Chapter 7

• Zenobia's POV
• Even though I was trying my all to not think about him and to not feel hurt and betrayed by him, I couldn't.
• The week in Dubai was over and I was back in the office when my best friend walked in.
• "Good morning, and what's with the long look on your face?" Tiff asked while handing me a document.
• "Actually, I broke up with Jake."
• "Really? What happened?"
• "Caught him in Dubai with his personal assistant."
• "That son of a bitch. They were in bed together?"
• "No. They walked into the bedroom together but I think if I wasn't present, they definitely would have had sex. She was wearing the shortest dress ever."
• "Well, it's always right to trust our instincts and if you have to question your relationship, it's probably not the one for you."
• "He didn't even come to my defense!"
• "That bitch tried to fight you?"
• "She would have caught these hands so quick but Jake isn't worth it. I'm not fighting over any man. Clarissa had a lot of lip."
• "Oh. She better don't even think about coming at you like that. And Jake is a damn fool."
• "They deserve each other."
• "Are you holding up okay?"
• "I'm doing great. Just reflecting on all the red flags I missed and hating myself for it."
• Tiff came over and gave me a warm hug. "It's going to be okay. You'll get through this. You're strong."
• I smiled at her and I returned the gesture.
• ~
• At home that evening, I headed straight to the refrigerator for a gallon of cookies and cream ice-cream. It was my favorite and I wanted to have someone to share it with.
• I found Kyle in the guest house talking on the phone.
• "Oh, Aunt Jackie, I gotta go. I'll call you soon, okay? Love you too," I caught his end of the conversation.
• "Hi," I said.
• "Hey. Sorry, I was just saying hi to my aunt."
• "It's fine. You don't have to apologize for phone calls at the end of your shift. I'm actually here to invite you inside for some ice-cream. Care to join me?"
• "Definitely."
• He followed me.
• ________
• Kyle's POV
• I've never been inside Zenobia's mansion before. I would wait outside the door for her on mornings.
• Reaching the threshold, a beautiful scent hit my nostrils and I stepped into her home, I was greeted by cool air and a welcome feeling.
• Her home was a luxury I could only dream about. Marble floors showed my reflection and a high ceiling screamed you can't touch me.
• I was in awe.
• "This way," she said and showed me to her kitchen. We sat on two bar stools and she served the ice-cream.
• "Thank you," I said and dove in.
• "Kyle, what happened to us?" she asked me, looking in my direction. I heaved a low sigh.
• "I happened. I lied," I answered truthfully.
• "You know, we never spoke about it and tried to fix it. We were the best of friends. Thicker than thieves, and all of that disappeared. It made me feel like our bond wasn't real to begin with."
• "Miss. Hollen..."
• "I'm changing a rule. You're only allowed to call me Miss Hollen when on duty," she said.
• "Is it okay to call you Zen?" I asked.
• She nodded yes.
• "Zen, I tried reaching out to you on countless occasions. You blocked me on every social media we had in common. You blocked me out your life and iced me out."
• "Because I was upset and angry. I wasn't expecting you to do that to me."
• "I'm so sorry for that. I'm sorry for hurting you and betraying you. I'm taking full responsibility for it. It's on my fault. No one forced me to say what I said."
• "Why did you do it?"
• I recalled trying my best to fit in with the football players. "I did it because I thought that would make me cool. Everyone looked at me as your second wheel."
• "But I never treated you like that. You were my best friend and I cared about you."
• "I knew that."
• "Okay. So why did it matter what others thought about you?"
• "Zen, it didn't matter. I was too caught up with peers to see that. After fitting in, I became swell-headed."
• "I accept your reasons and your apology. Just please make certain nothing like that ever happens again."
• "I promise. So does that mean we're best friends again?"
• "Tiffany took your spot," she said with a laugh as she continued on her ice-cream.
• "Ah. I don't mind. Tiffany seems great."
• "She really is. We've been close since I started working at Hollen Tower."
• "What sparked your friendship?"
• "One day, I was heading to the cafeteria and some employees were there talking so mean to her. Condemning the way she dressed, her hairstyle and her weight. I immediately called them into my office, told them off and fired them. Hollen Tower doesn't discriminate. Tiffany reached out to me with a 'thank you' card and we became best friends. I learnt so much from her," she explained.
• We chatted on and the conversation moved to the couch in one of the living rooms. Zenobia turned on her massive television and found a movie.
• 365 DNI.
• And when the sex scenes came on, I could feel the heat radiating off us. I didn't know when she shifted closer to the point of having her hand on my shoulder. Her touch caused ripples in my stomach as I stole quick glances at her.
• "Zen, I think I should leave now..." I said.
• "What? Why? Stay until the movie is over," she protested.
• Her hold tightened and I obliged. I turned to her and she looked right back at me with those beautiful grey eyes. Inch by inch we were closer and closer until our lips collided in a hungry and passionate kiss.
• My arms circled her waist drawing her right to my chest. A soft moan was release from her mouth as her soft hands went below my T-shirt. I found the buttons to hers and undo them, revealing her black lace bra and perfect breasts. I wanted to be between them but something advised me different.
• "Zen, we should stop," I said and pulled her away from me.
• "What's wrong?" she asked looking rejected.
• "I'm sorry but we shouldn't be doing this. I have no interest of being your rebound."
• "Kyle, you're not a rebound."
• "I honestly believe I am. I think you're acting out of hurt and I don't want to wake up tomorrow and hear the words 'last evening was a mistake'. I think we should take things slow."
• "Yeah, you're right. This shouldn't have escalated. I'm sorry."
• "It's fine. I'm gonna leave now. I'll see you in the morning. Enjoy your night, okay?"
• She nodded and I left feeling like a king. Zenobia was interested in making me her boyfriend although those weren't her words, her actions said so much. I couldn't wait to see her beautiful face in the morning.
• ~
• I woke early, took my shower, got dressed and headed to the garage for the car. Zenobia had a total of fifteen cars. Each with its respective space.
• I started up the Mercedes-Maybach Exelero and went to the entrance of the house, waiting for Zenobia with a smile on my face as I opened the car door but it wasn't Zenobia who got out the house.
• It was Jake.