"Living on my sofa, drinking rum and cola underneath the rising sun. I could give a thousand reasons why, but you're going, and you know that all you have to do is stay a minute. Just take your time," Stay, Zedd ft. Alessia Cara

"Oh," I raised a brow, catching onto the hidden meaning in her tone. "Is that right?" I bit back sarcastically, retreating my hands as I folded my arms, remembering that it was just in time for thanksgiving. Maybe she had some plot up her sleeve to earn herself my rightful seat at the table between Nishan and Natalie. Either way, I was not having it.

"So tell me," I took a step forward, garnering a narrow of her eyes. "How far back do you guys go?" I tilted my head, trying to understand why she felt the need to call me out. "Because if I recall," I tapped my chin, trying to think through past conversations that I had with Nishan. "He has told me about his past relationships and brief hookups and I don't remember him mentioning anything about you," I shrugged, seeing her cheeks redden in embarrassment. "Unless you changed your name," I smirked internally, gauging her reaction.

"So, Rylee, if you'd like to try this again, by all means, go ahead," I raised a brow, letting her know that I wasn't playing any games today. We may not have been on speaking terms, but I knew good and god damn well that I wasn't going to let anyone come in between us, especially not this person. I had never heard of this woman from Nishan unless he decided to keep quiet about that, so I wasn't going to let her intimidate me into thinking that she had the upper hand.

I loved that damn moody man too much for me to let go of him.

"Now, if you'll excuse me," I was saved by the bell as my phone started to ring and vibrate simultaneously, signaling that I had a call and a text all at once. "I have matters to attend to," I plastered a sweet smile on my face, heading to my car. I swear I could've heard her grunt in vengeance, but I didn't really care because I was tired of being that pushover. Today was the day. 

"Hello?" I said as I slid into my car, connecting the call to my Airpods as I checked the text from Natalie, telling me that she wanted me to come by to meet her new boyfriend and to give Noelani some kisses. "Well, well well, hello Mr. Moore," I grinned upon hearing the sound of my boss. "Hi! What's going on?" I questioned as she usually never called me. She typically said everything that she wanted to say when I was standing in front of her, so the fact that she called me was a surprise in itself.

"You graduate in two weeks, you know what that means, Ezra?" Lucia Bianchi clicking her teeth, speaking in such a bittersweet yet relieved tone. "Soon, I'll retire." She murmured and I said, realizing how big her shoes were. I was going to have to fill those entire shoes, with no spaces or gaps in between. It had to be perfect because she was counting on me. "That's true..." I whispered, unsure of how she felt about the situation. I knew how I felt. It was a great ass opportunity for someone straight off the bat and it was something I've been wanting to do for a long time.

"I'm sad because I've been in this position for 22 years ago, after having worked so hard to get here," She sounded so sad and I wished that I could offer her some words of comfort, but it didn't seem like she would want any. "But I'm happy," She popped back up with a perk in her voice as I turned the corner, heading towards the richest parts of San Antonio. "Oh, you are?" I surmised and she chuckled. "Yes, Ezra because I know my company will be in good hands with you. I have no doubts about my decision, so make sure to make me proud," Lucia said and I sighed, nodding even though I knew she couldn't see me. 

It was sad in a way because she was giving up her dream to fulfill mine and somewhere along the way, I was going to have to do the same.

"You have a big responsibility of keeping AGM at the top and I expect nothing but the best, you hear me?" She demanded in such a tone and I gulped, feeling readier than ever. "Of course!" I replied back with emphasis, letting her know that I wasn't playing any games with this one. I was dead serious about this job because it was something I had longed for and I wasn't going to let anything or anyone deter me away.

"Heh, no need to sound so gung-ho about it, it's alright. I'm not stressing out about it because you are well prepared. Not to mention," Her voice fell into a whisper. "I'm sure Nishan would be happy to keep you on your game," I could tell she was smirking through the phone and I took it away from my ear to look at as if it grew a whole nother screen. "Such way with words, Lucia," I snorted in disbelief, listening to her laugh.

"You know that it's true. Oh, that brings me to my next topic!" She yelled in my ear and I hissed, pulling up to the gate that belonged to the land of the Lawrences. "What's that?" I questioned. "So you know how every year, all of the rich and elite attend the ball?" I hummed, listening to her talk about the annual San Antonio ball, in which everyone could attend with an invitation. It was mainly for the rich people to come together and discuss what new things they were preparing for the betterment of our world, share ideas and have a drink with each other before the formal part of the night: the dance.

