Chapter 10
As we eat our dinner, my mind is racing with excitement. I have a feeling that this means we are in a relationship. If I look back 3 years ago and told my past self that I would be with Xander I would have laughed at the thought. A small smile appears on my face at the same time Xander speaks up.
"What are you thinking?"
"Nothing you don't already know." I tease. In response, Xander gives a mocking pout and I laugh.
"You know I really love your laugh." He says after I finish laughing.
His simple comment makes me blush. I love it when he notices the simple things about me which makes me want to know more about him.
From what I remember I've briefly met his mother and father at one of the company's few functions that we sponsor.
"No seriously what are you thinking?" He asks again.
"I feel like I know little about you," I confess.
"What do you mean?" He asks.
"I mean I know you but what's your family like?" I ask.
"My family? I guess their just normal like any family." He simply says.
"Yes but I don't know what they're like. I wish I could say my family was normal." I say the last part more for myself.
"Why do you say that?" He asks wanting to know.
I sigh, "I think I should hear what yours is like first."
"Fair enough. It's not anything interesting." He says.
"Try me," I say. Before he speaks he takes a drink from his glass while I finish eating my food.
Xander begins to tell me of his real mother who died when he was around 7 her name was Marion.
This unknown fact about him surprised me.
It turns out his father, Ryann, was in a long period of grieving over his wife because she was the love of his life.
At the time, Marion's sister, Elaine, would come by the house to check on Xander and his twin sister named Alizah.
Yet again I was surprised to find out that Xander had a twin sister that I never heard about.
Xander described Alizah as an adventurous person who is only limited to her own restrictions.
She owned a company just like Xander but her business focused on buying and selling hotels instead of the typical real estate properties Xander and I deal with.
He tells me that Ryann was in a deep depression but Elaine was able to help him.
They eventually fell for each other and a few years later they married.
Xander loved his aunt but he said it was a difficult time to accept the marriage as for his sister she had an easier time to adjust.
Xander continues to say that his parents now are somewhat like a family but there is tension because of his marriage with Olivia.
He promises he'll explain later and I take him at his word.
"So that's my family, the public doesn't know about my real mother and I like to keep it that way." He says.
"Don't worry I'm not the type of person to go blabber to a reporter," I assure him.
"I know you're not that type of person," He says and asks, "What about your family?" Right before I speak our plates our clear. The waiter appears and Xander orders dessert for both of us.
"Okay but my family story is a long one," I warn once our waiter leaves.
"We have time." He assures me and I take a deep breath before I can speak.
I tell him everything from the short time my real mother was alive to the time my father decided to remarry.
I continue to tell him about my stepfamily and how I left them.
As I tell him in detail about my stepfamily I take in his expressions from shocked to upset to anger.
Sometime between telling him about my stepfamily, our dessert is placed in front of us.
I take little bites before I continue to tell him my life after I left and how I'm content to leave that past behind me.
By the time I finished my story the plate of a caramel brownie dessert is gone.
"I was wrong thinking your life is normal." He says.
"Yeah well, I can't choose my family and believe me I wish I could," I say.
"I can't believe the things they put you through." He says in disbelief.
"It's unbelievable what they did but it's nothing but my past," I say trying to turn the conversation around.
I suddenly notice our plates cleared and Xander receives the bill to pay.
I mentally take note to pay next time he takes me out.
Next time? I'm once again reminded that Xander and I will be moving forward in our so-called relationship.
When he's done paying he decides to walk me to my car and asks if we could spend the next day together.
I agree and he promises to pick me up at 10 and to wear comfortable shoes since we'll be doing some walking.
Before I get into my car, Xander quickly kisses me before he walks back to his car to leave.
My mind turns to mush from his gentle touch.
It took me nearly minutes to get myself together.
When I'm put together I pull out of the restaurant parking lot and head home grinning from ear to ear.
Finding my way back to the apartment took longer than expected but after using GPS on my phone I was able to find my way back. Tonight was one of the best nights I had.
When I get to the apartment I notice that it's 8 o'clock. It feels like time hasn't passed whenever I'm with Xander.
"Hey, Nat! I just heard you come in." Trina says while leaving her bedroom.
