*THE HOLLEN SERIES 03*
👨👩👧👦👨👩👧👦👨👩👧👦EPISODE 29👨👩👧👦👨👩👧👦👨👩👧👦
🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
*👁🗨 MORE THAN FRIENDS 👁🗨*
🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
Zenia’s POV
I 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 begun as she opened her arms and came towards me, gesturing for me to hu-g her.
I held up my palm to her.
“Stop.” I blinked away the tears which was alre-ady 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 might not even be 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 hell did you do with the money because I know for certain that it wasn’t being used for mine and Jasmine’s benefits.”
“Zen…” Her voice broke and the tears came.
Martin straightened his posture and looked on without saying another word. Mom wiped the tears away with a tissue and walked out the kitchen.
I tailed behind her.
“You’re not walking away from this!” I shouted. I held her shoulder, stopping her in the path. “You had the money mom? You had the money and could of afforded the lungs transplant a long time ago but instead, Jasmine had to seek the money for you!
Did you knew that you messed up her life because of that?
She went out of her way and became friendly with that as-s-hole of an ex because she wanted the money to help save you!”
I shook my head. “Where’s the money mom?”
“We were in debt Zenia.”
“Debt? What debt? When were we ever in debts?”
“I was in debt! You think it’s easy being a mother and looking after two girls who always nee-ds something? You think it’s a smooth pla-ying field when you have to do that by yourself?
Of course the money were spent on you. Both you and Jasmine. You were too young to remember all the sacrifices I made for you!”
Then she said the thing I thought she’d never say in all my life.
“You should be happy that your baby is dead. You don’t know what it takes to be a mother.”
My anger flattened and was replaced with sadness.
“Zenia, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to say that. Baby…”
“Leave me alone,” I muttered. I quickly ran for the door and speed walk towards the elevator. I heard my mother calling after me but I was not about to go back into that penthouse with that woman.
I walked throu-gh the lobby while trying to reach EJ on the phone. After the second attempt, he answered.
“Hey sweet face.”
“EJ.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Can you plea-se come get me? Can we go to our new house?”
“Sure. I’m coming to get you right now.”
I hung up and walked towards the subway outlet on the opposite side of the street. I ordered a sandwich, sat down by myself and bit into it.
I remembered Anton. The first time we met was in this exact place. He was avoiding me ever since that fight between him and EJ.
At finishing my sandwich, EJ arrived.
I got into the car with him and we drove to our new house.
~
“What’s going on baby? Why are you so sad?” he asked as we sat down on a sofa together. He pu-lled me on his lap and gently ki-ssed my li-ps.
“I only want to be with you right now,” I answered.
“You miss me that much?”
I nodded yes. I did missed him and I felt like he was the only person who could have been there for me.
“I want us to move in together,” I let out.
“Are you sure? I told you there’s no nee-d to rush this. We could take it one step at a time.”
“I know you said that but I want to be here with you EJ.”
“Okay. I’m so happy you said that. I love you, girl.”
He raised me up and planted ki-sses all over my face.
“You can get situated, and I’ll make us some drinks.” He put me down on my two feet and ran towards the kitchen.
I walked up the stairs and found our b£droom. I walked into the closet where I cried without him hearing or seeing.
~
After the pain eased, I dried my eyes and walked out. I walked directly in his ha-rdche-st. I stumbled backwards but his hands quickly reached for me and I settled back on my feet.
His eyes latched on me, studying my face without saying a word.
“What’s wrong?” His voice was filled with concern and his face was dead serious.
“I had a bl-owup with my mom,” I answered truthfully. He pu-lled me into his arms and began ru-b-bing the low of my back.
“It’s going to be okay,” he whispered and I se-nsed the as-surance from him.
He guided me back downstairs and handed me a glas-s of a fancy drink.
“What’s this?” I asked, looking at the red and blue substance.
“That’s call the EJ’s Love.”
I laughed. He could be so corny at times.
_______________ That Night
“You’re taking all the covers Zenia.”
“Well close the windows and you wouldn’t feel cold EJ.”
“I love slee-ping with the windows open. It calms me.”
I released the covers to him and closed in the windows. He looked at me as I climb£d back into the b£d. His arm wra-pped around my wai-stand we fell into a peaceful sleep together.
________________
The next morning, I woke up to the steaming rays of sunshine coming throu-gh the window. I peeled off the b£d and went into the washroom.
I heard EJ singing in the bathroom.
“You tell all the boys “No”
Makes you feel good, yeah
I know you’re out of my league
But that won’t scare me away, oh, no
You’ve carried on so long
You couldn’t stop if you tried it
You’ve built your wall so high
That no one could climb it
But I’m gonna try
Would you let me see beneath your beautiful?
Would you let me see beneath your perfect?
