Chapter 27 Visiting
The next morning, Ezra woke up with a mild headache. He stared at the ceiling for a moment before dragging himself out of bed. When his phone buzzed, he reached for it and noticed the news feed that had popped up. "New Favorite Designer of Queens Fashion Company: Miss Emmaline Facer." There was a photo of her getting out of a limo attached to it. He knew she would win the title. Given how she had showcased herself and made Winter's fabric, he had no doubt she would succeed.
He grabbed the aspirin from his bedside and swallowed it with a glass of water he picked up from the table. Ezra yawned as he approached the curtain and pulled it back. The morning sun beamed onto his face and he took a sharp breath. He turned his attention to the door where Cody was standing. "Come here, boy," he beckoned. Cody dashed over, and he gave him a pat on the head. "Are you ready for your morning walk?" Ezra interpreted Cody's roll on the ground as a yes. "Good boy." He exited his room while holding the leash.
Ezra felt a sense of relief as soon as he stepped outside. Since the estate was home to many celebrities, he knew he wouldn't be bothered there. The security was tight, and not just anyone could enter the estate. He continued his walk and aimed to clear his mind. He would soon be heading to work to earn more money. The last thing he wanted was for his mental health to suffer.
Ezra got home right at seven o'clock. He took a shower and got dressed for work. Milan arrived with his morning coffee as usual. "Good morning, sir. I suppose it's time for us to leave," Milan said, picking up his bag from the table.
Ezra stayed quiet until they got to the car. "Make sure to get Miss Facer’s face on the billboard today, and let her know she needs to prepare for ads and TV commercials. The media will be here today for a conference with her about how she works her magic on dresses. From now on, she’s going to be super busy. This will help me make more money. Don’t forget that."
"Yes, sir," Milan replied as she buckled her seatbelt. The driver headed straight to the company.
Once Ezra got to his office, Milan picked up the phone to call the level 1 office. "What do you mean Miss Facer isn’t in?"
"She hasn’t shown up at all this morning," Floria answered.
"But she’s never late," Milan said, confused.
"I’m not sure what’s going on. I think she might be sick? Gia and I will check on her at home after work," Floria said.
"No, you don’t need to do that. Thanks for the info," Milan said before hanging up. She made her way to Ezra’s office and knocked. When she entered, she saw Ezra getting ready to work on his files.
He looked up at her. "What’s up?" Milan hesitated, and Ezra narrowed his eyes. "Is something wrong?"
"Miss Facer, um..." She intertwined her fingers nervously.
"What’s happened to her?"
"She hasn’t come to the office yet."
Ezra blinked. "That’s strange. She’s never late."
"I mentioned that, but her colleague said she hasn’t arrived."
Ezra sighed and waved his hand dismissively. "You can go now." He then closed the file in front of him.
"Sir, what’s your plan? The media team is arriving in an hour."
"Just buy some time. I need to figure out why she hasn’t shown up yet," Ezra replied. He watched Milan left his office, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. The only reason she was missing was because of him. He knew that. He recalled how he had shouted at her on Sunday morning. Ezra let out a slow groan as he got to his feet. He grabbed his suit and, while heading out, called Scott. If Scott knew when Emma returned from Mexico, he should also know her address.
He walked to his car and Scott spoke through the phone, "Why do you need her home address? What makes you think I even have it?"
"Because I know you. You already know where she lives, and that’s why you were so quick to want her out of Hidden Towel."
"Ezra, you should really think this through before bringing that child into the picture."
"This isn’t about Emma and the child."
"Then what is it about?"
"It’s about work, Scott."
"You want to find out where she lives for work reasons, not because your heart is racing to see her? Come on, this isn’t three years ago. You’re an adult now. You can manage your feelings. You can have any woman you want."
"Scott, the media team will be here in a few minutes. I need to get Emma to the office before they arrive, or I’ll lose money for even calling them in the first place. You know how I feel about losing money?"
