The hollen series 3 Episode 7 & 8

*THE HOLLEN SERIES 03*
?‍?‍?‍??‍?‍?‍??‍?‍?‍?EPISODE 07?‍?‍?‍??‍?‍?‍??‍?‍?‍?
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*?‍? MORE THAN FRIENDS ?‍?*
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Zenia’s POV

We had landed the two magazines on Monday afternoon. Ashley and I were in the best of moods for the remainder of the day.

“I have an idea. We nee-d to celebr@te this! A guy I’ve been ‘stalking’ on social media is throwing this hvge house p@rty tonight for one of his friends. We can go if we want to. The invite says everyone is invited.”

“No Ashley. I’m not about to go to a p@rty on a Monday night. We got work in the morning, girl.”

“Oh plea-se Zen, it would be fun and we nee-d to celebr@te this.”

“No! We can celebr@te this weekend.”

“The excitement would be gone by then. We nee-d to do this now, plus I’m dying to see Alex. He’s so damn fine!”

She was holding onto me like a kid begging for a lolli-pop at the supermarket. I shook my head at her.

“Okay fine! We’ll go but for three hours, t©ps!”

“Sure, sure, sure. Be re-ady by 8:00!”

____________
It was the end of the day, Ashley had alre-ady left. I locked up, armed the security system, turned off the lights and central air and went to catch a cab.

At 8:00 pm, I was dressed and waiting for Ashley to come get me. She picked me up with her sister’s car and drove us to the house p@rty. It was about an hour drive.

There was a hvge guy standing at the door. We told him who we were and used ‘Alex’s name’ to get in without confusion.

“There he is! There he is!” Ashley pointed to a very handsome looking guy with a fair complexion. He wore all black and looked like the typical ‘bad boy’.

“He is mighty fine,” I told her.

“Yesss. I know,” she squealed.

“Well go over and talk to him.”

“No! I can’t! I don’t think I’m his type.”

“Why you say that?”

“Because I was looking at his Facebook page and there pictures of him and a bunch of different women but not one of them were black. I don’t think he likes black girls.” She had a little sadness in her eyes when she said that but it quic-kly disappeared like a puff of smoke when we saw the bar.

One sh0t led to another and another. I even drank Ashley’s drinks.

“You’re driving tonight bit-ch!” I told her, taking her sh0t of tequila and throwing it down my throat.

My mind went back to EJ and Madison. Madison had just waltz back into his life and disturbe-d things between us. Why did she even have to come back?

~
“Am I crazy or is Alex looking at us?” I heard Ashley asking. The room was spinning like a ‘merry go round’.

“Huh?” I asked as I started dancing out of tune to a slow melody of music.

I heard EJ’s voice but I couldn’t locate him in the spinning room. Then I felt something cold b!owing against my skin and I woke up the following morning on my couch.

How did I get home?

____________
The sun rays streamed throu-gh the sheer curtains and lightened up the room and my face. I rolled off the couch in a very lazy manner and went to use the bathroom.

I knew I had a lot to drink last night, I even smelled of the liquor but I didn’t have another hangover.

That’s rather surprising.

I took a shower, dried off my skin, applied my b©dy lotion, sli-pped on my un-derwear then a short h0t pink p@n-ts which hvgged my boo-ty with a black crop t©p. I threw on my black and white air max sneakers and light makeup on my face.

I combe-d my br@zilian weave into a sli-ck ponytail with put on a pair of silver large hoop earrings.

Then I phoned Ashley.

“Hey. You’re coming in today, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,” she responded. I heard background sounds and I was sure I heard a guy’s voice.

“Where are you?” I asked next, straining my ear to hear some more.

“I’ll be there soon Zen. Bye.” She hung up.

Ashley has got to be kidding me.

~

I earned many glances and stares from the guys in the streets as I walked to the bus st©p. The wind blew gently on my face and my crop t©p. I looked like I was shooting for a magazine and I was enjoying the attention.

“Hey baby!”

“Sweetie, can I get those digits?”

“Damn girl, you’re so fine.”

“Hey sweet chocolate. Can I sample that?”

“That as-s is real!”

Who ever said guys can’t be easy to attra-ct?

