Zenia's POV
"I hate that bitch! She's like a blood sucking tick draining the life from my relationship with EJ. Why can't she just leave us in peace?"
I was in a fit of rage and Ashley was finding amusement from it. She laughed lightly as she cut the pattern to her newly designed dress.
"You're crazy. If Madison was going to come between you and EJ then it would've happened, but he has to allow her to let that shit happen. EJ loves you. I don't know why you're over there acting up like a hormonal baboon."
"Ashley! I really don't want any insults. You're not helping."
"Zenia, I'm tired of giving you advice and, yet, you do the opposite of what I say. You have to figure out what you want and how much effort you're willing to put in for it."
I slid down onto the floor, lowering my head to my knees, calming myself.
"Stop being a drama queen. You're all mad for absolutely nothing."
The door bell chi
WARNING: A SUICIDE ATTEMPT IS PRESENT IN THIS CHAPTER. Readers' discretion advised.Ethan Junior's POVMy jaw ached as I strolled towards the elevator to get to my office. I felt the pressure creeping in since I was left in charge of the company. Evan was on his honeymoon with Jasmine.I walked into my office and threw myself onto the chair behind the large mahogany desk. I began flipping through paperwork and documents, which Evan demanded I look into.I noticed there was a board meeting and a deal I had to seal in less than an hour. Gathering myself, and getting my thoughts together, I stood up, straightened my suit and walked into the boardroom."Good morning," I greeted everyone."Good morning, Mr. Hollen," Mr. Alexander answered."Is this some kind of joke? Where's Evan Hollen?" Mr. Alexander's assistant asked while toying with a pencil in her folder. Her hair was pulled into a tight bun and her hairl
Susan Blackman's POVI wanted to yell at him for constantly telling me to do the right thing. I know what the right thing was, I didn't need him to tell me. All the girls knew was that he wasn't there for them as a father should be.I used the hand scanner to unlock the penthouse suite; Martin followed right behind me."I shouldn't have brought you here. Zenia still hasn't warmed up to you, and I don't want to upset her more than she already is.""Susan, I think it's best that you tell her the truth right now. You're the reason why I wasn't there for the girls.""I'm the reason Martin? Oh, of course you would say that because that's all you were always good at, putting the blame on me."He stepped back through the door. "You know what, when Jasmine gets back from her honeymoon, I'm going to tell her the truth. I don't care how she'll feel about you afterwards, but they deserve to know!"He walked out
Ethan Junior's POVI sat still in the chair as my mom and dad sat down on either side of me. I was deep in thought with memories of Zenia.She was really an incredible young lady with the personality of no other. Her smile was what I lived for, and everything about her I needed. I was so foolish, always throwing the damn blame at her when I really was to be blamed for every bad thing that ever happened since our encounter.I loved her. I never said it to her, but now that I was on the verge of losing her and never seeing her again, I knew my feelings was true.Tapping my feet impatiently on the tiled floor, a doctor walked up to us, the same doctor who had been talking with Miss Blackman before rushing away."Hi, you're here regarding Zenia Blackman, right?" he asked."Yes," Mom answered; Miss Blackman was still recovering from her faint."We've settle her heart rate. We didn't lose her, but we came very c
Ethan Junior's POV"Son, are you sure about this?" My father asked for the hundredth time on Thursday evening."Yes Dad," I growled."There really isn't a rush. Your mom and I love having you around the house. You're still our little boy.""I know that, but I really need my own space and my own rules now Daddy. I'm growing up, and I really want a solid life and a serious relationship.""Okay. I understand that. But, as you know, you wouldn't be given the mansion until you're twenty one.""I know that too Dad, but can we please go see the luxury villa now? Zenia is coming home from the hospital tomorrow and I want to surprise her with our own house."My father and I had been house hunting since Tuesday. I wanted a house-- not too big, not too small-- with a luxury feeling and look to it; and one that was within the distance of my family.Cindy Peters, my father's real estate agent, had met up with us at the
