Chapter 45: Mama's Baby

Zenobia's POV

I sat in silence at the back of the car when it pulled onto my driveway and parked. Jordan remained seated behind the wheel, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

The tears welled up and ran down my cheeks as it sank in that I was suspended from my job. With a huff, I opened the door myself, got out and entered my home.

I retrieved my cellphone as I walked up the flight of stairs. I was calling my mother.

"Darling," she answered with excitement.

"Hi mom," I sadly responded.

"Zen, what's wrong?"

"Umm, I'll be fine."

"Talk to me, what's bothering you?"

"It's dad."

"What did your father do again?"

"He suspended me, mom."

"He what? Why in the hell would he do that?"

"Maybe for what happened Saturday."

"And what happened?"

"Can you come over, we can talk in person. I really need my mom right now."

"I'm on the way."

~

I changed into a more comfortable outfit, had some water, gathered myself and waited for my mom to arrive.

It took her almost an hour but when she finally got here, she immediately took me into her arms. We walked to the balcony for some fresh air and I told her what had transpired over the weekend which led up to my suspension.

"Zenobia, you're my everything. I'll talk to your father and we'll have this resolve."

"Thanks mom, but you know dad can be stubborn, especially when he knows he has the upper hand."

"Don't worry about that. I'll handle him."

I watched my mom got on her phone, typed quickly then put it back into her purse.

~

Another hour later, my father showed up. Mom and I were by the pool now having a rum punch when he walked up to us.

"I got your text. What's this about?" he spoke to mom.

"You know what it's about. You suspended your own daughter,EJ," mom replied.

"Yes, and?"

"And?"

"Zenia, Zenobia isn't a baby anymore. She's a grown woman who's capable of making her own decisions. I just wish she could handle the repercussions as well," he said back, eyeing me.

"EJ, she's your daughter. Your only daughter. Your only child! She made a mistake. Why punish her so drastically?"

"Drastically? Zen is lucky I didn't fire her. I have had it with her. She has turned into this spoil, entitled person who doesn't listen. She insist on learning things the hard way."

"You're unbelievable and unreasonable, EJ. She's your daughter!"

"I'm well aware she's my daughter. And that's exactly why I'm doing this. I've cuddle her too damn much. She embarrassed Hollen Tower and that's the measure we had to take."

My mom shook her head. I looked ahead, avoiding my father's eyes on me.

"When will her suspension be lifted?" mom asked him.

"In two weeks. She can come back after..."

"No. I wouldn't be coming back," I said finally. I stood up and walked up to my father. We were head-on as if we were locking for a collision.

"Zenobia, fair warning, don't be so rash in making that decision," he said to me.

"I'm not rash. I will not be returning to Hollen Tower."

"Let's be reasonable here, Zen. You can't quit Hollen Tower. You have as much right to that job and that place as much as your father, uncle and cousin. It's your birthright," mom chimed in.

"Mom, with all due respect, I really don't care anymore. I didn't want Hollen Tower in the first place. I was just trying to please dad, but I'm done doing that."

"And just what are you going to do, huh, because if you think you'll sit in your luxury mansion and expect an income at the end of the month, you must be joking. And I will be cutting you off."

"That's fine, dad. I can make it without you and without Hollen Tower. And I will show you that I can."

"I would love to see that happen. But as your mom stated, HT is your birthright. The doors will be open whenever what you're planning to do fails."

"It's not going to happen. I'll walk through fire first than to walk through the entrance to Hollen Tower."

"Careful."

"Or else what?"

"You just might have to scale back. Your cars, home, your lifestyle, would be all gone!"

"You can have it!" I yelled angrily.

"EJ! You would do no such thing as taking away her belongings. It's hers! I wouldn't stand here and watch you treat our daughter like an outcast. How dare you! Her job is enough!" mom yelled at him.

Dad ceased, turned on his heels and left.

~

"I can't believe your father," mom said as we headed back inside.

"It's fine, mom."

"No. It's not. I'm about to call Emma and Ethan. They should know about this."

"Please don't involve grandma and grandpa in this. Grandpa is already ill and I don't want him getting worked up over this."

"Sweetie, I'm worried about you. Just what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to start my own company. Become my own CEO. I already have the knowledge and skills and I'm going to put my plan into action."

"Zen.."

"No, mom. Dad cuddled me enough. I can do so much more than Hollen Tower."

"Hollen Tower is one of the most successful...."

"I don't need the speech. I know how successful the company is. I know its worth. But look at Jada. She owns a mall, mom. She's not hooked to Hollen Tower and it's her birthright too."

"Okay. I'll support your decision and I'll help in any and every way I can. Mommy got you."

She pulled me into a hug then left several minutes after.

~

It was a beautiful and hot afternoon. I got into a bikini and beach cover-up and took my laptop with me as I headed towards my outdoor pool. I sat on a lounge chair, opened my computer and got to work. I had a business idea and plan in mind and I was going to execute just that.

"Ma'am."

The laptop almost fell off my lap from my leap of startle. I quickly turned in the direction of the voice.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you. You left this in the car," Jordan said and handed me my small eyeshadow pallet. I was using the mirror in it on the way home.

"Thanks."

He handed it to me and glanced at my computer's screen.

"You're starting your own company?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"If you must know, yeah, I am. Don't ask why."

"I wasn't going to."

"Why not?" I asked him, turning my attention back to the laptop.

"Because I already know why."

"Eavesdrop much, huh?"

"No. The three of you were pretty loud and you were outdoors. My apartment is right next to the pool, so... yeah. I heard."

"Well, that's The Hollens for you."

He remained standing there, looking at me type away at the keyboards.

"Can you get me another rum punch from the kitchen please?" I asked him.

"No. I'm going to get you some juice," he said back. He left and I laughed at his boldness. The smile didn't fade until he came back with a glass of chilled apple juice.

"Thanks. You can have a seat, Jordan. You're not on duty."

"Okay."

He took a seat next to me.

"What is your business plan?" he tried to get into my business.

"You wouldn't know until I want you to know."

He chuckled and it sent a ripple down my spine. Soon, my fingers grew tired and I felt heated. I removed my cover-up and got into the pool.

Jordan stood up and kept an eye on me.

"You take your work seriously," I told him.

"I do."

"Afraid I'll drown?"

He remained silent.

"You can use the pool if you want to you know."

"Thanks."

"You can come in right now."

"I don't think that is appropriate, ma'am."

"Appropriate? The pool is big enough for the both of us. It's not a Jacuzzi, now that would be inappropriate."

"Thanks but no thanks."

"You're no fun, Jordan. Your girlfriend is probably going to leave you for someone else who's more fun, funny, outgoing. You're none of those."

I was trying to get under his skin but he had the best clap back yet.

"With all due respect, Miss. Hollen, I'm also not Kyle."