....

Mrs Rose stares at the exchange between the two. Her eyes flickering to Aaron's grip on Ezra's chin to land back on him.

"Mom?"

As if struck by lightning. Aaron realises his closeness to Ezra and moves back from her. Straightening back to run his hand through his hair.

Cursing under his breath.

"What's going on here? Aaron?"

She asks in a voice , laced in austerity. Making Ezra to lower her eyes immediately, clenching the comforter tightly.

Stepping closer to Aaron, Mrs Reed's expression changes suddenly. Her brows furrowed in hidden anger

"Have you been drinking?"

Aaron's throat ran dry as he looks at his mom. Not knowing how to answer it.

"Mom..I-"

Mrs Reed shows him her hand. Asking him to shut it. To only look at Ezra's downcasted eyes and sigh.

"I will ask you both just one question. And I want both of you, to answer me truthfully."

"Aaron. Were you drunk that night when you initiated that kiss?"

"Mom but-"

"Yes or No Aaron! Nothing else!"

He sighs, to move his head in a no. Clenching his fists.

"No Mom. I wasn't drunk that night."

"Good"

Turning towards Ezra, Mrs Reed asks in a soft voice. Placing her hand on Ezra's head

"Ezra my child. Do you have feelings for my son?"

Ezra's eyes stop at Aaron's. Who was sending daggers at her. Warning her. And she gulps, not knowing how to answer.

"Don't look at him Ezra. Look at me and tell me the truth."

Ezra looks back at Mrs Reed's eyes. And she knew, she couldn't lie.

"I...do"

Came her reply. And a big smile comes on Mrs Reed's lips.

"Bravo! You both made me the most happiest person alive by telling me this! Oh my goodness! I am so happy , I can't even tell!"

Holding Aaron's hand ,she pulls him to place his palms in Ezra's hand. Looking at them and smiling.

"It's final now. I guess it's time for a wedding now!"

Ezra and Aaron look at each other in shock. Mrs Reed's hand on their hands, stopping them from pulling back.

"We... wedding Mrs Reed?"

Ezra asks. To only have Mrs Reed to nod. Pulling her for a hug. To only hold her face in her palms, looking at Ezra with eyes, filled with tears of happiness.

"Yes my Ezra! I have a great wedding to arrange for! After all my daughter like Ezra is finally going to be my daughter in every sense! "

Aaron looks at his mother in shock. How much he wanted to stop her, to say no. But that smile on her lips? He hasn't seen her so happy before.

"Aaron! Thank you so much my Son! No matter how much I searched, I couldn't find a girl as perfect as Ezra. Thank you!"

She pulls Aaron for a hug. And he stills, not knowing what to do or say. He just gulps, finally placing his hands around her, hugging her back.

"I am so happy!"

All excited, Mrs Rose had tears of happiness in her eyes. And neither Aaron, not Ezra had it in them , to stop her.

"Come! Everyone should get the good news!"

"They will be so excited! Oh god! I have so much to do! "

Mrs Reed urges them to come along. As she leaves the room to announce to everyone.

And Aaron looks at Ezra in detest , clenching his fists, to which she simply lowers her eyes , ignoring his stare.

Following Mrs Reed.

.....

1 Month Later

Ezra's pov

"This one is classy, but you know what? I think the off shoulder one will look better on you"

Stel says, showing me two wedding dresses on her either arm. But I was too lost. My mind pre occupied.

"Stel, I think that one will embellishments will be perfect, show me"

"Oh come on Neil! It's out of fashion. You boys know nothing about it! This one is final!"

"Ezra! What say?"

"Ezra!"

I come out of my thoughts to look up at her excited face.

"Huh?"

I ask blankly. To only have her roll her eyes at me.

"Which one stupid. Where are you lost?"

"I think bro's thoughts are keeping our soon to be bride, pre occupied."

Neil says with a raised eyebrow. And I lower my gaze. I can't refute it, I was thinking about him.

"So why don't we ask bro only? I am sure he will help her decide."

Neil says and I look at him in horror. Clicking the picture of the dresses,he was going to send it to him when I stop him.

"No Neil please! Don't!"

He looks at me with a taunting smirk lingering on his lips.

"Why not princess? You both have already played with us so well!"

"I mean we all couldn't even guess in our wildest dreams that there was something going on between you two. It's been a month and I still fail to digest this news."

"I know Neil. It came so sudden! And that kiss! Damn Ezra! When did it even happen?"

I don't know what to say. And I struggle with answers.

"That day...I....um..."

They both suddenly chuckle and blood rushes to my cheek. Lowering my eyes I play with my fingers instead.