Zenia's POVI couldn't listen in on them anymore. I bolted into the kitchen and stood between the woman I thought was the world's best mother and the man who walked away from his family for twenty one years."Zenia, you're home. Come here, baby," my mother began as she opened her arms and came towards me, gesturing for me to hug her.I held up my palm to her. "Stop." I blinked away the tears that were already forming. I backed away from her. "How could you do such a terrible thing to me and Jasmine?""Zenia... What are you talking about?" she asked innocently."I heard every word Mother! Or should I even call you a mother? You allowed Jasmine and I to think that Dad walked away because he wanted to, but you were the reason for all of this! I'm not even his daughter?"Three thousand dollars every month Mom? Three thousand dollars every month for eighteen years? That's six hundred and forty eight thousand dollars! What the he
Ethan Junior's POV"You should've said that back at the restaurant Zenia, instead of right now.""And embarrass you in front of your brother and my sister? EJ, you know I love you, but marriage is a really huge and serious step, and I think we should take this very slowly."She rejected my proposal as we walked through the door to our house. I was heartbroken. I saw it going differently in my mind. I wanted her to keep the ring on, and instead of being called 'my girlfriend', I wanted it to be 'my fiancee'.I loved Zenia, but I couldn't possibly force something onto her that she clearly wasn't ready for.She handed me back the ring and I put it back into its box. I went upstairs to get undressed and to take a nap.After two hours had passed, my eyes were still wide open. I was lost in thoughts and mending my own broken heart."EJ." I heard her whispered my name as she got into the bed next to me. She rubbe
Zenia's POV"I feel like such a charity case," I outed to Ashley as we stood in front of my brand new Lexus Bold car EJ had purchased for me the day before."Come on Zenia, he's only looking out for you. You live on the other side of town now and it's a longer journey to the boutique. Girl, I wish Alex would buy me a car.""I know that. It's all good, but I'm losing my independence. I don't want him to give me everything.""Well you've already rejected his ring, now you're going to reject his car too?Zenia, it was a nice gesture and he's trying to do right by you. He's trying to show you that he cares and he loves you. Come on, what kind of guy would he be if he didn't buy his girlfriend anything?"Ashley had a point, but it still wasn't helping my feelings. I felt pathetic."I don't want him to hand me everything that I need. I was already saving up for a car. And did you know that the engagement ring cost a million do
Ethan Junior's POVI pulled my car into the garage, exited and took my briefcase out before heading indoors. Once inside, my feet carried me to the living room where I saw Zenia and Ashley sitting, their eyes traveled to me with a blank expression on their faces."Hey, what's going on?" I asked. I smelled trouble.Zenia pointed at the far corner of the room."Hi EJ," Madison greeted.I was startled. "Madison, what are you doing here?"Shouldn't she be back in Maine for the burial of her mother?"EJ, I'm having a really rough time adjusting to everything back home. It's not the same without Mommy," she cried as she walked towards me and wrapped her arms around my neck.My eyes went to Zenia immediately and she seemed bothered by Madison's presence, and at her touching me."I know it's hard on you, but shouldn't you be back home?" I removed her hands from my neck."That's not my home
Four Years LaterZenia's POV"Zenobia, please slow down baby," I called after my daughter as she playfully raced through the open park with her cousins Jevan, Jase and Jada.Zenobia was an energetic little thing, a tomboy at best, and although she arrived three weeks earlier than expected, she was a healthy bouncing baby girl who was full of life. She brought delight everywhere she went and, everyday, she made it a new learning experience for me.She loved her three adorable cousins and, at times, I had to take her over to their house so she could have sleepovers and extra fun with them.Ashley, Alex and Madison were her godparents, and they loved her dearly.Believe it or not, Madison started dating Jack. They'd been going out for over two years and she was in love with him. Rumor had it that Jack was about to pop the question very soon.Ashley and Alex, well, they were Ashley and Alex but with a li
Ethan Junior's POVZenia and I got into the car and drove to my parents' house. Mom had requested us for dinner. It was always like Mom to request her family's presence and catch up on our lives since we were apart.Evan, Jasmine and Jevan had already arrived when we got there. I led Zenia to the dinning room area."EJ, Zenia. You made it," Mom greeted us and pulled us into her arms."Hi Mom.""Hello, Mrs. Hollen.""Call me Emma, sweetie," Mom gestured to Zenia.We gathered around the table and began dinner. Dad started talking about his 'school days' and what he did after graduating from high school. According to him, he got high for the first time.After laughing and airing out some secrets, one of my father's security guards kindly interrupted us."Sir, ma'am, I'm sorry to interrupt, but there's a gentleman at the gate to see Mrs. Hollen.""Who is he?" my mother asked. 
