"There are ones who hurt others to enjoy their pains.

Then there are ones who get hurt themselves, to see a smile on others lips.

The former may be more happy in life , but remember the latter are more content and without regrets.

As there happiness is not depend on others, but good deeds of one's own self"

- suzangill©

.....

"You don't need to be shy. It's fine."

The stranger says, worsening Ezra's heart's state.To only have her cover it up with a smile.

"Umm I am not shy. It's just...that I haven't been in a arrangement like this before."

"You mean on a date?"

She nods, looking around.

"Yaa, like an arranged kind of a date. Mom really wanted me to meet you , so..."

She trails, looking down at her hands. His next question making her look up at him in anxiousness.

"And what about you Ezra?"

She gives a nervous laugh. Gulping.

"Wh...what about me?"

"Did you wanted to meet me?"

Initially no, subsequently yes. Was the truthful answer. But she settled with a mere nod. Avoiding his gaze. Those aqua blue eyes were definitely something.

The way he sees her, she can feel his gaze penetrating down into her soul.

The waiter interrupts getting them a cup of coffee. And Ezra being too nervous with the stranger's fixated gaze on her , just chucked the liquid.

To curse!

Aghhh it was freaking hot! Her mouth burns and she could feel tears sting her eyes.

Sh**! Sh**! Sh**!

Pressing her lips in a thin line, she gulps the warm liquid. And it did worse, burning her throat more. But she couldn't tell him. It was too damn embarressing.

But there was no need after all .

As the strangers realises it himself, his face gets morphed in worry. Seeing the innocent girl go silent suddenly ,those tears lining at the brim of her eyes, told him how much pain she was concealing.Picking up a glass of water, he rushes to her. Placing it on her lips.

" Here drink this!"

"It's... burning..."

"Shh it's fine. Drink this."

He places the brim of the glass on her lips and makes her drink it. The cold water soothing her pain immediately.

"Den! get me some ice cream and yogurt! Hurry up!"

He orders the stuff, to see them rushing inside . Before she knows, her table was surrounded by waiters.

She felt awkward.

She never got so much attention before. Everyone was watching her with concern and she curses herself more.

Stupid Ezra!

Couldn't you drink it slowly! It was not a cold drink but burning coffee dammit!

"Here."

She sees him offering a spoon of ice cream. And one look at those blue orbs and she forgets everything.

"I...I will have it mys-"

"Don't speak and strain your throat."

She gulps. The way he commands her for her own good, creating a ruckus inside her stomach.

Taking the spoon from his hand, she shyly places the frozen yoghurt in her mouth.

To find his eyes trailing her movement.

To get settled on her lips.

"You have burned your lips belle."

He says moving his fingers to trace the corner of her lip with his thumb.

"It's... nothing-"

"Shhh I said don't speak"

They look at each other, and almost got lost in each other's eyes. His touch gentle and featherly,sending a shiver down her spine.

She feels warmness rush in her and when she looks up at those blue eyes again ,she sees a pair of cold grey's instead.

Making her blink.

The heart which was thudding earlier much faster than normal, was now ready to get out of her chest .

Her heartbeat audible to her ears.

No! It can't be....those grey orbs...she blinks her eyes again to find it to be blue instead and she literally moves back from him.

Pushing back her chair and getting up.

"Belle what happened?"

"I...I will be back!"

With this she rushed to the washroom. To close the door and lean her head on it.

Trying to calm her names.

Sh**!Why!

What's happening? Why am I seeing him. The image of Aaron kissing her lips flashes in front of her eyes and she tightens her fists.

Move on Ezra! Move on! He asked you to do it himself! He doesn't care about you!

He hates you! Move on from him!

Looking at herself in the mirror, she places her finger on her lips to see them actually burned. Lowering her fingers, she just stares at the girl looking back at her in the mirror.

Stay strong Ezra. Let go of him.

Forget about those grey orbs, when they will give you nothing but pain.

You can do it Ezra. You can.

With new found determination, she exits the washroom. To find the stranger waiting for her.

"Ezra"

He says, looking at her face. To only have her smile back at him. Rubbing her neck awkwardly, she tries to lighten the mood.

"Umm can I know the name of the most pulchritudinous thing here?"

He looks at her in surprise. To only nod.

