Ezra

"I have to move in with you and sleep in your bed?! You have got to be kidding me," Tali was disgusted at this revelation.

"Funny, that's the exact same thing I said when I was told I had to marry you," I said as I took a drink from the walking waiters.

"I will not share your bed Ezra Halliwell," Tali told me.

"Well, where would you sleep then?" I smirked. "You are supposed to come to the condo where I live,"

"I will sleep in the guest bedroom," Tali smiled.

I laughed. "Sorry Toots, the guest room is taken by my best friend Zack,"

Tali rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you have another guest room,"

"I don't, Zack is my best friend, and there isn't a second bedroom. It's a two-bed condo," I explained.

"Only two bedrooms, don't be absurd. Look around you, this is the Halliwell Mansion, your family's home. Do you expect me to believe you live in a two bed condo?" Tali said.

"Shit, you're a right spoiled princess, aren't you?" I said.

"I am nothing of the sort! I don't believe that the high and mighty Ezra Halliwell lives in a two-bed condo," Tali scoffed. "You lie as easy as your breathe,"

"I don't particularly care what you believe. I live in a condo because I like it, not because I can't afford to live elsewhere," I glanced at Trevor approaching us. "Heads up, here comes lover boy,"

Trevor stood next to Tali and gave me a quiet scowl. "Tali, may we talk? ALONE!"

"Don't take too long Tali, we have a long drive tomarrow," I smiled. "And I can't wait to get you to bed. Now run along sweetheart,"

Tali walked off to talk to Trevor. What is the deal with this guy? If I push them together, Tali will bail on the wedding. "Everything okay, Ezra?" Jona said behind me. I turned to him.

"Just wondering who this Trevor dud is. Who is he?" I asked.

"Oh, don't worry about him, Ezra boy. He is a nobody, a waste of oxygen on this planet. Like the vast majority of the human population, he is a slave, a cog in my well-oiled machine," Jona said. This guy is something else. It's like human life means nothing to him.

"He was important enough for you to bring him here," I said.

"Trevor is just an old school friend of Tali who wanted to say goodbye," She is, after all, moving to the Upper West Side tomorrow. Don't worry about Trevor," Jona said.

"I'm not worried," I smiled. I'm fucking delighted. "I wouldn't like to think you're pulling a fast one on my father? If Tali is not really availble at all,"

"I am not pulling a fast one on anyone. I assure you that Tali is available. Now, will you please excuse me," Jona walked off.

I chuckled to myself quietly. This marriage will be easier to get out of than I thought.

I decided to go and find Tali. I saw her on the roof last time and hoped she would be there again. When I went up the stairs and opened the door, Tali cried and stood before me. "Is everything okay out here?"

"Ezra, my boy, everything is fine. I was just saying goodbye to Tali. I will see you both soon," Jona turned back to Tali. "Remember what I said Tali,"

Jona left, and Tali breathed a sigh of relief. I almost feel sorry for her, but I must remember why I am doing this. "Come on, let's go to bed. I'm tired, and we have a long drive tomorrow,"

"I am not having sex with you!" Tali gagged.

"What? No! You are not my type; if you are not coming to bed, you can sleep out here," I said, walking off. I walked into my bedroom, and Tali was standing there grunting. Are you going to stay out there all night?"

"I don't have any clothes to sleep in Ezra," Tali said.

"You don't need anything. Like I said, you're not my type. Rest assured, I won't be touching you, but if you insist on wearing something, your clothes are over there. I think your dad dropped them off."

I took a quick shower and left the bathroom with my night shorts; I saw Tali in my bra and underwear, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Fucking hell, she is sexy; if I didn't know any better, Tali is trying to play me. "I hope you are not trying to seduce me, babe? I already told you you're not my type; walking around half-naked won't change that,"

Tali's mouth dropped. "You asshole,"

"The shower is free if you want it," I said.

"No thanks," Tali shook her head.

"Alright, I'm going to bed," I fell asleep.

I woke up the following day with Tali moving off the bed. I saw her getting clothes from her bag and entering the bathroom. I got dressed and waited for Tali to finish. When she left the bathroom, I received a call from my father. "Yes dad?"

"Where are you?" Dad asked.

"In my room, why? I'm planning on leaving soon," I told him.

"Is the girl still there," Dad said.

"Yes," I said.

"Good, before you go, I want you meet me in my office, come alone," Dad requested.

"What's wrong this time?" I asked.

"Just do it and make sure the girl stays in the damn room," Dad ordered.

"Alright, I got it," I hung up. "Tali, I have to speak with my father, I promise I won't be long,"

"Don't rush back on my account," Tali said.

I walked to my father's office and saw him waiting for me with Phoenix. "Well, what's so importent?"

"Where's the girl and what is she doing?" Dad asked.

"Still in my room, besides doing my head in, I caught a glance at her, grabbing one of her school books," I said. "Dad, is something going on that I should know about?"

"We hope not," Phoenix said. "But someone is fucking with our shipments,"

"How so?" I cocked my head to the side.

"Each container is being tampered with. We are missing items, weapons, and ammo," Pheonix explained.

"That's not good, who is checking them?" I asked.

"Gregory checked most of them, but Pheonix was with him on the last check. Greg never makes mistakes, and he is right; someone is messing with my damn shipments," Dad pounded his desk. "I swear to god, I will slit the throat of whoever is behind this. I have a feeling Santiago is behind this,"

"For the love of god. Jona wants to marry his daughter off to me and yet he is already screwing us over? Doesn't make sense," I said.

"It does, if he planted his daughter as a spy," Pheonix said.

