TEACH ME NOT 2 HATE LOVE

18

🧑Nik Anthony POV🧑

"I see you and Tajea are getting real close," Mother said amused, startling me a little.

"How long were you here?" I asked, a bit embarrassed.

"Long enough," she laughed.

"So, what brought you here?"

"I just wanted to check up on you to see if you're doing alright."

"Nikcaleon is here with me, where he belongs. So yes, I'm alright."

"I mean, are you OK?" She asked again. This time she looked through the window of my soul—my eyes. It's like she knew I was still a mess over all that happened today, which I am.

"I will be Mother." I walked over to her, kissing her forehead. "You don't need to worry about me. And I'm not mad at you anymore, so be at ease."

I then headed down to the gym to do an hour's worth of workouts. When that was over, I went for a quick shower before taking a drive out in my red and black Ferrari. Afterward, I linked up with McCarty at his place, sharing the wonderful yet horrible news with him.

"Those heartless scums," McCarty cursed. "Selling a kid like that. As bad as I am, I wouldn't sink that low."

"Yeah, and you are the world's shittiest father," I stated the truth. He really is.

As you all probably know by now, McCarty is the male version of a whore. He sleeps around a lot, and that doesn't go without consequences.

When it's not STDs, it's babies. Twenty-three little ones, to be exact. But he's not the type of dad to take the time out to be with his children, get to know them, or form a bond with them.

My opinion on the matter is that he's afraid he might fail them. That they might end up like him, spoiled and damaged. However, he showers them with money and gives them everything their hearts desire. So, that kind of defeats the purpose.

Well, I guess it's better than nothing.

"That I admit," McCarty laughed. "Now, enough of this. It's making me feel shitty. Let's drink... Ayah, get us some beers!" He called out to one of his many housekeepers. Note that this is a huge house, even bigger than mine.

McCarty Geraldine is, after all, the owner and head of one of the wealthiest and most popular media and entertainment outlets in the world. Geraldine Empire.

He's also the majority shareholder in a few other large organizations. One of them is Explosion Entertainment, an extension of Geraldine Empire. We started this company less than a month ago to nurture young, talented actors and musicians.

Unlike those stuck-up rich folks who don't give a damn about anything but filling up their pockets, I like to give back and help out the less fortunate in any way I can.

That is why I explore all fields of business and have sponsored many small businesses in and out of this city. I even started many charity foundations all over the world. Heck, I built ten top-class hospitals, private and public.

I mean, what's the point of being a multi-trillionaire and influential and not doing anything to help this messed-up and sick world be a better place?

Don't be mistaken. I'm no saint. I'm far from perfect. I had to make some very bad choices and piss off a lot of people just to get to where I am today.

This business world is like swimming in an ocean filled with sharks, after all. So if you're a sprat, then you will be devoured. That's one of the many crazy quotes from my father. He also said that if you truly want something in this life, then you have to go for it with an iron fist.

Yeah, the man has his moments.

"No, thank you." The last time he got me drunk, I almost jumped the maid. Not my proudest moment.

"You are refusing liquor?" McCarty looked at me strangely. "Who are you, and what did you do to my friend?"

"Nothing. I just don't feel the need to drink right now."

"What do you want to do then? Play video games. I can call over a few girls and have us a party," he suggested.

"I'll pass." I rejected his offer. By then, Ayah had arrived with two boxes of beers, handing them over to McCarty with a way too friendly smile. And he spanked her and thanked her before she left. Yeah, it's as you and I suspected. Not even the maid can escape his charm.

"Stop being a sour puss and have a beer." McCarty insisted, pushing a beer in my face.

Sigh. I guess I have no choice but to accept it. I'll regret this later.

"You think I don't notice that you are suffering silently, bro? That you're not happy," McCarty said out of the blue after sipping on his beer. "It broke my heart to see you secretly going through your troubles, and I can't help you out of them. Damn, I wish I could buy your troubles away." He then smiled at me. "But things will turn around for you, my brother. Maybe sooner than you think, too. I know this."

"I love you too, man." I felt truly blessed to have such a trustworthy brother and friend. And I'd be lying if I didn't say his crappy motivational speech almost brought tears to my eyes.

"There you go and make everything weird. You big sissy," McCarty teased, but that's just him playing tough. I know he loves me. After all, I'm the only real friend he has. One who doesn't kiss his ass but treats him equally. I scold him when he's wrong, too, like a real brother should. "Anyway, do you still have that rude maid around?"

"You mean Tajea. Yeah, I do. But Mother won't let her leave." And, to be honest, a part of me doesn't either. Strange.

I don't know, but something has changed within me ever since I saw how she treats my kid with kindness and love. Maybe it's more than that, but like I said, I can't say what it is right now.

"If you say so," he scoffed.

"What's that for?" I questioned.

"Nothing."

"Oh, that's not nothing."

"Just make sure you get to know that crazy b*tch before you go and get serious with her," he advised.

"What are you implying?" I'm a bit confused.

"You're not a kid. You know what I'm talking about. If you and Miss Little Rude Ass decide to do the baby-making ritual, I'll be happy for you."

"Don't talk about her like that." And I was serious.

"So you're defending her again," he taunted.

"No. I'm not." But really, I was. What's wrong with me today?

"It's cool. Just be safe, brother. Don't rush into anything."

"Thanks, brother."

"Oh, and remember to bring your boy over to meet his fun uncle," McCarty insisted.

"I will." I smiled. Then I remembered something funny and decided to share it with him. "Oh, I forgot to tell you that Toni attacked Tajae."

"Oh boy, that can't be good."

"You should have seen how she put Toni in her place." I sounded way too excited. But that's because it's fun to watch Tajea give that b*tch what she deserves. "She even slapped Toni a few times and scolded her for selling off Nikcaleon. She was a force of nature."

"Yeah, she is." McCarty agreed, looking at me strangely, which made me feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"What is it?" I asked.

"You should see your face right now when you talk about that pain in the ass."

"What's wrong with my face?" I feel my face to see if it is deformed or something.

"Nothing. It's a good look." He laughed. "Keep it up."

"Now, you're mocking me."

"Just drink your damn beer and shut up!" And after that, we drink and chat about a ton of sh*t until we pass out.