*Michael POV *

I had a meeting with the stockholders of our new branch. Explaining and sorting things with them left me tired and sore. I just wanted a good sleep or I would rather cuddle Ezra and sleep when she arrives.

I was at 'Ecstasy' the entire day. The new club after High Roller, well that's the name Ezra chose. I totally underestimated our popularity though. Thinking it's located in the outskirt, it might take some time to garner the number of customers we have at High Rollers. Yet, We all were left out-stunned with the number of people attending Ecstasy which indirectly led us to hire some more staff to lessen the burden. Even though we hired new staff unless and until everything is finalized, running back and forth between our clubs will remain a pain in my ass.

I was dead tired to even think about anything. From moving back and forth to the clubs and the drama that happened tonight, I decided to call it a day and simply went to my place. In the midst of all the chaos, I totally forgot about Ezra. She was gonna drop by the club but I didn't see her. Maybe she got caught up with some work. Not having the energy to check my phone, I dozed off without caring about the impending disaster.

                                                                                  ____~•~____

The next morning I was awoken by the buzzing sound of my landline. I don't remember giving my landline number to anyone except Mark, Ezra, Stella, and Mom.

"Where are you, Mike? The meeting is about to start and we have been waiting for about an hour.", Stella screamed on the other side.

"Calm down Stella. The meeting is at 11. We still have time." I lazily replied while rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"11 is long gone, dude. It's already midday." Glancing towards my clock I facepalmed myself for my tardiness. "Mark has somehow convinced Mr. Spencer for the lunch meeting. So be there on time. I will text you the address. "

"Oka..." She hung up before I could complete the sentence.

But why the hell is she contacting me through landline? What happened to the alarm? I walked back to my room to find my phone fully discharged. I felt like hitting myself for being so careless. Connecting my phone with the charger, I quickly dashed towards the bathroom to take a quick shower. I ran towards my car, checked my phone, and shit there were ten missed calls from Ezra and also a text that she might be late. That meant she came to the club last night. Then why didn't she meet me? Also, there was no morning text, she must be upset and angry. I made a mental note to call her after the meeting.

I arrived at the hotel and met with a glaring Stella at the entrance. "I know I fucked up but I can explain. "

"You definitely owe me an explanation but you should head inside first. Mark is trying to distract Mr. Spencer."

I went inside and quickly apologized for the inconvenience and my tardiness. The meeting went well. Stella and Mark went with Mr. Spencer to do some paperwork.

I sat in my car and decided to call Ezra but her phone went to voice mail. She must be really angry and pissed. Looking at the time, I thought she would be at work so I went to her office but she missed work too. Strange, Ezra is not someone who will miss work without a genuine reason. Maybe she is sick, I should check it out.

I soon arrived at her place but it was locked. What is happening? I wanted to see her so badly right now. I didn't get to see her yesterday and today she is cutting me off like this. Since we started dating, we see each other almost every day. Even with our increased workload, we managed to take time for ourselves. I sent her a text, *I am sorry baby. Just call me once. I will explain everything. I hope your anger subsides down fast. !!!*

I have been sitting in my office waiting for a response from her. I tried getting some work done but couldn't focus. I just kept thinking about her. Maybe Ezra needs some space from me. But why?

                                                                                       ___~•~___

It was late in the night when Mark came to the office. He looked tired from working in ecstasy.

"Should have gone home Mark? You look tired?"

"I was going to, but couldn't wipe off your sullen face out of my mind. You were not even picking up my calls. So as a good friend I decided to accompany my mate in his depression. What's bothering you bud?"

I felt like a teenager for complaining but it was my first time feeling restless about a woman. Not just any woman, the love of my life. I told him everything that happened yesterday and also about Ez completely shutting me off. "That's quite some problem mate. I wanted to tease you more, yet for the sake of your relaxation I would say."

