Chapter 51: Family Matters

Zenobia's POV

"Zenobia, I hope you're available for dinner tonight at your grandfather's place. He wants to have the entire family there. Don't be late. Dinner starts at 7:30 pm," my mother said as I answered the call.

"I'll be there," I told her. I hung up the phone and rolled out of bed with a yawn. It was 7:30 am on Sunday and I was already in a delightful mood.

I did my workouts then had a cup of coffee, pancakes and eggs. After breakfast, I went over to Jordan's apartment. I knocked and waited for him to come to the door.

After a few seconds, he drew the door open.

"Hi."

"Good morning, Miss. Hollen."

"I have a dinner to attend tonight at my grandfather's. You wouldn't be attending as your service isn't needed, and I'll be driving myself."

"I understand. Be safe," he said.

I walked away and went back indoors. Tiff and I communicated via the telephone and emails. Zen & Iff Company would be official in operation in a matter of hours.

~

At 7:00pm, I was already dressed and driving myself to my grandparents'.

~
"Good evening, Miss. Zenobia," one of the housemaids greeted me as I entered the mansion, "Right this way to the dinning room."

"Thank you." I followed her into the dinning room where everyone was already waiting.

"Finally, she's here," my father said as I sat in the only free chair available which was next to his.

"Good evening everyone. My apologies. Traffic was a bit of a mess," I stated.

"You're just in time, darling," my grandmother said warmly.

"Mom, we have much to discuss, starting and ending with Zenobia's behavior," my father inputted again.

I turned in his direction.

"EJ, don't you start this," my mother said.

"I think everyone ought to know about this. And what's this I heard of you starting a company, Zenobia?" he directed.

"Can we save this for another time, EJ?" Uncle Evan asked.

"Why, we're all here now, might as well enlighten the family," dad said.

I sighed loudly, closed my eyes and calmed myself. He wasn't going to cause a reaction out of me and have me looking like the bad guy in front of grandma and grandpa.

I smiled as the delicious meals were served and the topic shifted, that was until grandma Emma wanted me to tell her how things were going at Hollen Tower.

"I quit Hollen Tower," I spoke.

My grandparents' cutlery fell from their hands.

"And we're just knowing this, why, and why did it happen?" Grandpa Ethan asked.

"Dad, Zenobia made her choice after she was suspended," Uncle Evan said.

"Why were you suspended?" grandma asked me.

"She was heading down a path of embarrassment to Hollen Tower, and I didn't want it to get out of control so I suspended her. But lo and behold, she grew some nerves, quit, and started her own company," dad answered instead of me.

I tented my fingers and plastered on my best fake smile.

"Well, congratulations on your new company. I'm proud of you," grandma complimented.

"Thank you," I finally said.

"What, no. Don't congratulate her, mom. She quit her birthright because of her swell-headedness. If family can just up and quit, then what's the future of Hollen Tower?" dad asked.

"You do have a point EJ but everyone is entitled to their own paths, especially in this family and in life. Hollen Tower would be just fine without Zenobia in it," grandma told him.

"Evan, Jevan and I, and Jase in New York, are the glue but we need the next generation, mom."

"What do you want from me, huh? You were clear that I was spoiled rotten, that I'm entitled and had everything handed to me. Finally, I'm spreading my own wings and you're saying that the next generation is needed at HT?" I asked my father.

"Zenobia..."

"No. I'm done. I'm done with Hollen Tower. And I'm done with you," I said.

"I'm your father!"

"You don't act like it. You even cut me off the Black card."

"You did WHAT, EJ?" grandma asked, eyes blazing at her son.

"I had to. I had to teach her a lesson."

"You're to have her added back to the black card account immediately! How dare you do this and we weren't even notified!"

"Mom.."

"EJ. This isn't up for debate. Your mom said what she said," my mom said.

"Zenobia is..."

"That's enough!" my grandfather cut in. The table grew silent as he eyed everyone around him, "Now, I invited everyone here for dinner. My family. The Hollen family. But yet, we're acting like strangers, enemies! When did we get so distant towards each other? Is this the outcome to all my hard work, to Emma's hard work, huh?"

"Dad...."

"Let me make myself perfectly clear to you, EJ. You've always been a rebel in your own way but this family is a family. We don't cast out anyone in this family. That being said, I have an announcement. It's the reason I gathered you all here."

He had our undivided attention.

"I'm dying," he cut right to it.

"What?" everyone asked in unison.

"Pancreatic cancer. I was diagnosed five years ago."

