Chapter 59 Family Knock
XAVIER
HOURS EARLIER.........
AT THE COMPANY........
I put down my pen, pushed back my swivel, and got on my feet, struggling to focus as I thought of both Samantha and that spoiled.......
Ugh.
The fuck is wrong with her? She didn't have to treat my intern like that. I hate that shit.
A knock came on the door, taking my attention.
"Sam, come in,"
It opened, revealing my secretary instead.
"Sir, you have...."
"Where is Samantha?" I retorted.
She furrowed her brows. "Samantha?"
"Did you see her?" I asked.
She shook her head. "Not really, sir."
"Look for her and send her here immediately," I ordered.
"Okay, but you have...."
"Do it now, Anita."
"I will sir but this can't wait. I think it is important you hear this." she persisted.
I heaved a sigh. "What is it?"
"You have a call from Ximena."
I froze.
"She said she is your younger sister and your mom is dying."
My heart dropped.
"What?"
"That's....that's what she said. She sounded very worried on the phone. She said you are not taking their calls so she got the company's line instead."
I sat in my seat, processing this least expected news.
"She said she really needs to speak to you," Anita said, making me look at her.
"Should I pass the call to you?" she asked.
"Yes, please,"
"Right away, sir," she said, heading out.
I rested my elbows on the table, running my fingers through my hair as I kept processing everything.
The telephone rang, taking my attention.
I got on my feet, moved around my seat, and rubbed my face.
The phone kept ringing.
I put my hands in my pockets, staring at the telephone.
It has been decades since I heard from them.
Now my mom is fucking dying.
What the fuxk is this shit?
The phone kept ringing.
Sighing, I walked close to it and pressed a button.
"Xavier?" Her familiar voice made me close my eyes.
My only sister.
"Xavier, are you there?"
I didn't respond.
"It is me, Ximena. Big brother is here too."
I opened my eyes, staring at nowhere in particular.
"Hey, bro," his familiar voice came through. "It's Xander. It's been ages."
I closed my eyes, letting out a sigh.
"We know you can hear us," Ximena said. "Mom is dying."
My heart clenched as I opened my eyes.
"She has leukemia," she said. "She has been saying your name since. She wants to see you badly."
I moved to my seat and sat on it.
"She wants to see you before she...." She paused.
I felt tears coming.
"Please come home. We miss you," she said.
"Listen, bro, the reason we're apart is no longer with us. We all regret not believing in you. I am sorry for not being your big brother when you needed me the most. Mom is sorry too."
"I am too," Ximena chipped in.
"Think about our mother. I know you love her. Come home and see her. We hope to see you, man." Xander said.
"We really hope," Ximena said.
They hung up.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, getting frustrated.
Leukemia.
Fucking leukemia.
NEXT DAY............
"When will you be back?" Jason asked as I went through my phone. We are both seated in the back of my car and the driver is taking us to the airport.
"A few days," I said without looking away from my phone.
"That means a week then," he said.
"I can't tell," I said, adjusting my dark glasses. I am dressed in a white shirt, first three buttons left open, grey pants, and a long black coat.
"I can't believe you lied to me about your origin. You are a fucking Mexican?"
I looked at him. "I lied to everybody. What makes you so special?"
His face twitched. "Really?"
"I lied to everyone, man. Besides, I am Mexican by birth. I was rejected by my origin because of my dreams. So yeah. I got my green card so here I am. A fucking American citizen." I said, returning my gaze to my phone.
He huffed. "Rejected or not, green card or not, you are a fucking Mexican, man."
I sucked my teeth.
"Say something in Spanish to me."
I looked at him tiredly.
He raised his brows. "Go on. Don't embarrass your mother's land."
"Cierra la maldita boca, cabrón."
His face lit up.
"Oh wow."
I smirked, returning my gaze to my phone.
Dummy.
"Damn. How come you gave a clean American accent? You sound like you haven't forgotten your language." he said.
I scoffed. "Why would I? It is my mother's tongue."
"Respect. What was that you said in Spanish though?"
I looked at him.
He is staring at me.
"I said, 'shut the fuck up, motherfucker."
His face twitched.
I smirked.
"You are one annoying punk."
I chuckled.
"Have you told your other friends yet?"
"Yeah."
"Did you tell them the actual reason why you are on your way to Mexico?"
"No, man. Drop it already," I said, getting annoyed.
"Cool. I am the only one you told. That tells where I stand."
I looked at him.
He looked at me.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"It means I am your real best friend and the others are just people," he shrugged.
"In your dreams, Jason."
"Believe it or not, man. I am what I am."
I rolled my eyes.
Time went by and I am seated in my private jet, legs crossed and sipping champagne as I stare at the clouds while we fly.
My mom filled my thoughts for the umpteenth time since I heard the news. I placed the glass now, heaving a sigh.
The last time I saw her was decades ago.
I was nineteen the last time I saw her.
I am the middle child of three and the most hated at home.
At least that was how my dad made me feel.
Like the fucking black sheep in the family.
He made me feel that way.
The late Mr. Xaden Henerdez. Famous wine maker and business tycoon. He loved money so much.
