บท 10: VERY MUCH A CHECKERED PAST:
Ezra found himself increasingly irritated in the days following the meeting. Damien, for some reason, had transformed into a relentless guardian, as if he had suddenly adopted the role of Ezra's overbearing mother. Like an overprotective GPS, Damien trailed Ezra, shielding him from both real and imagined threats. From nutrient-packed smoothies to unsolicited life advice, Damien's care package seemed to encompass everything except a guide on how to politely ask him to ease up.
Ezra couldn't help but yearn for the days of temporary normalcy between his interdimensional adventures, a time before Damien's mission to turn his life into a collection of cautionary tales began. If only Ezra could somehow convince him that interdimensional mishaps didn't warrant daily wellness checks.
Adding to his frustration was the fact that Damien's overprotective demeanor had spread like wildfire among their acquaintances. It seemed everyone was under the impression that Ezra was harboring a secret terminal illness. The sympathetic and concerned looks from his university friends and the patrons at Maria's café were becoming a burden on his mental peace. Maria, the café owner, even sent him a free cheesecake, perhaps under the assumption that comfort food would somehow cure a mysterious ailment.
In the midst of it all, Ezra couldn't help but wonder if he was trapped in a sitcom where his life had become an exaggerated storyline, complete with an overzealous sidekick and an entire supporting cast convinced he was living on borrowed time.
Even Ezra's aunt had confronted him after dinner, her demeanor heavy and serious, urging him to disclose his nonexistent medical condition. The weight of these discussions added to the growing burden on Ezra's shoulders, all unfolding within the short span of merely three days.
Compounding his stress were the incessant text messages from Louis, each one containing bits of information or opinions about that other world. What grated on Ezra's nerves was Louis subtly steering the conversation toward Maximillian and pressuring Ezra to divulge the information he shared with him to Maximillian. Frustrated, Ezra initially considered redirecting Louis to Damien, who could then disseminate the details to everyone. However, he realized it was unfair to burden Damien with a problem that wasn't his own, even if Damien was willing to help.
In response, Ezra sternly advised Louis to communicate directly with Maximillian. Louis, however, began making a myriad of excuses, prompting Ezra to quickly discern his true intentions. Having been friends with Louis for a considerable time before their falling out, Ezra saw through the facade. It became apparent that Louis harbored a desire to rekindle Ezra's connection with Maximillian, perhaps even orchestrating a reconciliation between the two.
Ezra couldn't help but scoff at the idea. Louis seemed to be laboring under the misconception that he played a decisive role in Ezra and Max breaking up, now weighed down by guilt. While it's true that Louis might have contributed somewhat to their breakup, Ezra didn't perceive it as being as significant as Louis believed. However, reasoning with Louis about this seemed futile; he had firmly convinced himself that he was the cause.
Recalling that period, Ezra remembered when Louis's behavior took an abrupt and perplexing turn. The Louis he had known was typically gentle, quiet, and thoughtful, with a touch of awkwardness that complemented his sweet personality. Despite his imposing height and good looks, which could initially give the impression of a confident playboy, the real Louis was quite the opposite.
Ezra was aware of Louis's previous romantic interest and had gracefully rejected him. At that time, Ezra was already deeply committed to Maximillian, and their relationship was flourishing. Despite the rejection, Louis had maintained their friendship, assuring Ezra that he respected his decision and would continue to be a friend. Ezra valued this friendship highly, appreciating Louis's ability to handle the situation with grace and maturity.
However, this harmony was shattered when Louis underwent a sudden transformation, becoming an entirely different person. Ezra found himself bewildered as Louis began relentlessly pursuing him, aggressively making advances at every encounter. Each time, Ezra unequivocally rejected these advances.
The situation escalated to the point where Louis openly flirted with Ezra, even in the presence of Maximillian, who responded with a threat of physical violence if Louis persisted. Undeterred, Louis continued his inappropriate behavior, prompting Ezra to issue an ultimatum: cease the advances or end their friendship.
In a shocking turn of events, Ezra found himself kidnapped by Louis and confined to Louis' room. Louis, in a desperate plea for acceptance, begged at Ezra's feet. However, Ezra's disgust with Louis's actions remained unwavering. In an act of desperation, Louis forcibly kissed Ezra, and the situation was escalating further when Alice, Louis' younger sister, intervened. With the help of Louis' parents, Alice facilitated Ezra's escape, putting an end to the harrowing ordeal. The incident left Ezra grappling with the betrayal of a once dear friend and the aftermath of a friendship irreparably damaged.
Louis's parents were deeply apologetic to Ezra for Louis' actions, expressing confusion and distress over their son's sudden change. Not wanting any further contact with Louis, Ezra requested Alice to convey his message of permanent estrangement. Despite comforting Louis' family and assuring them that his feelings were not directed at them, Ezra stood firm in his decision to sever ties with their son—a decision they sadly accepted.
Upon learning of the incident, Maximillian's reaction was furious. The intensity of his anger was so palpable that Ezra feared Max might resort to violence against Louis. When Max made it clear that he wanted to teach Louis a lesson, Ezra attempted to dissuade him. Despite his disgust for Louis and the desire to avoid any future encounters, the idea of Max physically harming someone he had once considered a close friend made Ezra uncomfortable. This disagreement led to a heated argument between Ezra and Maximillian, resembling something like this:
"Do you actually like him? Is that it? Is that why you're stopping me from tearing that jerk apart!?" Max demanded.
