obsessed with his badass ex-wife

chapter 1

PRESENT DAY...

Natalie POV

I threw the tray of drinks on my hands all over the idiotic guy that smacked my ass. He growls at me, getting up to yank my hair but I catch his hand mid air and twists his fingers in the opposite direction.

He groans in pain, dropping on his knees while his guy friends gasp in shock.

"Now apologize," I commanded, threatening him as I increased the pain in his fingers.

"You Godforsaken b***h!" he yelled, causing my tray to crash at the back of his head. The weasel past out instantly, occupying the clubs floor which he does not deserve.

"Guys, have him thrown out immediately," I snapped my fingers not accepting such imprudent behavior.

"You really knocked the guy out," My Mom chuckled, sliding another tray of orders to me.

We ran a bar, a small one down town and it was a popular spot for people around the area.

"He dared to smack my ass. A lot of men here think they can get away with harassments. I will crack them open before they can report me to the local police officers," I scowled, tapping my fingers rapidly on the counter.

I parted my lips, blowing off some steam as I watched my brother and his friend drag the unconscious man out.

My intention was to break him in half but that would make me lose customers and the bar getting suspended for a month by the police.

"Hey, there is something important I need to tell you," my mom muttered, her eyes held an anxiety that got me wary.

She signals for us to go behind the kitchen and clears her throat when we are away from the public.

I wait for her to bring up the matter but she fills her hands inside her pockets, rocking back and forth on her toes.

"Mom," I called her and she lets out a heavy sigh.

"Remember when I told you about that your father's friend who helped when his business was about to crumble while he was still alive?" she started, looking at me with uncertainty visible in her eyes.

"Yeah, what about him?" I asked, folding my arm over my chest.

"He called this morning and informed me of him returning to our town," she explained, still rocking back and forth on her toes.

I begin to feel nervous from each of her pauses.

"So what does that have to do with us?" I asked with a hitched voice.

"Your Dad borrowed a huge loan from him," she revealed.

I close my eyes, replaying the news in my ears. "Oh my God," I exclaimed in displeasure.

"Why didn't you tell me about this? How are we going to repay the debt when our bar is barely making a month's rent?" I asked, ranking my fingers through my short black hair.

My mom sighs, sucking in her lips as she draws figures on the floor with her shoe.

"I didn't want to stress you. After your divorce, you were drained and isolated for three months. I was afraid that you would..."

"No, matter what happened, you should have told me. You know what, arguing won't solve our problem. I will find a way to pay off the debt. However, you will have to look after Tessa for me. I will talk to Michael about it and we will work on it together," I assured my mom.

The pale color on her skin began to lighten up. I could see how concerned she was about the whole situation. She pulled me into a hug, patting my back gently.

"Thank you, honey. I am so sorry that things had to turn out this way," she apologized.

"It's fine, you can go home now. We will take care of the things here," I said, breaking our hug. she smiled at me sadly with pity in her eyes before she left the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Cole, my younger brother and his friend Tim walked into the kitchen, laughing at some joke.

"Boys, we have a lot of work to do. Kill your smiles because we will be spending the night here," I told them and their faces fell into distress.

"C'mon, sis. We have been working for the whole day. At least give us some time to rest," Cole complained.

"Well, if you are going to raise seven hundred million dollars within two days then I will give you the whole night to rest," I said, revealing our predicament at the same time.

His eyes widened in shock and Tim who was fondling with the kitchen towel choke on his Saliva. I shook my head at his clumsiness and continued with my explanation.

"Dad incurred some debts from an investor. This investor will be returning in a few days if not tomorrow. And we have to at least, raise half of the money owed and pay the rest later," I said, rubbing my face in frustration.

Cole groaned while Tim consoled him with gentle pats.

"What do we have to do sis?" Tim asked. He was like a brother to us, and I was grateful that Cole had him as a friend and brother.

Ever since I came back to my family, I have been able to concentrate or even take care of myself. Debts of different kinds had to be settled, rents, food and Tessa's carter fee were all on me.

"Serve the customers and don't let anyone complain. If there is a problem, let me know," I assigned the front bar to them and remained in the kitchen.

Once they were gone, I crouched to the ground, holding my hair as tears fell from my eyes. The pressure was not much yet I couldn't give up.

If only things didn't turn out this way, if only my Dad was alive, maybe things would have been better.

Pulling myself together, I stood to join my brothers but jolted when I heard the crashing sound of glasses and injured groans.

I burst out of the kitchen, roaming my eyes around the bar for the source of the chaos and met a grey disturbing gaze that made my belly churn. My ex-husband.