章 14: Care
Few moments earlier…
Ezra couldn't sleep but kept on thinking about what his mother said about Stella. How could she say these hurtful insults to any women? His mother was once an epitome of politeness to everyone but now as days passes by, she's getting even more bitter.
He remembers the childhood days of his, how happy they used to be.
His mother would cook him and his father breakfast for him to eat before going to school and for his father before going to his nine to five hours job.
Yes, they weren't born into the rich but his father made the impossible possible for them. As he was getting deeper in his start up business the more, he gave attention towards his family.
Elaine, his mother never gave up on Ezra, she tried to fill in the father's figure in his life too when actually his father would be in late night business parties.
Things financially went good day by day. His father bought them a big house, transferred him into a reputed private school with great advances and is well known all over the world. Anyone could tell that they were a happy family but inside things were going wrong.
Ezra observed his parents arguing over very small things or taunting each other over every single thing. At first, he couldn't understand what was happening between them or why they were fighting frequently with each other but soon when he grew up into a newly formed adult, he started to get hints of the situation.
Father kept on going business trips with his colleagues leaving him and his mother alone in that big house all to themselves. He missed the man who used to talk to him, play with him and even eat meals with him. Yes, ever since he became the CEO of his self-built company, he has forgotten the path of his home.
Home where his loved ones are.
Home where his family lived.
Ezra could see how the other housewives used to tease his mother in the same rich society they lived in. His heart ached seeing his mother getting broken days after days and that ache could not be mended by him. Only the love of his father can bring back the happy mother he wanted. His father would only come home occasionally to sleep at home and then gone for days away again.
When he completed his university studies, his father offered him to join the company and learn the ways how to be in his place. Though, he declined.
He declined to be in his father's shoes but Elaine kept on insisting to take on the offer in hopes things will again get better as it used to be. Ezra knows it's too late to bring back the old days to new days but a man can only try.
So, to try to mend things he joined the Italian branch of Knight Industries and started working there. Which was exactly five years ago.
It went well for quite some months but then he saw something he shouldn't have. He discovered the truth he wasn't prepared to unfold in front of his eyes.
Taking part in the interview session with the HR was really a good decision for his father. He liked the potential candidates for the Assistant Manager position but the one who stood out of them all was Scarlett Anders. She was perfect for being his assistant as she had all the qualities and knowledge of assisting him.
Taking her CV and files he walks out of the elevator he took earlier to reach his father's office. He found the entire floor uncertainly vacant but then he realized it's lunch time and that's must be the reason why both the secretary's tables are vacant.
He walks in further to his father's office door and pushes it open only to see the vulgar scene right in front of him.
His father was sitting on his chair; naked.
One of his secretaries lying on the table with legs open apart; naked.
The other one kneeled down in front of his father and sucked him off with her open mouth; naked.
The kneeled down woman sucked his crotch while the vile married man fingered the woman lying naked on the table with legs open apart for him and whimpering in pleasure.
His lips tremble seeing the scene unfolding in front of him. The reason why he doesn't come home anymore, the reason why he stays in his office rather than be home with his kid and his wife.
The reason for the little arguments turning into fights.
The reason why his mother is broken.
Betrayal.
"Father!"
"Mr. Knight?" Jones calls him out on the phone, making him get his conscience back to the present. "Are you asleep, Sir?" Oh, yes, he remembers picking up his call even when his mind was back in his old days.
Rubbing the inner corners of his eyes with his index and thumb fingers he sat up on the bed and replied, "no, I'm awake. Tell me, what's the matter?"
"Ok sir, there's something you need to know about." He states hesitantly.
Ezra frowns at him, "what is it?"
"The police are here; they entered the society gate and are now heading towards our building."
Good God! He mutters under his breath and rakes his hand through his hair in frustration. "What the hell do they want now!"
"What are your orders for me, Sir?" Jones, asks as obedient as expected from him.
Thinking for a moment he orders him. "Just call my lawyer and tell him to reach as soon as possible at my penthouse also, escort the police inside too."
"Okay, as you say." Hearing Jones say that Ezra hangs up the call and starts to tidy up himself.
He wore his full sleeve T-shirt along with baggy trousers and walked out the room with his phone in hand. He strides towards Stella's room as she might be needed to serve them any refreshments if required. He just hopes she isn't into deep sleep or else it might be very hard on his part to cut off her beauty sleep. He just doesn't want to look like a heartless boss in her eyes who doesn't even let the employees sleep at night. If it wasn't urgent, he wouldn't have come down here in front of her room's door.
Just when he raises his hand to knock on her door, he hears her sound. He heard her muttering something but what it was he couldn't make it out. "Stella?" He called out.
But no response from her side except the incoherent muttering she's been doing all this time. "Stella, can you please open the door?" He calls out again along with knocking two more times but still no reply from her side.
His heart beats rose in fear. What if- what if she's in danger or worse what- what if she's hurt unconscious? Shit! He ran upstairs again to fetch the keys of her room; he always keeps a spare key to himself other than the original ones. Only Jones and him have access to the original and spare keys except for Stella's room.
Stella's room key is only accessible to her and him, he didn't allow even Jones to have access to it.
Fetching it he strides back towards her room and puts in the key to unlock the door. Just as he got inside his eyes fell on the pale skin woman who went even more pale seeing a horrific nightmare in her sleep.
He sighs in relief at least she isn't in critical danger but then he walks closer to her and sits on it. Observing closely, he finally heard what she said and it boiled his blood in anger.
She mutters, "leave…" shaking profusely in fear, "please don't…". Sweat beads formed on her forehead and her brows creased in a strained curve, "…have mercy."
His eyes couldn't believe what he encountered; the woman so brave in daylight is actually trembling seeing a nightmare in nightlight. He understood it isn't a dream anymore but a trauma attack as tears leaked through her eyes.
"…leave me… Ri- Ricardo…"
Present moment
"Who is Ricardo?" He demands an answer right now, as the trauma attack seemed very powerful. Only past incidents which are worse for a person comes as a trauma attack. "Stella, don't you dare stay silent after what I have witnessed."
He's mad.
He's beyond furious because the woman just looked down towards her lap without any word escaping from her mouth. "Stella, what happened to you? And what was the trauma attack about?"
She opens her trembling lips to say something but the certain ringing of the doorbell makes them alert about the arrival of some guests. "Who can be here so late at night?"
Ezra, groans in annoyance. He completely forgot about the police arriving here as Stella, seemed more important to him unknowingly. He stares straight into her, "dress up, we have some guests to attend to."
"Anyone close to you?" She asks curiously.
"The police." He says making her look agape at him, yes, he expected that look from her. "After they are gone, we have things to talk about your condition; so, I dare you not to think that you have escaped from my interrogation. Understand?"
Saying that Ezra leaves her room while she keeps on looking at the door and audibly gulps her lump; thinking how she will dodge his questions which won't reveal her true identity.
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