Chapter 31 Accepted To Work At The Restaurant!
"I feel so exhausted." Winter opened the door to Ezra's office, yawning and stretching as she entered. "Hey bro." She made her way to the couch and collapsed onto it.
"I heard you call home saying you'd be crashing at my place last night. I didn't see you or hear you come in."
Winter gasped, lifting her head to look at him. "I hope you didn't tell Mom and Dad that I didn't show up."
Ezra shook his head. "I won't spill the beans just yet, but sometimes you need to be responsible and own up to your actions. If you say one thing, it should be that and not the opposite."
"I'm really sorry. I lost track of time."
"You should have given me a call."
"Yeah, I should have. I'm really sorry." She groaned as she got up, hands on her head, heading for the door. "My head is pounding."
"And where do you think you're off to?" Ezra paused his work to focus on her.
"The bathroom. I need to wash my face. I look terrible. No more late-night parties for me."
"Be careful." He watched Winter leave before returning to his tasks. A little while later, Ezra picked up his phone to call Milan. Just then, he heard a knock. "Come in."
Milan walked in and stood in front of him. "You called, sir."
"Is Miss Facer not here yet?" he asked. Milan shook her head. "Her illness must have worsened. Send some flowers and label it from the office."
Milan's eyes grew wide. "Sir. Flowers? This isn't a funeral."
"Don't sick people get flowers? They're not just for the deceased, you know?"
Milan nodded. "You're right. I'll send flowers to her house."
"I'll take care of it! I'll take care of it!" Winter rushed into the office. "I'll do it," she shouted again, trying to catch her breath.
Ezra leaned back in his chair. "And what are you planning this time?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest.
"Nothing. I promise.”
“Mm-hm.”
Winter sighed. “I really want to make it up to you for covering for me. This is the least I can do."
"There are people I can send, Winter," Ezra replied.
"But I'm quicker, and you won’t even have to pay.”
He started to feel suspicious again. His sister's reluctance to do this definitely raised some red flags.
Ezra scowled.
“Please. Please, let me do this to make up for my mistake and failure to keep my promise. Please. I’m begging you, Ezra."
Ezra looked at Milan.
"Well, she did offer," Milan said.
"Please let me handle this," Winter pleaded again.
Ezra nodded, meeting Milan's gaze once more. "Alright. Let her deliver it. Give her the address and the flowers."
Emma stopped for breakfast on her way back from Zoe's school. After all the nonsense from Phoebe yesterday, she felt she deserved a little treat. Once she got home, she locked the door behind her.
Her phone started ringing and she picked it up. "Hello?"
"Hey, it’s the manager. I just wanted to let you know that there’s an opening for you. Can you start tomorrow?"
"Sure, that works for me, “ Emma said early. She felt instantly happy.“Thank you so much, sir! You will not regret it." She hung up and took a deep breath, as she walked into her room. Now she just had to chill until three when she would pick up Zoe again. She changed out of her clothes, took a bath, and put on something different. As she left her room, she thought about whether to take a walk before sleeping or the other way around. In the end, she decided to go for a walk.
Emma opened the door to head out when she saw Winter standing there, ready to knock and also holding a bunch of flowers.
Her heart skipped a beat. "Winter?"
"Hey, Emma!" Winter pulled the flowers away from her face and laughed nervously. "I was just about to knock when you opened the door."
"And I was just heading out," Emma said, pointing at the flowers in Winter's hands. "So, what’s with the flowers? Please tell me you didn’t pick those up on your way here to give to me?"
"No, no, I didn’t get them on the way here," Winter chuckled. She couldn’t mention that the company told her to give them to Emma either. Why not just twist the truth a bit and let them be happy since they were from her brother? "They’re from Ezra. He asked me to give them to you."
"Really?" Emma raised her brows, skeptical of Winter’s words. After all, this was the playful Winter who had tricked her before, and every time she did, it always ended up with Ezra.
“Personally,” Winter said with a sly smile.
“Mm-hm.”
"I’m serious this time. He mentioned you were sick. You don’t look sick at all."
"I’m feeling unwell." Emma accepted the flowers from her. "Thanks a lot." She turned to go inside, but as she was about to shut the door, Winter stopped her. Emma peeked her head through. "Is there more to be said?"
