Ezra

Nineteen years ago, a tender-hearted girl, full of dreams, was entangled with the enigmatic Damian Halliwell, a man of power and influence. Their meeting was a collision of two worlds, leading to a love that was as fierce as unexpected. This love bore fruit in the form of me, Ezra, and my younger sister Aerith. This girl, who faced life's challenges with unwavering courage, was my mother, Evelyn.

I'm 19 years old now, and I'm studying business at Columbia University. Life can't get any sweeter. I looked at my phone and saw that I had missed ten calls from my father. I don't have time for this; I must prepare for school. "Hey, Zack, are you ready to go?" I asked my best friend and roommate.

"Yeah, give me two minutes to grab my bag," Zack rushed to his bedroom.

"I'll be in the car, but make it quick!" I called out, the urgency in my voice reflecting the ticking clock of our morning routine.

Luckily, I didn't have to wait in the car, as Zach caught up with me when I reached the elevator. We got in the car, and I started to drive. My phone rang halfway on our way to school. I quickly glanced and saw that my father was calling me again. I decided to ignore it.

"Are you going to answer that, Ezra?" Zack asked.

"No," I huffed. "I'll call my old man later,"

"You said that yesterday, the day before, and before that. It must be pretty important if he keeps ringing," Zack said.

"I have a feeling I know what he wants to talk about, and I don't want to deal with it yet. Drop it!" I grunted.

We walked through the front doors of the college, and my phone beeped this time. My mother texted me, "Ezra, honey, please call your father back. It's important."

"I'm about to go into a lecture Mom, I will call him tonight," I texted back.

"Ok darling, I will tell him," I put my phone in my bag.

"Everything alright?" Zack asked.

"Yeah, just my Mom on my back to contact my Dad and I promised her I will call him tonight," I rolled my eyes.

"Hope that won't get in they way of us having drinks at the club tonight," Zach smiled.

"It won't, I need to unwind," I said.

"And I need to get laid," Zack laughed.

"You're such a dog," I shook my head and laughed. "I could go for a bang myself,"

"It's a plan, my friend; we better get to class. Will you meet me at your car after school ends?" Zack said.

I nodded, and we went our separate ways. Hours later, I was happy that school was out for the day. I walked through the university parking lot to my car. I ran into Samara.

"Hey, Ezra, any plans for tonight?" Samara fluttered her eyes.

"Just a few drinks with Zack, that's about it," I shrugged.

"How about you pick me up at seven, and we see where the night takes us?"

It's a tempting offer. I could do it with a quick shag. I smiled at Samara. "It's a date sweetheart,"

Samara blew a kiss. "See you at seven," She then walked away.

I saw Zack waiting for me by my car with a girl. "Zack, ready?"

"Yeah," Zack nodded at me. "I will see you at the bar tonight?" Zack to the girl.

"You will," the girl nodded.

I drove us home, and we went to our rooms to get changed for the night. My phone rang again, and it was Dad again. I answered it. "Dad?" I said.

"Ezra, I've been trying to get a hold of you," Dad said.

"I noticed, I've been busy with college, what's up?" I said.

"I need you to come home as soon as possible," Dad said.

"What? Dad, I live five hours away, I can't just drop everything and go," I yelled.

"Ezra, I need you here for a party tomorrow night. It's importent," Dad said.

"Dad, I can not come home tomorrow," I said calmly.

"It is crucial, Ezra. You will be here, and that's an order son," Dad yelled. I heard him hitting his desk.

I growled. "Fine, I will leave first thing in the morning," I hung up. Order my fucking ass. When will my father understand I don't want to take over The Black Dragons? Thank god I'm going out tonight; otherwise, I would go and do something stupid in my annoyance.

Zack knocked on my door and asked if I was ready to go. I said I was, and we drove in my car. "So, were you talking to your dad?" Zack asked me.

"Yeah, I have to drive back home in the morning," I grunted. "I'm pissed,"

"What? Why?" Zack said, shocked.

"I don't know, something about a damn party and other shit she deems importent," I said.

"Why didn't you just say no?" Zack said.

"My dad never takes no for an answer. Besides, I did say no, and then he ordered me to be there," I said.

"Damn," Zack said.

"I've got a feeling that something big is about to happen. My dad never usually orders me to do anything. I know my mother knows what is going on, but I don't want to ask her and drag her into this. I know my mother doesn't like the idea of me taking over. She never has been, but she will never go against my father's wishes," I said.

"I get where she is coming from, I wouldn't go against your father either," Zack said.

"He is not that bad," I scoffed.

"Your father is Damian Halliwell, the most feared man in the United States and half the world," Zack shivered.

"My dad might be a ruthless bastard to the enemy, but he is not like that with family," I explained.

"If you say so dude," Zack took out a cigarette.

We arrived at the club and went inside. I then felt a feeling that I was forgetting something. I looked at my watch and saw that it was seven-thirty. "Shit! I forgot to pick up Samara on the way here,"

"Relax, make something up, and tell her to meet you here," Zack patted my shoulder. "I'll get us drinks,"

"Good idea," I got my phone and texted Samara. She agreed to meet me at the club. "Perfect, she'll be here,"

"So what's the deal between you two?" Zack said.

"No deal, man, it's only a bit of fun," I shrugged.

"I didn't she was your type," Zack said.

"I don't have a type Zack. I will never involve anyone in my fucked up world," I crossed my arms.

"Never say never. Look at your father; he got married," Zack smiled.

"My father was a hump and dumb man just like me until he got my mother up the duff. I won't be that stupid," I said.

"We can get carried away in the heat of the moment man. Accidents happen to everyone," Zack laughed.

"It won't happen to me, my friend. You know my rule, no glove, no love," I said.

"Promoting condoms now?" Zack laughed harder.

"Damn right I am!" I declared.

"Ezra! Zack!" Samara yelled and waved to us. "How are you boys tonight?"

"Pretty good. Now I'm going to dance the night away, and I'll leave you two alone," Zack told us.

"Come here and kiss me, Samara," I pulled her close and smashed my lips against hers, and she melted into my kiss.

"Will we take this somewhere quiet and alone?" Samara asked.

"What do you have in mind?" I smiled.

"Follow me," Samara gently took my hand and guided me outside. We went to the dark alley side of the club. We were kissing passionately, but I backed away. "Why did you stop?"

"I just have a lot on my mind right now," I said.

"Do you want to talk about it? I'm a great listener," Samara smiled.

"Not really, it's family matters," I said.

"Must be pretty serious if it's taking your attention off me," Samara joked. "That's not like you,"

"Don't worry, love, I won't let it ruin our night," I said before I kissed Samara again. But then, a familiar voice interrupted our burning passion.

"Ezra, I've been looking for you everywhere," Zack said.

"Impeccable timing, as always Zack," I crossed my arms.

Zack laughed. "Hi, Zack,"

"Samara," Zack greeted. "Anyway, I wanted to tell you that I'm bailing, I got a hot date,"

"What that girl I saw at the parking lot with you?" I said.

"Yep," Zack winked. "I'm going to shoot my shot with her,"

Samara and I decided to go to her dorm room. Samara knows what she wants. We were barely in her dorm room, and she was trying to remove my clothes. Samara is easy, but I only want to have some fun. She is pulling at my clothes as I tear open a condom packet. "Wow, you're insatiable!" Samara moaned.

I'm still thinking about what my dad wants as I carry Samara to her bed.