Chapter 59: Goodbye

Zenobia's POV

I awoke in Kyle's arms with my head resting on his chest. My face was sticky from last night's crying. Slowly, I got out of bed and tiptoed into the shower.

The tears started again as the water washed over my hair and body. When I was finish, I wrapped in a towel, dried myself off then got into a bathrobe.

I walked back into the bedroom. Kyle was already up, straightening the bedsheets and pillows.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, how are you doing, I hope that wasn't a stupid question," he said, turning to face me.

"Of course it isn't, Kyle. I'll be okay though. Thanks for being here for me and with me."

"There's no other place I'd rather be than by your side right now. I've missed you. I've missed us but I don't want to spring everything out to you in a time like this. I don't even know if I should give you space or pull you closer."

"I'll try to be more vocal about things pertaining you and I. Family was everything to my grandfather, being there for each other, loving each other, caring for each other. I want to follow in his footsteps."

"I understand that."

We hugged for a few seconds before he went downstairs and I got dressed.

~

My phone rang and Tiffany's name flashed on the screen.

"Hey," I answered.

"Grant me permission to get in. I'm at your gate."

"My security still stops you, I'll have a word with them about that."

Granting the permission to have her enter the premises, I met her downstairs on the patio.

"I've heard the news. I'm so sorry for your loss, Zen."

She pulled me in for a hug. "Thank you."

Several minutes later, my father's SUV pulled onto the driveway. Him and my mother got out and walked over to us.

"Good morning. Zen, you're needed at your grandparents'," Mom said.

Without question, Tiffany and Kyle accompanied me there.

~

Everyone has gathered in the large dinning room, sitting around the table.

Tiffany and Kyle sat in the corner and I joined the family at the table.

"Wonderful, now that we're all here, I'll begin The Will Ethan had ordered and specifically wanted me to deliver in reading to everyone present."

"A will, dad didn't have to," aunt Emily said.

"He was aware. He wanted to. You're his children, grandchildren and great grand," grandma said and smiled dearly at everyone.

She began reading, starting with Uncle Evan and aunt Emily who were twins, then my father.

Each were one billion dollars richer and received a luxury car for their choice. Evan would remain CEO of Hollen Tower until he hand the reigns to a family member. Grandfather highlighted that it must be a Hollen, and if Evan fails that task, my father would have the authority to overrule. My dad would remain second in command. Aunt Emily was a queen, although she holds shares in HT, she didn't want to be an employee with the family.

For the grandchild, we were two billion dollars richer with a luxury car, and grandfather wanted me to have his private yacht, The Emmy. Jevan received the black jet and the other private aircrafts remained to the family's access and usages.

The great grandchildren, when they were of age, would start their accounts with two billion dollars each.

To his in-laws, they received a billion dollars and a luxury car.

Grandfather loved cars.

Donations were made to charities around the world, including an organization Jevan and his wife started in Ghana, his wife's country.

"To Mr. Kyle Livingston and Miss. Tiffany Smith, the best friend and protector to one of my grandchild, Zenobia Hollen, I leave one million dollars each and two houses," grandma read.

I immediately turned to them. They were in the corner, stunned by the revelation. After it had sunk in they were homeowners and a million dollars would be given to them, they thanked my grandma and my grandpa.

"And lastly, to my wife, Mrs. Emma Cole Hollen, darling, I love you. Now, you're the anchor keeping our family from drifting. I leave you everything in my name, after the shares of money and cars to the family. Please see to it that Martin and Halley receive one million dollars each and a car of their choice from any car dealer.
Any great-children I wouldn't meet," she read and tears filled her eyes, "May he or she start their accounts with two billion dollars. Hollen Tower would also be their birth-right. Kyle Livingston would be given a small box that he would be able to use the time is right. To my entire family, I love you all. Take care of each other. Goodbye."








~

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretched like me....

The choir sung the hymn as my grandfather's golden casket was carried into the chapel by his sons and grandsons.

I sat in the front row, between my cousin Jada and my boyfriend Kyle. We watched as grandma Emma went over to the casket and opened it up when it reached the podium.

We each walked up to grandpa, said our final goodbyes and the service began. Grandpa was specific in his planning, that he only wanted family and his close friends present.

After the service, he was laid to rest at the Hollen Family private plot. His casket was placed into a tomb and was carefully sealed off.

"Hmm, you know, I didn't receive any notice of my hesitance nor my children's, or grandchildren's," a voice said.

We turned and saw the small crowd being parted like the red sea, and in the middle, walked an old lady.

She walked right up to my grandmother.

"Hello again, Emma," she spoke.

"Sharon."

"You and I have unfinished business."

We gathered and stood next to grandma like born protectors. Sharon's lips curled into a sly smile.

"You're not the only one with a family, you know. Ethan forgot this side of his family," Sharon went on.

"Why can't you stay gone, how dare you walk with freedom after everything you've done?" grandma asked her.

"This is my father's funeral, you dare show your face here!?" Uncle Evan said.

"God rest his soul. I'm here for what's rightly mine. My inheritance and my children's! I'll drag this whole family to court if I have to!" she said with a shout.

"I do have something for you," Grandma said.

We turned to her with shock expressions.

We watched as her grip tighten around a coffin spray and she started beating Sharon silly. Sharon stumbled backwards, hitting the ground.

"Get away from my family!" Grandma shouted as Sharon managed to get on her trembling feet. She tucked tail and literally ran out of the graveyard.

~

The end the hardest day of our lives, we gathered back at home where we received refreshments.

"I have no idea what is in this box. And for the life of me, I can't open it," Kyle said as he attempted to open the tiny box he received from my grandparents.

"And what's that beeping red light?" I asked, taking a turn to open the box.

"I have no idea. The first lady said it will open when the timing is right."

"We'll just have to wait and see then," I said. Together, we sat side by side by the outdoor pool.

*
*

One year later,

I was rushing home from a meeting at Hollen Tower. I was late for my date with my boyfriend.

I pulled onto the driveway, parked, ran out of the car and entered my home. I took the elevator upstairs, got into the shower, got dressed and ran back to the car.

Kyle was there, leaning against the car with a smile on his face.

"Change of plans. We're going on a trip. Just you and I," he said. He held the door for me and I got in. He got into the driver's seat, started the engine and drove out the gate.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

After an hour or two, he pulled the car onto a beach front property.

"Kyle, it's so beautiful here. Oh my goodness," I said, looking at the breathtaking view. The evening sun was just fading from the sky, casting an orange light around us.

"This is ours," he said, handing me the keys.

"Really?"

"Yes. And it's called The Zen."

~
The money Kyle received from my grandfather, he managed to flip and started his own company which he managed. He had climbed his way up to being a millionaire.

He was no longer my bodyguard, as he couldn't run his business and be at my side.

My new bodyguard was a woman.

~

Getting inside of The Zen, we immediately headed for one of the bedrooms.

"I know it's called The Zen, but I don't want you to be peaceful right now," Kyle said.

I laughed as we fell onto the enormous bed.