It seemed like the day couldn't get worst, when his boss called him to his little office. The chubby man sat behind a desk and looked like his chair was too small for him, told him that he was fired.
They can't pay all their workers so they had to free a few from their positions. "A few" meant him since only him was fired.
Even a crackhead could know that it was the doing of his wife family. They didn't wasted the time to strike. He contained his anger because he also knew he had to strike back at them but what could a poor man without connections do against such family.
"You look so out of it" a jovial voice brought him out of his thoughts.
"Is it that obvious? " he asked
"You look like you are thinking about divorcing your wife" the jovial man said sarcastically but when Xander didn't respond to his joke it dawned to him.
Mike, being his name, pulled a chair to sit beside Xander in the empty restaurant.
"Was I right?" he asked as quiet as he could could be and Xander nodded.
"Oh, are you divorcing her or she is the one divorcing you?" Xander raised an eyebrow at him. It doesn't matter who divorce who either way he is getting divorced.
"I guess she divorcing you " Mike said, noticing that the man beside him isn't I. The mood for his jokes.
"What about Emily? Is she taking her? " Mike asked again
"She wants to take custody of her, not because she is her mother but because she want to groom her" frustratedly Xander said, making sure not to mention any identity that would reveal his wife. For all they knew, he married a rich woman.
"So what do you want to do now? " Mike asked seriously
"That's what I don't know, everything just keep going wrong and I don't even have the money get a lawyer"
"If you want a lawyer I know someone that owns me a favor so he won't charge you. You know they could still manipulate their way to win the case " Mike said as he brought out his phone from his pocket.
"I know but I can't just seat and do nothing" Xander sighed and close his eyes. Maybe if he closes his eyes, everything would just be a nightmare and he would wake up on his bed with daughter tapping his cheek to wake him up.
His phone vibrated in his hand and he opened his eyes to check his phone.
It was a message from Hermia telling him to prepare to go to court on Friday which was in two days time.
"Here is the number " Mike said and leaned in a bit. He was so close and was able to read the message from Hermia "She really isn't joking"
That night called the lawyer who told the that there was low chance of him winning. Xander still insisted on trying.
Just as the long horrible day came to an end, he stood in front of his old apartment which was the same way he left it. The room was small but he tried to make it as neat as possible.
Coming back there making him recall the memories of his old landlord who buys food for him any time he goes out. At first he usually reject it but the man would leave it at him door so he learned to accept it. He wonders if he was still alive since he hasn't been in contact with him for three years.
"What exactly are you looking at? " A voice came from beside him also staring into the small apartment as he did.
"Old man Jones " Xander excited voice rang in the quiet hallway and he pulled the old man into a hug. He was just thinking of his old landlord and he appeared looking healthy.
"What are you doing here, boy? " His old landlord asked, gently pushing the young man with his wrinkled hands.
"I think I will be moving back here " Xander answered scratching the back of his head.
"I thought you got married to a rich girl"
"Yeah, it didn't work out"
"That's alright, you welcome to stay here, the apartment is still yours, I would see you tomorrow, an old man need their sleep" the man said and left the hallway.
Xander couldn't tell the old man that he has a daughter, he would get furious since he regarded him as his son.
Friday came with ease and the court room was filled with Xander's wife and in laws. Outsiders were not allowed and there were bouncers around the court house to block out reporters. The case began immediately the judge entered the bench.
Xander watched his daughter seat beside her mother. He knew his girl was confuse about what is going on but he thinks she has a little understanding of what is happening.
He watched his daughter look around for something, maybe someone. When she finally saw her dad she smiled and almost got out of her place beside her mother.
Xander suddenly had an idea that won't put his daughter in trouble. They usually use some simple hand signs to talk when they didn't want Hermia to hear them.
He touched the back of his hand on his forehead which means "how are you? "
"I'm fine " she signed back by nodding her head. "Mummy said you are leaving" she signed again
"Yes"
"Why? am I a bad girl? "
"No, you are not a bad girl. I would still come see you"
"No! I want to see you every time"
Xander blink furiously to stop any tears from leaving his eyes.
"I want to stay with you, daddy I love you"
"I love you too"
Xander noticed that the court have gone usually quiet and he saw all eyes on him. He hadn't noticed that people saw what they did.
"Let's take a break we would back for the final decision in ten minutes" judge announced and left the bench.
Immediately, Emily freed herself from her mother's hold and ran her father's open hand.
"Daddy don't leave" she cried.