Chapter 49: The Grand Opening

Zenobia's POV

I anticipated the grand opening of my company. The day had already arrived and I was staring at my outfit which was hanging on the wall, nearly ironed and ready to wear.

I took a deep breath, said a prayer, had breakfast and took a warm shower.

Absolutely nothing was going to ruining the delightful mood I was in.

After my shower, I got into my red silk off- the-shoulder train dress, with gold heels, gold drop earrings and gold chocker necklace and golden porch. My hair was silk pressed but curled at the end.
Makeup. One word. Flawless.

I felt like Zenobia Hollen again. The one in control and dominant and could take on the challenges and or obstacles in her way.
~

I was in the car with Jordan. I had to pick up my mom and Tiffany for early preparations. At exactly midday, we were at Zen & Iff Company, making the last minute adjustments.

Mom and Tiffany tied the red ribbon and handed me the scissor.

"Sure you don't want to invite your father?" mom asked, raising an eyebrow at me with a worried face.

I shook my head no.

"Okay. Well, whenever you're ready to begin then."

I looked around and noticed the premises was beginning to get crowded, even with familiar faces I met and saw at Hollen Tower.

Paparazzi were in their numbers, taking photos. Media outlets hosts were asking questions for interviews to publish on their blogs.

After another twenty minutes, I was ready to begin. I took to the podium with Tiffany at my side.

"Good afternoon everyone. Thank you very much for taking the time out of your day to attend the grand opening of Zen & Iff Company. A company founded by myself and with support of my best friend, Miss. Tiffany Smith," I began.

Tiffany smiled and waved at the crowd.

"At Zen & Iff, we're destined to make and to take micro-businesses as well as established businesses to a whole new scale and level. Turning you away, declining your proposals or laughing at your business ideas aren't in the cards for us. That being said, Welcome to Zen & Iff Company!" I finished.

There were cheers, shouts and applauses as I cut the red ribbon. Tiffany and I pushed the doors in and everyone entered into the building.

Richard had already decorated for the grand opening. The was a live band, balloons on the ceiling, a bar and a party-like atmosphere.

~

"Hi, Miss. Zenobia Hollen. I'm Ronny Mc Clan," a gentleman greeted me.

My eyesballs expanded at his sight and recognition. Ronny Mc Clan was a successful business man and was a self-made millionaire. He grew up dirt poor, lived on the streets, under bridges and in people's garages.

"Mr. Mc Clan, it's a pleasure having you here."

"I would love to be an investor in your company. Here's my card. When you are in office, please do call me. Enjoy your grand opening," he said and handed me his business card.

"Thank you, sir." I watched him walked away and searched to find Tiffany. She was looking for me too.

"Zen! Zen. I just ran into Mr. Steve Stunner. The millionaire. He wants to be an investor."

"I just met Ronny Mc Clan. He wants to be an investor too."

We squealed like two high school girls who just got asked to the prom by the popular boys.

But that excitement came to a sudden stop when my eyes caught someone entering the building.

"What the hell is she doing here?" I asked angrily.

"Who?" Tiff asked, trying to find the woman my eyes were blazing at.

Following behind her was my bodyguard.

Perfect. He can throw her ass out of here before she come any further.

I made a beeline in her direction. Tiff followed at my side. I stopped right in her path, crossing my arms with a stone expression on my face.

"Not another step," I laced immediately. Her eyes almost fell out of their sockets when she saw me.

"I.. this.. this is your grand opening?" she stuttered.

"Miss. Hollen, I'll like to introduce you. This is my girlfriend, LaTasha," Jordan spoke up. I watched as he turned to her, putting an arm around her waist, "Babe, this is my boss, the one and only Miss. Zenobia Hollen," he introduced.

My brain did a three-sixty turn in my head. LaTasha's face was pleading, tears glistened her eyes and she was giving the signal of 'please don't say a word to him'

"I can't believe this," I said with a laugh.

"What's funny?" Jordan asked, looking between his girlfriend and I, "You two know each other?"

"No," she spat out quickly.

"We've met," I spoke.

"How... judging by the tension between the two of you, there's something going on. What's going on?" Jordan observed.

"Are you going to tell him?" I directed to LaTasha now.

"Tell me what?" Jordan asked again.

"Tell him, tell him how you met me and WHERE you met me," I said to her yet again.

"Zenobia... don't start this. You don't want to start this," she answered.

"It has already started," Tiff spoke up, eyeing her dangerously, "We don't want to do this here. Maybe we should find an office," she finished.

"Good idea because I need to hear this," Jordan said. He held onto LaTasha's hand and took the lead to finding an empty room.

~

Away from the music and everyone else, we filed into Tiffany's office.

"Just what is going on, that's the last time I'm going to ask," Jordan said to LaTasha's face, "And I want to hear from you."

"Jordan.. umm.. We hit a rough patch some weeks back," she began.

Jordan held up his hand, silencing her. "We didn't hit anything. You were the one pushing me away for unknown reasons," he told her.

She eyed me and I eyed her too. We both knew what and who that reason was.

I smiled coyly and sat down. Tiffany followed suit and so did LaTasha. Jordan remained standing. He paced back and forth slowly between us.

"You know what, she's not going to tell you the truth, so I will," I said.

"Ohh. I'm going to love this," Tiff chimed.

"I'm listening," Jordan said.

"Don't listen to anything she says. She's a liar!" LaTasha shouted.

"Girl, shut up!" Tiff said to her.

"Your precious girlfriend here is a stalker who has an obsession with Kyle Livingston," I said.

"WHAT?" Jordan asked, stopping his pace and turning to his girlfriend.

"We met at Kyle's apartment. That's where I know her from. She even tried to follow me to my place because she thought I was going to get in her way with Kyle. She didn't act like she was already in a relationship with you, Jordan."

"What the hell were you doing at Kyle's apartment?" he asked her.

"And with her top off," I added.

Jordan looked like he was about to explode. His eyes locked onto his girlfriend without a shift or blink. She was silent. Scolded and exposed like a child, she stood up and walked towards him.

"Yes, I was there. Yes, I always liked Kyle. He and I were supposed to be together. Not you and I, and him and this rich entitled princess over here!" she spoke up.

"LaTasha, are you serious right now, are you serious!?"

"I'm not happy with you, Jordan! I'm not in love with you. I don't love you!"

"Why you didn't just say that, huh? I've been sensing something was wrong and I kept asking you, and everytime you would lie to me and say that you were happy and that I completed you. What was all that bullshit, huh?"

"I like you though, and I didn't want to hurt your feelings, Jordan. But it's over. It was over for me a long time ago."

"Why are you even here?" I asked, coming to Jordan's side. I knew he was heartbroken. He reminded me of myself with my first breakup with Jake.

"I'll leave then," she said.

"Please do," Tiffany told her. LaTasha made her exit.

"I'll go make sure she's gone," Tiffany said again and left Jordan and I alone.

~

The tears slipped out his eyes and ran down his face. I handed him a tissue but he appeared to have zoned out.

I took the liberty into wiping his tears away.

"Hey, it's going to be okay. I know what it's like to be and feel heartbroken but you have to realize this isn't your fault or your loss. It's hers. She doesn't deserve you and you definitely deserve someone better than her."

He sighed and sat down. "Thanks. I appreciate your kind words."

"I'm being honest here."

"You think you know someone. Give them your heart and they turn around and shit on it."

"You'll love again, Jordan."

"Yeah. I know I will," he answered. He looked at me and it felt like he was capturing my soul with his gazing. A silence hung in the air between us but electricity was crackling throughout my body.

I knew that feeling all too well.

Damn it.

I was falling for him?