"Say what?"  I couldn't decipher anything that he meant. "Taysha and Ezra have gone for some family function. Since the network is not good they aren't able to talk. Taysha had informed me beforehand. So don't worry, they are fine."  I still couldn't help but feel a little disappointed about it. Why didn't Ezra informed me about it too? Haven't we reached that level in our relationship or is it just me who is more into this relationship. Whatever be the reason, I knew I had to talk to Ezra when she comes back.

                                                                                          ___~•~___

It's been four fucking days since I heard from Ez. Now I am being irritated with her behavior. Not even a single text. Is she not missing me? Hell, I've been too crazy without her.  Her absence is taking a toll on me. To top it all we had some issues this morning regarding serving drinks to teenagers who had entered the bar last night with fake ID's, they met with an accident which caused the cops to knock on our door. Though the injury was minor my mindset wasn't right which led me to take my anger on my employees. " You fucking think you own this bar? You have any idea what problems could have happened?" I could see the fear in his eyes, the bartender, who served the drinks to those teenagers. "I am sorry Sir. I had no idea they weren't legal." 

 Just then Mark came into the office, " It's fine mate, mistakes are meant to happen. You may leave, Don't worry."  Is he kidding me? The bartender went back to his work while I kept glaring at Mark. " You very well know this isn't some normal issue. We could be banned." 

" Yes, I am well aware. But you know this fact too that forty percent of people enter our club with fake ids. You cannot keep an eye on everyone and it isn't easy to make out if the IDs are fake or not. Regarding the closing of our club, that isn't possible especially with the best lawyer working with us. Not that I'm boasting around but we have only twenty percent fault here, so you need to calm the fuck down because things are settled. Right now all you need to focus is on your mood swings or maybe try to clear your personal life a little." 

His words left me dumbfounded. Indeed, I haven't been myself lately. "You are right. I'm sorry."  

"Is it about Ezra?" Just by hearing her name, I could feel my pulse increasing, somersaults in my stomach. Weren't these things superficial? "You are in love, aren't you? It's quite clearly written on your face"  Love?  A big word. A true feeling not everyone can feel. At least not in the times where people are more concerned about themselves. But what I feel for Ezra is love?

Yes, I am crazy about her. Maybe more than crazy. I love how she crunches her nose up when she smiles, I love how she keeps on adjusting her specs while working, I love how her eyes sparkle when I buy her favorite coffee, I love how she writhes under me when I bring pleasure to her, I love to kiss those plumpy lips that always taste like vanilla. Yes, it is true I love her. I love her more than I could love. Even eternity will be less to prove how much I love her. I was about to profess my love for Ezra when I noticed a purple bruise on Mark's neck.  Why does that look like a hickey? Wasn't Taysha out of town? Mark noticed my look " What? Why are you giving me that look?" 

"Where were you last night?" I could see how my question caught him off-guard. 

"What do you mean?" Mark started rubbing his thighs, a habit he has whenever he couldn't understand how to tackle the situation.  

"Are you.." my voice trailed, nervous to even ask the question. "Are you cheating on Taysha?" 

"WHAT?" I felt myself flinch. "Are you crazy? I am planning to settle with her and here you are trying to accuse me of something I wouldn't even imagine in my nightmares."

 "There's a hickey on your neck", I said pointing it out, explaining that my accusation was based on pure proof. 

"I know your mind is out of its skull the past few days but such accusation. Asshole this hickey is actually from her. I had spent my night with her doing.. yeah I was with her." He exclaimed while his skin went red. That means Ezra is back too but why didn't she text me.

"Mark, do you perhaps have any idea where is Ezra?" I could feel myself becoming more restless and impatient with the fact that she has shut me off totally but why? "No man, I was too busy with Taysha. If you want I can ask her but not now, she has an operation to attend but she is having a day off after the operation."

"Great, let's meet Taysha after that." I just want to talk to her once. Maybe know the root cause of our drift.

