CHAPTER 6

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. Zenia's POV Monday came with an excruciating headache and a terrible hangover. I managed to pull myself up from the bed and crawled into the shower. I turned the water temperature all the way up and I took a hot bath from my Brazilian weaves to my toes. ~ I blow-dried my hair -I paid for it so that makes it mine - then I applied lotion to my chocolate skin. I slipped into a mini dress which was tight at the top and showed a teasing bit of cleavage. I had no one to impress today but I didn't want to look as terrible as the way I was feeling. Too much wine. After completing a light makeup application and placing my digital notepad into my backpack, I headed to the kitchen. "Good morning Ma." I greeted my mother when I saw her at the stove. "Hey sweetie. How are you?" "I feel terrible." "That's because you had too much to drink. Here." She handed me a bottle of water and another drink in a tiny glass. "What's this?" I asked as I studied the drink. It looked like it had grass in it. I was not about to even bring that close to my lips. "It's a hangover remedy. Drink it!" she commanded. I bought the small glass up to my nose. "Mom, this smells like shit!" I almost vomited. "It will help you feel better and watch your mouth Zenia!" I mentally rolled my eyes and held my breath as I gulp the 'precious' hangover remedy down my throat. "Thanks mom." "Here's your breakfast." She handed me a covered container stock with fried chicken nuggets and chips. "Thanks Ma! Bye Ma!" I ran for the door. It was Monday and I had to get to my boutique and my fashion station as soon as possible. I had two very highly important clients / customers coming in today for a design I wanted to have publish in their magazines. I took a cab downtown. I was saving for my own car. That would be more convenient. ~ I unlocked the security gate then the doors to my boutique. I strolled in and turned on the lights and the central air units. I couldn't believed that day when Evan picked me up and bought me here. ______________flashback_____________ It was last December. Mom and I had just returned from visiting Jasmine and Jevan in LA when I got a phone call from Evan. "Hey Evs." "Merry Christmas." "Same to you. What's up?" "Are you home?" "Yeah I am." "I'll be over in twenty."