The Billionaire's Ex-Wife

Chapter 10

The last week in August.

Someone, please slap me, I won't press charges.

Tonight my family was hosting a family dinner. It wasn't a usual occasion once you minus Christian's family from the mix. My parents, which I loved dearly, didn't understand that I absolutely do not want to engage in dinner talk with The Pierres. Well at least not with Christian's mother, I can barely tolerate her when she is not around. I don't hate her, even though I should and it makes me so angry on the inside. The sight of her makes me translate that anger on the outside.

Dinner is the last thing I need to share with her. I'm out of luck, as she will be here in an hour. An hour that I will be hanging on to as if it were a lifeline. But tonight I plan to try to fix things with her.

I proposed a nice dinner at a restaurant. A public setting, with the hopes that it would simmer down the amount of hate that would manage to escape my lips or hers. My proposal was not even considered as it was terminated the second it was out in the open. My worst nightmare coming to life. I didn't need them knowing where I lived. It was a safety net that was quickly becoming dysfunctional. Christian would now know where to go when I'm hiding away from him.

I'm pathetic!

This night is not about me. It's about Xander. Living with Christian is a big step but making a home with him is not a problem. The problem is making it work with both our families. My family, although they've extended the olive branch, is not a big fan of the family. But seriously you can't blame them.

Xander was dressed and with Jess. They seemed to be the only ones happy. Jess was 26 with no failed marriage or children. Sometimes it makes me so jealous and I wish I never fell in love. But one look at my son and I know if I had to do it over I wouldn't. I couldn't imagine my life without Xander or the thought of not being a mom.

Climbing the immaculately clean stairs I went to my old bedroom. My dinner dress laid neatly on the bed. With no time to spare, I slipped into the figure-hugging halter black dress. My hair was pulled back into a ponytail and my makeup was almost nonexistent. Finally, I stepped into my black Jimmy Choos. My reflection in the mirror was satisfying. There was no trace of a broken hearted girl, just a confident one.

Murmurs could be heard as I walked to the living area. They were here, in the pit of my stomach I could feel the bile churn. This was not good. Why am I so nervous? It's not like I haven't had dinner with either family. Geesh! Get it together!

Gingerly I stepped into the room. Xander was with Christian's brother, Cole, and sister. Janet was busy sizing up the place, no doubt my mom's taste in design was better than hers. It eased up my nerves a little to know that I wasn't the only one uncomfortable. I'm not even sure how long I was standing there taking in the sight. They all looked like they belonged together.

"You look beautiful, Nessa." My heart nearly leaped out my chest at the sound of his voice.

"Christian, don't do that. I could've hurt you or something." I was not a fan of surprises. Nothing good ever comes from that. I turned to face him. He looked amazing in just a simple black fitted dress pants, which hugged his ungodly thighs perfectly, and his white dress shirt making his muscles prominent. I need to tear my eyes away and one look at his face and I knew I was caught gawking.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to surprise you like that. I had a phone call I needed to take."

"It's alright, I didn't hurt you so we're good." I don't know what to say to him. I feel like such a teenager carrying home her boyfriend to meet the parents. But they've met him before back then they didn't hate him at all. As the time grew between us it became awkward. It took the doorbell ringing to pull me out of my trance.