                                                                                 ___~•~___

We both soon arrived at Taysha's apartment. Mark went ahead while I parked my car. The door was left ajar when I arrived," I hope I wasn't too rough on you last night." It was Mark's voice. I really didn't want to ruin their moment but the word patience was just thrown out of the window. I cleared my throat which caught their attention but what Taysha did next was totally unexpected for me and Mark both. She threw that teddy plushie towards me knocking my face with it. "What the fuck are you doing here, you wanker?" Mark's eyes were wide while I cupped my nose. This soft teddy definitely gave me a good hit or Taysha has great throwing skills. "Calm down Tay." Mark cooed in her ear but she just glared at him. "I am not listening to you, Mark. He might be your best friend but this fucker is one hell of a shameless man."  Her words were filled with pure hatred. I don't understand anything right now. "Taysha I just came here to ask about Ezra, she isn't picking my calls up. I didn't mean to offend you."

"Good that's what you deserve after betraying her."

Betraying her? What did I do? When did that happen? "I did no such thing. There must be some misunderstanding."

"Oh please stop your drama already. EZ saw you kissing a girl. That night she came crying to my house. She wanted to surprise you but you outdid her. " Now it dawned upon me. That night Ez must have seen Kiara kissing me forcefully and she took everything in the wrong way. What had happened? Oh god, she must be hating me right now. That's why she is shutting me off like this. "This is all just misunderstanding Tay. Let Michael explain his part too."  Mark tried making Taysha understand but she was hellbent over it. She shoved both of us out of the door. "Man I didn't know my girl had so many temper issues," Mark commented still not able to process what just happened. "Let's go, man."

"NO." I can't leave before clearing out the misunderstanding. I tried banging the door which managed to attract a few audiences so Mark dragged me to the car. He forcefully made me sit in the car. "Calm down first. We will clear the misunderstanding. I will talk to Tay, okay. Let me drive you home."

"I can't lose her Mark."

"You won't. " 

                                                                                         ___~•~___

It's been three days of walking dead. I do look like a zombie now with bags under my eyes, messy hair, and beards. Sleep and I have become strangers now. I barely visit my home. I am either at Ezra's workplace or waiting outside her home. But it feels like she doesn't want me to reach her.  I just need a chance and I will never let her out of my sight. I go to the hospital as well to talk to Taysha but she isn't ready to listen. Mark also tried to talk things out with Taysha but she is giving him a hard time too. Poor Mark is suffering because of me. As  I was on my way to visit Ezra my phone rang. I got a little excited thinking it was Ezra but it was some unknown number. I wasn't in a mood to entertain anyone lately. But my phone kept ringing continuously. I answered the phone in irritation, "what do you want? Don't you understand when a person is not picking up the call then he must be busy?"

"Sorry for disturbing you sir but I am the manager of Platinum Jewellery store. Some days ago Ms. Sanders placed an order with us. It is ready now. I tried calling her but there is no response. She left your number, in case we can't reach her." I was confused about why she left my number yet my tired mind couldn't comprehend much."Okay, I will be there in a few minutes. "  I drove towards the jewelry store.

Upon arriving at the store I met with the manager who handed me the gift. He tried apologizing for disturbing me but I apologized for my irrational behavior. Since I didn't have any energy left I decided to go back to High Rollers. I straight went to the office and kept her gift on the table. Soon Mark and Stella entered my office. Mark had a sympathetic face while Stella was all chirpy." Hey Mikeyyyyy!" I just nod my head in her direction earning a confused reaction. "What's with the sullen face, both of you? Some girlfriends problem babies?", she laughed which earned her glares from both of us. "Oh, c'mon it's not like I don't know guys." She kept on blabbering god knows what until her gaze shifted to Ezra's gift. "My my is that gift for me? "

She took the box in her hand. "Don't you dare open it, Stella? That's Ezra's gift for me." I snatched it back from her.