~
I took the bus downtown, did the usual when I got to my sto-re and got to work. Tuesdays usually weren’t busy so I took the time to create new designs and talking to magazine repres£ntatives and creating pages to advertise our clothing lines, styles and labels.

Two hours later, Ashley showed up.

“Zen, I’m so sorry I’m late. I oversle-pt. If you hadn’t called me, I might have still be in be-d.”

“You sle-pt with someone?” I asked, raising an eyebrow and waited on her response.

“Ohh, girl.. You’re tripping. No.” She waved me off.

“I heard a guy’s voice Ash.”

She turned away with a smile.

“Okay okay. I’ll be real. I sle-pt with Alex,” she admitted next.

“Girl, I know you didn’t just said you sle-pt with Alex! Come on Ash, you just met with dude! You want him thinking that you’re so easy and you’re a one night stand material?”

“Look, slow your roll and mind your own business. We hit it off really well after EJ took you home last night.”

EJ took me home?

“And we didn’t have s£x. We just sle-pt in the same be-d because I did drink and he wouldn’t let me drive home.”

I rolled my eyes at her.

“Girl you’re setting up yourself for a heartbreak. All these guys do is be-d you, lie to you, create drama for you then leave you. Especially those rich and famous ones who thinks they own the world.”

“What the hell are you even talking about? Are you still drun!k?”

I heaved a sigh.

“He texted me! Hey sweetness, hope you got home safely. Have a nice day at work and I’m thinking about you.” She re-ads.

“Aww, that’s so sweet,” I sarcastically said which she picked up on.

“You’re so bitter.”

“I’m so real. I’m so not falling in love with another guy ever again.”

“Zenia. You nee-d to let that go. So what if you got your heart broken by that idiot back in college? You can’t compare him to all the other guys out there, Zen, and you know that.”

“You think Alex wouldn’t turn around and break your heart? My sister once told me that there is no happy ever after and I believe her.”

“Your sister must have been speaking from an angry place because look at her now! She’s with Evan Hollen. One of riche-st guys on this planet and she’s happy. They have a son together and are getting married. Happy ever after does exist! You just gotta look for it!”

She went to the back and began cutting and putting together a dress for a customer.

I sat down quietly at my desk and began designing a dress but I couldn’t concentrate on it, so I placed my digital notepad aside and strolled throu-gh Facebook. I decided to view Madison’s profile.

She recently changed her profile picture to a picture of her and EJ hvgging un-derneath a tree. They seemed younger. It must have been when they were still in high school.

I received a text from EJ next. Like he knew I was thinking about him.

EJ: Hey how are you feeling?

Me: I’m good. Thanks for taking me home last night.

EJ: That’s what friends are for.

I felt a twitch as he referred to us as friends. de-ep down, I wanted more but on the surface, I just wasn’t re-ady and I don’t think he was either. Plus, there was the secret I’ve been keeping from him.

Guys just break your heart, lies, create drama, turn your life upside down and leave.

No! Happy Ever after doesn’t exist!

*THE HOLLEN SERIES 03*
?‍?‍?‍??‍?‍?‍??‍?‍?‍?EPISODE 08?‍?‍?‍??‍?‍?‍??‍?‍?‍?
??????????
*?‍? MORE THAN FRIENDS ?‍?*
??????????
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Zenia’s POV

The following morning, as I was about to leave for the boutique, I sp©tted my mother in the doorway talking with a man.

Must be someone else in the building I as-sumed.

I walked up to them.

“ Good Morning ma.” She turned to me and gave me a sad look. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Good morning Zenia,” her melancholy voice spoke.

“What’s wrong?” I asked again, studying the man’s face.

“Zenia. This is your father.”

My br@in made a 360° turn in my head and my blood c@m£ to a boil very quic-kly. An instant headache c@m£ at once.

“My what?” I asked, still struck at what she just said to me.

It can’t be.

“Hello Zenia,” he finally spoke up.

“No! Don’t you dare open your mouth and mention my name ever again! Why are you even here?” I asked furiously. I was not about to control my anger.

“Zenia,” my mom had a pleading voice and look on her face.

