Chapter 38 Entanglement

Chapter 38 Entanglement
Ezra’s eyes widened upon seeing her. “Miss Facer. You are here. Why are you here?”  
Emma glanced at Josie then returned her gaze to Ezra. She could see how furious he was, but was trying to keep it cool. She had informed him that she was booked this Sunday, but she hadn't mentioned she would be visiting his family at their mansion. 
Ezra cocked his head in his mother’s direction. “Can you explain?” 
“I invited her over. It isn’t her fault.” 
He turned to look at Emma. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming here?" 
“I’m sorry, Mr. Queen. I didn't want to bother you, but Josie said it was an event and you won't be there. I thought you knew.”  
Ezra couldn’t be angry at her. She was not at fault. Again, his mother was attempting to play games. "When I got the call that you had broken your legs, I knew something wasn't right. Seriously? Even so, it makes no sense for you to be doing this. Why didn't you even ask me before inviting her?”
“Mr. Queen,I—” 
“Not now, Miss Facer. I am talking to my mother.” 
“I am sorry,” Emma said, staring at him. Those innocent eyes couldn't even make him angry. He closed his eyes and looked away from her. He wouldn’t want to be angry if he continued to stare at her. 
“Mother. You can’t keep doing this. Miss Facer and I are not romantically involved so whatever you have planned won't work.” 
“You are growing older. At the very least, you should get married and settle down.” 
He threw his hands in the air. “And you believe Miss Facer is the woman I want to wed? Are you kidding me?” 
His comments cut deep into Emma’s heart like a dagger. He wouldn’t want to marry her, of course, and she didn't anticipate that he would, but his words cut to the core of her being. Extremely deep. 
“Ezra. These words hurt, and she is right in front of you.” Josie said.
Ezra breathed out as he looked at Emma. “Miss Facer.” He felt ashamed at that moment over the words he had said. He was at a loss for words with her. He tried to speak, but no words came out. 
 “Why don’t you calm down and join us? We can solve this after.” Josie offered. 
“No.” Emma stood up and repositioned the napkin on the table. “I’m so sorry for coming here. I think it would be best if I left.” 
“Miss Facer.” Josie tried to make her stay. 
“Josie. Thank you for trying to make me feel welcome. It means so much. But I have to go.” She sniffed, trying to fight her tears from being seen. She gave Ezra one final glance then picked up her bag and left.  
Josie glanced at Ezra with her brows furrowed. “Are you satisfied? I hope you don’t live alone and die alone.” She got up, pushed the chair back, and left the room as well. 
“I should be the one angry!” Ezra yelled after his mother had disappeared from view. He gave his dad a quick glance. “Was I being harsh?” 
Ben nodded. “Really harsh. I apologize on behalf of your mother's motivations, but I would pursue Miss Facer if I were you because she seems like a good person. You don’t see good women around all the time.” 
“But dad—” 
"I'm not advocating making an effort to like her. Although you can't force a reaction if you don't like her, your words right then and there were very powerful. It would make her feel less about herself. You are a man of integrity. You are aware of what to do, I'm sure.” He pulled his chair and also left. Ezra sighed with his hands on his waist. 
He left the house in a hurry with the hope of going to her house to apologize but to his surprise, he saw her sitting on the staircase outside. “What are you doing out here? I thought you already left.” 
Emma got up at the sound of his voice. “Mr. Queen.” She adjusted her hair. “I am waiting for my taxi. He will arrive at any moment.”
“I will drive you home.”  
“No. You don’t have to.” She avoided his gaze. She made a bold effort to avoid glancing at his face. Anywhere but his face. 
Ezra exhaled slowly. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I was angry at my mother, and I took it out on you.” 
“I understand. You cannot wed a woman like me. I totally understand. I mean, who would marry a girl like me who grew up in a slum?” Emma laughed, but Ezra could tell she was hurt. Her tears were hidden. It was challenging for her to control her tears while standing next to Ezra Queen, but she tried. 
“Don’t say that. I don’t know what to say... I said so many hurtful words to you and—” 
“I am fine. You will still see me at work tomorrow, so do not worry about that if that is what is bothering you. You'll continue to see Zoe. I can’t keep that right from you.” Emma saw her taxi drive into the compound. "I should leave right away. My taxi is here.” She didn't give him a glance as she got into the car. 
Watching the car leave, Ezra felt uneasy. He placed his hand in his pocket and pulled out his phone. He called Scott. “Where are you?” 
“At the hotel. Why?” 
"You sound exhausted. I'm on my way over right now. I need a drink.” 
 
"Ezra is heading over here. I think you should get going.” Scott remarked as he pulled his shirt from the bed and put it on. He leaned in and kissed her. "Are you sure you still want him?"  
“Of course I do. Don’t tell me you are having thoughts? Just so you know, just because we fuck, it doesn't mean anything between us.” 
“Trust me. I don’t want any emotions tied around it either.”  
“You are such an asshole, Scott.”  
“And you like me like that. That is why you can’t move on from this entanglement. You can keep convincing yourself that you love Ezra, but I am well aware that you will only return to me to be fucked.”  
Standing up from the bed, Heather laughed. Her hands encircled Scott's neck and she bit her bottom lip. "Am I causing you to want to reconsider committing?" 
“No matter how sexy you are. No matter how crazy you make me, I won’t change my mind about committing.” Scott smiled. 
Heather released him frustrated. She picked up her skirt and wore it. “I should get going. I have other ideas on how to win his love once more.” 
“Sure. You do that. However, you should first try to move on from me first. Then, perhaps, your plan will succeed, and you two will be able to live happily ever after.” 
“Bye, Scott. You and I will not engage in this activity again.” Heather moved to the door. 
"I hope so. I'll remind you of these words when you come pleading for me to fuck you.” He grinned as he watched Heather jam the door behind her with a frown on her face. He moved closer to the table and poured himself a drink filled with ice. As he drank from the glass, he glanced at himself through the mirror.
Ezra walked in and sat down on the sofa. "I am so exhausted." 
Scott swung around to face him. “Josie?” 
“You guessed right. She wants to tie me up. Again.” 
Scott handed Ezra a glass of whiskey. “Drink up, my friend.” 
He drank all quickly and set the glass aside. “What have you been up to?” 
“Heather.” 
“Eh?” 
"Earlier today Heather called. She has actually been calling so frequently just to reach you. Talk to her, Ezra, and stop running.” 
“I am not running. I am not just in the mood to talk to her. Besides, I have been busy.”  
“Really?”  
“Yes.” 
Scott began to laugh. “So tell me, did you later meet this girl Emma spoke of?” 
“Zoella?” Ezra nodded. “I met her on Friday, and she looks so much like Emma. Scott, she also paints. Beautifully.” 
“Huh. She at least has similar interests to yours. That is beautiful to hear. What are you going to do about her? Are your parents aware?” 
“I plan on telling them very soon. I really want the world to get to know her, Scott. She deserves so many good things. As her father, I will make sure she gets them.” 
“Calm down, Romeo. You shouldn’t rush this. You should take your time. Maybe let the little girl become a little older before showing her to the world. My advice.” 
“And what do you know about this?” 
"I just want you to let her lead a normal life until she is prepared to face the outside world. I believe Emma only wants the best for the girl. She wants her to be comfortable, and that is why she isn’t pressuring you about putting the child out there.” 
“That child? Her name is Zoella, Scott.” 
“Sure. If it makes you happy, I'll refer to her as that. Be careful tho. And before moving forward with playing daddy, I would still advise you to get a paternity test.”