Chapter 28: The M-O

Zenobia's POV

I couldn't believe my eyes. The hot flames fanned my face as I retreated away and to my father's side for safety.

I looked on, stunned, as Kyle picked himself up off the ground and assisted a shell-shocked Boa to his feet as well. Tiffany gasped as she looked at the burning car and my uncle Evan was already making phone calls.

Within several minutes, the fire service department arrived and the flames were dissolved. We all made our way back to the chopper, quietly.



~



We arrived and gathered at my grandfather's home. He greeted us with open arms and a worried expression as he took us in.



"Dad, this is getting serious," Evan said when we found a seat.



"What exactly happened?" grandpa asked him.



"We arrived at the cabin and everyone was getting ready to leave. Next thing I know, Zenobia's friend car was on fire. It exploded right after Kyle pushed Tiffany out of the way and pulled her boyfriend from the front seat. That was amazing work by the way, Kyle," Uncle Evan finished and nodded his head in Kyle's direction as a form of respect.



"Thank you," Kyle humbly answered.



"My gosh. This is crazy. Someone could have been hurt or worse," grandma Emma said as she came into the room and caught Evan's explanation.



"Indeed. We need to find the root of the problem and knock the entire tree down," Grandpa said, his eyes becoming dark and mysterious.



"Say no more. We will find it," my father said. He stood right beside me and as the words fell from his lips, he reached out to touch my shoulder in protection.



~



Several hours later, Tiffany and Boa were taken to their their by grandpa's security and I was taken to mine by my bodyguard.. who was still on the 'sharp edge of my sword'.



He made his routine checks before it was declared safe and I could enter my own house. I headed straight for the bedroom and got into my shower, washing from my head to my toes.



The event still flashed in my head. It could have been my car. It could have been me behind the wheel and Kyle didn't reach me in time.



I dawned on me.



I found him outside after I got dressed.



"Thank you for what you did today. I'll make sure my gratitude shows on your paycheck."



"No need. I was doing my job.. Miss. Hollen."



"But your contact didn't extend to my friends."



He eyed me without another word and I wondered how he could be causing me to feel terrible for the way things ended between us. It was amazing how men had the turn the table or flip the script abilities towards their companions.



I turned on my heel and walked towards the main entrance. I slowly turned around to notice if he was looking but he wasn't paying any attention to me. He was talking to another guard on the premises. I quicken my pace and entered back into my home.



~



The next day, I stayed in bed late with the air-condition blowing at the coldest temperature. My mother came over and dragged me out of the bed.

"You have a life to go back to," she snapped as she carried my breakfast in.



"Mom, I don't feel like eating right now. Everything feels wrong around me. My life is in danger, my relationship is over and I don't feel like myself anymore," I protested.



"Little girl, welcome to life. Especially the life of a Hollen. It's not a smooth sailing. There are waves, vicious creatures and a fear on the possibility of drowning, however, you're the captain and it's up to you to navigate your waters. So.. Navigate!"



Her words stuck with me and it shaped me for the glow up I was to do.At first, Tiffany and I went into the hair salon and got a whole new hairstyle for me. Curls were out and silk straight was in.Next, we hit the boutiques which was definitely unnecessary but I wanted something new with my new hairstyle.Then came pedicures and manicures and a full body massage at a secluded spa.Afterwards, we went fragrance shopping and lastly, we stopped by a restaurant to have something to eat and drink. Kyle followed every step of the way.I felt liberated and in control of me. And as I settled the bill, my phone went off. My father's name flashed on the screen.



"Hey dad."



"Zen, where are you?"



"With Tiff at a restaurant."



"By yourselves?"



"Livingston is with us."



"Have him take you home immediately."



"What, why, what's wrong?"



"Dad got a threatening letter moments ago."



"Then I'm going to him."



"Okay. I'll meet you there."~Once again, I was unsettled. Getting to Grandpa's house, I made a beeline to his office.



"Can I see that letter?" I asked him.



"Zen, darling, I don't think you should."



I found it on his desk and reached for it. I read it silently:'Ruined for ruined. A life for a life. I wanted yours. The head of The Hollens Family. But you're not an easy target. Nor your wife. I tried. Now, one of your offspring would pay. Be it sons or daughter or grandsons or granddaughters. One Hollen is just as good as the other. You'll feel my pain. I'll make certain you feel my pain.'



My heart skipped several beats and the door opened. My father and Uncle Evan arrived and so did my cousin Jevan.



"This note was written by someone who knows you very well. Pay attention to the plural sons but singular daughter. We have to take this seriously."



"No shit. After what happened at the cabin, someone is out for blood.""Who?" Jevan asked.



"I can bet it's her. It's been ages. But I can feel it in my bones that she's out and out for her twisted and bitter satisfaction," Grandpa spoke with closed eyelids and tented fingers.



"Who?" Jevan asked again.



"Sharon. Sharon Constantine. My ex-fiancée."