"What about it?" I replied and she took a deep breath. "I never had a plus one for this event because my husband normally gets an invitation too, but this year, I've decided to take one," I continued for her to get to her point. "You." She finished and my eyes widened.

"What? Excuse me? Why?" I could feel myself starting to panic at the thought of being surrounded by so many people at once. Oh no. "Not only for you to network and get your face out there because that is something we should do soon, but because your presence was requested for to you be the main act of the night," She explained and I blinked, obviously confused.

"Am I missing something here? I never, not once, remember anything about being invited nor being the main act for this. I don't even know what that means!" I groaned, exasperated but Lucia found it to be quite comical. "Ezra, that means you're going to sing for us," My mouth dropped so hard, I could feel it skidding against the ground underneath the car. I didn't know what kind of crack Lucia found, but it was fucking with her brain. "Are you, are you okay, Lucia?" I laughed humorlessly, unsure of myself. "I don't know who told you that I could sing, but—

She cut me off. "I hear you singing in the break room last week, so try that again," I could feel my anxiety shooting through the roof. "I just don't like to sing in front of people," I admitted truthfully, shuddering at the thought. Noelani was one thing because she loved for me to do it and I felt no judgment from her. Other people? Yea, that was a no from me.

"Well, it's too late now," Lucia stated with a hint of amusement rolling off of her tongue and I began to plan how I died. "You're already registered as the main act, so you have no choice but to come," I gulped, realizing that there was truly no way for me to exit this situation. Since I was registered, information about who I was was sent out to the recipients so they knew what to expect of me and why I was there.

"But how did I even get on this thing?" I addressed the elephant in the room and Lucia hummed, obviously knowing something that I didn't. "I think that you should talk to your little boy toy about that~" She whispered in a teasing manner before hanging up the call. "What in tarnation?" I growled to myself, wondering what in the corn-fed bullshit this was, and how Nishan's dumb ass had something to do with it.

Dragging me into shit I have no business being in.

"Ugh," I parked my car in my designated parking spot, telling myself that I was only here to see Noelani and Natalie, no one else. I might even say hi to Eve and Leon, but that was it. I refused to cave in here. I got out and decided to walk to the front door, knowing that Michael would be the only one to answer it if I decided to knock. "Huh? What are you doing here?" Michael furrowed his brows, watching me key my way into the establishment.

"Am I not allowed to be here?" I muttered dryly, knowing full well that I signed for parental rights over Noelani, so I was legally allowed to see her. "No," Michael chuckled, shaking his head. "It's just unusual to see you here when you said you needed a few days away to get yourself together," He said and I nodded, remembering that I said what I said. "Yea, well, I lied and Natalie wanted to see me," I shrugged, closing the door behind me, watching him fix me with a look. "Did you only come here to see Natalie?" He asked with an insinuative tone and I raised my brow.

"Yes?" I calmly replied. "Why else would I be here?" I murmured and Michael smirked, cutting his eyes at me. "Two stubborn fools. Whatever shall I do?" He rolled his eyes sarcastically as he turned around and walked in the direction of his stead. 

I continued out, heading down to where Noelani and Natalie normally hang out: the lounge room. "Hi baby!" I beamed when I walked into the room, seeing Noelani's eyes widen upon the sight of me, her coos turning into screeches. I went to go pick her up, kissing her all over her face. Her green eyes brightened, reminding me more and more of how much she looked like he who-shan't-be-named. I turned to address the other two people in the room, seeing a guy that looked somewhat familiar.

"Hey Ezra," Natalie said after throwing some chocolate into her mouth, glowing from head to toe. "This is my boyfriend, Preston Tyler," She introduced me to the tall man standing next to her, his blonde hair sat in a quiff atop his blue eyes. If I remembered correctly, he was the dude who I caught with her that one night she thought no one was home. "Hi, I'm Ezra Moore," I took the hand that he was holding out and I shook it, seeing nothing but love in his eyes for Natalie.

Good.

Didn't want to have to hire a hitman.