"Yeah, I just got back from dinner," I say.
"So how was it?" She asks gesturing for her and me to sit on the couch.
"It was amazing!" I say while we sit down.
"What did you guys talk bout?" I decide to tell her my decision to move forward with Xander.
"I know I shouldn't be with him but if he keeps his promise I see no other reason but to move forward."
"Like I said I already warned you but I will support you on this if that's what you want," Trina says.
"Thanks, Trina and It is."
"No problem! So what else did you guys talk about?" I tell her about his family life minus the part about his real mother. Trina is shocked as I told her about Xander having a twin sister that I never knew about until tonight. I continue to tell her that Xander asked about my family.
"What did he say when you told him about them?" She asks in concern.
"I could tell he pitied me for how my family treated me but I told him that it was my past," I explain.
"Did he ask you out again?" Trina asks.
"Yes, he said he wanted to see me tomorrow. I just don't know where he's taking me but he said to wear comfortable shoes."
"Well, sounds like there are many possibilities where he could take you but you also have a big decision on your outfit choice." She sarcastically remarks.
"Right! I wish I knew where we are going so I could plan accordingly." I complain.
"Don't worry! I'll help you." Trina offers.
"Thanks! Oh and I almost forgot to give your shoes back." I say while I get up and grab them from the entryway.
"Thanks, Nat! I swear I owe you one." She promises.
"I'll hold you to it." I giggle. "Well I'm going to turn in early for tonight I'm exhausted."
"Okay! I'll see you in the morning so we can go over your outfit." She reminds.
"Of course and goodnight Trina."
"Night!" Trina hollers back as I head towards my room and turn on the light.
After I get ready for bed I turn my phone on since I shut it off so I could focus on my dinner with Xander.
When it turns on I notice several missed calls from an unknown number.
As I'm about to call the unknown number my phone decided to ring.
The same number appears on my screen and I answer the call out of curiosity.
"Hello?" I ask.
"Is this Natalia?" The male voice speaks.
"Yes. Who is this?" The voice sounds faintly familiar.
"Natalia, it's me your father." The voice of my father replies.
"What? How did you get my number?" I ask in confusion. Why would my father just out of the blue decide to call me? Or find my number?
"Long story but I needed to get a hold of you." He says
"My phone was off, why did you need to call me?"
"I know it's late but I need you to come to the house tomorrow. There is a family matter to discuss with you." He demands.
"Okay, I'll come by if it's that serious," I say. I'm a little disappointed that I'll have to cancel my plans with Xander.
"Good! I'll see you around 2. Your mother is planning a dinner for all of us." He responds
"Okay."
"Goodnight Natalia." He says before he ends the call. I sit there staring at the number he called me on. There are endless possibilities as to what he wants to talk about but first I have to tell Xander that our plans have to wait. I decide to dial him and within the first ring, he answers.
"Natalia, what's wrong?" He asks.
"I'm sorry that this is late but I have to cancel our plans," I say.
"Why and don't apologize?" Xander questions.
"My father just called me. He wants me to come over tomorrow to discuss a family matter," I explain.
"How do you feel going back there?" He asks in concern.
"To be honest I don't know. I guess I'm angry he called all of a sudden and upset he didn't say anything other than needing me to go back there." I say feeling more anger than being upset.
"I know this visit is between you and your family but do you think if I could go with you?" Xander asks. I don't want to go back to that house alone. If Xander comes it could be awkward but at the same time, his presence could ease the tension that is boiling inside me.
"I don't mind I'm leaving around 12 because I don't have to be there until 2. Do you mind if I drive since your on the way to my father's house?" I ask.
"Yeah, I don't mind." He answers.
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow," I say
"Goodnight Natalia." He says.
"Goodnight Xander." I end the call.
I place my phone back on my nightstand to charge and slip into my bed.
I'm glad Xander is accompanying me on this visit to my father's house.
I hate not knowing what my father means by 'family matter'.
Many things can be what he meant, the only one that I can really think about is that he wants to reconcile.
I would be happy if he did but it still doesn't make up for the time he wasn't there for me.
I can only be optimistic about this visit to my family's house.