"Fucking hell, he already has a fucking spy inside my own home," Dad said.

"We don't know that yet, so don't go jumping to any conclusions just yet," I said.

"Ezra, you need to take her back to the Upper West Side with you stright away," Dad said.

"I will do some more digging around, see what I can find about her," Pheonix said.

"I know she is a spoiled bitch, but a spy? I'm not so sure," I shrugged.

"Until we are sure, you don't take your eyes off her, and don't fucking trust her," Dad said. "I will call you as soon as I have any news. Drive safe, son.

"Understood, see you soon," I nodded.

Mom and Aerith met Tali and me at my car. "We wanted to see you two off," Mom said. "I'll miss you,"

"Mom, I will be back in a few weeks," I said.

"I know son, I just wish you could have stayed a bit longer," Mom said.

"I know, but I have a lot going on at college," And I need to get Tali out of here before Dad loses his shit,"

"I'll miss you, big bro," Aerith hugged me.

"Take care of Mom for me," I smiled at Aerith, then she started to cry. "Aerith, you're killing me here, I will be back soon. I promise,"

"You promise?" Aerith said.

"I promise. I will see you soon, and stay out of trouble," I smiled. I got inside my car. Mom, I will call you when I get there. Bye." I drove off, Mom yelling at me to drive safely.

It had been dead silent for two hours. Tali was staring out the window, and I decided to break the silence. "Have you talked with your father today?" Tali remained silent. Are you going to ignore me for the whole journey?"

"No I haven't talked to my father today. Why, should I have?" Tali snapped at me.

"I'm only asking. What about lover boy?" I added.

"What about Trevor?" Tali furrowed her eyebrows.

"Were you talking to him?" I asked.

"Hardly. Would you talk to me if you were Trevor?" Tali questioned.

"Of course I would, but then again, I'm not a clingy man. One night is enough for me," I said.

"You really are disgusting," Tali said, disgusted.

"You love it babe," I laughed.

"Keep telling yourself that, idiot," Tali scoffed.

Three hours later, we returned to my condo. "Zack, are you home?" I called out.

"Yeah man, be there in a second," Zack answered. "You're back ear-" Zack stopped when he saw Tali. "Sorry, I didn't know you had company,"

I nodded. "Zack, this is Tali the ball and chain. Tali, this is Zack the best bud,"

"Tali," Zack winked.

"Pleasure to meet you," Tali smiled.

"Pleasure is all mine. Ezra, why are you dressed all fancy?" Zack said.

"Where have I just come from Zack?" I glared at him. God, sometimes Zack can't read the context clues.

"Oh, fair point," Zack rubbed his neck.

"I'm going to lie down for a bit Ezra, I feel a migrane coming on," Tali said.

You are a migraine. "Down the hall, second door on the right," I gestured to the bathroom where she could find pills for her migraine.

"Fuck me man, Tali is HOT!" Zack smiled.

"She is a walking migraine, is what she is. She is that bad and more. Did you get any beers in?" I asked, and Zack nodded. "Good man, let's sink a few,"

I took two beers out of the fridge and gave one to Zack. "So what happened?" Zack said as he opened his beer and took a sip.

"Well, as you know, Tali is my fiancee, and now my father thinks she is a spy planted by her father. She has a boyfriend over whom she never stops crying about. I think he is her boyfriend, but she hasn't said anything yet. The boyfriend seems like a poppous ass," I took a drink from the bottle. "And Tali is a stuck up princess who I am stuck with for a year," I explained what transpired yesterday.

"Ezra, you're screwed," Zack shook his head.

"Tell me about it. So what's been happening around here?" I asked.

"Not much, really, but I did manage to bang Karin," Zack laughed.

"You dirty dog, I'm impressed," I laughed.

"Any banging going on between you and your fiancee?" Zack asked.

"Not a hope. That would be messy seeing as I am stuck with her for a year," I said.

"So you're going to go without any loving for a year?! Bro I will not survive," Zack gasped.

"Hardly. But no one said we were exclusive. Tali has a lover boy, and Samara will still suit my needs," I said.

"Fancy coming to the club tonight? I'm meeting Karin there," Zack asked.

"Yeah maybe. But I will have to bring Tali. I can't leave her here alone," I said.

"You know Samara will be there right?" Zack gave me a look.

"I know. But there is no reason for Samara to who Tali is," I said. "I'll get ready for tonight, see you soon,"

I walked into my room to see Tali resting on the couch. "How the migraine?" I asked her.

Tali yawned. "It passed; thanks for leading me to the bathroom. I found the medicine cabinet,"

"I'll be damned, you do have manners," I joked.

"Don't get used to it," Tali scoffed.

"I'll keep that in mind. We're going to a club later, so you might want to start getting ready," I said.

"I think I will pass. I don't feel like clubbing," Tali groaned.

"It wasn't a request," I growled.

"Excuse me? You can't order me around! What is your problem?" Tali sneered.

"I just did. Now get ready. For the record, I don't have a problem. I just can't leave you home alone on your first night here," I said.

"Ugh, fine," Tali grunted.

Tali grabbed some clothes from the club and went to the bathroom to get changed. I put on a simple black jacket and jeans and ensured I looked good. I smiled at myself as I looked in the mirror. Tali exited the bathroom wearing a blue dress that reached to her knees and her hair in a braid. Fucking hell. This woman is going to make things challenging. "Are you ready?" I said after I took a breath.

"Do I look ready?" Tali snickered.

"You look good," I said without a smile.

"Close your mouth Ezra, you're drooling," Tali laughed as she passed me.

I rolled my eyes at her. I wasn't drooling at all. God, I hope nothing happens at the club.