Chapter 20 Unexpected Guest
"Mom!" Winter shouted as soon as she walked into the house. It was alive with energy—people walking about, carrying flowers and wrapped gifts for her grandmother's birthday. This was going to be a huge celebration, and some important people were also on the guest list. That was just how things rolled in Hidden Towel: when one wealthy man threw a party, other rich families got their invites too.
Winter stopped a worker in her tracks. "Have you seen my mom?"
"She’s in her room," the worker answered.
"Thanks!" Winter replied with a smile. As she made her way up the stairs, she paused outside her parents' door. She knocked gently. When Josie answered, Winter opened the door and walked in. "Mom."
Josie was adjusting a dress on a mannequin. "What’s up, sweetheart? Did you find out what I asked you to? I hope he didn’t catch on to anything."
Winter moved closer to her. She took a deep breath. "I’ll get to that in a bit, but first, what’s going on? Isn’t that the dress you chose for Grandma’s birthday?"
"Yes, it is."
"Then why are you the one fixing it? You could just return it to the person who made it for you."
“Ezra will be mad if he finds out there was an error in my dress that one of his designers made.” Josie turned to look at Winter, who was now sitting on the bed. "Did you know I used to be a fashion designer before I met your dad?"
"Seriously? I didn’t see that coming. Why haven’t we heard that story before?"
"Because it didn’t really matter." She took a deep breath and sat down next to Winter. "Your dad became my boss after I worked for a few companies and was let off. He saw potential in me and my work. His company wasn’t this big when we first met. We worked together a lot and made sure people noticed us. When we made it big, I had Ezra, and I guess I liked being a wealthy man’s wife."
"Wow, Mother."
"Today, I tried on that dress and realized it had shrunk. I missed sewing, so I thought I’d fix it myself. It brought back some memories." She glanced at Winter. "So, what did you find out?"
"Heather visited him once."
"Not about Heather. The woman who caught Ezra’s eye. Is she pretty? What’s her name? Did you get to invite her to the party so I can meet her?"
"Chill out, Mom. Just one question at a time. Ezra would totally freak out if he knew why I really came to crash at his place."
"So just keep it uncovered, because I’ll act like I had no clue about this, and he’ll totally buy it. I mean, I did give birth to him, right?"
Winter squinted her eyes, then rolled them, letting out a little groan. "Yeah. She’s cute. I’m planning to make her my bestie. She’s really good at this fashion thing, and Ezra didn’t favor her. People are spreading that rumor that he did because she landed a gig at Level Six on her first day."
"Wow. She must be really talented then. It takes a lot of years and hard work to get there."
"She’s super talented. She’s actually making my dress. You’ll see it at the party."
Josie nodded slowly. "That’s interesting. What’s her name?"
"Emmaline Facer."
"Do you know where she’s from?"
"I didn’t exactly do a background check, Mom."
"Is she seeing anyone right now?"
Winter raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so curious?" Then she sighed. "Oh my gosh. Don’t tell me you’re trying to set him up for marriage."
"No, not at all," Josie laughed nervously. It was clear she had been caught.
Winter burst out laughing. "I know you, Mother. I know you. Background check. Who is she dating? What’s next? Asking if she has kids? That was exactly the look you had when you sent me off to boarding school three years ago."
Josie's smiley face fell. "Hold on. Is this still about the boarding school thing?"
"Yes. Yes, it is. It’ll always be about the boarding school thing. Plus, Ezra doesn’t want you meddling in his marriage plans. Honestly, I think he’s still pretty young."
Josie rolled her eyes. "He’s twenty-seven. Twenty-seven isn’t exactly young and he is successful. I met your dad when he was twenty-five."
"Well, that was back then." Winter hopped off the bed. "I’ve given you the information you wanted. Emma will be at the party. I’m heading back to Ezra’s place now." She strolled to the door, glanced back, and said, "And I’m not sharing any more information. If you want more, figure it out yourself or ask your perfect son." She slammed the door as she left.
Emma let out a sigh of relief as she checked the gown again. It turned out just how she wanted. But this time, she wouldn’t leave it in the office where it could get ruined. She planned to take it with her.
She was the last one out. She remembered to switch off the light, shut the door behind her, and made sure it was locked.
As she neared the garage, a car's headlights flashed on her. Emma raised her hand to shield her eyes from the brightness. The light faded, and she could hear honking. The driver was trying to get her attention.
