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
Ethan Junior's POVI got to work extra early. Yesterday I was not able to look over the proposal for a chain of restaurants in the south due to a long business meeting with my brother. As I walked out the elevator, I adjusted my Gucci suit and strolled to my office. I opened my cabinets, took out the proposal and began reading through it.After an hour, a knock came on my door. I assumed it was my brother at first, judging by the early time, but, usually, Evan didn't knock. He always burst into my office because he was in charge of the entire building."Come," I ordered and the door opened slowly, and in stepped Maria Kastle.Maria Kastle and I went to the same high school and she was the captain of the cheerleading squad, which automatically made her the most popular girl at school. I was the most popular guy, quarterback star of the football team, and my surname reigned, giving me my popularity and power.Everyone thought that we wer
Zenia's POVTwo Weeks Later"Zenia, get your ass up and get out of that bed right now!" my sister yelled as she drew the curtains open.The rays of sunlight hit my face instantly. I rolled to the other side of the bed with a growl."Leave me alone.""Girl, I'm not playing with you. You've been groveling in your misery for days with the same clothes on. You look like a hobo! Get up, clean yourself up and go do something with your life!"She pulled me out of the bed and pushed me into the bathroom. She turned the shower on me and I hooted like an injured owl as the cold water washed over me. I quickly switched the water temperature and glared at her. She did that on purpose."Have a nice bath," she said before she left.After my forced shower, I felt somewhat better. I had been crying for days. I ate nothing. I did nothing. I stayed locked up in my room, in bed, crying my eyes out over him and feeling
Zenia's POVI sat down in a near by cafe, having a cup of coffee and enjoying my lonely company. After everything that had spiraled out of proportion with my relationship with EJ, I needed a break to piece myself together.I had seen what my sister did to herself, and I vowed I never wanted to make the same silly mistake, but, for it all, I did exactly that and more. I broke his heart, his trust and his ego.A man's ego is everything.I retrieved my cellphone from my handbag and began surfing through my picture gallery. I immediately came across a picture I took with EJ in bed sound asleep. He looked so peaceful with his hair ruffled on his forehead, his long eyelashes shielding his eyes, his lips looking so kissable and his morning stubble appearing.I scrolled to another picture. It was of me and him by the pool-- the first day he brought me to the house.The memories replayed over and over in my mind. I was m
Zenia's POV"Fucking Madison, EJ! Are you kidding me?" I furiously asked as I got into his office.He was at the computer, typing on the keyboard. His eyes traveled to me and he appeared to be afraid of answering."So you're not going to answer me? After everything you said about her: 'Oh she's just a friend', 'We've known each other since preschool', 'There's nothing between me and her' and 'She's not my type', that was a pile of bullshit because you're dating her now!""Well, unlike you, she understands me and listens to my every word. I don't have to worry because I know where I stand with her." He stood up and walked slowly towards me."Don't you dare fucking get closer to me," I warned. My heart had already gone out the window, and I was beginning to hate him."Zen, I did say that we can be friends. It's much better that way for you and I.""Yeah. The last time you said that, you pinned me against a d
Ethan Junior's POV"You want to talk about it man? You've been looking slumped for the entire morning," my brother offered as I walked into his office to hand in a document.I threw myself onto his couch, feeling defeated and lost."Is this about Zenia leaving?" he asked.I nodded my head yes."You're missing her, aren't you?"I nodded my head yes again."Tell me, exactly, how can you break up with her when your heart still wants her? Is your ego that big?"I eyed him. "I don't know. She hurt me as well and she wanted to play the victim role. Nah, I don't think so.""Did she apologize?""Of course she apologized, Evan.""See, that's the problem right there with you younger generation. It's like the word 'sorry' doesn't mean anything or that it doesn't exist in your vocabulary. She apologized! You should have been the bigger man and accepted her apology and worked things
Zenia's POVI walked to Anton's car with a teary face and a racing heart. No one loves being or feeling sick. My stomach ached and felt like it was being tied in knots. I had a screaming headache that was worse than any hangover headache I ever had. I felt weak and drained."I'm sorry you're going through this. I'll get you to the doctor and you'll soon be better," Anton kindly said and assisted me with fastening my seat belt.My eyes were closed for the entire ride."Ah, Mr. McCalister. It's nice to see you again," a friendly female doctor greeted. She was beautiful with kind brown eyes and pixie cut brown hair."Hello Dr. Sheridan. This is my friend Zenia, and I'm afraid she is in great need of your medical care," Anton informed. I was wrapped up against his shoulder."Oh dear. Come on, Zenia. Let's get you to an exam room."My legs reacted slowly so it appeared Anton was dragging me towards a wheelchair