"Dad.. hold on. A while ago you had a fit that you weren't told about Zenobia quitting, but you've been sick for years and didn't tell us anything!" Evan asked angrily.

"Evan, I've made my peace with this. I thought I could have beaten it but it's one of the most aggressive cancers in the human body."

"No. We'll get other doctors. I don't care if it cost a billion dollars. You're not going to die. You can't die!" dad said.

"I'm a human. I can die, EJ, but it's going to be okay."

"How, how is it going to be okay?" Jada asked.

Everyone was in tears, including me. The clan haven't dealt with a death and grandpa's news shocked us all.

"You must love each other, and when you find someone you love, don't ever let them go. Life is short. Make every second count with memories you can cherish. I've accomplished so much with my beautiful wife," he said and looked at her, "I'll die a happy man without any regrets. I love each and everyone of you. Evan, Emily, EJ. Jevan, Jase, Jada. Christian, Emmett, Selena. Jason. Jasmine. Zenia. Sebastian. Blossom. And to the future Hollens to come," he said, eyeing those without children as yet.

I smiled when he looked at me. "Make sure to tell my story," he finished.

He lifted up his glasses and we followed suit.

"To the best family," we cheered and drank. I wished for his bravery. To look at death and say 'here I am you son of a bitch. Come get me.'

I excused myself from the table and found an empty room. Remembering my grandfather's words, I retrieved my phone, my fingers played on his name.

'Call him,' my conscious spoke.

'Remember your worth. You're a strong woman now. Don't break for anyone,'

"Life is short," my grandfather's words echoed, "When you find someone you love, don't let them go."

I sighed. "When does a simple decision get so hard?" I asked myself.

"Talking to yourself?" someone asked. I turned around and saw my grandmother there, smiling at me.

"Hi grandma."

"What's going on, Zenobia?"

"My life."

"Your love life, am I right?"

I laughed. "You're one hundred percent right."

"I see. And it's about that bodyguard. The one whom quit. What was his name again.. Kory?"

"Kyle."

"Yes. I knew it was something with a 'K' though. Why don't you just call him?"

"I'm trying to be strong here, grandma."

"So you're contemplating on calling and being strong by not calling. But which one is actually making you strong or weak Zenobia?"

"Ummm.."

"Exactly."

"Tell me what to do, grandma."

"I can't tell you. This is your life. The decision is yours but when you make one, you have to stick to it. It's not wise to confuse someone and waste their time because you're indecisive or doesn't have your shit figure out."

"Grandma, your language."

"I was young too. Your grandpa was indecisive once upon a time. Had me in a love triangle, had me wanting to kill a certain bitch."

We couldn't help but laugh.

"As he said, life is indeed short. Make memories you can revisit," she said and patted me on the back before leaving me alone again.

"Which one is making me stronger?" I questioned myself. I toyed with my phone and placed it back into my handbag. I left the room and spent more time with my family.

My dad and I patched things up. We apologized to each other for our behavior and vowed to never let that happen again. He congratulated me on my new company and I felt terrible for not inviting him to the grand opening.

"I want you to be the first through our doors tomorrow, dad," I told him as a way of making up for the grand opening.

"You're a rival to Hollen Tower. I've heard," he said with a smile, "I'll be there, baby girl."

We exchanged hugs and I felt beatific. I said my goodnights to everyone else before leaving.

~
The next morning, I woke before my alarm. I workout, ate, showered and got dressed for work.

Jordan drove me to my company.

Getting there, upon reaching the entrance gate, someone stood, being held back from the premises by security.

I got out of the car and so did Jordan.

"There she is. The bitch! The man-stealer!" LaTasha said. The alcohol was obviously. The scent of it spiral out everytime she said something.

"Aren't you pregnant?" I asked.

"I got rid of it!" she shouted.

My eyes went to Jordan and his darkened. His hands balled up into fists and the next thing I knew, he was swinging at her.

His punches were so quick that LaTasha received ten to the face before security could have taken him off her.

I was stunned. I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed.

Several guards held Jordan back and several helped LaTasha to her feet. Jordan was like a man possessed.

Blood slipped from her mouth and she was crying bitterly as she managed to stand on her own two feet.

"Take her to the hospital," I told one of the guards.

"Yes ma'am."

"Look at what he did to me! Look! I hate you, Jordan! I'm glad I got rid of your stupid baby!" she yelled.

"And I'm going to sue you, Zenobia! He's your fucking bodyguard!"