The fucking spot I took after him.
But he was a merciless, selfish, and arrogant son of a.....
We had a huge vineyard.
I wonder if it is still there.
Xander was supposed to take care of the family business as the first son.
Dad wanted him to be a fucking attorney.
Ximena, an engineer.
And me, he wanted me to run the family business. He wanted me to drop out of school and focus fully on the family business.
I couldn't do that shit.
I was the star of my school football team.
My school won a lot of trophies because of me.
I was a fucking star.
Football was my fucking life and he didn't care. He didn't give a damn about my dreams and desires.
That shit is fucked up.
Parents shouldn't stop their kids from chasing their dreams.
If I ever become a parent, I will support my kids' dreams forever.
My dad was a fucking obstacle.
Xander didn't mind being an attorney. He still chased his dreams of being a chef.
I bet he is both now.
Ximena's dream was to be an engineer. That old man supported her fully.
I was a fucking exception.
Like he hated my fucking life.
I doubted if he was my dad but out of everyone, I am his fucking spitting image.
Mom didn't help me talk to him. She let him ruin my life.
I missed a lot of matches in school cause Dad kept me in his fucking factory.
I worked tirelessly, thinking that after all my hard work, he would let me go to school. I didn't mind once a week.
I just need to play football.
The motherfucker played me. I didn't go back to school.
My rival took my spot in school.
Fucking Mark Gonzalez. I am way better than him.
My dad ruined everything.
I wasn't even getting a breather I'm in the vineyard.
Any little mistake, my dad would have his workers whip me.
My childhood was my dark days. I never want to go back to it.
Mom kept telling me to endure.
Xander didn't give a damn about me even after I told him to help me beat those fucking employees for whipping me.
He didn't fucking care about me. He preferred his dumb friends.
Ximena........
She was younger but she was also a pain in the ass. I took the fall for everything she did.
I didn't take that to heart. She is my little sister.
But dad made my teenage years a living hell.
The last straw was when I was nineteen. My cousin, Julio, told me a football agency was asking for me.
The school management was urging them to take Mark but the agency insisted on their choice.
Which is me.
Dad refused as expected.
But I wasn't going to be a fucking fool again.
I told him I was leaving with or without his consent.
He said if I leave, I am no longer his son.
I scoffed.
I don't care, Dad. This is not life.
My life is waiting for me out there.
Mom told me to listen to my dad.
Xander told me to be respectful.
Ximena......well.
I insisted.
When I thought dad was ready to let me go and disown me like he said he would, he had his employees whip me that fucking night.
No one intervened.
Not even my mom!
I was locked up in the store.
It was fucked up.
I was furious. But silent.
With Julio's help, I escaped.
I didn't fucking look back.
I met the agency and started training.
It was hard but it was my desire.
My fucking dream.
I was ready to sweat and bleed for it.
I became a fucking star.
I was one of the best.
Still is.
People still refer me, invite me for matches, autograph and coaching requests.
But I ventured into business fully. I started while playing though.
Business gave more money.
I am a fucking billionaire now.
I can't even think about what would have happened if I didn't fucking run away.
My dad might have murdered me.
He died a decade ago.
I got the news but I didn't attend.
Now, my mom is fucking dying.
I heard the news test and now I am on my way to Mexico.
Twenty-six years of being apart from my actual family.
I am finally going to reunite with them.
I hope I recognize them.
Or not.
I picked up my glass a took a sip.
HOURS LATER
HENERDEZ MANSION.
Getting out of the car, I took off my glasses and stared at my childhood home in front of me.
Still the way it is. No changes.
Still the same and brings a lot of fucked up memories.
The smell of home is still the same too even after all these years.
The smell of getting my ass whipped numerous times.
You are gone, Dad but I can feel your presence. Everything will remind me of your tyranny.
"Your bag, sir." The chauffeur caught my attention. He is a middle-aged man dressed in a black suit, a security cap, and dark glasses.
I took my bag from him.
"Call us whenever you need a ride, sir," he said.
I moved my eyes to the parking lot filled with cars.
"Of course," I said.
"Have a nice evening, sir," he said, getting in the car and driving away.
I put on my glasses and heaved a sigh.
"Here we go," I dragged my luggage along, heading towards the back.
Mainly because that's a habit from childhood so I don't run into my dad and I am hearing voices from the back so.....
I walked around the house, expecting to see my mom's familiar garden but I saw the garden and the last thing I expected to see.
""¿Dónde demonios está el agua, Ximena? ¿Qué te está deteniendo?" ( "Where is the damn water, Ximena? What is keeping you?" )
I furrowed my brows as I stood at the familiar woman standing in the middle of the garden, her back facing me, dressed in her familiar garden clothes, and has an umbrella cap on her head.
"Ya voy, mamá. ¡Caray!" ("I am coming, Mom. Geez!") Ximena took my attention, approaching hurriedly from inside the storehouse with the water can.
She froze the minute she saw me and dropped the can.
"Que...." Mom trailed off the minute she looked back and locked eyes with me.
Her face twitched.
I stared at her from head to toe. She looks....