Zenon's Game Chapter 223

The TV was on in the living room and a bottle of wine had been popped open. We waited for the others to join before heading to the couch.

"Whatever it is, I got your back," Cynthia told me and pointed at the staircase, "And he does too."

We watched Zenon jog down the stairs in gray sweatpants and a zip up hoodie. He never zipped the hoodie up fully, which means that part of his chest was on display. And his gray sweatpants-

Cynthia's phone starting ringing. She sighed when she saw it was her mom again, "Hi mom."

"Hi Cece, I didn't realize you'd be out so early this morning," her mom's voice said through the phone, "Are you having fun? Have you learnt anything?"

I smiled, remembering how Axel had promised 'educational' experiences while he was pretending to be Bryce's dad with no moustache.

"Have I learnt anything?" Cynthia repeated loudly, walking towards Bianca on her way outside, "Yeah. I learnt that sleeping with a guy's friend just to make the guy you like jealous doesn't work."

She lowered her phone and gave Bianca a dark glare.

Then she slid the glass door open and continued her conversation with her mom in the pool area outside. I felt Zenon's arm over my shoulder and his body behind me. He kissed me on the cheek, and I leaned back, letting my body press against his.

"Are you worried about this?" I asked.

"Not at all," Zenon replied without skipping a beat.

I could hear he was genuine. But what if things that are not a big deal to him are a big deal to me – like casually hooking up with an ex while you're talking to the next?

We sat on the couches as we got ready to hear Bianca's 'news'. The lady in question stood up with a glass of wine in her hand. She was in a pretty sundress with brown sandals and a nervous smile.

The pool door slid open and Cynthia rejoined us.

"Yesterday, I was villainized, and I didn't get the chance to speak my truth," Bianca said, watching Cynthia take a seat, "Now that everyone's emotions have calmed down, I'd like to speak up."

Zenon's arm around me kept me feeling secure. I know he was doing this intentionally. I glanced over at Cynthia who raised her eyebrows at me.

Bianca started to talk about that day at the mall. "My brother and I came into the store Candace worked at. He didn't know that Candace and I don't get along. But a few minutes into our interaction with her, he didn't have a positive impression. And a few minutes after that, she abandoned the store and left us hanging."

Bianca's eyes landed on me. I think she expected me to jump up and argue, but I wasn't going to do that. I wasn't going to let her rile me up like that. She can have time to say her truth.

"So, while you all pointed fingers at me for getting Candace fired, it actually had nothing to do with me. Until yesterday, I didn't even know my brother had complained," she said, "But you see, customer service is an important skill set. I didn't need to get Candace fired. A legitimate customer complained. No one forced you to leave the store unattended like that."

OK, that mistake was mine to own.

It's true. I let my personal drama and relationships completely take over my responsibilities. I shouldn't have abandoned work.

Actions have consequences and if I needed that job, I should've acted like it.

"One more thing," Bianca said, "Putting me on blast like that last night, was not cool. Candace, if you wanted to keep drama out of this vacation, you should've come to me one on one."

That's also true. I lost it last night. I hadn't exactly been in a calm mood.

Bianca raised her glass and sipped it, "And that's all I had to say."

Then she went to share the armchair with Bryce. We were all left staring at the fireplace that she had been standing in front of.

"Candace?" Oma asked, sitting next to Axel on the couch, "Maybe you'd like a chance to respond?"

I know Oma means well, but she doesn't know that public speaking isn't my forte. I'd rather sink in silence.

"Go on, Candy," Zenon whispered, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, "Set the record straight."

Does he know how terrifying this is?

Zenon raised his arm from around my shoulder and I slowly stood up. I felt like a caterpillar leaving a protective cocoon. My body was moving in the right direction and I hoped my mind would follow.

I mumbled, "I'm not used to speaking in front of many people about something so personal..."

But these last few months have made me grow up hella quick.

I still get shaken by what other people say. I've been taunted and teased so many times and it's so hard to ignore.

"Should I start with a joke?" I nervously volunteered. "OK, tough crowd. I'll start by saying thank you."

"She's going rogue," Cynthia muttered to Zenon, filling the empty space on the couch I had left next to him.

Zenon was watching me, waiting for me to continue. He replied, not looking worried at all, "She'll bring it full circle."

I swallowed. This was harder to do than I thought. I closed out my insecure thoughts. I wished I could be on the couch, judging instead of being judged.

"Thank you for solving a mystery, Bianca." I said, "There have been so many mysteries lately that I am glad to know the answer to this one."

OK, I think I can handle this.