fanqie novel
Family Problem
Chapter 8 Family Problems
JACKSON FAMILY HOME, NEW YORK. Xander walked into the space, feeling exhausted already. The dining had enough food for a feast. Reasons like this are what keeps him away from the house. His mother can be pretty extravagant in whatever it is she does. There was no reason for her to cook this much, but it’s obvious she B really can’t help it. “Finally, you are here. Dad was just about to throw a fit.” Jace whispered to him as he stretched out his arm for a shake. Xander walked past him like he didn’t notice the gesture. “Rude much.” He snickered. “I am only here because Mum was overly dramatic about what she would do.” “You still could have remained adamant. I would have loved to see what trick Mom has up her sleeve and ready to toss towards you.” Xander gave his brother a side-eye. “I can’t wait to round up with the dinner and leave.” Jace furrowed his brows. “Errr, do you have somewhere to go?” “What does it matter? Of course, I have a house to go.” “Oh, my goodness!” His brother whined, slapping his forehead. “I will never understand this monk lifestyle of yours. The last time I checked, you were just about to clock thirty. How can you be so boring? It wasn’t this bad during college. At least you had a girlfriend. But I have no idea what you are doing with yourself now.” “I don’t like it when you nose around my business.” He said, feeling exposed. “I have every right to nose around your business. I am your brother and friend. Stop acting like it is the worst thing ever happening to you. You know what? There is no need to keep going back and forth with this. My friends and I are headed to the strip club tonight. You are coming with me.” He said firmly. Xander looked him dead in the face, unflinching. “I would like to see you try. Will you drag me out of here or what?” Jace huffed, giving up. “I don’t know why I even try. You are nothing to write home about.” “Who is that?” Their mother, Venus, asked in her ever-playful tone. “Nothing, mama. How are you doing?” Her last son asked, hugging her. Venus stared at Xander for a few seconds before pulling at his cheek roughly. “Do you not know how to say hello to your mother?” “Mama, you just love attention too much. The first thing I did when I arrived here was find you. Can you not pull at my cheeks like that, please? I am not a child.” Xander protested. Jace exchanged a knowing look with his mother. “Always grumpy.” He noted. Venus recoiled into her shell and sat down. She would never figure out why Xander still holds so much grudge towards his childhood home after so many years have passed. Venus has known him to be stubborn, but not to this extent. She misses the shy but jovial Xander. Now all he does is frown like he has something in his butt. “Dad,” Jace announced in an up-key voice. He heard Xander groan. Johnson walked to his chair and only nodded towards the rest, ignoring Xander. An awkward silence reigned before he broke it. “Can we eat now? I am famished.” Venus gritted her teeth hard before slamming both hands angrily on the table. “I have had enough with you two. Two adults are acting like children. Do you think I am stupid to keep calling for a Friday family dinner at every chance I get? I can’t understand why you would let your ego keep you apart. I have had enough.” “Then should I take my leave?” Xander questioned in a subtle tone. Jace pulled at his arm when he noticed the vile look in their mother’s eyes. “Can you not be so nonchalant?” “I don’t know what you expect from me, mama. Your husband here doesn’t care about me, and I feel the same. I am not Jace, who would let everything be bygone for peace. I was the one who saw it all. You didn’t hesitate to turn your back when I was clear on what I wanted out of life. As always, you went mad because it didn’t go your way. I feel too stressed discussing this right now. I want a takeaway, mama. I really can’t stand this charade.” He said, making his way to the door. Venus cut an unbothered Johnson a dissatisfied look before calling out to a maid while Jace stayed put, unsure of what to do. Xander stomped his way towards the car. Every time he tries to act civil, there is always a reminder of how they got to this point. His distaste for his father started when Johnson became too obsessed with himself and his job. Whenever there seems to be some frustration from work, he brings it back home and does not hesitate to throw his weight around. The final blow to their sour relationship was when Xander said he would rather start his own company than work in his father’s company. Johnson didn’t care to ask what he intended to do. Instead, he raked about how ungrateful Xander promised to cut him off from his inheritance. The rest of the family thought it was just a joke until Johnson did, cutting Xander’s credit cards off. He thought doing that would bring Xander to his knees. Xander made up his mind and maintained his stance. He resorted to making apps for companies, and with the money, he built his bit by bit. Johnson was most shocked Xander made it to the UNDER 30s CEO’s LIST. Even though he didn’t show it, it made Xander more determined not to pay his father any mind and move on with his life. Jace walked towards him with the takeaway bag and a displeased look. “Here.” “Don’t make me the villain.” He warned. “Nah, I think you need to jack off. Enjoy some release, and those chips on your shoulder will fall off easily. It’s making you too agitated.” Xander didn’t find his words funny one bit. Rather than respond, he yanked the package off his brother’s hand and kickstarted his car. “I was just joking!” Jace called out. But he drove off, pulling dust with him.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.