Chapter 44
Forty Four
Kaeli
Ibanned Ezra from coming anywhere near my sore, aching pussy.
It’s been a week since he confessed his love for me rather dramatically, and he hasn’t been thrilled about it, but relented because what else can he do?
I chuckle to myself as I flip through the recent analytics for the content, when a memory of Ezra leaving for his practice with a pout earlier this morning flashes in my mind.
Since we have come back from Seattle, he hasn’t left my side and has taken to staying at my place more often than not. He even asked for the key to my place, which I happily gave.
This morning, I almost used his shampoo instead of mine and tripped over his shoes. Though he hasn’t officially moved in, it feels like he has. I haven’t felt happier, and my place more lived in or domestic.
His outburst at my parents’ place led me to finally tell my parents how I feel, how I have felt since childhood. I know they love me. But somewhere while cheering for Roman, they forgot I’m equally talented and worthy in my own ways.
I felt bad about Ezra shouting at Roman because it was I who made him swear not to say anything to our parents when I was in high school.
Roman tried to strike up a conversation about it with them a couple of times, but it never got anywhere, and I didn’t want to cause a rift between our family because he would get so angry for me, and they were all I had.
I won’t lie, though. Hearing my parents apologize to me the next day and their promise to work on their behavior did ease a lot of my worries and solidified what I already knew. Even though what they did was wrong, they never wanted to hurt me. They also agreed that we should give therapy a shot.
I’m glad I didn’t lose them. I truly believe that this would bring our family much closer. All thanks to Ezra and his love for me, which both my parents and Roman were happy about.
Everyone at work has also been great about our relationship. It’s really nice not to have to hide it for a change.
I’ve also had time to think about how I feel about Ezra, and I’ve concluded that even though I can’t say I love him just yet. I do know that I am falling in love with him and the safety he provides me with.
I never have to be someone else with him. Never have to worry about his intentions of sticking close to me. I can freely yell at him when upset, and he’d calm me down with his soft kisses and whispered I love yous.
A knock on my office door brings me out of my reverie of Ezra-shaped thoughts. I look up from my screen and find Stacy at the door. “Oh, hey.”
“Hey, Kaeli. Just here to remind you to leave on time. Don’t overwork yourself,” she says.
“I will. Thank you, Stacy,” I reply with a smile.
Waving at me, she clocks out for the day.
Banishing all thoughts of Ezra, I crack my fingers and get to work, wanting to finish this report today. I lose myself in work.
A couple of hours later, I lean back in my chair with a tired sigh, closing my laptop shut.
Finally, I pick up my phone to check for any notifications and realize how late it has gotten.
Seeing the blaring ‘22:07’ on my lockscreen, I hastily pack up all my things and leave, cursing myself for not bringing the car today.
The arena is flooded with darkness, with not a soul in sight. I have to remind myself that it’s fine.
I step outside the building, and a strong gust of cool air assaults me. Grabbing a pen from my purse, I pull my hair and fix it in a bun.
Cursing myself for losing track of time when I find only a few people milling about.
Humming a tune to distract myself, I notice a shadow following me with every turn I take. My heart rate picks up, scared of what it could mean.
To confirm my suspicion, I take a turn that doesn’t lead to my house and then another to get me back on track.
When the figure doesn’t stop, I give a quick glance and find a man shrouded in black with his face hidden, following me. But his eyes are the ones that star in my nightmares.
I’d recognize those cruel eyes anywhere.
Scared and pulling the pen from my bun, holding it tight against my chest, I pick up my pace and get on the main road. The second I see a woman getting off a cab, I run.
I run like my life depends on it as hurried footsteps follow me.
I look behind me again and find him chasing me.
“Fuck!” Trying not to lose my shit, I push the woman aside as her curses follow me. I slide into the car and quickly ask the driver to start the engine.
The cab pulls up to the street, and I find the man standing in the middle of the road, looking at me as I leave.
Releasing a shaky breath, I direct the driver to take the long way home to make sure that he’s not following me.
With hurried steps, I reach my door and try to open it. The trembling of my hands makes it difficult as my keys jam in the lock. “Fuck, please, open,” I mutter with a quick glance behind me.
Finally, the door gives in, and I rush inside, slamming the door behind me.
I slump against the door, the bag falling on the floor with a thud.
The reality of what just happened and what could’ve happened sinks in. I choke on a sudden sob, and tears follow unbidden as they rack my chest.
Dropping to the floor, I pull my knees close and cry in my lap. The slightest of sounds startles me. Frantic, I look around and find a window open as the gust of wind ruffles the curtains.
Frightened, I pat around for my bag and pull out the phone. With shaky hands and blurred vision, I dial the only person I know who could provide me comfort.
Ezra picks up on the third ring. “Hey, Kaeli,” he shouts into the receiver, the sounds of blaring music overpowering his voice.
God, how much more pathetic can I be? He’s out there enjoying himself with his friends, and I’m calling to bother him for something he can’t do shit about.
“Kaeli, can you hear me?” comes his voice from the other end.
No, I can’t ask him to baby me. “Never mind. Bye, Ezra,” my voice breaks, and I choke on a sob.
I immediately hang up and pray that he didn’t hear that. Of course, he didn’t. The music’s too loud in the club.
Rocking on the floor, I try to calm myself down and pull at my hair. Squeezing my eyes shut as if that will erase the horrific memory of everything that happened today and last year.
I don’t know how much time passes, but the click of the door opening startles me, and I crawl away from the door as a man’s figure fills the door. Covering my face with my hands, I beg him to leave. “Please, please. No, don’t…don’t hurt me. Please,” I whimper.
He crouches down in front of me, reaching for me. I scream with all the force of my lungs until I feel like I will pass out.
“KAELI! A voice suddenly filters. “Come on, Feather, you’re scaring me,” he pleads, jostling me to come to my senses.
Blinking the tears from my eyes, I look closely at the man’s face and find that it’s not him. It’s my Ezra.
Relief floods me, drowns me in it. “Ezra,” I say his name like a prayer in a broken whisper and launch myself at him.
He staggers to his ass and catches me, hugging me to his chest. I bury my face in his neck and cry like a baby. I break down in front of him in a way I never have.
While he consoles me and rocks us on the floor, comforting me. “Shhh. It’s okay. You’re okay. I’m here.”
Yes, he’s here when he was supposed to be out there partying. The fact that he came for me makes me wail even harder.
“Don’t cry, Feather. You know it hurts me to see you like this,” he begs me, his hand rubbing my back in a soothing motion.
We stay right there on the floor with my arms around him, holding him like he’s the oxygen I breathe.
I let go of the hurt I have been holding onto for a year in his embrace.