“Mom! Why is he here?” I asked with a shout as I turned to her.

“He c@m£ to make up for lost times Zenia. He’s still your father.”

“My father? I wish I had one! This deadbeat fool isn’t my father! And I can’t un-derstand why he’s here! He’s dead to us!”

“Zenia, I’m so sorry for what I’ve done in the past. And you’re right. I am a fool. I’m a fool for leaving my family and not coming back. plea-se, I’m here to make it right now,” he said and opened his arms for a hvg.

Right…like I was about to go into his arms and say ’Welcome back daddy. I’m so happy you’re back. Lets go get some ice-cream and you can buy me a toy.

“You can’t make up for lost times! If you hadn’t realized, I’m grown and so is Jasmine. We don’t nee-d you so you can go back to the pit of hell you crawled out from!”

“Zenia!” mom scolded me but I wouldn’t calm down and listen.

“Where were you when I made my first steps? Where were you when mom had her hands full with Jasmine and me? Where were you when mom had sleepless nights, worrying how she was going to put food on the table the next day?Where were you when she nee-ded lungs transplant and we couldn’t afford the money? Huh? Where the hell where you throu-gh all of that?

Now you’re back because you must have found out that Jasmine is getting married to a billionaire and I’m doing great as well! You think you could just wo-bble back and make up for lost times! Dude, fv¢k you!”

I pushed him out of my way, ti-ght£ñed my bag pack and went to the elevator.

I took a cab to my boutique and texted Jasmine on the way there.

Me: Good morn, you’ll never guess who showed up at the PH.

Big Sis: ummmm

Me: Our sp-erm donor

Big Sis: Yeah right….

Me: I’m dead serious. Mom said he was dad and he did looked Mexican.

Big Sis: He’s still there?

Me: I guess. I cursed him out and I left. Omw to my boutique now.

Big Sis: I’m about to head over there. He has to get a piece of my mind as well.

Me: I think he heard you’re getting married.

Big Sis: I’ll definitely tell him where I want to shove my bouquet.

Me: ????

______________________

Jasmine’s POV

I looked over the messages I just received from my little sister.

Our father showed up? At the penthouse?

I took a shower, fed Jevan and left him in care of the maid. Evan had alre-ady left for the office or else I would have had him take me there instead of me having to call Fisher.

Fisher dropped me off half an hour later. I looked at my wrist watch, it was exactly 10:30 am. I took an elevator up and used the security hand scan to get into the penthouse.

Mom was sitting on the couch with a man opposite from her. She looked at me pleadingly when I walked up to them.

“Jasmine, this is your f…..”

“I alre-ady know who he is!” I cut her off and semi shouted.

I turned to the man who was supposed to be my father.

“You’ve grown up so beautifully,” he started.

“Only my mother gets the credit for that! Now, why are you here?”

“He’s here to apologize,” mom bu-tted in.

“I’m not speaking to you mom. He could speak. He was so br@ve to walk out on us but now he can’t answer a simple question? WHY ARE YOU HERE?” I finished with a shout.

Tears welled up in his eyes and he stood up slowly like he was aching with pain all over his b©dy.

“Jasmine, I’m so sorry. I’m really and truly sorry. Your sister alre-ady cursed me out and I deserve it, I do. Words can’t express how sorry I am for walking away. plea-se, give me another chance.”

“Another chance to do what? Zenia and I are no longer kids! You can’t waltz back after twenty plus years like if nothing had happened and expect us to welcome you with an open arms. We don’t want you here! I don’t want you here! We made it without you and we’re continuing to do just that! So get your as-s out of my fiance’s penthouse before I have securities all over you!”

He looked over at mom. “Susan.”

“Oh I dare you to say something mom!” I shouted and looked over at her too.

She was just sitting there quietly and had a look of pity in her eyes. She was definitely confused and didn’t want to pick a side.

“Fine. I tried,” he said un-derneath his breath and walked towards the door. “I know I messed up but at least I’ve tried to apologize and make it right. What about forgiveness?”

He went out the door and I stayed behind with mom.

“Why was that as-s-hole here?”

