THIRD PERSON POV
Aurelia tried her best to stay calm as they turned into a trendy shopping district, and Ezekiel parked in front of a chic boutique. “Ava’s Haven” read the sign above the door.
Ezekiel gracefully opened Aurelia’s door, offering a gallant hand. “Shall we?”
Aurelia’s gaze flickered from to building to his hand, uncertainty bubbling within her. But she took his hand, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip.
Ezekiel helped her out of the car, holding a bright smile as she followed his lead.
Inside, the boutique was a haven of style and elegance, with shoes with stunning designs.
Aurelia’s lips parted in awe as she looked around, her gaze landing on a pair of low emerald green heels.
It shimmered with velvety emerald green leather, featuring delicate silver filigree ankle straps, flower-shaped buckles, and a slender crystal-encircled toe, exuding understated elegance and sophistication. But when she caught sight of the price tag, it shook her to her bones.
It was a whopping five thousand dollars!
She was so busy admiring the shoe, that she didn’t notice Ezekiel’s steady gaze. Ezekiel watched Aurelia silently, wondering what about her caught Luke’s attention. He wouldn’t deny that she was a beautiful woman, but the Luke he knew had high standards, and surely he wouldn’t settle for a mere employee.
It intrigued him. So he was determined to find out Aurelia’s allure for himself.
Someone cleared their throat, cutting into the moment, and both Aurelia and Ezekiel hipped their head forward.
“Well well well, what do we have here?” A tall beautiful woman stood behind the counter, her brows arched in keen interest as she looked between Ezekiel and Aurelia.
Aurelia’s eyes widened momentarily. She knew what that look was and it caused her cheeks to redden in embarrassment.
Ezekiel took off his glasses, gingerly tucking it into his pockets. “Long time no see Ava.”
Ava stepped out of the counter and wrestled Ezekiel into a tight hug, her bubbly laughter filling the space around them. Ezekiel hugged her back, happy to see an old friend.
Ava pulled back from the hug, her lips spread into a Cheshire grin. “Rescuing damsels in distress, Zeke?” Ava teased, eyeing Aurelia’s broken heel. Suddenly feeling conscious, Aurelia moves closer to Ezekiel.
She took note of how the lady addressed him, and it was obvious that they were familiar with each other. This only made her presence more awkward, like she was interrupting an intimate moment.
Ezekiel waved Ava off, throwing an arm over Aurelia’s shoulder. Aurelia stiffened as he pulled her closer to his side, the fruity scent of his cologne enveloping her.
“Just doing my good deed for the day.” Ezekiel teased, and Ava rolled her eyes at him. “Do you think you can help us with something? And quick?”
“You bet I can.”
Aurelia wanted to appear unaffected, but she was internally panicking. She subconsciously tuned out of their conversation, painfully aware of how her body pressed against his. How is fingers gently brushed against her shoulders in a soothing pattern.
It was too much for her brain to process. A million and one questions shot through her mind at that moment, each one scrambling over her sense of reasoning.
Meanwhile, Ezekiel engaged in small chatter with Ava, but from the corners of his eyes, he noticed Aurelia’s reaction. He fought the urge to laugh, enjoying the effect he had on her. It was more than amusing.
Ava led Aurelia to a stunning collection of shoes, but none seemed to catch her eye.
“So spill the tea, is she your new girlfriend? You only bring your lovers to my shop.” Ava dropped the question while Aurelia tried on a random pair of pumps. She sat on a sofa in the dressing room, a thin curtain separating her from where they stood.
Aurelia’s hands flattering on the straps of the shoe, her heart rate picking up. Why? She had no idea. She anxiously waited for Ezekiel’s reply, expecting him to refuse immediately, but instead, he chuckled.
“Not yet.” he finally said.
Aurelia’s breath hitched in her throat. Not yet?! She screamed in her mind, but before she could go any further, Ezekiel walked through the curtain.
Aurelia whipped her head forward, trying to act like she hadn’t just heard what he said.
She continued to fumble with the strap of the shoes, her hands worked, but her mind had logged out.
Ezekiel bit on his lower lip. He was sure she heard him, he made sure that she did. And as he’d expected her reaction was priceless. She was so fun to tease. He didn’t think he would enjoy it so much, so much that he’d almost forgotten his original motive.
This was simply all to get revenge on his good friend Luke. Why? Well, that was a story for another day.
“Here.” Aurelia jolted in shock as Ezekiel knelt before her, offering her the emerald heels she admired earlier. “You wanted these right?”
Aurelia gulped her spit, her mind going blank. Why? Why was he doing this? She couldn’t rely on logic anymore, and being the chronic overthinker that she was, it drove her crazy.
