely for a while. “You have come a long way, Nina. I am proud to know your fire is still as intense as ever. Keep being you.” “Thank you. I should head to the grocery store now. It’s been a while since I cooked something nice. I also need to get some baby things.” His eyes landed on her belly. “So soon? Shouldn’t you wait for your bump to be bigger?” Nina rubbed at her belly with a smile on her face. “Call me eager. I want to feel truly excited for their arrival.” “I guess you have every right to feel like that. Let’s go then. I will drive you.” “Alright, thanks.” “How many times do you intend to thank me for everything? You say thanks every time.” Nina flushed, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I am only trying to show you how grateful I am.” “I already know that, so you don’t have to worry. Come on now. Let’s go.” After the grocery shopping, they passed through a Chinese restaurant. Nina’s appetite for homemade food seemed to have disappeared. She requested that they eat that instead. Xander couldn’t hold back his laughter at how cute she appeared. “Are you enjoying it that much?” He asked as she slurped on the noodles. Nina nodded quickly. “It tastes like a piece of heaven.” “I am surprised you are even eating it. You were never a fan of Chinese meals.” She shrugged in guilt. “Pregnancy has taught me that I can fancy any food. So here I am.” Xander laughed, sipping on his drink. “Enjoy all you want.” He kept quiet for a minute before clearing his throat. “I heard Andrea got married recently.” Nina sniffed, chewing with her head bowed. “Yeah, Tania told me. I am surprised it didn’t make the tabloids.” “They might have been concerned that the public would ask questions.” “That’s out of it for people of their status. The Andrea I know loves to show off how much she has and would have loved an extravagant wedding. They didn’t blow the horn during mine because Leila, Asher’s mother, didn’t think it was necessary since I didn’t come from any well-to-do family.” “They are such petty folks.” “You can say that again. I guess love blinded me, and I thought it didn’t matter. They never did accept me right from the beginning.” “How are you doing?” “The food tastes great. I feel so filled.” Xander sat up, staring directly at her. “That is not what I am asking you, Nina. I mean, how are you doing?” She gulped, exhaling tiredly. “I am not going to say I am at my best state. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night feeling alone and lost. I find myself crying at any little inconvenience. I know my hormones are at work, but my heart also aches too. It’s a lot to take in, but I can assure you that I am taking it one step at a time.” “That is what I like to hear. You can’t let those crazy people win. None of them deserves the happiness they are getting. I would like to see how sad they will look when they learn you are their new competition.” His words brought a smile to her face. “That would no doubt be a big blow to them.” Nina sighed, staring at her plate. “This is why I won’t stop thanking you, Xander. You have done me a huge favor. I appreciate you.” “Then let me do this one last favor and send my maid Carla to your side. I have another assistant to help, and I am sure she would love to be of help. Right now, I know it is hard for you to trust a stranger. I ask you to take Carla since I have known her for almost two decades. Please. You need someone to lean on, especially a motherly touch at your stage.” Nina sighed heavily. She is in her second trimester, and it hasn’t been easy moving around all by herself. She can’t help but admit that she truly needs the help. “I will take her in only on one condition?” Xander looked eager. “Sure.” “You let me pay her myself.” He wasn’t sure if he could allow that. However, he knew best not to argue with Nina. “No problem. As long as you have Carla with you.” “That’s settled then. I want ice cream.” She pouted. “I might need to see your doctor on your next appointment. Are you supposed to crave that?” Nina pouted, raising her pinky. “Just this one time.” Xander rolled his eyes playfully. “I don’t believe you, but I will get it for you. So let’s go.” Like a child, she squealed, following Xander eagerly. He couldn’t stop laughing.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.