*Ezra POV*

I didn't feel like going back to work so I took off for the rest of the day. I went back home and locked myself in my room. Thank god Taysha moved out three days back because I don't want to face anybody right now. I don't want to cry but I am crying. I am famished but can't swallow a single bite. I have a splitting headache and want to sleep but of course, sleep and I are not best of friends. I am feeling angry, happy, sad, and many more emotions that I can't comprehend. Angry because he cheated on me behind my back. Sad because Elena told me that it is almost ten months that they both have been together. It also means that he was seeing her when we both were in a relationship. But I am also happy that a crooked man like him is not a part of my life anymore. But why does he still have this effect on me? I thought I have moved on but the mixed emotions that I am going through say otherwise.

I decided to take a shower, my emotions were all over the place, and right now all I needed was a cold shower. I changed into my night suit because I didn't want to go to High Rollers. I want to spend some time alone. Therefore I put my phone on silent and went to the mini bar in my living room. I took out a bottle of scotch and drank it in one go to numb my pain. But I forgot that these hard drinks hardly have any effect on me.

I sat there on the couch completely numb and zoned out until the ringing of my doorbell brought me back. It's already morning. Who could come this early? I went to open the door and was embraced tightly by him. Why is he here at this time?

"I was so worried about you. I thought something happened to you. And why the hell were you not answering your phone nor replying to texts? I even called Taysha but she wasn't picking up my calls. Why are you not saying anything?", he yelled.

"Y..you are... chocking me", I say trying to catch some air.

He loosened his hold, "sorry".

"I am fine now Michael and Taysha must be on her night shift", I say looking into his eyes.

"And why did you not come yesterday?"

"First come inside or you want to do all the talking at the door".

I invited him inside. He sat on the couch and I went to my room to fetch my phone. There were several texts and missed calls from Michael. I made coffee for both of us and went back to the living room.

"Here". He took the cup and I also settled down.

"Everything okay", he asked sipping his coffee.

"Yeah. I just had to work late so I didn't show up yesterday", I lied.

"You are a terrible liar Ez!", he said making me nervous. I don't want him to know the real reason.

"You are just assuming things, Mike. I was really busy with the wedding preparation." The word wedding itself left a bad taste in my mouth. For the first time, I didn't want to be in this profession.

"I am not buying your lie, Ezra, because your dried tear patches and dark circles say something else. What is bothering you? You know that you can share with me."

There was so much warmth in his voice that I couldn't stop myself from crying. I guess we have grown really close that we can even read each other's silence. He put his cup down and came near me. He wiped my tears and gave me a hug. This is exactly what I needed right now. I hugged him back and we stayed like that until I became normal.

"I met him", I say backing away from him.

"Who?", he asked squeezing my hand.

"Aiden Parker. He is my ex." He removed his hand from mine.

I guess he is uncomfortable so I stopped talking. He brought his coffee and again sat beside me. "Go ahead. Why did you stop?"

"I thought you were uncomfortable listening about him."

"Why would I be? He is your ex Ezra, not your current."

I took that as a cue and started recalling my unpleasant meeting with him.

*FLASHBACK*

I was standing face-to-face with my once upon a time boyfriend Aiden Parker. The one I thought will be mine forever. We stood still and kept staring at each other. Elena went to his side, gave him a quick kiss, and then she turned towards me, "Ezra meet my fiance Aiden and Aiden she is our wedding planner Ezra", to which he just nodded.

I didn't know how to react. Earth came crashing down on me. All this while I was preparing for my ex's wedding. Wow. I swore after our breakup that I will never see his face again but here I am. I wanted to shout at him, punch him and run away but they were also my first ever clients. So I just sat with them and listened to Elena's specifications and requirements for the wedding.

After some time a waiter came with our food. I just kept looking at my smoked salmon salad. I wanted to distract myself from him because a few more minutes with him was all I needed to lose my patience.

"Elena are you okay?", asked Aiden concerned. I looked up and it seemed like she wanted to puke. So, she just excused and went to the washroom. Now we were just two sitting there awkwardly until he decided to break the silence. "Ezra look I am sorry for whatever happened between us but it's a request, please don't tell Elena about us. Stress is not good for her."