Zenia's POV"Does it look like I'm joking?" his voice asked before I heard the gun shot.I flew out of my sleep with traces of sweat forming on my forehead. Ever since I arrived back home, I had been having terrible nightmares every night about what I'd been put through when I was in England.I got out of bed, fearing that I'd have another nightmare if I tried to go back to sleep. I walked towards the kitchen to get myself a glass of water.I poured myself a glass and looked up at the wall clock. It was 3:30 a.m. Finishing my glass of water, I rinsed my cup out and went back to the bedroom, where I stayed awake for the remainder of the early hours of the morning.At daylight, I took a shower and got dressed in a comfortable dress. I brushed my hair back and applied my makeup. I stared at the rings on my fingers. The promise ring and the engagement ring."He's not always going to be there to save you, Zenia!" Anton's voice played
Ethan Junior's POVI waited in the waiting area as the doctors tended to Zenia. She had passed out from exhaustion the moment Evan got her inside the car.Dad hugged me around my shoulder while I looked at my hands. The hands I used to beat Anton's face in with his gun. He had crossed a line he shouldn't have ever dared to cross.And what a surprise it had been for Evan when he discovered Jessica, his ex-girlfriend from high school, had been in on this as well. She was cuffed and sent off to jail-- both her and Maria-- and their accomplice, a guy by the name of Larry.Anton was admitted to the hospital to nurse his facial wounds before going to jail.Anastasia, Dad's IT Hacker, met up with us at the hospital. It turned out that Mr. McCalister knew nothing about his son's kidnapping scheme and plots, so he was let off the hook. She promised to keep an eye on him though.Two hours later, a doctor met us in the hallway.&
Zenia's POVIt was dark out."Get up, Zenia!" Madison commanded."Why are you even helping me, Madison?" I didn't trust her. As far as I knew, Madison had been nothing but trouble since the day we first met."I'll explain everything to you later, but we need to move. Come on, get up." She circled her arm around my neck and held me up."How far again Madison? I think I'm going to pass out.""We just have to keep moving. The van is parked up ahead."We started on our feet again.Finally, we arrived in a clearing and we spotted where a black Range Rover was parked. Madison helped me get in the passenger's seat and she got behind the wheel."Don't even turn that key Madison!" Anton appeared in front of the van."Seat belt Zenia," Madison whispered. I fastened my seat belt very quickly."Madison! I don't want to hurt you, but I will if you don't do what I say!" Anton warned.
Zenia's POVMy body ached. My hands were bound. I was certain that the rope had caused bruises on the skin because it hurt there too. My eyes strained in the darkness, trying to look at the blood that was soaking through my pants from the bullet wound.Why me? Why would he do this to me?I looked around. Pitch black darkness surrounded me and I felt like I was slipping away into it. I needed to get out of here, but I had no idea where I was.I was in a room. Tied up to a chair. Beaten. And had a hole in my leg.The lights suddenly turned on, blinding me for a moment, and two figures made their way towards me."Aww, is the little ZenZen giving up on life already?" one asked with a disguised voice and a Vendetta mask concealing their face.But, by the body structures, butt and breasts, I knew they were women. A man wouldn't possess such a things unless he was fully batting for the other team."Who are
Ethan Junior's POVWith the time difference, we arrived at 9:00 p.m at night. I wanted to head directly to Anton's father's mansion since Dad had located their address, but Evan had told me to stay in my hotel room for the balance of the night and begin first thing the following day.I didn't want to wait.I wanted blood.Blood for hurting the woman I still carried feelings for and carrying a baby. My baby. I was certain."If you don't calm down your anger will get the best of you, and you will let everything blow up in our faces before we even get to Zenia. People cannot know we're here EJ!" Evan yelled when I punched a hole in the wall."What if that was Jasmine? What if she was exactly in Zenia's position while carrying the twins? Would you be sitting still Evan?"I was boiling over with rage, like a tsunami making its way to land. I didn't want to wait; I wanted to find Anton and beat him until h
Ethan Junior's POV"Evan! Something is wrong with Zenia!" Jasmine called out as she came into the living room where Evan and I were looking at another movie while eating hot Buffalo Wild Wings.By the mention of Zenia's name I froze and grew alarmed."What do you mean?" Evan asked."Well, she called me but when I answered, she wasn't speaking; instead, I heard scuffling noises in the background. I tried calling her back but it's going to voicemail." She sat down between us with creased eyebrows. She called Zenia again and, just as she said, it went straight to voicemail."Evan, something is wrong.""Baby, these things happen. Could be the call connection is dropping.""Evan, I have a terrible feeling that something is wrong with my sister. It's not like Zenia to call me then send the call to voicemail when I'm trying to call her back.""You said you heard scuffling noises?" I asked.
Zenia's POVI was searching for my cellphone but, everywhere I looked, it wasn't in sight.Where did I put it?While I searched my suitcases, a knock came on the bedroom door."Come in," I gestured."Hey, what are you looking for?""My cellphone. I left it somewhere in here before I fell asleep.""Are you sure?""Of course I'm sure Anton. And what was all that with your father? Why did you just blurt out my pregnancy like that and claim the baby as your own? We never spoke about that, so why would you do that?"I was somewhat angry that he did so without my knowing."I'm sorry. I didn't mean to step out of line." He apologized."Well, you did, and I know you usually don't see eye-to-eye with your father, but you can't use me as a pawn to get on his nerves. The baby is EJ's, and not yours, so you shouldn't have said that to your father. What will he think of me when he fi