Chapter 2
Xander's POV
I woke up with a slight migraine, slowly pushing away the body on my chest. She was still fast asleep. Running my hands through my hair, I let out a huff. Last night was the same as all other nights. Get drunk and get laid. Same pointless sex.
Wrapping a towel around my abdomen, I walked to the bathroom to have a quick shower. I needed to get my thoughts together, and I stayed under the water for what seemed like forever. Eventually, I was done and turned it off. Getting out of the bathroom, I met the girl who was already sitting up. I didn't even know her name.
“Hi, good morning,” she greeted shyly. I was sure she must be feeling on top of the world for being in my bed. If only she knew it meant nothing to me. I put up a smile and played along.
“Good morning. How are you?” I asked.
“Fine. Just a little sore,” she added.
“Sorry. I'll leave you to freshen up.”
“Okay.”
I went to the wardrobe and got dressed. I picked up my phones and walked out of the room, fake-smiling.
The second I got out, I dropped it, letting out a sigh. Today was a Saturday, so there no one in the house except my brother and me. It meant we were free to do whatever we wanted. I took a bottle of water from the fridge and drank directly from it. Xavier came to me a while later.
“Good morning,” he greeted, but I ignored him.
“Hey! I'm talking to you!” he said, his voice a lot louder.
“Isn't it too early in the morning to be yelling?” I asked, glaring at him.
“I... Whatever. What happened here last night?” he asked instead.
“None of your business,” I answered, throwing the now empty bottle away. That must've ticked him off as we began glaring at each other, suddenly angry for no reason.
Actually, there was a reason why we so angry, but it was so serious that I couldn't discuss it now. The girl I spent the night with came downstairs, disrupting our little stare–down.
“I'll be leaving now,” she said, staring at both of us with a perplexed look on her face.
“Yeah, goodbye,” I answered, not looking at her. She seemed surprised as she opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Eventually, she shook her head and left. Xavier waited until she was out before he came lashed out at me.
“Seriously, Xander? It's her now? Just tell me, how many girls have you slept with? Sixty, seventy, or maybe even a hundred?”
“What I do,” I started getting closer to him, “is none of your business. Excuse me, but I'll like to go for my morning jog now,” I said, leaving him there.
Getting to the door, I stopped and turned.”
“Besides it's not like you’re a saint. Remember?” And with that I jogged out of the room..
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Xavier's POV
I remember, Xander. I remember so well I wish I could forget. But I couldn't. And I wished I did. I glanced at the family photo in the room. That was the last time I genuinely smiled at my brother. If only Mom were here, but she was gone, and it was all Xavier's fault. But now, he blamed me for the mistake that happened two years ago.
Trying not to feel guilty about it, I took my car keys and headed for my car, driving out of the house to ease the pain. A man's gotta to do what he gotta do.
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Natalie's POV
”Wakey wakey, sleepy head,” Jace called. I mumbled and fluttered my eyes open, getting a glimpse of the city. The city? I opened my eyes fully now. How long have I asleep? I wondered.
I gasped as we flew past high-rise buildings, people outside briskly walking. Everything seemed so fast here, a sharp contrast to Middesville. I want to go home...
“Are we home yet?” I asked.
. “No, not yet. We don't live in this part of the city,” Greg answered.
“Who lives here, then?”
“Middle-class people,” Jace answered.
“Aren't we middle class?” I asked, confused. Jace turned to look at me.
“No,” he stated flatly.
We're not? That was new. I glanced outside as Greg drove around the city. Everything was so big and tall. Eventually, we crossed a toll bridge, and we found ourselves in a totally new place.
“Wait.... We're wealthy?” I asked, getting the hint.
“When you have five hardworking, handsome brothers and an army general as a Dad, you don't expect to be poor,” Jace said.
“Then what were we doing in Middesville.”
“Mom's idea,” Greg answered.
“And it worked.”
I wanted to ask more questions, but I stopped. I was beginning to get bored anyway. I stared at all the expensive cars that passed by us with wealthy people in them. It made me feel a little out of place because I was used to riding bicycles around.
Eventually, we came to a stop at a mansion, the most beautiful one I'd ever seen.
“Whoa,” I said.
“You like it?” Jace asked. I shrugged.