“Jasmine, he’s still your father. No matter how much you and Zenia have alre-ady disowned him, by the end of the day he’s still your father. And quite frankly, I think the response you and Zenia gave him were very rude and harsh.”

“Rude and harsh? Are you kidding me right now? Are you siding with this clown who walked out on us and left us with absolutely nothing?”

“But what about forgiveness Jasmine? How would you feel if you messed up and Evan wouldn’t forgive you?”

“Don’t you dare! Don’t you sit there and try that scenario bull$h!t with my fiance and I. Nothing we did in the past could amount to the heartless act that man did to his own family. I hate him and I don’t want him back here!
Do I make myself clear?”

Without even waiting to hear a response from her, I walked out the door and headed back to Fisher.

The nerves of that man!
Showing up after twenty plus years!

The angry mood never flattened until I walked throu-gh the door and saw my son made ten steps towards me. He fell over on his bu-m and threw me a smile.

“Oh my goodness, you walked for mommy?” I said in a baby voice and picked him up, “Lets go see daddy.”

I really nee-ded to tell Evan about my father suddenly showing up.

Alre-ady having access to the building, I walked to Evan’s office, pushing Jevan in his stroller only to get st©pped by the secretary he had hired while I worked there.

“Good morning Miss. Blackman and this must be little Evan Hollen,” she greeted and peered down at my son.

“Good morning. This is Jevan,” I responded with a smile. Jevan smiled at her too.

“Is he in?” I asked. I hadn’t called him and told him I was coming by. I only s£nt a text but he didn’t respond.

“Yes he’s in but he’s currently with.. someone right now.” She wasn’t looking at me again and by her changed of tone, I felt uncomfortable.

Without another question, I headed for his office, walking pas-s a male as-sistant in the desk I had occu-pied.

“Ma’am, Ma’am! You can’t go in there. Mr. Hollen is currently with someone,” he said as he placed a firm hand on my shoulder and held onto the stroller.

“Get your hand off me! I’m his fiancee and this is his son and we can go into his office whenever we like!” I flashed my engagement ring to his face and pointed to Jevan. I sl@pped his hand away from the hold on Jevan’s stroller.

He stepped back, re-leasing us. “ No nee-d to be such a bit-ch,” I heard him said un-derneath his breath.

I pushed open the door and saw Evan behind his desk, in his chair and a blonde hair woman sitting opposite from him.

I blood c@m£ another boil but when she turned towards me and Jevan, I calmed myself.

I thought your as-s was Jessica Hills!

“Sweetie,” Evan greeted me and stood up. He walked over to Jevan, re-moved him from the stroller and k!$$£d his forehead. “Hey little man.”

“Dada ,” Jevan responded back and buried his face in Evan’s n£¢k.

The blonde woman smiled at us. “I’m Harriette Wells. p@rtner in the industry. You must be Mrs. Hollen,” she introduced herself and extended her hand. I shook it.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. Mr. Hollen, I’ll excuse myself now. We can pick up tomorrow,” she said.

“Sure.”

“Hi baby,” she said and smiled at Jevan. He remained silent. She walked towards the door and Jevan began waving her bye -bye.

“Bye-bye,” she said back and waved too.

___________
“Baby, what’s up?” he asked me.

“Sorry I didn’t call but I left you a message.”

“You know you’re welcome here anytime, right? I don’t care if I’m in a meeting or anything.”

He pu-ll-ed me into his che-st.

“You really have some nice employees. Your as-sistant out there put his hands on me and he mumbled something very unplea-sant un-der his breath.”

“WHAT!!!”

“He gr@bb£d me by the shoulder to st©p me from coming in. I explained that I’m your fiancee and Jevan is your son and we’re welcome here whenever we feel like it. He mumbled that there’s no nee-d to be such a bit-ch. ”

Evan walked out the door.

“You’re fired,” I heard him told his as-sistant.

He c@m£ back into his office, and pu-ll-ed a chair behind his desk, closer to his. He sat down with Jevan in his l@p and I sat next to them.

“You look worried.”

“Evan, My father showed up at the PH.”

Evan’s eyes went slightly dark and his eyebrows crea-sed together. I had told him about my father bailing on my family since Zenia and I were kids.

TO BE CONTINUED….