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.

"Let's 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.