"Yes, I’m not finished with what I wanted to say. Can you at least let me in?"
Emma hesitated, then let out a sigh. "Okay, fine. Come on in." Winter happily walked in. As she settled onto the couch, her gaze explored the whole house. "Would you like some water?"
"No, I’m good. Let’s just get to the point. You should sit down."
Emma took a seat. "Is this serious?" she inquired.
"Not really. It’s just that my mom sent me here too."
"Mrs. Josie Queen?"
Winter nodded. "Yep. Mrs. Josie Queen. She mentioned there was a price you didn’t get on the day the title was handed over."
"A price?" When Winter nodded again, Emma repeated, "A price?"
"Yes. She said it would be given at the mansion on Sunday."
"Is there another event happening?"
"Exactly. You should wear your best dress. The media will be there."
"Mr. Queen didn’t mention that to me. I’ll call him."
Winter shook her head instantly and yelled loudly. "No. You can’t do that!"
"Why not?"
"Because..." She quickly searched for a lie that wouldn’t make her get caught. "Because he’s unaware of it."
Emma brows furrowed. "But he’s the CEO. He’s aware of everything."
"Emma. My brother wasn’t present when the title was given to you. He won’t be around for the price, either. The chairlady, who turns out to be my mom, set this up, and she will see it through."
"That’s true." Emma nodded slowly. "Please let her know I’ll be there."
"You have to be there." Winter got up. She had done her part. As she walked to the door, she adjusted her skirt. "Get well soon, Miss Facer." A pleased smile crossed her face as she exited Emma’s home. On her way to the car, Winter pulled out her phone. "Mom. The task is complete, so expect Miss Facer on Sunday. I told you I wouldn’t let you down, and I didn’t."
"Great job, Winter. Now, it's my turn. Let me deal with Ezra."
Ezra was struggling to concentrate. It was only the second day since Emma didn’t show up, but he was already missing her. He sighed repeatedly. Then grabbed his phone when it began to ring. "Hey Scott. What’s up?"
"Just checking in on you. Wanted to make sure you haven’t done anything you shouldn’t," Scott said.
"You know if you were as caught up in your life as you are in mine, you’d have settled down and had kids?"
Scott couldn’t help but chuckle on the other end. "Kids are a nightmare. Trust me. You don’t want one. Oh wait. You already did." His laughter continued.
"Enough with your teasing. How's everything going with you?"
"Are you coming over this time? No, Heather. I swear."
"Yeah, I should definitely come over. I've been really stressed today. I could use a drink to settle my nerves."
Actually, he needed a drink to take his mind off Emma. The fact that she had been on his mind since he got to work that morning was making him rethink the kind of guy he was. Cold and cruel. Even if she turned out to be a past flame or something, he wasn't about to suddenly become the CEO who hooked up with one of his designers in the office.
"I'll see you in 20."
Ezra hung up the phone. He opened his bottom drawer to put in a file but he stumbled upon Emma's resume. He let out a sigh.
"So this was where you were hiding?" He had been searching for it to add to the pile of resumes he had collected, but it seemed this one enjoyed playing hide and seek. He put the resume back, stood up and grabbed his suit.
Ezra felt a wave of relief as he opened the door to Scott's room. When he walked in, Scott was nowhere to be found. He was just so worn out from all the work and thinking, and he really just wanted to relax. He headed over to where Scott kept the alcohol.
He poured himself a glass and downed it in one go then he heard Scott's voice and laughter. He rolled his eyes. "You can't do that here. You know that," he said as soon as Scott walked in. He had three slim girls with him. They were clearly strippers. Scott had a knack for getting strippers to come over whenever he wanted. Why not have them come to him instead of him going out to them? He had the money.
"They aren't for me. They're yours."
"Scott." Ezra squinted and groaned.
"Just try to have some fun and stop being such a drag. I taught you to do better."
"I'm exhausted and need to rest. Girls aren't my focus right now."
"You can leave, girls. I'll definitely want you back later." He kissed the cheeks of the three girls and playfully touched their chests. Scott whistled at the way their hips moved and they disappeared from view. "What's up with you?" he walked over to him.
Ezra inhaled deeply. "I just need a drink. Just to clear my mind, and that's all I'm having."