Balotelli-Bale Series Book #4: THE OTHER MAN PART 1

Chapter 37: Uncertainty

A/n: New Chapter, must read.

So in the previous updates, we never really got to know how Jason lost his life. So now, we get a glimpse of what happened behind the scenes. We are now at the climax of this book and in quick acceleration to it's end. I'm so excited to be bringing this book back. Of all my works, this is  by far my favorite book.

"...some people create their own storms
and then they get mad when it rains..."

Nick's POV
There's something I dread. It's in the words: we need to talk.

I don't like those words. It has a lot to do with Helena and my father using those words whenever I mess up. For them, correcting me means sitting down for a very formal discussion. I hate it. While Helena talks like a ruthless CEO who isn't afraid to cut her losses, my father sounds like an Admiral running a tight ship. He speaks with nothing but authority. The problem is that I hate to be bossed around. Helena and my father are bossy. I'm bossy. So it never ends well.

When she got me released, she said we will talk. It's been two days. She didn't say when and she's doing this on purpose so that I'm tormented to beg for her time. I don't beg. I won't. I'm comfortable with the standoff. No I'm not. I'm not comfortable with the standoff. I haven't slept all night. Margaux is still vexing me but I know better now. I won't engage her. She has already filed for full custody of Maddie and she is claiming that I'm physically, emotionally and verbally abusive. Im trying my best to stay away from her and that includes my daughter because she won't come near me. Margaux has filled her head with lies.

At a time like this, I miss Gio and believe it or not my mother. Gio doesn't do 'sit down, let's talk'. He takes a casual moment to teach me something. If I mess up, he will find a way of correcting me without making a big fuss or shouting at me. I love my grandfather more than I love everyone else. We get along. My mother does not let anything go unsaid. When I was a child, she would correct me even before I make a mistake. Her way us pointing her finger at me, an overuse of hand gestures, shouting and fast speaking. But when she's done, she's done. She moves on. I miss those two.

"You will burn a hole in the carpet if you keep that up." Lupe addressed my pacing. "It's odd to see you around at this time of the morning... wearing pajamas." Her eyes noted the half empty bottle of whiskey. "And possibly drunk?"

"I'm not drunk."

"Still, you're drinking in the morning." She narrowed her eyes at me.

"I needed something to take the edge off. Why am I even explaining myself to you?" I filled another glass.

She held my wrist to keep me from raising the glass. "Because I know you. Have you forgotten we have been around each other for 15 years? I know you drink when you are upset. Half of the bottle is gone in a span of two hours. Three bottles of whiskey in a day. Nick, you are crossing a dangerous line. Stop."

She took the bottle but I gulped down the glass before I surrendered it.

"My life is crashing and I can't stop it from happening. I'm trying but it's all slipping through my fingers."

"Let's talk about it."

I sat at the foot of my bed. She sat beside me. Lupe and I don't exactly get along. We have really good moments when we are the best friends. Then we have moments when we fight over trivial things. It's unheard of for a boss and a housekeeper to argue but Lupe isn't just a housekeeper. She has made herself a permanent member of my family. I can't get rid of her but she still expects a salary at the end of the month. We just make it work.