Take it off now, girl, take it off now, girl
I wanna see inside
Would you let me see beneath your beautiful tonight?”
I had no idea he was such an amazing singer.
I did my business and went downstairs to the kitchen. I was expecting an empty house, without any groceries but I was rather impressed when all the cabinets were stocked and the refrigerator had everything in my favor.
I made a batch of extra fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon and a cu-p of coffee for my boyfriend.
He came downstairs dressed in a business attire.
“Hey baby, good morning.”
“Good morning. You’re going into work today?”
“Yeah…umm Evan nee-ds me for a thing…”
“Okay.”
He gave me a quick peck on the mouth and walked out the door, Pancakes, bacon and coffee in hand.
I watched sadly as he drove out of sight. I headed back to the kitchen to have my breakfast.
_____________________
At midday, a strange woman walked into the house.
“Hello, I’m Dory. I work as a maid for The Hollens and I was requested to come get you.”
“Come get me for what?” I looked around for an object I could used as a weapon. EJ never mentioned anything about a maid coming over.
Two men, dressed in black, came throu-gh the door. My heart beat quickly.
“If you don’t get out of here, I’m going to call the cops!” I warned.
“Oh dear, we don’t mean to put scare into you. We’re here on Ethan Junior’s behalf.”
“He never mentioned anything!”
“Because it’s a surprise. I strongly suggest that you get dress Miss. Blackman.”
I went upstairs, trying to reach EJ’s phone but it went to voicemail every time. I took a shower, styled my hair and got dressed.
I went downstairs to the kitchen, placed a knife in my handbag, just in case, and followed Dory and the men in black to a white limousine parked on the pavement.
After a dre-ading one hour drive, I arrived at a restaurant. I walked throu-gh the entrance by myself and immediately sp-otted EJ. He keeled down before me and pu-lled a black box out his back pocket.
Evan and Jasmine were also prese-nt, looking on from a table a few feet away. My eyes flooded when I saw the diamond ring.
“Sweetie, I know it’s been brief but it didn’t feel right when I woke up this morning, next to you, and you had nothing to show of my real love to you. That promise ring doesn’t cut it. So now, I’m giving you this. Your engagement ring if you’ll have me now and forever. Zenia Alison Blackman, would you marry me?”
The response got caught in my throat. Tears came instead of my voice.
*THE HOLLEN SERIES 03*
👨👩👧👦👨👩👧👦👨👩👧👦EPISODE 30👨👩👧👦👨👩👧👦👨👩👧👦
🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
*👁🗨 MORE THAN FRIENDS 👁🗨*
🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
Ethan Junior’s POV
“You should of said that back at the restaurant Zenia, instead of right now.”
“And embarras-s you in front of your brother and my sister? EJ you know I love you but marriage is a really hu-ge and serious step and I think we should take this very slowly.”
She rejected my proposal as we walked throu-gh 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 for-ced something onto her that she clearly wasn’t re-ady for.
She handed me back the ring and I put it back into its box. I went upstairs to get undress and to take a nap.
After two hours had pas-sed by, my eyes were still wi-de open. I was lost in thoughts and mending my own broken heart.
“EJ.” I heard her whispered my name as she got into the b£d next to me. She ru-bb£d my back gently with her hands. “EJ, plea-se don’t be angry. We’ll get engage when the time is right.”
“And when would that be?” I growled.
“I think we’ll just know.”
I turned my b©dy to face her. “I’m not waiting for some promotion or a good news to ask for your hand. That alone should tell you how much I love you. When people love each other, it’s ideal that they take the next step.”
“I know. But we’re so young EJ. I’m even older than you are.”
“By one year. So you’re refusing to marry me because of our age and our age difference?”
“No. What I’m trying to say is that it’s happening too quickly and too much. How much did that ring even cost?”
“Can you put a price on love?”
“EJ…”
“It was very expensive.” I sat up.
“Zenia look, I know it’s sudden and very new to you but I came from a family where affection conquers everything. All my life, I watched my father loved my mother more and more everyday and I couldn’t wait to show that to someone. That someone is you.”
Her eyes fluttered.
“I’m not going to rush you. If you want to take it slow then that’s what we’re going to do but plea-se don’t give me any false hope. Don’t have me thinking that you’re working towards us when you’re actually only trying to push me away.”
“Can I see the ring one last time?” she asked.
I chuckled lightly. I took the ring out the drawer and handed it to her. She opened the box and stared at its beauty.
“ONE MILLION DOLLARS!” She said alarmingly.
Shit! I forgot to re-move the price tag at the bo-ttomof the box.
“EJ, you spent a million dollars on a ring?”
“No.”
She eyed me.
“Okay… Yes.”
“Return it. This is too much!”
“What? Hell no! I’m not going to do that.”
