Obsessed

FAMILY

A few days passed, Zena was starting to get in a good routine with school. She stopped working at Trophy, deciding to start looking for work somewhere else.

Julien was busy, so she barely saw him before falling asleep. It had been a few months since her dad kicked her out and Zena missed her sister, so she went to visit.

It was windy outside with the sun still in the sky. She wasn't sure how her sister would react to seeing her, but she remained optimistic.

Her father's truck wasn't in the driveway, that gave her some relief. Once Zena rang the doorbell, her heartbeat raced.

"Zena? Hi, what are you doing here?" Sheila answered, looking surprised.

"Hey...Is Kizzy around?"

"She's busy doing homework..."

"Zena!" Kizzy yelled, running towards her big sister.

They hugged as Sheila stood to the side. Kizzy squeezed her sister and Zena did the same in return. Once they pulled back, she kissed Kizzy's forehead.

"How have you been?"

"I've been okay...I miss you, Zee."

"I miss you too."

"Zena, why don't you come in and sit with Kizzy."

She gave Sheila a nod and came inside. Jordan gave her the same greeting while she gave him hugs and kisses. They all sat inside the living room, making small talk. Being around her siblings made Zena feel good and was much needed.

"So, how have you been?" Sheila asked.

"I've been good. I'm still taking my classes."

"Where are you staying?"

Zena blushed, thinking of Julien. "With a good friend."

"Can I come visit you, Zena?" Kizzy asked excitedly.

"Me too!" Jordan added.

"One day, when I get my own place. How's Dad been?"

Sheila looked down. "The same..."

Zena's heart felt heavy, remembering their last encounter. She really did miss her father but was afraid of rejection.

"What are you doing here?"

The familiar voice made them all look in the same direction. Zena's dad stood in the entryway.

"Do you need money or something?"

"No dear, she just came to see the kids." Sheila stood up.

"Well, you can leave now."

"Dad, please let her stay...please."

Zena gave a soft smile to her little brother's plea. Although her father was upset, seeing her siblings hold onto her made it all worth it.

"It's okay, Jordy...I'll come visit y'all another time, okay?" She got up to leave.

Jordan ran to his room upset while Kizzy held Zena's hand.

"It was good seeing you, Sheila. You too, Dad...I know you don't hate me and you miss me too."

His face softened as Kizzy walked her big sister to the door.

"I love you, Sissy Pooh. Did you save my new number?"

Kizzy gave her a nod, then wrapped her arms around Zena's waist.

"Yes, I love you too."

She pulled her away. "Make sure you look out for baby bro. And call me whenever you want."

Zena walked away from the door and got in her car. As soon as she pulled off, tears fell down her face.

***

"I'm really excited about the direction this company is going. Now that I'm retiring, it will be great to see how my nephews do with the future of this business."

"Are you excited, Julien?"

"I'm happy for you, Connor," he answered.

"You say that as if you won't be involved."

"I won't be."

"Nephew, you told me you'd think about it."

Julien sat at the conference table with his male cousins and uncles, discussing his filthy rich Uncle Elroy's retirement.

"He doesn't need the money, so he doesn't care."

"You're right, Bradley, I don't need the money. But even if I did, my answer would still be the same."

"But you help build it back up."

"He doesn't want it because of Justine."

Adrien, Julien's older brother, walked into the room, looking sober and of sound mind.

This bastard actually had me worried about him.

"Justine? Isn't she in charge of marketing now?"

"Yes and Adrien's ex."

"No, we just fucked. But she was in love with my brother."

Julien laughed at his brother's words.

"Isn't that right, Jules?"

"If you say so..." he smirked.

One of their uncles leaned forward. "So who hired her and why isn't she in this meeting?"

"I'm sure she'd be here if she knew Julien was here." Adrien stared at his younger brother.

He's the reason she stopped messing with me.

"Adrien, where have you been all of this time?"

Everyone's eyes were now on him. He shared a resemblance to their mother while Julien looked like his father.

"I've been getting things in order. I'm ready to take control of operations after Uncle Elroy retires."

Julien began to clap. "Thank goodness. Can I leave now?"

"No, not yet. I'm not comfortable not having you a part of this company. Especially since you were the one who created the whole operations system and database."

"Come on, Uncle. Julien is filthy rich and has no ambition to work anywhere."

"Please stop talking about me like I'm not here. I'm not interested in being responsible for Chrome industries. Adrien is ready, give the company to him."

Adrien's brows furrowed. "I don't need you to vouch for me..."

"Don't worry I'm not, just helping our Uncle."

Uncle Elroy interrupted. "Where has big Larry been? He hasn't answered any of my calls in weeks."

"Ugh, Larry is a scammer." Adrien rolled his eyes.

"Um, sorry to interrupt, but the police are here." The secretary stood in the doorway.

Two policemen came into the room, Adrien sat down next to his brother.

"We're here to speak to Mr. Elroy Batiste."

"That's me. Whatever you need to ask me, you can do so in front of my family."

"Yesterday we found your colleague, Mr. Larry Severs dead. He was face down in his indoor pool. We would like to ask you some questions."

Everyone's eyes went to Julien.

"What? I didn't do anything... this time."