Chapter 55: Amended

Zenobia's POV

"Quitting, Kyle, are you serious?" I asked. As if I didn't already have enough surprises on my plate for one day.

"Yes, I am. Because I want to be your bodyguard again," he answered.

I was taken aback. Stunned, surprised and bewildered by his words, I asked for confirmation that I was hearing correctly.

"You want to be my bodyguard?"

"I do," he answered.

The brightest smile was plastered on my face and all the worries, headaches and wonders washed away.

I couldn't stop myself from running into his arms and embracing him. He returned the hug before we pulled away.

"This time around would be different. I would listen to you, be kind and professional. I don't want the past repeating itself," I said.

"I understand and I agree," he nodded.

~
After work, I informed Tiffany of the news and she too was somewhat relief that Kyle was back at my side.

"My prayers have been answered," she joked as we walked to our cars.

"I'm happy he's back. I've missed him but I'm not going to do anything to push him away again."

"You're not patching your relationship with him?" she asked, stopping at the door of her car.

"Nah. I'm trying to be professional here."

"Ha!"

"What, you don't think I can do it?"

"You can do anything you set your mind to.. but when it comes to him, we both know you still hold him dear to your heart. You love that guy, Zen."

"I like him. We're familiar."

"No. It's more than that with you. You light up when he's in the room even though you can be tough on him. I'm rooting for the two of you." She waved, got into her car and drove out the gate.

Kyle came out of the building a few seconds later and spotted me standing next to my car. He gazed at his before walking towards me.

"I drove my car here. Is it okay to leave it?" he asked.

"Of course. It will be safe here, or you can tail me on the way home. It's your call."

"Umm.. I'll follow," he said.

I got into my car, he got into his and we drove homeward.

~

"Ahh, feels good being back here," he said as he walked around the familiar guest house.

"It's good having you back, Kyle. It really is," I responded, "Well, all Jordan's stuff are out. I'll leave you to get settle in and reacquaint yourself with the others. If you need me, I'll be indoors," I finished.

"Thank you, Miss. Hollen."

"You can call me by my name. I'll allow it."

I headed inside my mansion and although it was filled with some of the most luxurious furnitures and ornament, it felt empty.

Recalling my childhood memories, I used to love looking at the movies with my mother. The women would marry the rich and famous men but cheat on them with the poor pool guy or the gardener. I always wondered why. Why would you have everything and cheat yourself away to have nothing?

One answer. Money doesn't buy happiness.

I looked at my bank account statement and sighed.

I picked up the phone and called Tiffany.

"Hey, you got home okay?" I asked her.

"Yeah," she answered, sounding down.

"Tiff, are you okay?"

"Yeah, umm. I walked through the door, my man was cooking. He dished out my plate, I smelled it and vomited on it," she said, "I'm feeling so bad right now. More ways than one."

"Girl, are you pregnant?"

"Don't start with me, Zen."

"Take a test. It wouldn't hurt to be certain."

"I'm not pregnant."

"You're not a virgin either," I said with a laugh. My phone started beeping. Another call was coming in from an unknown number.

"I'm getting a call. You should take that test, Tiff."

"Fine. Just to prove my point."

"If you're not, I owe you lunch. If you are, I owe you lunch and dinner."

We laughed, said our byes and I answered the incoming call.

"Who's this?"

"Hi. It's me."

"Who's 'me'?"

"Jordan."

"What do you want, boy?"

"Zenobia, I want to talk to you about something."

"Keep my name out your mouth. Your girlfriend and partner in crime told me all about your little pathetic plot to get money out of me. YOU'VE FAILED!" I yelled.

"That's not true, I would never!"

"Get off my phone. Get yourself another job and get a life." I hung up, blocked unknown incoming calls and informed the family in the group chat that no one should call me from an unknown number henceforth.

~
The next morning at work, I met Tiffany standing at the door to my office.

"Good morning," I greeted her.

"Good morning, Zen," she answered with a sad expression.

"Darling, what's wrong?"

"I took the test."

"And?" I asked with wide eyes, eager for the news.

"You were right. I'm pregnant."

I squealed and pulled her in for a hug. "Congratulations! OMG! A baby shower is in the making. I can't wait. You don't need to do anything. Just leave it to me."

"Zen."

"Why aren't you happy?" I asked her, studying her face.

"I'm shock. I never thought I could have kids."

"Neither did my mother but here I am. She calls me her miracle baby. My middle name is literally 'Miracle', I said but not once did she smile.

"Tiff, what's going on really, it's unlike you to be sad like this. What's wrong?"

"It was something I found out before learning I was pregnant," she said.

"What's going on?" I opened my office door and we walked in to have more privacy from unwanted ears. I closed the door behind me and gestured for her to sit down.

"I found out he was let go from his job recently and was trying to find another job so he can tell me that he quit the previous one. But he's having a hard time finding one. He was declined three times already and he's taking it hard."

"How hard?"

"Like drinking up all of my wine hard."

"I'm so sorry, Tiff," I said and embraced her.

"I'm afraid this baby would be a burden. I haven't even told him because I don't want him going on crazy job hunts and getting disapprovals over and over again."

"Why is he having a hard time getting a job though. From what you told me, he is skillful."

"He's a black man with a record in LA. He was defending his mom from his abusive stepfather. Struck him in the head with a vase, knocked him out cold. He was arrested. Charged for assault, causing harm and some other bullshit."

"I feel so shitty."

"Why?"

"I'm a terrible friend. You know everything about me and I know little of your personal life because I can't shut up and ask you about yours."

She smiled coyly. "It's fine, Zen. I rarely speak up about things because they can be embarrassing."

"Are you kidding me, you're my best friend. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. And I'm going to make a phone call to my cousin Jada. She's constructing another mall and I know she'll need contractors. Your man will fit in perfectly."

I picked up the phone, called Jada and recommended Boa for the job.

~

"She's going to call him in a few," I said when I hung up.

Tears of happiness welled up in her eyes. "Thank you so much. Thank you for everything."

Her phone buzzed and she put it on speaker and mouthed 'It's him'

"Hey sweetie," she answered.

"Bae, I have some good news. I received a phone call from Miss. Jada Hollen. She wants me as a contractor to her new mall. Can you believe it?"

"I do, baby. You can thank Zenobia for this."

"THANK YOU, Zen," he shouted.

"You're welcome," I said with a laugh.

"Okay. Well I'm about to start work. You have a great day," Tiff said.

"You too baby. I love you. Thanks again."

"I love you too."

She hung up and a few seconds later, her phone buzzed again.

"What did he forget to say?" she asked herself as she answered and put it on speaker.

There were shuffling-around sounds.

"Hello, Boa?" Tiff spoke.

'Half of that first paycheck belongs to me,' a woman spoke.

'Anything for you, my beautiful.' Boa voice came.

'When are you going to leave her, she's so not the one for you.'

'As soon as I secure that job.'

'And Zen recommended you?'

'Her stupid boss. Can't stand the bitch. Always flaunting and making others feel less.'

Tiffany hung up the phone and I could see the strain it took on her to hold her tears back and to stop her heart from falling apart.

"Get into my car because I would need someone to stop me from murder. We're going over there and that son of a bitch better not have her at your apartment!" I blazed.

I reached for my car keys and we walked out of the office.

~
Kyle drove us to Tiff's place. She opened the door and I immediately rushed in making a beeline to the bedroom.

Tiff pushed in the door and out leaped Boa from the bed, wrapped in the sheets to hide himself.. with a companion on the other side of the bed.

"You are not fucking serious!" Tiff and I said in unison when we saw the woman's face.