Emma and Heather walked into the room filled with crowded people of higher class. Heather took two glasses of champagne from the waiter who had passed them by. She handed one to Emma. “You could use a little of this.” As Emma took it, she said, “Thank you.” She sipped a little. “Is this how it happens every year?” “Actually, it happens at the Empire. I guess Jada just wanted to feel at home, so she changed the venue for this year's birthday.” Emma nodded. It makes sense why the limo pulled up in front of this enormous mansion rather than the hotel. She heaved a sigh of relief. She won't have to think about the past anymore. She won't need to return to that hotel any longer. Her eyes darted about. It looked beautiful. Ezra was raised here. Heather remarked, "I'll be right back," as soon as she saw Josie. Heather hugged a stunning, slim woman who appeared to be in her 50s as Emma watched from a corner. Once she noticed a waiter passing her, Emma averted her gaze. She picked up another
Holding her cheek with his strong hand as he kissed her, Ezra Queen felt he had been there before and he would be there again. He couldn’t control himself. She was the same woman he had tried his best not to look at that afternoon on their way to the mansion; now, he is settled on her lips, savoring it like it was a goblet of wine. Like it was some kind of treasure he couldn't dare put away. Like it needed to be cared for, and that was what he was doing. Taking care of it like it deserved. Like it was intended to be placed inside of his. As he rocked his tongue into hers like the monster he is or is about to become, his hand combed through her hair. He made an effort to maintain control, but he was failing. Perhaps it was the taste of her or the scent of her perfume that kept him from moving, but he just didn't want to be free. Not yet. She was always filled with innocence when he looked at her, and he has tried to avoid shattering that innocence. But how could he not? Tonight, just
Emma closed the door behind her as she entered the home. Just telling Ezra about that made her sick to her stomach. She had believed it would go smoothly, but she now believes she was mistaken. To reflect, Emma sat on the couch. The house was quiet, so she guessed that Zoella had spent the night over at Phoebe’s. She reached for her purse to find her phone. Once it was in her hand, she called Phoebe. In one ring, Phoebe's voice bloomed through the phone. “I have been anticipating your call. How was it? I heard the party was a success.” Emma was quiet for a while, and that hit Phoebe. “Okay. What happened?” Emma took a deep breath. “I am embarrassed, Phoebe. I don’t even think I should be seeing him anymore.” “What happened, Emma?” “Ezra yelled at me after I told him about it. It’s like he will never acknowledge the fact that Zoella is his kid. When I looked into his eyes, I saw hate and confusion.” “Of course he would be confused. He discovered he is a father all of a sudden. If
The following morning, Ezra awoke with a slight headache. He blinked at the ceiling and dragged himself out of bed. When his phone buzzed, he reached for it and saw the news feed that had appeared. “New Favorite Designer of Queens Fashion Company. Miss Facer” There was a picture of her next to it. It was being taken when she got out of the limo. He knew she would win the title. Because of how she had presented herself and handled Winter's cloth, he had no doubt that she would triumph.He reached for the aspirin near his bed and placed it in his mouth, pushing the drug down with the glass of water he picked up from his table. As he approached the curtain and raised it, Ezra yawned. The morning sun flashed across his face as he inhaled deeply. He shifted his focus to the door where Cody was standing after hearing him bark. “Come here, boy.” He motioned. Cody ran to him, and he patted him on the head. “Are you ready for your morning walk?” Ezra interpreted Cody's roll on the ground as an
“I’m so sorry about earlier.” Emma moved out of the way for him to pass through. Ezra inspected the house with his eyes. “Please sit down.” Ezra sat down on the couch and looked up at her. “Would you like to have some water?” “No. Thank you. Why aren’t you at work today? You must have seen the news about getting the title.”Emma nodded. “Yes. I did. I didn’t even think I would win. How did you find my place?” Emma focused her gaze at him, waiting for his reply. “Ah. Scott gave it to me. I have only dropped you off at bus stops and not in front of your house, so I needed more help. When did you relocate here?” Emma said nervously, “I have always lived here, but there was a time this place was under repair. I had to stay with my aunt for a while until now.” “Oh.” Ezra had never felt so shy before. Was it because he had come to know that she was the girl he fell in love with three years ago? “Okay. Why are you here, though?” Emma laughed a little. When Ezra raised his head to her a
At precisely 3:15 p.m, Emma was waiting outside the school to pick up Zoe. She had gone to the closest restaurant earlier to look for work. She needs to spend some time apart from Ezra. People had recognized her, but she had changed her name and appearance to make it appear as though she wasn't the person they said she was. After the interview, the restaurant manager assured her that he would get in touch with her. Even though it isn’t what she has a passion for, Emma is doing this to get out of trouble. She decided that it would be best to put a temporary distance between herself and Ezra since he won't be bringing any legal action regarding what transpired three years ago. Emma stepped inside the school. She saw Zoe leaving the classroom. “Hey hun.” At her, Emma waved. Zoe sprinted over and gave Emma a big hug, encircling Emma's neck as Emma knelt down to be at Zoe's eye level. Releasing the little girl, Emma said with a smile, “I have missed you.” “I have missed you too.” “How w
“Darling.” Josie entered the mansion and shut the door behind her. She handed the bag she was holding to the maid who had come over. Josie quietly thanked the maid before turning to face her husband. “I can’t believe this is happening to me right now. I can’t believe this.” “And what is wrong? Why are you so sad?” As Josie sat down on the couch, Ben set the TV remote on the table and turned his attention to her. Ben put his hands on her shoulders, rubbed them, and then moved to the side of her neck. “Is this okay? Are you feeling okay now?” "Hun, it's not about the massage." She sighed. Ben immediately took his hands away. Josie turned to him properly. “This is about our son. I am concerned. We are growing older, and he is too.” “So…” Ben made an effort to decipher what she was saying. “Let's have him settle down.” “Josie.” “I do not want to hear you say he is busy with work and everything and needs to make more money. I do not want to hear that.” She reached for Ben’s hands, a
“I feel so tired.” Winter opened the door into Ezra’s office as she stepped in, yawning and stretching. “Hey brother.” She walked to the couch and fell on it. “I heard you call home and say you would be staying at my place last night. I didn’t see you or hear you show up.” Winter gasped as she raised her head and looked at Ezra. “I am hoping you didn’t tell Mom and Dad that I never showed up.” Ezra shook his head. “I won’t rat you out just yet, but sometimes, you have to be disciplined and take responsibility. You have to own your words. If you say this, then it should be this and not that.” “I’m sorry. I lost track of time.” “You should have called.” “Yeah. I should have called. I am so sorry.” She groaned as she stood to her feet, placing both hands on her head. “My head hurt so bad.” “And where are you going?” Ezra paused in what he was doing, focusing on her. “The bathroom. I need to wash my face. I look like sh*t. I am never going to late night parties again.” “Be careful