Second Chances: a Coincidences novel

Chapter 1: Chaos Approaching

I was tired and beat from having worked a full fourteen hours today. It had been a relatively busy day and being on my feet for hours had left me drained.

It was why the moment I walked in and heard my brother and mom fighting, I felt the need to run away but decided to face the music as I have since I returned six months ago.

"Oh good, you're home. Another useless disappointment" my mom snapped.

"You know what, why don't you shut the hell up and think about what you're saying!" I was now pissed.

"Don't ever speak to me that way!"

"If you want respect out of me then you best better respect me in return!"

"I don't have to respect a snot-faced brat like you when you don't even do a damn thing to help around here!"

"Santi, go so I can have a conversation with her!" he actually listened and went upstairs. I now faced her and I was going to give it to her good. "I don't do shit around here?!"

"Watch your language!"

"How about no. You just said I don't do anything to help out here? Well let me remind you because..."

"I don't have to listen..."

"You're gonna listen whether you want to or not! Remember this house is under my name and I am never going to relinquish it so you can sell it and give Santi all the money! And just remember who pays the bills here since half the time you're short because you give him all your money and you're an attorney and I know you make a lot of money, so now I'm starting to wonder just how hefty the amount you give to him is!"

"Don't you talk to me like that!"

"Or what?" I challenged. "What are you going to do about it!"

"Don't make me slap you!"

"Try it. See if I let you!" I glared at her and did not lift either of her palms. "And before you tell me how useless I am, just remember who's been helping you pay the bills around here! If it weren't for me, we wouldn't have food, electricity, or anything!"

She remained quiet and unable to say anything. It was obvious she could not produce any words because what I told her was nothing short of the truth and she knew it.

I walked away and locked myself in my room. I was considering moving out so I could have some semblance of a life. I had the option of going back to Lebanon but even my own country held nothing for me.

I had gone for a fresh start and all I ended up with were more problems. I also sort of decided to maintain my distance from my uncle Ragheb and the rest of his family. I had no idea what relationship he and my mother had, nor did I know how Louai felt about me even right at this moment.

He had made my life so difficult while there, I did not have the strength to deal with him, even if he was not being antagonistic with me.

My life was in shambles. It was all a big mess and it was quite literally falling apart like a damn crumbly cookie. Then it got me thinking as to why would Ragheb and his family, would ever want to be dealing with someone who was not a hundred percent put together?

I looked at my phone to see if I had any messages from some of my employees. So far nothing but then I looked at my email and I had yet another message from Ragheb, as well as Khaled and Louai.

All expressed concern for my lack of communication. I figured should write back to them since they did not deserve this treatment from me, especially when they did a lot for me when I lived out there. Only, I preferred to do it tomorrow on my day off since right about now I was too tired to write letters.