"Then open it. I want to see it." She kept pestering me to open the gift. Why she has to be so nosy? "Okay fine." I opened the gift and was left in awe. "Wow", said Stella. Even Mark joined us. It was a beautiful platinum bracelet. It has an infinity made of emerald in the middle with roses on both sides. The stone has the same color as my eyes. I took it in my hand and looked on the inside. Our names were carved in it. "Now I remember Ezra was looking for you everywhere the other night. She met me near the entrance and we even joked about something. She kept hiding something behind her back though. I told her that you were outside. She left to look for you as soon as I told her. She went ahead and I saw the rose she was hiding before. She was nervous but excited. Now looking at her gift, I am very sure she came to confess her feelings for you. OMG are you guys together now for real?" Stella said the last line a bit excited. My eyes became moist with unshed tears thinking about how I messed everything. Mark must have noticed this because he alluded to Stella which made her mutter a 'sorry'.We both love each other but I hurt her badly. I don't even want to imagine what she must have felt seeing me with another woman. How could I not see this coming? I need to reach her as soon as possible. I can't have her hating me forever. I need to tell her my feelings then it's up to her whether she wants me or not.

I again went to the hospital without Mark to talk to Tay but she ignored me as usual. She really hates me for what I did to her cousin. I wish I could take that moment back. She is the only way to reach Ezra. I waited for Tay outside my car in the scorching heat. I don't know how it happened but in a few seconds, I felt lightheaded and all I could see was black before passing out on the road.

I woke up to find myself in the hospital bed with a drip attached to my hand. I tried to take it out but Tay stopped me. "Don't. Your body is exhausted. You haven't been taking care of yourself." I just lay there in silence, I didn't have the energy to even utter a word. After a few minutes she broke the silence, "Mark fought with me for you. He kept saying that I should at least give you a chance to explain your story. I know that Ez is hurting and so are you. I saw how persistent you can be to get to the person you love." I immediately turned my head towards her. "Mark also told me everything that happened that night.I am sorry for how I treated you, hope you forgive me."

 "I forgive you Taysha, don't worry."

 "I have informed Mark, he must be on his way here."  I hummed at her words but there was something that kept bothering me.

"If you are wondering where is Ezra, she is handling a wedding out of the town. She will be back in two days." I felt happy knowing about her. "Don't ever hurt her Mike", Tay said softly.

"Never Taysha, I promise."

                                                                                     ___~•~___ 

I was soon allowed to leave the hospital. Mark dropped me at my place." Thank you Mark for helping me so much." I was so happy to have Mark's back. 

" Na man, you deserve it." I hugged and bid him goodbye.

That night I slept peacefully. Morning came, I shaved my beard and groomed myself back to normal. I just can't wait to see her. I even worked like a machine to complete most of the pending work so that I can give plenty of time to Ez when she comes back. Time flew away fast and soon it was time for Ezra to arrive. I got her flight details from Taysha, thankfully we both revived our relation again which made Mark happy too. I drove to the airport a little excited and nervous about how she would react to see me. I waited for a good half an hour outside when I saw Ezra with her luggage. She hasn't seen me yet. She looks so breathtaking in a red wrap dress. She must have noticed me because she halted at her steps, it was like a movie scene where we both didn't care about the world except us but that soon shattered when she turned away from me. I rushed towards her. "Where do you think you're going?" But she kept walking. I again blocked her way, "please Ez come with me. We need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about. We are over." She is angry but I could feel the pain in her voice when she said those words. She tried to walk away but I held her wrist. "Leave me, let me go Michael", she glared at me and I could see tears forming in her eyes.

"No. Never." I didn't give her a chance to react when I wrapped my hands around her waist and tossed her over my shoulder. "I asked you nicely but you called for this." I held her with one hand and my other hand dragged her luggage.

She kept hitting my back but I didn't budge. "Hey you stupid moron, put me down now. I will shout Mike. Just put me down." She kept on shouting but I could care less about it. I didn't listen to her and just kept walking until I reached my car. I made her sit on the passenger seat and locked the car while I kept her luggage in the back seat. "Why are you doing this Mike? At least be loyal to your love."

"That's exactly what I am doing, my love."

Hey guys, so sorry for uploading the chapters so slow. Don't worry, I am gonna try to upload asap. Btw we are near the end. Hope you guys like this chapter. Please vote and share.