"No, Max! Please, understand. I don't have any feelings for him. I just want to erase him from my life. Let's forget he ever existed, alright?" Ezra pleaded, his tone earnest and determined.
"He almost forced himself upon you, Ezra!" Max retorted, his concern for Ezra fueling his anger and frustration.
Ezra had noticed that Max was under considerable stress during those days. Despite his persistent inquiries, Max consistently claimed exhaustion from his mother's constant pressure for him to join the family business. Ezra sensed that Max wasn't sharing the full truth, but his attempts to extract more information were met with a tight-lipped response.
The incident with Louis became the tipping point for Maximillian, and he unconsciously unleashed his frustration, almost reaching the brink of physically harming Louis to the point of being unrecognizable. Only through Ezra's desperate interventions each time was a violent confrontation narrowly avoided. Ezra took deliberate measures to ensure that Max wouldn't even come face to face with Louis. Tensions lingered between Max and Ezra for a few days.
During this tense period, Louis approached Ezra. It seemed like a moment of clarity for him as he apologized in a truly heart-wrenching manner. Expressing remorse, Louis claimed he didn't understand what had come over him and insisted he had no intentions of treating Ezra that way. Louis sincerely promised to stay away from Ezra from that point onward.
Despite the seemingly genuine apology, Ezra had reached his limit with Louis. He conveyed that while he wouldn't hold Louis accountable for the incident, he no longer wanted any connection with him. And with that, their eight years of friendship came to an end.
After a few days, Max apologized to Ezra for his previous outbursts and assured him that he wouldn't approach Louis. Deciding to open up about the recent incident with Louis, Ezra had noticed a shift in Max's mood. When Ezra mentioned Louis's words, Max sank into a complicated, gloomy mood, murmuring desperately to himself, "No way... No way." It seemed as though Max was confronted with something he had been trying to avoid for some time. During this moment, Ezra was tightly embraced, feeling Maximillian tremble for the first time.
Attempting to comfort Max, Ezra inquired about what was causing such sudden worry, but Max remained tight-lipped, shaking his head. Following that incident, Ezra observed Max becoming even more concerned and attentive, displaying an increased level of affection. Despite the initial tension, their relationship was back on track, and Ezra made every effort to keep it that way.
Ironically, just when Ezra thought things were somewhat improving, he was involved in a car accident that left permanent scars on his back. In a coma for a few days, when he finally woke up, the only message he received from Maximillian was cold and concise: "I am breaking up with you."
Reflecting on that dark period, Ezra chuckled bitterly before bringing his hand to his forehead and rubbing it in annoyance. Though he didn't believe Louis was a major reason for the breakup, since Maximillian never specified the cause, Ezra had considered Louis as one of the probable factors nonetheless.
Attempting to suppress the growing weight of his emotions, Ezra tried to divert his thoughts, knowing that revisiting these memories would also inevitably bring back the pain of Alice's death. Having lost touch with the Hughes family, Ezra learned belatedly about Alice Hughes's sudden demise due to a heart attack—a few weeks after his car accident. Regrettably, he couldn't attend her funeral. The somber news reached him through his aunt, who, in turn, had heard about Alice's passing and funeral from a client of hers' who was a family friend of the Hughes.
'Wow. Good going, brain. Is this what you call trying to ignore the past? By incessantly recalling the things I least want to dwell upon?' Ezra closed his eyes, mentally berating himself. He attempted to push unnecessary thoughts out of his mind before his mood soured any further. With a heavy sigh, he retrieved his phone and created a group chat. However, later in the day, Damien's tear-jerking display of feeling abandoned prompted Ezra to add him to the chat as well.
In the aftermath, Ezra couldn't help but voice his complaint to Damien, "Why are we so stupid to only now think of making a group chat?"
Damien shook his head in response, "I had initially assumed that, considering your relationships, the texts would pass through me, and I would have to share them with the rest. While Carlisle did text me, it seems Hughes tried to reach out to you instead."
"Oh, Carlisle texted you?" Ezra inquired.
Damien nodded, explaining, "He mentioned being pulled into that world yesterday but hadn't encountered any major events worth mentioning. His entire scene was essentially a monologue about his character's observations of the changes in Miss Heather's character from when he knew her as a kid. I thought it wasn't worth bothering you with, especially given the recent ridiculous incidents. I wanted you to take a break from all that, considering the impact of the most recent one, so I didn't say anything."
Ezra shook his head with an exasperated expression, addressing Damien, "Damy, my guy, cut it out, won't you? This excessive care is starting to make me feel like a toddler getting fussed over. Or worse yet, a terminally ill patient!"
Damien did not say anything, smiled and just opened his phone to rename the group from Ezra's lazy keyboard abuse, 'xgfhg,' to the more refined 'The Supernaturals.' Ezra's face contorted in visible cringe, disappointment written all over as he glanced at Damien, seemingly questioning his friend's eighth-grader level naming abilities.
Refusing to let his honor be tarnished, Damien defended himself, "I don't need the guy who couldn't summon the creativity for a sensible name to judge me!"
Ezra couldn't help but burst into laughter, but his amusement was cut short by a notification. Louis had just sent a message in the group chat.
{Has anybody actually seen Micaela Wintour? Does anybody know what she looks like?}
Ezra's curiosity piqued, and he typed a cautious question in response.
{Why do you ask?}
A reply swiftly followed.
{Her name seems somewhat familiar to me, though I can't put my finger on where I've heard it. I thought if I knew what she looked like, I might recall something.}
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