Chapter 4

• Zenia’s POV
• “EJ was always so adorable.” I caught Madison said as I got closer to them. “And he’s so funny.”
• The hell!
• Jasmine’s eyes landed on me as I stood next to her. She was standing opposite EJ and Madison, with Evan on her right side so I stood on her left.
• “Oh Zenia, this is Madison. My most favorite person in the world.”
• Most favorite person?
• "Madison, this is Zenia.”
• Just Zenia?
• “Hi,” Madison greeted, extending a hand to me while the other one was still placed on the arm of EJ.
• “Hi,” I answered back with a weak smile, shaking her hand while the dark voice was screaming ‘break her hand’ at the back of my head.
• “It’s so nice to finally meet you Zenia. I’ve heard so much about you and I was so excited to finally meet you and now I have, I’m thrilled.” She sounded like she had been planning on saying that her whole life.
• “Oh I wish I could say the same,” I said back with a fake chuckle which made me earned a look from my big sister.
• “Oh well ummm.... Jasmine, I accept.” Madison then turned her attention to Jasmine.
• “I’m sorry, what do you accept?” I asked, knowing I was lost because I didn’t caught all details from the early conversation between them.
• “Jasmine wants Madison to be one of the bridesmaids for the wedding,” EJ clarified.
• I was trying my best to compose my anger because I had already given the impression that I didn’t have any feelings for and towards EJ.
• But seeing another girl, hooked up to him and not letting go her hand from his beautiful arm, was doing something to me.
• A wrecking feeling boiled around in the pit of my stomach, waiting to be erupted by the slightest annoyance of Madison.
• I had no idea who she was but EJ was definitely warmed up to her.
• “Zenia, can I please speak with you? A little Girl-To-Girl chat in private?” Madison asked.
• “Umm, okay,” I responded.
• ~
• We slowly walked to the very back of the huge mansion where a very big swimming pool was visible but secretly surrounded by trees.
• We sat down at the pool, allowing only our feet into the water.
• “Zenia. That’s a really lovely name. What does it mean?” She broke the awkward silence between us.
• “It’s actually a flower.”
• “Oh. Like your sister’s name is Jasmine as in the flower also. That’s so awesome. Does your mom love flowers?”
• “At one point.”
• “That’s great.”
• “What is it that you really wanted to talk about? I highly doubt you only wanted to know the origin of my name.”
• “Zenia, I know you don’t know anything about me but I feel like we could connect with each other and I’m really hoping we could be friends.
• EJ and I go way back. Preschool to be precise. We’ve been inseparable and shared a bond like no other but all that changed when my family ran into financial difficulties and I was forced into moving away from next door EJ.”
• Bitch used to live right next to him?
• “When I moved, we lost touch with each other, you know? I tried reaching out to him continuously but I failed and we grew apart. I knew he had his own life to live and he’s a guy after all.”
• She gave a light feminine laugh as she playfully pushed my shoulder.
• “Why are you telling me all this?” I finally asked her. I wasn’t one for empathy so I wouldn’t pretend I actually give a damn about her and her personal issues.
• “I’m telling you this because EJ is a really nice guy and I can tell he already has a stronger connection with you. All he talks about, is you.”
• Oh, she’s trying to put in the good words for her friend.
• “Oh well,” I said and as a pleasing smile crept to my face.
• “I think we should work together. We’ll make a perfect team.”
• “Work together to do what exactly?” I narrowed my eyes at her as I took her in.
• She was pretty in the face and one wouldn’t get bored just looking at her.
• Her beautiful creamed skin screamed perfection and her green eyes possessed traces of gold around the pupil.
• Her hair was dark brown hair and was cut in a stylish Bob which fell loosely around her neck.
• She was just pretty.
• “Lets work together on getting EJ back to me. I had always love him.”
• I most fell into the pool.
• ______________________
• Ethan Junior’s POV
• “You do know that very soon you’ll be starting work at HT, little brother so you need to be prepared.
• You’ve already finished your college courses and I’m so proud you accomplished that at only twenty years old. Took me two years more than you.”
• Evan and I shared a laugh and he manly patted me on the back.
• I knew someday I would be the COO of Hollen Tower. It was all dad ever talked about and molded me on becoming.
• In high school, I was the straight ‘A’ but popular guy. I knew I made my parents proud and I was patiently awaiting the day for dad to tell me I’ll be beginning my COO duties at his company.
• He was only hesitant because he knew I would move out from his house, purchase my own, and he wouldn’t be able to see me as regular as he wished.
• ___________As Evan and I talked about the company and my upcoming responsibilities, Zenia walked up to me.
• “Hey, are you okay?” I asked, looking at her face and her slumped body language.
• “Yeah I’m fine. Can I talk to you for a quick sec?” she asked.
• “Sure.”
• Excusing ourselves, we walked underneath a nearby tree.
• “What’s up?”
• “I just had a conversation with Madison and she wanted me to talk to you.”
• “About what?” I pulled her onto my chest. I always needed to feel her against me when she was in my presence.
• “She said she was in love with you.”
• A chuckle escaped my lips.
• “Really?”
• “Yes really. Do you love her back?” I sensed a hit of jealousy from her statement.
• “I was always expecting her to fall in love with me.” I played.
• Her eyes flared at me and she quickly turned on her heel to depart but I pulled her back to me.
• I lowered my head and claimed her lips into mine, parting them with my tongue to gain access into her wine -tasted mouth.
• She responded slowly but surely and when our tongues wrapped with each other, I felt sparks shooting up from inside me.
• “No. We can’t.” Her voice croaked out before pushing me away from her.
• She turned around quickly again and took off running towards the large tent where the dinner was already being served.
• ________________
• Zenia’s POV
• We just shared a kiss!
• EJ and I kissed!
• It was just a breath-taking moment but after telling Madison I had no feelings for him and that we were only friends so I’ll talk to him in her favor, I felt like I was betraying her already, although I didn’t knew her.
• ~
• Dinner was being served when I arrived at the table.
• I found a seat next to Madison.
• “Hey, did you talk to him?” she leaned in and asked in a low tone.
• “Yes I did.” I answered in a tone to match hers.
• “And?”
• “He said he’ll think about it.”
• “When exactly did he said that? Before or after you kissed him?”
• Damn it!
• Feeling embarrassed and ashamed, I grabbed a bottle of wine on the table and pulled myself off the chair, all pair of eyes on me.
• I drank the entire bottle of wine by myself in the darkness of night by the poolside.