Chapter 44: Unbelievable

Zenobia's POV

One couldn't fathom how crestfallen I felt. I watched silently as he led her towards the bar for another drink.

"Hey, Zen, sweetie. Are you okay?" Tiff asked after she too shook off the shell-shocking moment.

"I can't believe that son of a bitch," I said in a whisper. My heart tugged against my chest as I swallowed my tears. I wasn't dare going to cry over him again.

"Zen, maybe it's not what it looks like."

"Enough, Tiff! You've covered enough for him. I know you've been rooting for him and I but you said it yourself, it is time for me to move the hell on," I let out, taking out some of the anger on my best friend.

Jordan came over to me. He had watch the small scene unfold and for the moment, I forgot he was even present.

"Miss. Hollen, is everything all-right?" he asked, handing me a tissue to wipe away the bits of spill drink on my legs.

"Thanks, and I'm fine," I answered, taking the tissue from him and wiping the drink off of me.

Afterwards, I headed for the bar when I noticed Kyle and his date were done ordering and went in another direction of the boat.

"How dare he?" I questioned myself. I had the bartender whipped me up something strong. Then I had another. Then another. And another after that. I was aching for another one when a strong hand snatched the drink out my hand. He pushed it towards the bartender and instructed him to withhold all other alcoholic drinks I may ask for.

"Miss. Hollen, you've had quite enough."

"Don't... don't tell me.. what's enough, Michael Jordan," I slurred, pointing a finger at him.

"Ma'am, you're intoxicated. I think it's best you occupy one of the bedroom cabins and sleep this off."

"You.. you can't tell me.. what to do. You're not.. my daddy."

"But I am your bodyguard."

"More like.. my.. babysitter."

"That's fitting because right now, you're acting like a baby."

"How dare you!"

Without another word, I stumbled off the tall bar stool and landed right into Jordan's arms. He picked me up, bridal style, and carried me towards a bedroom cabin.

~
He laid me on the bed, turned on the air conditioning and got me a glass of water.

I drank it all down and cling onto the comfortable pillows as I groaned in heartbreak.

"I hate him so much! I can't believe he never told me he was dating.. someone!" I whined, "I'm such a fool. Why is it impossible to find someone who would.. would love me for me.. AND ONLY ME!" I finished with a shout.

I buried my head in the pillows and screamed in frustration.

"Miss. Hollen, I'll let your father know of your condition and you wouldn't be present for the business event," Jordan spoke up.

"No. Don't leave me," I said to him.

"I think I should report to your father. I don't want him learning this from someone else."

"Fine. You can go too. Everyone.. always leaves me."

"I'm sorry?"

"You thank.. I meant.. think. You think because you is..or are.. so handsome, you think you can do whatever," drunken me spoke.

The poor guy was very confused. He left to speak with my father who immediately came into the cabin with a frown on his face.

"Zenobia, what the hell!" he yelled at me.

"Dad, don't yell," I said back, taking off one of the lights as I felt a headache coming on.

"I'm highly disappointed in you. This is a business event. You were to be hosting part of this.. and you're drunk!"

"I had two or three drinks," I said back.

"I can't believe this. And you," he said, turning to Jordan, "She's not to leave this room until this yacht is docked. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, sir."

My father walked out the cabin, slamming the door after him. I clutched to the wall as I tried to stand up.

"Ma'am, it's best if you lay down and rest."

"My stomach is in turmoil. I think I need to vomit."

Jordan guided me to the toilet. I sat on the floor, held my head over it and brought up everything I consumed within the day.

"I get you a soda water," Jordan said before disappearing. He returned with a can.

"Drink this."

"No."

"Drink this. It's going to make you feel better."

"I don't think it will."

"ZENOBIA HOLLEN! Drink it!"

"Who are you yelling at?" I asked, stunned by his tone.

"I'm about sick of your attitude and you need an adjustment. You ought to be tougher than that."

"Oh, I'm sorry alcohol got the better of me."

"No. Your ex got the better of you. The alcohol was a choice you made afterwards."

"What the hell do you know about my love life, huh?" I asked him, pushing my hair out of my eyes.

"I know by what I saw today with my own eyes. Kyle is your ex. He showed up with another woman on his arm and you got heartbroken by that."

"Sucks to be me."

"It doesn't. I just wish you knew your worth."

"Yeah. I'm a billionaire."

"I'm not talking about money. I'm talking about your dignity, Miss. Hollen. You're the prize and you allowed that to break you."

With that, he opened the soda and handed it to me without another word. He watched me consumed the entire content before he disposed of the can.

~

A knock came to the cabin's door. Jordan took me back into the bed before he went to open it.

"Hi. I'm Kyle. I heard Zen wasn't feeling well so I came to check on her. Is she doing better?" he asked Jordan.

"And that's your concern, why?" Jordan asked him, folding his arms.

"Hey, Zen and I are not strangers."

"I'm aware but you are not welcome in her cabin, Kyle."

"Jordan, you and I were practically neighbors, bro."

"Were."

Jordan closed the door in Kyle's face. Another knock came a few minutes after.

"I swear, if it's that ex-boyfriend of yours again..." he mumbled as he went to the door again.

"Hey, how is she doing?"

"Come on in."

Tiff walked in and came over to the bed.

"Sweetie, are you going to be okay?" she asked with worried eyes.

I nodded yes.

"Just so you know, I ran into Kyle again and I gave him a piece of my mind. He knew you'd be here and out of respect, he shouldn't have brought that woman with him."

"It's fine. I'm not going to dwell on him. He's free to do whatever he wants."

"He could have said something to you. You two were intimate a...." she paused when she recalled we weren't the only ones in the room, "Sorry. You let it go and I should too."

I sigh loudly and sleep consumed me afterwards.



~

After the boat was docked and the event came to an end, Jordan led me to my awaiting car and took me home.

~

On Monday, I was myself again. I used Sunday to reflect on my life and got myself together.

I was walking into my office when I was stopped by my cousin Jevan.

"Zen, you're to head to the conference room," he stated.

"I wasn't aware there was a meeting," I spoke but headed towards the conference room anyway. Jevan tailed behind me.

My father and my uncle sat at the head of the table.

"I'll make this quick," my father said.

"EJ," uncle Evan spoke, eyeing my father.

"It has to be done. It's the only way she'll learn," he said back to him.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Zenobia, you're suspended. Get your belongings. You'll be contacted when your suspension has lifted," my father said. My own father.

"Don't bother," I replied. I picked myself up and walked out of the room.