The FIRE in You

Chapter 22: Rumour has it

《《《 Two Months After the Breakup 》》》

Ajax's POV

Work has been insane. It's like people have decided to burn things just for the fun of it. Even though it was tiring, I embraced it because it was either that or having to deal with all the memories that Aubrey left behind in my apartment. "Hey man, we're going out, you in?", Sam asked and I shook my head. "I have a dinner date with Mum and Dad remember?", I said and he nodded. "Yeah... yeah... I forgot about that. Ok then see you on Sunday", he said then walked out of the locker room.

I needed to do laundry for my uniforms so I packed them in the duffle bag and then left as well. I figured since Dad was usually late when bringing the food, I could squeeze in some laundry time.

"Hey there. I heard you're not coming to the bar with us. Everything ok?" Tracy asked making me look at her. She had lust all over her face which made me question if she had already been drinking. "Everything is fine Tracy. I just have a commitment with Mum and Dad so I'm heading there now", I explained making her nod and then walk away.

I walked into my parents' house only to find my Mum glued to the TV watching Aubrey being interviewed at an event. She looked amazing and confident. I decided to remain quiet for a while and just look at her.

"Miss Kendriks, mind telling us if the rumors we're hearing about a romantic relationship between you and the number 1 billionaire are true?", the reporter asked making my heart stop for a second and my bag slipped from my hand which of course made Mum turn in my direction. Her eyes went wide and she switched the TV off before I could hear Aubrey's answer.

"Jax! I didn't hear you come in. How was work?", she asked nervously. "Work was fine Mum, you don't have to pretend you don't look at her just because I'm around", I said making her give a weak smile. "I know, and I also talked to Sam. He has found you looking at her pictures on your phone a bunch of times and I don't understand why you're not fighting for her. What happened between you two that made you walk away from her? I mean, you two were perfect together and I've never seen you that happy before", she said with so much depth that made me feel guilty.

"Mum, I just don't want any drama", i said then went to the kitchen to get a bottle of beer as we waited for Dad to return from the diner with dinner.

"It's been two months and I kept waiting for you to come and talk about it but you just went MIA. What is the real issue here? Your Dad said something about one of her sisters causing a scene so why are you punishing her?", Mum asked making me furrow my brows. I was speechless, I opened the beer and drank half the bottle in one go trying to think of what to tell her so she could let the conversation go but I got nothing.

"I asked you a question", she said in a deadly voice. "Mum, I'm not punishing her. I just don't want complications ok? Her whole world revolves around her sisters and if I accept that, I have to accept the Ex too because he practically raised them for four years", I was surprised by the things that came out of my mouth, and by the time I realised it, my Mum was already shocked.

"Oh really? Is that the Lawrence guy? But the media said that they're not together. He cheated on her multiple times and I'm willing to bet that he's manipulating the young sister into breaking you two up, from the looks of it, he has won and now the poor girl has decided to bury herself in work", Mum said with a serious face no doubt going into detective mode. "How do you even know that?", I asked with furrowed brows. "I watch the news and follow her company on her Instagram page", she said like it was something I was supposed to know.

"What's going on? You're all too serious", Dad asked while walking into the kitchen with containers. "You're son is playing dumb with me. How can men be so stupid", she said then walked back to the living room and switched the TV back on.

"Is this about Aubrey?", Dad asked while putting food on the plates. "Yes. When I got here I found her watching Aubrey on TV and my heart still skips a beat whenever I hear her voice or see her then this reporter asked her if she was dating some billionaire. It felt like I was about to die, I ended up dropping the bag I was holding out of shock and now I can't get over the fact that she might have moved on", I rambled again, and when Dad didn't say anything I turned to look at him and he was just frozen.

"What?", "Your Mother is right. You really are dumb", he said then took Mum's plate and disappeared into the living room.

I finished the beer I had in hand then followed them to the living room only to find that it was a ceremony in which they were rewarding companies that were making an impact on the economy and putting the country on the map. I sat and watched too.

"I would like to thank the President for this prestigious award and also call upon other women. You can do this. The next time I'm on this stage. I want to see more women in the top 10 list. Thank you", she said then bowed and walked down the stage with the trophy in her hand.

"She's just perfect", Mum said and Dad hummed in approval.

After dinner. I cleaned the plates and then bid them goodbye.

I drove back to the apartment and for some reason, I craved her. After taking a much-needed shower, I got between the sheets and took my phone. I went through my gallery and looked at the pictures we took together. I closed my eyes and remembered how she smelled and how she laughed but then the reporter's words came back to my head and I started to google the man they were talking about.

Fuck me!

The dude was a thousand times richer and hard-working too. Philip Netherenes. Lawrence was nowhere near this guy and I had to compete with him? I thought as I continued to go through his profile.

My heart relaxed a bit when I saw him with another woman on the red carpet. Aubrey hated his type.

I released a breath and finally made a decision that I knew was going to bite me in the ass but I had to get her back and this time around I'm gonna stand by her no matter what.