Taking her silence as a go-ahead, Ezekiel took it upon himself to help her wear the shoes. Aurelia flinched as his hand cradled her foot, his fingers brushing against her bruised ankle.
“Does it hurt much?” He looked up at her, and she avoided his gaze, hiding her flushed face in the crook of her elbow.
“Uhm…. j-just a little.”
she stuttered, his elegant beauty getting the better of her. No girl in their right mind wouldn’t gush over a moment like this. It reminded her of the iconic scene in Cinderella, but the only difference was that she wasn’t a princess, and Ezekiel was more than a prince.
Aurelia knew it was too expensive for her to accept, but she was slightly touched by the fact that he noticed she wanted them.
Ezekiel held a gaze, a smile creeping up his features. A genuine smile. And it shocked him.
“Mr. Sterling.” Aurelia’s firm voice caught his attention, and he hummed in response, slipping the heel against her feet.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” she found the courage to
ask. “This seems inappropriate.”
First, it was the CEO’s weird kindness, now him. It was hard to wrap her head around it all, or could it be because of the kiss?
Ezekiel’s mischievous grin returned.
“Why is my reason for doing this so important?” he replied, his tone light and playful.
Aurelia took a deep breath.
“But… we barely know each other. I’m just a-”
“Common employee?” Ezekiel finished, his voice dripping with amusement.
Aurelia hesitantly nodded, her hands fumbling with the hem of her skirt.
But then, his expression turned sly. “That didn’t stop Luke, did it?”
Aurelia’s shoulders went rigid, her lips parting in awe as her heart thundered against her chest.
What was he talking about? Aurelia hoped it wasn’t what she thought, but he opened his mouth to continue, and Ezekiel’s next words left her breathless.
“I mean… aren’t I ahead of him on your sex bucket list?”
Aurelia’s face paled, dead crawling up her throat and suffocating her.
The list.
How did he know about the list?
The same list that had caught Luke’s attention.
The same list that had changed everything.
She managed to stammer out two words:
“How… did…?”
Ezekiel’s smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with taunting mystery.
“Zeke.” Ava walked into the room, but her steps faltered as she quickly sensed the heavy tension. “Uhm? Did I interrupt a make-out session?”
“Yes-” Ezekiel started,
“No!” Aurelia cut him off, her face was redder than a tomato, and this pulled a rippling laugh from Ezekiel.
Embarrassed, Aurelia sprung to her feet, going forward to ask Ava for directions to the bathroom. Ava was confused but answered still, and Aurelia rushed out of the room while cursing herself.
Ezekiel caught his breath, wiping the comical tears from his eyes and he sat up. Ava narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion, but she didn’t pry.
“You should stop teasing the sweet girl.” Was all she said, handing him Aurelia’s cell phone. She had left it on the counter. “Someone’s been calling it nonstop.”
Ava left the room, and Ezekiel’s expression turned serious as he glanced at the phone screen.
ELEVEN MISSED CALLS; CEO GRAHAM.
His eyes twitched, a shadow crossing over his features. But then he smiled a twisted smile that spelled nothing but trouble.
Just then, the phone rang once more, and Ezekiel stared at it, deliberating whether he should take it or not. On the fourth ring, he peeked through the curtains, checking to see if Aurelia was still busy.
Once the coast was clear, he picked up the call.
“Aurelia, where are you?” Luke’s irritated voice reached his ears, and it made his chest tighten with a mix of annoyance And excitement.
“Aurelia can’t answer the phone right now,” Ezekiel replied smoothly, and the line went silent for a moment, but his grin only widened at that. He could hear Luke’s harsh breathing so loud and clear.
“Sterling.” Luke finally said, his voice stiff and low. “What the fuck are you doing with Aurelia’s phone?” The threat was clear, but Ezekiel was more amused than intimidated.
“You can leave a message after the beep.”
“Don’t you dare-”
Ezekiel cut the call, his shoulders high with pride. But Luke was persistent. He called again, and Ezekiel took the call.
“Sterling.” Luke was seething with anger. “What game are you playing?”
Ezekiel hummed thoughtfully before answering, his fingers fiddling with his ponytail.
“Why don’t you come to get a copy of the rules of the game?”
“What?”
“Meet me at the casino if you’re so curious.”
Luke chuckled darkly, causing Ezekiel to arch a suggestive brow.
“But do remember,” He continued, his ears perking at approach sound of heels clicking against the marble floors. Aurelia was making her way back to the room.
“Curiosity kills the cat Arroyal.”