"It's good to meet you. Make sure you take care of Natalie," I winked, knowing full well that it wasn't entirely my place to tell him anything. "Her heart isn't something you should play with, so value it," Preston nodded with a smile, taking in my words. "Oh yeah, why did you want me to meet him now? We could've planned this all week," Natalie let out a deep sigh, watching my play with Noelani's curls. "Nishan is getting worse and worse, and I can't take any more of it," She grumbled, clearly fed up with it.

Wow, it had gotten worse in the last two days since I last was here.

"That's crazy," I filled the silence, trying to understand what that had to do with me being here. "He was doing okay until Chevonne asked him where you went, and he snapped completely," I forgot to tell her that we may or may not have had a little dispute just before I left. "Yea that's probably because I yelled at him and told him that I didn't want to talk to him if he was going to yell at me like that," I casually confessed and she gasped theatrically, her eyes widening as if she was told some life-threatening information.

"Ezra, you just don't realize how much that man needed you, how much we needed you..." She trailed off and I snorted, not knowing what to do. "I get that and all, but none of us deserve that harsh treatment, especially when we're trying to help come up with a solution," It was already taken care of, so it didn't matter at this point. "It's the easiest way to push people away," I was bothered because I really missed him, but who was I?

"It is," I felt a large hand grip my shoulder as the smell of spicy Giorgio Armani cologne filled the air around me, causing an invisible wire to grip my heart. "Isn't it?"

I fought the urge to click my teeth, keeping my mouth shut to say anything smart. Noelani gripped my shirt tightly as if she was preventing me from leaving and I internally screamed, not wanting to be anywhere near this dingbat.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear, wearing a mint green shirt over grey sweatpants.

He just had to wear my favorite color. "Hey Nat, I need to go," She understood what I was saying, so she grabbed Noelani from me, enticing a whimper from my poor baby. I told myself that I was going to come back later. "Well, if you'll excuse me—"

I went to remove the hand on my shoulder so that I could turn around but all of a sudden, I found myself trapped with two hands on my waist and then I was airborne. "Thanks for looking out for him, Nat. I really appreciate it," Nishan muttered in a grave tone before turning around to exit the room, carrying me over his shoulders.

"You big-headed fucker!" I banged my fist against his back and he all but grunted. "Put me down, Nishan!" I yelled as we descended further away from the entrance. "Nah, we got some things to talk about," He stated plainly and I gritted my teeth, hating the way that his hand was gripping my ass. "Hey, Nishan," He made an odd noise at the sound of his name, but answered nonetheless. "Who's Rylee Grant?" I held my breath, waiting for an answer that could change my life.

"...who?" 

He sounded clearly confused as we entered a corridor, and he put me down so that he could look at me directly. I folded my arms and looked away, merely explaining the situation to him. "She came to me today to tell me that you were old friends and that you guys go way back and whatnot," I shrugged casually to throw off how I was feeling and Nishan rolled his eyes, looking more tired than usual. 

"She was someone I went to college with," He thought really hard. "She may have had a crush on me or something like that, but she wasn't my type." He deadpanned, trying to get my attention. "Oh. That's all I needed to know. Now if—"

"I miss you. I can't sleep without you."

I could hear the desperation in his voice, but I stood my ground. "You should've thought about that before biting the hand that feeds you! I was only trying to help—

"Oh, fuck yes! Right there!"

My voice was abruptly cut off by a much louder one and I looked at Nishan, who was staring down the hall at the last room where the sound came from. I was so confused and so scared as to what could've made that sound. Nishan and I looked at each other, our hands somehow intertwined together, and we nodded simultaneously. We took off in the direction of the room, noticing that the sounds of something banging against the wall got louder and louder. 

I started to blush, knowing one thing that it could be. We got in front of the dreaded door, hearing sounds of adamant moaning and grunting and since Eve and Leon were gone, it had to be a staff member or someone. Either way, it had to be reprimanded. "You gotta do it," I pushed Nishan and he rolled his eyes, feeling ballsy enough to reach out and turn the knob, pushing the door open with an audible bang.

I could not believe what my eyes were visibly seeing.

"Oh, yes, Travis! Right there!" The sight of my best friend pounding himself into Jude Lloyd, who had his blonde hair splayed out all over the pillow. I was so mortified, so confused, so mentally disturbed, that as I looked at Nishan, who couldn't control his emotions, I let out a loud screech.

"What in the hell?"