All Novel Sweet
The Casserole
Chapter 37 The CasseroleUpstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
NINA’S APARTMENT, NEW YORK. “Thanks for the groceries. But you don’t have to keep doing this, Xander. I can take care of myself by myself.” Nina mumbled into the receiver. It’s almost as if Xander never listens to her and does whatever pleases him. He had groceries delivered to the house, saying he didn’t want her or Carla to stress since they were both in delicate conditions. She can’t thank him enough for being unique; many times, she wants to refuse him, but he does it when she mainly needs help. It’s almost as if he has a camera following her around to tell when she is distressed. It feels nice having someone to look after her in such a thoughtful manner, but she refuses to get carried away again. Xander grumbled on the other end. “That is my way of contributing to you, and you have no choice but to take it. Thankfully, it’s not something you can return.” She chuckled. “Thank you very much.” “You are welcome. I have a favor to ask, though.” “Which is?” He paused as if summoning the courage to talk to her. “My parents will be having their anniversary dinner next coming weekend, and I need a date.” “Do you need me to help you source for one?” Nina asked while she adjusted her position on the couch. Xander heaved a shaky sigh. “No, I need you to be my date. If not, I would have a long line of mum’s girls of interest going after me everywhere I turn.” Nina laughed. “Why won’t you do as she wants and bring a nice lady home?” “I found her once, and she slipped through my fingers. I haven’t found anyone alike since then.” He admitted. There was a bit of awkward silence between them. Nina was the first to speak to cut through the tension. “Even at that, you should have a female friend at least. Why will you ask a pregnant woman to be your plus one?” Nina shook her head while gazing down at her belly. “But you are a female friend of mine, too. Which means you qualify to come to the event with me. Pregnant or not pregnant.” “Xander-” “Please, Nina. I beg you, don’t leave me hanging. I am asking now so you won’t find any excuse during the week.” He held her gaze for a long until she looked elsewhere. Nina cleared her throat. “There is no way out of this for me, right?” “Not at all.” He smirked, hoping for a good response. She could envision him grinning and feeling proud of himself. “Fine! I will go with you. But we saw each other at work today; why didn’t you mention it then?” Xander coughed lightly. “You would have shunned me off, trust that.” “Am I that bad?” “You can be scary sometimes.” He laughed softly. “Anyway, I need to go now, Nina. I will talk to you later.” “Bye, Xander. Thanks for the groceries once again.” She mumbled, ending the call. “You two seem to be getting closer with each passing day.” Tania noticed. Nina rolled her eyes and got off the couch. Tania had come to visit due to her school break. That gave Carla a few days off as Tania offered to do the chores and look after Nina. She settled on the kitchen stool to eat an apple. “Don’t get it wrong. It is just a friendly approach. Nothing is ever going to happen between us.” She replied, biting into the apple. Tania joined her, reaching for an apple herself. “Never say never, Nina. You don’t know what fate has in store for you.” “Fate already showed me that she has more than I will ever expect in store for me. And I don’t intend to think of my life in the route anymore. I intend to take the bull by the horns myself and tame it.” Nina responded. “You are hurting, and it is obvious why you feel that way. But you shouldn’t turn your back on the possibility that good things can happen to you. You can’t ignore matters of the heart. It just happens.” There was silence for about a minute. “How do I trust anyone again after all that happened to me?” Her lips quivered. “You probably could have averted it if you didn’t trust with your whole heart. Andrea must have shown her despise from the beginning; maybe you choose to remain blind to it.” “Andrea wasn’t the only one who committed a crime. Asher is also very much at fault.” Tania exhaled slowly. “You see, my mother also went through the same thing as you. She had it worse because my father and his mistress made sure to bully her at every chance they got and made her wish for death. She probably should have never believed in anything called love again. But alas, she found affection in the most soothing place. Right in the arms of Samson.” Nina furrowed her brows. “What, Samson?” “The same Samson, you know, Nina. The owner of the grocery store.” “Wow, I never saw that coming.” Tania giggled. “That just shows how amazing life can be. So I am begging that you keep an open mind.” Nina rubbed at her belly absentmindedly. “I don’t think that should be something to focus on now. I have my unborn child to worry about and our future.” “And I support you one hundred percent. All I want is for you to let your heart open. Never doubt the power of love.” “With the way you keep talking about love and whatnot, one would think you are in love, or are you?” Nina teased. Tania snickered at her. “Can’t I advise unless it is from a personal stance?” “Why give it then if you can’t relate?” “Wow. Touche. That’s a low blow on your end. I am canceling that chicken casserole that you crave so bad.” Pouting, Nina wiggled her brows. “You can’t do that to me. You promised.” “I am allowed to break them.” She snickered, making her way towards the room. “Please, Nina. My baby wants it.” Nina went after her quickly, laughing uncontrollably. She wouldn’t mind professing wrongly to Xander to get the casserole.