“I don't know. I'll have to get inside first,” I said.
The gate electronically opened, and Greg drove in. Every single thing was a masterpiece, from the artificial fountain to the lawn and....everything. My oh my.
Finally, Greg parked his car in the garage, and when I got out, I realized that it wasn't the only car there.
“You built this?” I asked Greg since he was an architect.
“Not really. Bought it and renovated the parts I didn't like,” he answered.
“Typical Maddox,” I muttered.
Soon, Maggie, Greg's girlfriend, came out to welcome us.
“Hello, and welcome,” she greeted.
“Hi, you're much prettier than the last time I saw you,” I commented. She looked startled.
“Well, your brother has been taking care of me,” she answered. “Please, come in. How was the ride?”
“Boring. Greg didn't let me take the wheel,” Jace answered.
“We all know that you're a terrible driver.”
“I bet we would have been here 20 minutes faster if I had taken the wheel”
“Well, I’m glad you didn't,” Greg countered.
“Um, Natalie, you can leave the boxes. The housekeeper will bring it in later,” Maggie told me.
“Thanks. By the way, it's Natty. No one calls me Natalie except they want my fist in their face,” I said, smiling. She smiled back.
“Okay. I'll try to remember that. Let me show you your room.”
“Okay.”
Maggie led me through a grand staircase to a hallway with lots of doors in it.
“This will be your room,” she said, opening one of them. “Greg already told me you'd be coming, so I did my best to decorate it. I hope you like it.”
I did. It was painted blue and white with splashes of green and looked like a basketball court. It even had a basketball hoop!
“I do. Thanks, Aunt Maggie,” I said, hugging her.
“Aw, no need. It's what I should be doing.”
I jumped on the bed and immediately started bouncing on it. “The bed's extra bouncy too!”
“It sure is. I'll be downstairs. You can just call me if you need anything,” she said.
“There'll be no need for that. I'll just come right down.”
“That’s fine too. I'll leave you alone now. See you later,” Maggie said and closed the door behind her.
I laid on the bed, sighing. Taking out my phone, I dialed Ariana's number. Time to call my bestie.
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“Dinner's ready!” Maggie called from the kitchen.
“Great, I’m starving,” Jace groaned.
“You ate like 30 minutes ago,” I complained.
“And I’m still hungry.”
“Whatever.”
“What are we having for dinner, anyway?” Greg asked, coming inside the room.
“Mashed potatoes, lasagna and...”
“Stuffed chicken!!”
“Natty's idea,” Maggie said. We all laughed.
After settling down at the dining table, I said a quick prayer, and soon, everyone began digging in.
“Tastes good!” I complimented.
“If I ate this every day, I'd get fat,” Jace mumbled between mouthfuls.
“Thank God you don’t,” I said sticking out my tongue to him.
“Manners, Natalie,” Greg scolded.
“As if you have any...” I muttered. Thank God he didn't hear me. I stared at both my brothers.
“Quick question. Can I go for my evening jog after dinner?”
“As long as you're not getting into trouble.'
“I'll try not to. Thanks anyway.”
After dinner, I helped Maggie with the dishes and went to get ready for my jog. My brothers settled down to watch television.
“Come back before it’s too late!” Jace called after me as I stepped out.
“Okay,” I said, closing the door behind me. The sun was setting, casting its last rays in the sky. A few people were out as well, some walking, others staring at me wondering what a girl like me would be doing jogging, but I couldn’t care less.
Since I wasn't familiar with this place, I made sure not to jog too far from home. Just as I was about to cross the street to the other side, a car came screeching to a halt in front of me, startling me and making me fall down. What the heck!
“Hey! Watch where you're going!” I yelled at whoever was in the car as I stood up to dust off my clothes.
”I should be telling you the same thing,” the person retorted, getting out of the car.
“Excuse me? You almost crashed into me, and that's all you have to say? I could have been seriously injured!” I yelled back, anger building up in me. He couldn't even say sorry! How immature!
“Do you even have any idea on who you're talking to?” he asked.
Now who the hell did he think he was? Wait a minute... He looked familiar, but where have I seen him?
‘In the magazines Ariana always has!’ my subconscious yelled at me. No way! This was...Xavier Anderson! What was he doing here?