Ezra's POV
I close my door and walk towards my table, still smiling. If she starts a terrorist group, the world will never be able to contain her and I'll be a proud sponsor.
I light a blunt and withhold myself from going after her and asking her to swear she doesn't hate me. I may or may not like the answer.
I'm about to take a seat when my door bursts open and Kandra walks in. "Ezra?"
I sigh and sit exhaling the calming smoke. "Kandra? How may I help you?"
"My Father requires our audience this evening, for dinner." She says crossing her arms. I spot Mrs. Marilyn behind her looking worried. I nod at her and she leaves.
"I'm busy this evening." She scoffs. "He knows your busy, Ezra. You're a CEO, so he insists you come" I study her. Sounds like SHE'S the one insisting.
"I will be there. I may come a bit late, but I will be there. You may leave." I say dismissing her and opening my computer.
"You know Ezra. I know we are not both fans of this whole engagement shit, but you're a real asshole, and it makes me happy to know that I'm only going to be marrying you for your money and for the prestige that comes with it." She says and walks off slamming the door.
I sigh deeply and rub my face. The rest of my life will surely be hell if I get married to that woman. I really don't know if I can do it.
Someone knocks on the door and I'm about to tell the person to fuck off when it opens and I see Tyrone, my childhood friend and closest friend, standing at the door with a big smile on his face. Mrs. Marilyn stands behind him also smiling.
My whole mood lights up instantly and I stand up. "Ty? What are you doing here? I thought you'd be in Paris for another few months?" I walk towards him and we share a hug. Mrs. Marilyn excuses us and I'm pretty elated seeing my half African - half German friend back here with me after he left two years ago to travel the world.
"Well Paris can wait. I heard my closest friend is the CEO of a billion-dollar company now." He states
"Yeah. As you very well knew I was always going to be" I take in his curly hair and light skin. He shrugs.
"Yeah, but it's still a big deal. I would've come back last year but I met this wonderful woman and I wanted to stay longer with her." He sits down and crosses his legs. "Speaking of women, I think I saw someone on my way in that might look like Kandra, considering the way you described her" I stare at him worriedly at how accurately he remembers her and nod.
"Yup, she rained fire and brimstone then left. As always" I say going over to pour us a glass of bourbon. "Wait. You met someone?" I offer him his glass and sit.
"Yup. She's French and her name is Rose. It was unexpected actually, we ran into each other on the Eiffel tower and she helped me fix my camera and we just became so close, she's my girlfriend now." He states dreamily.
"Why am I just hearing about this?" he looks at me. "I mean, I wasn't sure about it at first, and I didn't want to believe I was falling in love but it happened and I guess I was too smitten to tell you" I roll my eyes.
"Whatever. It's not like you remember me anyways. After leaving me here with Micah and the others. Total assholes by the way, I can't even remember when last I spoke to any of them. All they fucking do is party, sleep around and do drugs. Besides, I'm too busy fighting for my life at the company that I couldn't even be bothered. It would have been nice though to see you at least for one day" I take a sip of my drink looking a way, a bit hurt.
"Man, I'm really sorry. I guess I… always assumed you didn't need me or anyone but I was wrong. And I hope to make it up to you, now that I'm back indefinitely." I turn to him shocked. "You're back?"
"Yup. Rose agreed to move with me. She got a job here and she will be here in two weeks and maybe I need to settle down and start a real life. Running from country to continents are not exactly what I can keep doing for the rest of my life. Besides, you need help here, obviously." I roll my eyes again and ruffle his hair.
"Just say you're only here because Rose wants you to stop traveling so much." He laughs awkwardly. "She does" I smile at that. Bro is in love.
"Well whatever. I have to get back to work. Some of us can't abandon everything and travel to Antarctica" I stand up and sit at my desk.
"Yeah, yeah. Why was your fiancée here anyway? And I never asked you if you love her?" he says turning to me from where he's seated.
"I have dinner with her family tonight and if I'm in love with her, then I really don't know what love is."