There was just one person she knew would still be at the office this late if he hadn’t left early—the man she tried to steer clear of: Ezra Queen, the so-called "cold, handsome devil." He wasn’t like this when she first met him. What could have turned him into the person he was now? The unlovable man he seemed to be? It couldn't be what she did, right? It doesn't look important. It was a one night stand after all.
“Miss Facer,” Ezra called out as he stepped out of his car.
Emma glanced at him and lowered her head. “I didn’t realize you’d still be here.” She slowly lifted her gaze to meet his. There was a smirk on his face that made her heart race. How could someone be so good-looking?
“I see your uber hasn’t arrived yet. How about I give you a ride home?”
Definitely not! That was the last thing she wanted—a ride with Ezra Queen! “I’m fine, sir. I’ll manage to get home.”
“I insist. Let me take you home. Then maybe you can consider it the last time. I wouldn’t want to leave you out in the cold while I head home. What kind of man would you think I am if I did that?”
“A cold man?”
"Exactly. Come on," he said while heading to his car, watching her move toward the passenger seat. Emma was determined not to overstep again, like she did last time when she hopped into his backseat. She got in and fastened her seatbelt before he even had a chance to say anything. "Are you good?" He asked.
"Yes. I am. Thank you, sir." She let out a slow exhale.
As he drove, Ezra kept his eyes on the road but couldn’t shake off Winter’s words from earlier that day when he took her out for ice cream: "Emma is really pretty. She’s a lovely woman," Winter had said. Even though he acted like it didn’t bother him, it did. He made a conscious effort not to steal glances at her, as that would only confirm to his sister that he found Miss Facer attractive. But that was the last thing he wanted. An office romance? No way. What would people say about a relationship between a boss and his employee?
He pulled up at the bus stop where he had dropped her off a few days back. Emma was still seated. Her thought was gone. Ezra looked over at her. "Are you getting out?"
"Huh?" Emma shot him a quick look.
"We’re at your bus stop."
"Oh." Right. She couldn’t let him know she was now at a different place. "Thank you, Mr. Queen," Emma said, then she picked up her bag and stepped out of his car. She gave him a little smile before watching him drive off. Immediately, she made her way to the bus stop to catch a bus to her new home.
As soon as Emma got home, she felt a wave of happiness. From the entrance, she started taking off her clothes. Tossing them onto the floor, she sprinted to her room in just her underwear. She had a nice bath, and slipped into her nightgown.
Emma returned to gather her clothes and used that opportunity to tidy up the house. On her way back to her room, her phone began to ring. Her friend's voice sounded a bit off when she picked up.
"Phoebe? Why do you sound like that?"
"I’m so tired. I’m sleeping in the studio right now." Ever since she landed that job with her big client, he paid her well enough for the paintings she made. Phoebe used some of that money to rent a studio.
"Did you track down Jones?" Emma asked.
"No. It’s like he’s vanished from the planet. I can’t find him or any of his friends. Maybe he knows I’m searching for him and is avoiding me."
"Maybe. Are you alright?"
"Hmm. I’m good. I just..." They were interrupted by the doorbell.
"Hold on." Emma walked over to the door and swung it open. Her hand froze mid-air, phone pressed to her ear. Eyes wide, jaw slightly dropped. She dropped her gaze to the screen for a second, then back up. She placed the phone back to her ear. “I’ll call you back, Phoebe.” She ended the call. She blinked rapidly, and swallowed hard. “Zoella?”
"She was really hoping to see you again. I have not seen her this excited before. I had to bring her over early. Is that alright?" the matron asked.
“No, no worries at all,” Emma said happily, her shoulders relaxing as she smiled warmly. “I’m thrilled she’s here. Would you like to come in?” she added, stepping aside to gesture toward the house.
“It’s getting late. I was heading out for something important, but I thought I’d drop her off first.”
“Thanks a lot, ma’am.” Emma shifted her attention to Zoella, crouching slightly to meet her gaze. “Welcome to your new home.”
“I will come to do a check up soon to see if this is the right place for her.”
Emma nodded. Then she reached out and took the little girl’s hand, gently guiding her inside.
“Here are her bags,” the matron stretched forward. Emma grabbed Zoella’s luggage from her, adjusting the handle.
“I’ll be on my way now.” The matron smiled warmly at Zoella. “Just keep being a good girl, alright?”
Zoella nodded.
“Thank you so much! Have a safe journey,” Emma said, nodding politely as she closed the door behind her. She looked down at Zoella with a gentle smile. “Let’s get you all settled into your new home.”