"Ya of course. We have Quesadillas, Mediterranean style Cherry Tart, Galeto, Ravioli, my favourite Tiramisu-"

Her chuckles stops him in between as he stares at her. Her next words making a small smile to linger on his lips.

"I am asking your name Stranger. I forgot to ask you earlier."

Seeing her smiling like that. The doubt of crossing his boundaries earlier by touching her, vanished in thin air.

Offering her his hand , he speaks maintaining the contact of their eyes.

"Declan"

She likes his name instantly and wanted to try it once. Her lips moving to say his name for the first time as he couldn't help stare at them.

"Hi Declan. It's..it's nice to meet you."

"Likewise Ezra."

They get settled again. Continuing from where they left. The air of awkwardness between them, lifting slowly as Ezra tried getting comfortable with this beautiful stranger sitting in front of her.

.........

Few days later

" Bro! Come on! It's not like everyday we ask you!"

Neil was persistent. Trying to convince Aaron. Who continues with his food. While watching some reports on his tablet.

"Neil is right! I seriously don't remember when we all last went on a vacation together! It will be so much fun!"

Ben joins him. Both of them surrounding Aaron from either side.

To finally have him drop his spoon and look at them.

"I have a board meeting coming up and I won't be able to come. That's final!"

Stel joins the conversation, giving him her puppy eyes.

"Yes ! Please join us Aaron! My family will be so delighted to meet you. Plus I talked to Adriana too! We guys will have a super duper vacation!"

Aaron's doesn't reply. Clenching his fists. Stel and Andriana's closeness was definitely a problem. Picking up his cell ,he gets up to leave from there.

Everyone stares at his back in disbelief. To only groan.

"Bro! Seriously! Why are you so boring!"

"It's for only a week bro! Please! If you love us, you will agree to this!"

"Please!!"

His footsteps stop Looking over his shoulder. He barely nods.

"Fine"

"But you will let me do my work there."

Everyone shrieks in happiness, to only have Neil and Ben come running towards him. Engulfing him in a hug.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you bro? You are the best!"

Smiling ,Aaron places his arms around their necks to pull them towards him.

"So when do we leave?"

And Neil's words made him look at him in disbelief.

"Tonight"

"Bu-"

"Don't bro! It's done now! Get ready!

Aaron lifts his hand in surrender. Knowing it's no use arguing with them.

"Fine! Okay!"

He smiles after a very long time, to only have his smile vanish. As he sees a figure standing near the threshold, looking at them with admiration.

His fists immediately clenching.

"Ezra! My cupcake! Are you done with the packing?"

Neil asks , as soon as he spots her. To only have Stel rush towards her.

"Yup! We both are done packing Neil! It's going to be beautiful...I can already feel the beach and those tides! Ezra? Why are so silent? Aren't you excited?"

Stel asks Ezra. Whose eyes were fixed on Aaron's. Days have passed, almost a month since they last talked. With both of them avoiding each other like a plague.

Untill now.

"She is also going?"

Aaron speaks in his low voice, even before thinking. And Ben and Neil both turn towards him.

"Yah why won't she?She was so excited to see the beach!"

Neil says, pulling Ezra for a side hug. While Aaron's mood seemed to have gone to worse.

Looking at Ezra, he seethes.

"You guys go. I won't come."

Her eyes soften, almost showing how she felt. He was cancelling because of her, she could see it . He truly hated her.

"Neil...you guys go.... seriously. It's your family...I...-"

"Oh shut up Ezra! I am not going without you!"

Ben says and Ezra lowers her eyes. Feeling too anxious. Blaming herself.

"And I am not going without you bro!"

Neil declares , placing his arm on Aaron's shoulder. Knowing there was no way out of it.

Two voices speak up at the same time.

"Fine."

Everyone chuckles. While Ezra and Aaron meet each other's stare the second time.

"Atleast something is common between them?"

Neil says taunting. And everyone laughs. While they both, avoid each other stare yet again.

If only they knew, what was going on between these two.

From being Acquaintance, to friends, to enemies, to sharing beds and kisses.

Now committed to their own relationships and circumstances.

They were again mere strangers now.

. . . .

Let's see how long they could stay like that, at the upcoming vacation. . .

Pack your bags, for the flight was boarding now. . .

Miami is waiting for your arrival.