"Okay. Okay, I’ll send you the address. Just be careful around her. She’s tricky."
Ezra heard a beep after the call ended. He checked his phone, and saw the address. It struck him as odd. This wasn’t the bus stop where he usually dropped her off; it was a different location. He started his car and drove out.
"Zoella is an extraordinary child who has a lot of knowledge at just three years old. Please make sure she gets the attention she deserves," Emma told the headmistress.
"You don’t have to worry, Miss Facer. We’ll keep an eye on her and monitor her progress. The children are our main focus," the headmistress replied as she stood up after Emma.
"Thank you very much," Emma responded.
"You can come to pick her up around 3 p.m. The kids will be out by then."
"Okay. Can I see her one last time before I go?"
"Of course! She’s your daughter, Miss Facer. You can see her before you leave."
Emma exited the principal's office and went to check on Zoe. A smile spread across her face when she saw Zoe happily settled in. She wasn’t painting anymore; instead, she was giggling with a group of kids. Just a few days staying with her, and she was already engaging with other children her age. This warmed Emma’s heart. She took a deep breath before heading out.
Zoella’s school was nearby and as soon as Emma got home, she changed out of her pajamas. She had been thinking about what Phoebe had said the day before. No! She wouldn’t go back to work for the Queens Company. She would find every way possible to earn money and raise Zoe as her own. She had caused Ezra a lot of hurt, and she didn’t want to do that anymore.
Emma made her way to the bathroom to freshen up. She could still recall how joyful Zoe was when she got home yesterday. That little girl had given her a big hug, and it truly warmed her heart. They had talked about starting school. "I’ve never been to school before," Zoella had said in her adorable little voice. She might be clever, but she still had some words that her teeth couldn’t quite say right.
"But the orphanage taught you some things, didn’t they?"
"Yes. How to draw and play, and... multiplication, and..."
"Already?"
Zoella nodded. "Not for little girls like me, but I learn with the older kids."
"Wow. You must be really smart."
She giggled. "Emma, the matron says that all the time."
Emma reached out and playfully touched her cheek. "Well, she’s right. And I’m lucky to have such a smart girl like you in my life. How about we go to the park to play after school?"
Zoella immediately hugged her. "That sounds awesome! I’m so happy for school." She gasped. "I need to find something to wear."
"Go to your room. I’ve got a surprise for you." Zoella dashed off to her room in excitement.
On her way to the market, Emma had thought Zoe would need new clothes for school, along with a new backpack and shoes. She had already bought those and set them on the bed to surprise the little girl.
"I love them so much!" Zoe exclaimed as she rushed out of her room, hugging Emma again along with the items in her hands. "I love them."
"They’ll look great on you tomorrow."
"You’re the best, Emma."
Emma stepped out of her room when she heard a knock on her door. Who could possibly be visiting her on a Monday morning? She wasn’t expecting anyone, and it definitely wasn’t Phoebe. She opened the door, but her quick rejection faded before she could even say the first word.
The man standing on her doorstep was definitely not Phoebe. Nothing about him resembled her best friend. From his wavy hair, to his ocean-blue eyes, to his charming lips.
"Hi." He spoke in a deep voice that seemed to shiver. "I came to see you. Turns out I’m at the right place." His smile was so warm and lively that it felt almost too much.
Oh no. Her legs were starting to shake, signaling that they wouldn’t support her for long. Any moment now, she was going to make a fool of herself in front of Ezra Queen.
"Can we talk?" He asked, looking like he was ready for a conversation. "Congrats on getting the tit—"
"I have to go." Her stomach churned and she immediately shut the door.
The last thing she saw was the shocked expression on Ezra’s face from her sudden exit.
"What is wrong with you?" Emma shouted. "It’s fine. You’ll have to face him eventually."
She heard a knock, which made her heart race. Emma swallowed hard as she approached the door again.
When she opened it, she composed herself, looked him in the eyes, and said, "Please. Come on in."