"You fucking asshole after what you did to me, you still have the audacity to make a request? You're worried about her stress but what about my stress which I am getting just by looking at you, huh? I have nothing against her but I will now definitely tell her about us. You just wait and watch." I vented all my anger out on him.

Just then Elena returned. "You okay?", Aiden asked getting up to get her.

"Yeah. I guess the culprit was salmon's smell. I am just a little dizzy."

"Dizzy. Let's go to the doctor", said Aiden.

"I am fine Aiden, it sometimes happens in pregnancy", said Elena trying to calm down the hyper Aiden.

"Still I don't want to take any chance. Let's just go", Aiden said looking at me.

"Fine, you win. Sorry, Ezra looks like we have to reschedule our meeting. I will give you a call."

And they were gone. I was filled with anger by now. I dashed towards my office to tell Mrs. Mills about my decision to pull away from this wedding. I can't do this. I wanted to tell Elena about us but how could I do that now? She's pregnant. Is this the reason why they are rushing the wedding? To be done with the wedding before she starts showing up.

"Look Ezra I understand your situation but who will I give the responsibility for this wedding? It's less than two weeks for the wedding. We have two other weddings as well. You need to understand the situation. And Ezra you need to learn how to keep professional and private life separate. If something, take this as a life test for you."

Upon reaching the office I told everything to Mrs. Mills because she needed some valid reason to back out at the last moment. "I don't know Mrs. Mills."

"Look you just go home, relax, and think about this with a clear mind. Do keep in mind that Elle is a good friend of mine. I will have to tell her the real reason if you back out Ezra. Also know that you're a strong girl and the best option I have right now."

I came back home disheartened.

*End of FLASHBACK*

I don't know for how long I kept crying but certainly, Michael didn't stop murmuring soothing words to me. I felt drained, numb, and overtired. Tired of always being strong. Tired of my incapability. All I wanted in my life was happiness.

*Michael POV*

Anger. Anger was all I could feel right now. Looking at Ezra so broke it definitely triggered the anger inside me. All I wanted to do is to make her happy. Yes, we are close. Close enough to sleep and cuddle together. Share everything with each other.

When she told me how she met that cheating bastard and the way her words were quivering at every breath, it broke my heart.

She didn't deserve him. Heck, no one deserves a cheating partner. All I wished was to smash that fucker's face.

I was busy calming Ezra that didn't even realize when she slept in my arms. I picked her up in the bridal style and took her to her bedroom. Laying her down gently, I noticed a single teardrop at the corner of her eyes. I wiped them and kissed her forehead. Just as I was about to leave she held my hand.

"Stay please."

Not even thinking twice I laid beside and held her in my arms. I wasn't a person to cuddle. Heck cuddling was too much for me but somehow with Ezra, it was comforting. Not long and I was fast asleep.

*Ezra POV*

I woke up and saw Michael beside me sleeping with his mouth open. I felt good after sharing my pain with him. I quietly searched for my phone and clicked a picture of his funny sleeping face. This is gonna be my secret weapon.

I saw his eyes fluttering. He is waking up.

"What time is it?" Stretching his body, he hit me with his hand.

"I don't know. Maybe 3 or 4 pm." I groaned and kicked him.

"Ouch. What was that for? Should you treat you cuddler in this manner?".

"It was your fault for hitting me first."

"I don't want to go back to work", he ranted.

"It's my off today." I am happy that Mrs. Mills gave me some time to clear the load.

"Are you dropping by tonight?" He looked at me, awaiting my answer.

"I don't think so. I need some time away from people and everything." I wanted to be on my own.

"Will you be able to sleep alone? And what if you overthink the situation again?"

He was right. I was definitely going to overthink and drown myself in alcohol but right now stepping out was not feasible for me.

"I don't know. I like being there with you. But for the next few days, I want to be at home." I felt peaceful whenever I am at home. I feel secured. "You are right that I might face sleeping problems but what other option we have?"

"Maybe I can come here." I snapped my head at him. Him, here? As tempting this offer was but I didn't want to trouble him. He has already helped me a lot.

"I like the offer Mike but you've already done a lot for me."

"It's not a problem, Ez. Anyways you are always my last client. We can cuddle here. I will leave the moment you are asleep if you are uncomfortable with me staying the whole night." I never thought of inviting him here for cuddles but now that he proposed the offer I don't see any point of declining it.

"Fine. We can cuddle at my place."

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