“EJ…”
“Zen, one million dollars did not put a flat in my pocket. Baby, you’re worth it and I could afford it.”
“Well not because you could afford it means that you should be spending money like this.”
“I un-derstand that but I’m still not taking it back. It’s so beautiful and one of a kind just like you.”
I pu-lled her into me and began ki-ssing her pas-sionately. Her arms wra-pped around my ne-ck as I hovered over her. A plea-surable feeling ripple down my spine and at that instant, I wanted all of her.
I re-moved her dress quickly while ki-ssing the na-kedness which was getting ex-posed to my eyes only. She was extremely beautiful.
She took my vest off and threw it across the room. I took her un-derwear off and threw it at the floor.
“EJ,” she mo-aned as I turned her over on her stomach and pinned myself on top of her.
“You. Are. So. Beautiful.” With every word, I ki-ssed her.
“I love you EJ.”
The heat rushed over me and flooded my hor-mones which spiked my erection. I trailed the ki-sses down her back and stopped when she said she couldn’t wait anymore.
I slowly entered her. As she received all of me, her mo-aning got louder. Inside of her left like a sunny-rainy day. w-et but heated.
I thru-st slowly and gently and su-cked on her ne-ck. Zenia wasn’t the type of girl to be fu-cked. She was the type to make love to and that was exactly what I was doing with her.
Finally, I was having her. No alcohol involved and no disturbances from anyone around us.
At the end of our cli-maxes, we la-id in each others arms on the b£d. In our na-ked glory.
“That was so amazing,” she complimented my work and put a bigger boost on my male ego.
“You’re amazing.”
“No. We’re amazing.”
We were having another make out moment when……
My phone rang on the nightstand table.
fu-ck!
We ignored it but then it rung again and again.
“Maybe you should get it. Could be your mom or your boss.”
I laughed at the last p@rt.
Boss.
Evan should know better. I was certain I never got in the way when he was getting Jasmine pregnant again.
Madison’s name flashed on the screen. I heaved a long sigh and answered.
“EJ!” Her voice held panic.
“What’s up?”
“EJ! It’s my mother. She was in a horrific car accident and the doctors don’t know if she’ll live or not. I’m leaving Brooklyn right now. Can I see you before I leave? plea-se EJ? I don’t want it to be like the last time I went away.”
“I’ll be right there!” I quickly responded.
I loved Madison’s mom. When we were kids, she always baked me cookies when I went over to see Madison. She was a lady filled with pride and a mother filled with love for her children and others.
I hung up, ran to the bathroom, took a shower and got dressed.
“What’s wrong?” Zenia kept asking.
“Madison’s mom was in an accident. I’m going over to say goodbye to her before she leaves.”
“Madison? Did you just said Madison?”
I stopped.
“EJ! We just finished making love and you’re leaving me to go over to her?”
“Zen, stop. It’s nothing like that. She’s still my friend.”
“Fine. Go!” She threw a pillow at me and struck me in my face.
“Why are you acting like this? Her mom could die. I’m only going to show my support. I’m sure my parents would want me to do that but if you’re so bitter about it, then come with me.”
As if for spite, Zenia took her precious time to get re-ady.
_________________
I went to my parents’ house. Mom had called me while I was driving, stating Madison had came over to the house and was in a state.
As I pushed in the front door, Madison’s arms wra-pped around my ne-ck.
“It’s too late EJ. She’s gone. My mother is dead.”
I hu-gged her.
“Madison, I’m so sorry. plea-se accept my condolences.” Zenia said.
Madison nodded.
“Madison, my plane is going to take you back home. It would be re-ady in an hour,” my father said to her.
“Thank you Mr. Hollen. Thank you so much.”
“You’re like family Madison. It’s the least I can do. I’m so sorry for your lost.”
Father hu-gged her.
“Goodbye EJ. I don’t know when I’ll see you again.”
“I’m so sorry Madison. plea-se take care of yourself out there.”
I hu-gged her also and watched as she left with my father.
~
“I really thought that she lived with her mom.”
“No, she did. When she was little. Her family ran into financial difficulties and had to resell their house so Madison moved away. She returned on her own and she was living with her aunt. Four houses away from my parents’.”
“She must really be hurting.”
“Yeah. That’s really terrible. I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose my mom. Speaking of moms, what happened between you and Miss. Blackman?”
“Can you believe she was told me about my miscarriage? She said I should be happy that the baby is dead.”
“WHAT!?”
“Yeah. I couldn’t live with her anymore. I can’t stand to see her face anymore.”
That was a terrible thing for Zenia’s mom to have said to her.
But what had me thinking was if Zenia moved in with me because of what her mother said or if she moved in because she wanted to.
Was that the reason why she didn’t accept my ring?
Because she had no intentions of actually being with me???
TO BE CONTINUED…..