"Harsh. Is it that bad?" he asks wincing.
"Well, she hurts people, sleeps around, she's narcissistic and she's toxic. What do you think?"
"I think you didn't luck out on the arranged marriage aspect."
"Fair enough" I put on my glasses and continue working. After a beat, I take them off "I mean, it's not like I'm perfect. Before I became CEO, I slept around as well, did drugs and didn't care so much for life but…." I trail off.
Ty tilts his head "But what?" I look away. But since HER, I haven't snorted once or even looked at a woman, talk less of partying. Why is that? I rub my chin thoughtfully.
"Are you just gonna stop talking halfway through?" Ty asks incredulously.
"Sorry. I forgot what I wanted to say" I say and put my glasses back on. He raises a brow.
"Well, when you remember, I'll be at the hotel since their renovating my house." I look up at him and want to ask him why they're renovating his perfectly fine house but I remember he's in love and reserve my question.
"So, I'll see you later?" he stands up
"Sure. No problem"
"Aiit cool. I'm here for you Ez." He says and walks out closing the door. I stare at the space he was in and wonder why I can't tell him about Harlem. But I know why. I myself have no idea what's going on and can't exactly describe what I don't understand.
I shake off the thought and get back to work. I have a dinner to attend.
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I park in the underground parking lot to the Solover's home and take the elevator that leads to the inside. I've been engaged to the woman for almost a year now but I've only been here twice, both times with my dad.
A maid welcomes me at the living room and I take a seat. I didn't bother dressing up for this, just wore what I wore to the office. I look around the beautiful house that radiates upper-class wealth and I wonder why I have to do this again. Why it has to be against my will. Kandra walks in and sees me.
"You're late." She stands a few feet away crossing her arms. She looks decent, which is rare. But I guess even her has things she hides from her family considering she doesn't even live here anymore even as the only child.
"I did say I was going to be" I state with little to no energy. She scoffs and rolls her eyes. "The dining is set." She walks away and I stand up to follow her.
I sit down at the set table full of food and two other empty seats, probably for Mr. and Mrs. Solover. We sit and wait for them to arrive and I think that maybe I should at least talk to her if we're going to be doing this for a lifetime.
"How have you been?" I look at her and she's tapping her phone and doesn't answer me for a good minute. "Don't act like you care. It only makes it worse" she rolls her eyes and goes back to tapping. Okayy, so much for trying.
A minute later Mr. Solover walks in all smiles and beady eyes. I stand up and shake him "Ezra Roth. The CEO of today. How are you doing son?"
"Doing my part as CEO sir. You're looking dashing with health"
"Well, what can I say? Money makes you glow" he says and laughs. I chuckle dryly. "What about Mrs. Solover?" I ask.
"She couldn't make it son, but she sends her regards" I nod and we sit down and he turns to Kandra.
"Daughter. How are you?" he asks, at least she dropped her phone.
"Good, Father." She states and we all start eating. I don't have much appetite so I just go with some salad and German rice. When we're all mostly done eating Mr. Solover speaks "So, I invited you here today to tell you that I and my wife, with your parents have agreed on a wedding date." He says smiling like it's the best thing in the world whereas my food wants to come right back up.
I fake a smile "Oh? When?" I dread his answer. "We decided two weeks should be enough for preparations and we even got the ring but its not here yet. It will be mailed to you." He says to me
"That's wonderful news father." I turn my head slowly to Kandra to see she's… smiling? What the hell? I thought she didn't want this as much as me? I regain composure and say to him "Are you sure two weeks will be enough for preparations?" Are you sure two weeks will be enough for me to run away and change my name?
"It should be fine, we're obviously going to hire the best event planners and they should be able to make it work in due time. You can leave that up to your mothers. They've decided to take it upon themselves" Great. Now they're planning my own wedding.
I smile and nod. Feeling bile rise up to my throat. I glance at Kandra. Well, I've never seen her so happy, even when high. That makes this a lot worse somehow.