Don't Play With My Soul

WARNING: A SUICIDE ATTEMPT IS PRESENT IN THIS CHAPTER. Readers' discretion advised. Ethan Junior's POV

My jaw ached as I strolled towards the elevator to get to my office. I felt the pressure creeping in since I was left in charge of the company. Evan was on his honeymoon with Jasmine.

I walked into my office and threw myself onto the chair behind the large mahogany desk. I began flipping through paperwork and documents, which Evan demanded I look into.

I noticed there was a board meeting and a deal I had to seal in less than an hour. Gathering myself, and getting my thoughts together, I stood up, straightened my suit and walked into the boardroom. "Good morning," I greeted everyone.

"Good morning, Mr. Hollen," Mr. Alexander answered.

"Is this some kind of joke? Where's Evan Hollen?" Mr. Alexander's assistant asked while toying with a pencil in her folder. Her hair was pulled into a tight bun and her hairline was thinning. I was immediately annoyed by her presence and tone of voice.

"My brother is on his honeymoon so, in the meantime, I'm in charge," I answered as I took a seat at the head of the large desk.

"This is absolutely so unprofessional of Evan and Hollen Tower. At least leave someone in charge who's qualified and experienced," she inputted, still toying with the pencil and avoiding my eyes. "Miss Payne, I assure you that Ethan Hollen, Junior is just as capable as his brother. He is qualified to be in the position of COO of this company. Just give him a chance," Mr. Alexander pleaded to his assistant.

I was already boiling with anger and wanted to dismiss the woman, but I knew how important it was to Hollen Tower to get Mr. Alexander on board with us.

"Thank you, Mr. Alexander, now, shall we get down to business?" I asked.

Miss Payne looked at me with a smile, and I responded with a nod.

After the meeting, Mr. Alexander was on board with Hollen Tower. Evan had called me five times while I was in the meeting to find out how I was handling things. I ignored all his calls until the end.

"Bro, they're on board with the company. He already wanted to invest ten million up front, but I told him that transaction would have to run straight through you and not me."

"Excellent. I'm proud of you," he said from his end of the phone.

"How's the honeymoon going? Is Jevan interrupting?" I joked.

They had taken him along, and, knowing how troublesome Jevan was, I doubt Evan would have any time to--- you know.

"I think this is Jevan's honeymoon instead," he answered.

We shared a laugh and a loud knock came on my door.

Two police officers burst through the door before I could of open it.

"Hello, can I help you officers?" I asked, phone still at my ear.

"Officers? Why are they there?" I heard Evan's voice asking.

"Ethan Hollen, Junior?" one asked.

"Yes, that's me."

"We have a warrant for your arrest." "WHAT?!"

"WHAT?!" Evan was shocked as well.

"Please put down the phone and turn around, sir," the other said as he reached for a pair of handcuffs.

"EJ! EJ! WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON THERE?!" Evan's last words rang out before I ended the call.

"Why am I under arrest? What did I do?" My heart was racing. This wasn't a joke someone was playing on me.

"Assault and Battery on a one Mr. Anton McCalister last Saturday at a pool party."

I was slapped into handcuffs and ushered out of the room. Every pair of eyes were on me as the police officers walked me out of the building. Gossip magazine columnists were already asking questions, and the bright lights from cameras blinded.

I was shoved into the back of the car and carried away like some lowly criminal.

Zenia's POV

I stayed home on Monday. I didn't have the mindset of facing my backstabbing former best friend. I stayed in my room eating ice cream and looking at the television. I was lonely, once again. EJ was avoiding and ignoring me. Jasmine was on her honeymoon, so I couldn't disturb her with my drama. Mom wasn't like Mom anymore. And Ashley was no longer my best friend.

"This just in, Ethan Hollen, Junior, the last child of the billionaire Ethan Hollen, has been arrested."

I spat out my ice cream.

I grabbed the remote to the television and turned up the volume.

"Apparently, charges were filed against him from an assault last Saturday at an event. More news to follow."

"WHAT?!" I yelled with anger.

I reached for my phone and dialed Anton's number.

"Hey Zen," he answered after the fourth ring.

"You filed chargers against EJ?"

"Yes."

"Why in the hell would you do something like that? The two of you fought like men, so why did you pressed charges like a woman?!" I was mad.

"Look, my mum saw the bruises, and she got pissed. I told her exactly what happened, and she took me to the police station and I made a statement. I didn't have a choice."

"Bullshit! You always have a choice. Now EJ's image is plastered all over the television. Do you know how bad this is for him, his family and his company?"

"Why should I care? He attacked me like a mad person."

I heaved a long sigh as I thought of poor EJ in handcuffs, head bowed low as if he were crying.

I ended the call, rushed into the bathroom and took the fastest shower of my life. I jumped into jeans, a T-shirt and a blazer. I grabbed my purse and ran out the door. In the elevator, I did my hair and my makeup. I took a cab and headed downtown to the police station.

"Can I please see Ethan Hollen, Junior?" I asked a female police officer sitting behind a small desk.

"And you are?"

"Zenia Blackman."

"Sign in please." She pushed a notebook in front of me with a pen.

"EJ, oh my goodness, I'm so sorry," I said as I got to the holding cell. They had him caged up like an animal. It broke my heart to see him like that.

"That punk boyfriend of yours pressed charges."

"He's not my boyfriend, EJ. You are."

He scoffed loudly before shaking his head. He chuckled lightly as he stood up and walked closer to the bars.

"EJ," I pleaded as tears welled up in my eyes.

"Don't even think about crying, or maybe you really should because this is all your fault!"

"Quiet down!" A guard interrupted as he looked angrily at EJ.

"EJ, I'll get you out of there."

"I don't need your help, Zenia. I don't need anything from you ever again. Why are you even here?"

"EJ, please don't do this to us again." I was now crying.

"You're the cause of all of this! I wouldn't be in here if you hadn't brought that idiot to the party in the first place."

"With all fairness, he's my friend. And I didn't tell you to attack him."

"Ohhh, so this is my fault now?"

"Yes, it's your own fault."

"Was it my fault when you kissed him?"

I got quiet. Of course it wasn't his fault. I shook my head no.

"You know what, just leave. My mom and dad are already coming to bail me out. I don't need your help, and I don't need you in my life anymore! I don't know why the fuck I was actually trying my hardest to be with you when you always turn around and act like a bitch! I don't wanna see you ever again!"

"EJ! You're speaking from an angry place. You don't mean that." Hot tears rolled down my face and I was beginning to break down again.

"I'm dead serious this time around." His eyes were dark and cold.

"Ma'am, time to leave," the guard said as he approached me.

"E...J," my words trembled out.

"Leave!" he shouted.

I lowered my head and walked away.

As I walked out of the entrance, EJ's parents rushed past me.

I looked at the razor blades on the table that I usually used when I was designing and making clothes. I slowly reached for it and brought it to my wrist. The tears hadn't stopped and the pain wasn't letting up either.

It all hurt too much and, this time, I was hoping for things to slow down and start over; this time, I wanted everything to come to an end.

I closed my eyes and pressed the razor in.