บท 10: High Hopes
Scarlett's footsteps froze once she heard him call out her name, so she waited outside the office and took a deep breath. Just because the receptionist couldn't get a hold of Ezra's assistant even after calling countless times, she suggested she reach the office directly. Maybe even the receptionist knew where the assistant was busy, guess this was her way of telling me our boss's reality.
So, is the relationship between her and him the same?
Her pride is just a little thing for him then.
"You can go inside now." Carly says before getting out of the room while wiping her lips with the back of her thumb finger.
She nodded at her out of courtesy and prepared to go inside when suddenly she caught a hold of her elbow, bringing her close. "Don't get so shocked as you will be seeing us quite often, together like this. So, get used to it from now on."
Saying that Carly, strutted away with her weird walking rhythm.
Scarlett shakes her head to calm herself down as the words of Carly's did set a turmoil of disappointment in the pit of her stomach. This isn't the man she thought she can trust, guess people change for better and for worse; Ezra, definitely changed into worse.
"May I come in, Sir?" She says standing again on the doorway seeing him taking his hand through his hair sitting in his chair.
Ezra's eyes fell on her upon hearing, "oh, now you are asking?" His tone held no politeness, rather it was harsh and filled with taunt. There's no doubt within him that he's ashamed of getting caught by her.
She raises her eyebrow, "I'll take that as a yes." Walking in more she sets the food carrier on the coffee table and points him a look directed to it. "Your food, Sir."
He stares at her mocking posture before standing up from his seat, his eyes never left hers and neither hers. "Next time, try not to invade my personal space without my permission." He noticed how her eyes lost the glint now, which every time he used to see it. No, he didn't mean his words for her to take it in a wrong way, "I just don't want you to see my- vulnerable side."
She chuckles, trying hard to hide the anger behind it but she fails. "I thought this is where you work, how can a man like you even call it personal space?" Ezra was shocked to see her this side, his eyes glued to her pursed lips and furrowed eyebrows. "You should have thought before bringing your personal pleasure in your work space." Fuming with anger she brings herself down on her knees and starts to put the food in order for her so-called Boss to eat.
His lips curve instantly into a smile. "You seem quite upset about it, Ms. Robinson." Getting down on his knees too beside her, he tugs on the locks of her hair behind her ear.
Scarlett glances back at him for his small gesture, "does it matter?" He tilts his head to the side in response.
"What do you think?" He asks.
She rolls her eyes at him, "it shouldn't and I too have no issue with what you prefer in your lifestyle but only as long as you don't pull me in it."
The situation became more complicated than it was, he didn't mean for her to step back from the small connection they had. "I don't understand, Ms. Robinson, why would you even think that? Because I would never pull you into my mess like this, not the way you think."
His words are thawing her heart, she wanted to be as cold as ice but his words melted every ounce of coldness left. But this is frustrating, one time, he's disappointing her and the other time he's winning her. She shook her head at him and asked directly, "is it only your assistant or do you have forbidden relationships with all your employees?"
He looks taken aback with her question, "why do you want to know?"
She glares at him, "don't you get it? People look at me as if I'm one of your conquests too. It's hard to face anyone and people throw judgment at me. So please tell me, is it only Carly or do you sleep with every employee who fancy your eyes."
"Did you eat?" He asks.
"What?"
He looks down at her hands and repeats, "did you eat your meal or not?"
She didn't like how he changed the topic without a good explanation, "it shouldn't be your concern."
Saying she lifted herself up the floor and tidied her dress up from any crease. "Where are you going?"
He asks just as he saw her leaving again, "to the waiting room."
"Stay here until I finish."
"I will, in the waiting area." She argues.
"But I insist you to stay here, you hardly look like any employee. People might mistake you as one of my guests."
She turns around again towards him only to find he's standing and reaching out to her but she raises her hand to stop him. "If you are concerned about my attire, then, kindly provide me with something relatable and as per staying here with you?" She smiles bitterly at him, "I can't afford to stay in the same room as you with a closed door for more than ten minutes… it will probably seem I have taken Carly's and your other female employees' place."
Red. He saw red in anger.
Her words held the bitter truth of himself-character and it made him despite himself more than he already did. Just when she was about to open the door, he slapped on it hard to shut, making her gasp. He held her shoulder and turned her back to face him while caging her by the door. She was about to object to him about this uncertain behavior but he put his finger on her lips to stop. "Don't worry Ms. Robinson, I won't cross any line which you have drawn between us."
"Then what the hell is this, Mr. Knight!" She glares at him, to which he could only find himself more drawn towards her.
"You need to know that I don't sleep with my female employees, there's talk about it only because Carly makes it seem like that but no, I'm not the vile man you think I am."
Her heart pounds seeing the closeness between them but Ezra makes sure his face isn't too close to her private space. How could she even think this man can be the predator when she sees only a broken person trying to prove his innocence?
She gulps down her hard lump as now he is starting to make her feel intimidated by seeing this side of his. There's aggression but there's understanding and patience too within him. This shows how passionate he could be with one only if he's willing to try and the bubble of joy starts to form in her heart when she realizes it's her, he's trying to be passionate with her. But then why would he choose Carly, and destroy this emotion filled man into a harsh convicted soul?
She couldn't help but ask, "why her? Why Carly, Ezra?" she places her hand on his chest and presses more into the matter, "why did you choose her out of all? Why this exception?"
His eyes fell down to the floor while his grip on her shoulder tightened hearing her say his name but also the reason behind this certain mention, she could understand then and there, something was more into it; more than she could see. "You wouldn't understand, as I said, I won't let you come into my mess. I just want you to fade away and try to understand our situation."
"I don't know what it is with you but I can never fade away the line between us. I don't forget my ethics no matter how badly I am broken and devastated." She states. "I will always treat you by staying within my boundaries and you should too."
"Then stay."
Her hand now pushes him gently, "not today, Mr. Knight. Maybe someday when you can show me what you were five years ago. This isn't the Ezra Knight, I hoped to work with, bring back yourself and get your reward."
This time he didn't stop her and let her go. Stella left but the impact of her words stayed. He can't believe how much it affects him and what she thinks about his lifestyle, his desire to have her was still growing but his longing for her presence around him ignited more and more.
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