"And sent!"

I look up at Neil in disbelief. He didn't. Did he?

Aaron left the very next day of our announcement for marriage. Naming it as an important business deal in Seattle. I haven't heard from him for almost a month now.

And I really doubt my decision sometimes, will he ever stay happy with me?

No messages, no calls. Nothing.

And now tomorrow, I will be seeing him finally.

It's the d day after all. . . . And I already feel my nerves wrecking.

And Neil just sent him a picture of my wedding dress to choose from ?

I am so damned.

They both were taunting me, when my phone rang. And I gulp.

It was him.

Neil and Stel exchange a look, with those big goofy smiles on their faces. And I just stare at his name on my screen.

"Pick up Ezra. What are you waiting for?"

"Bro is really eager. He called just after."

I look up at them. Their eyes urging me to take the call. With those smirks still plastered on their faces.

"Pick up and put on speaker!"

Stel says and I move my head in a no. No way will I put it on spea-

Stel takes my phone from my hands and presses on the green button. Putting it on speaker and moving it closer to me.

Speak. She mouths and I gulp.

"Hello"

I spoke. Hoping he doesn't say anything wrong. My heart thudding in my chest.

There is silence for next few seconds, until I hear his speak in a gruff voice.

"Are you alone or are Stel and Neil with you?"

Stel and Neil look at each other in shock. To only have Neil to taunt.

"Oh bro damn. Private talks huh? "

"Neil. I am not in the mood. Give the cell to Ezra."

"Chill! It's not like we are taking her away from you. You both are finally getting married tomorrow!"

"Neil"

"Okay fine. Here."

Giving me my cell back. I switch off the speaker to place it on my ear. Going away from them.

"Umm I am alone now"

I say, to only hear a sigh from the other side. He is irritated. I can already tell.

"You think I don't know what you are doing stupid girl? Stop playing these fuc*ing games."

"But Aaron I didn't...they were just assuming-"

"I don't give a fuc*. Now listen to me closely, for I won't be repeating myself."

I look at Neil and Stel , giving them a fake smile. Pretending. To only veil my fears behind.

"I will be coming back tomorrow and you have two options now"

"Either you say no to it and live your life happily as you wish to or..... "

"Say yes, but"

"After that you, no matter what. Don't you for once think your life will be as it is right now stupid girl."

"I will be taking you to hell Ezra , and don't you for once doubt my intentions.'

I gulp. Looking at the floor. Trying to stop those betraying tears.

Why? Why does he hate me so much?

What wrong did I even do to him.

"You...you are fooling yourself Aaron. I know you car-"

"I don't dammit! I don't care for you! Don't you understand once!"

"The kiss we shared was a casual thing for me Ezra. And you Ezra, are no one special."

"The only reason I will be saying I do tomorrow. Is to keep that smile on my mother's lips. And that's it."

"Don't you for once think it is for your honour or that stupid thing you call care"

I stay silent. Letting him speak. Knowing no matter what I say, it will only anger him more.

We both stay silent for next few seconds. Till I hear him sigh finally.

And I can already imagine him running his hand through his hair.

"See you tomorrow stupid girl. I hope you decide wisely."

He ends the call and I lower the phone. To bite my lip. Not knowing what to do.

And I doing the right thing ?

To be honest

I don't know anymore.

......

"Mrs Reed?"

I call on to her, knocking on her door. And she turns around to look at me. A bright smile on her face.

"Ezra? Come ,sit"

She makes me sit on the bed. And I look up at her, not knowing how to say this.

"Mrs Reed. I ..I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Yes Ezra. Tell me."

"Mrs Reed. I know you are really excited for tomorrow. And all the preparations are going on. But....have...have you asked Aaron about it? Does he really want this?"

Mrs Reed just smiles. Looking at me with admiration.

"I know my son Ezra. Aaron is a really difficult man to understand. He would never show how he feels."

"He keeps his problems to himself, never telling it to anyone so that others don't get worried."

"But his actions Ezra? They always tell the truth."

"But..what if he loves someone else Mrs Reed? "

Mrs Reed chuckles. Moving her head in a no.

"You mean his girlfriend Andriana?"

It was my turn to look at her in shock.

"You knew?"

And she nods. Holding my hands

"My son may not tell me things but I know much more about him than he thinks."

"The girl was cheating on him since so long and he thought he loved her. Not his fault though."

"She was beautiful and pretended to care for him. But I knew before hand that she was not for him."

"I am happy that the things ended between them."

I remain silent. Not knowing what to say anymore. I underestimated Mrs Reed. It seems she knows way more than anyone about Aaron.

"Because if they hadn't. Then how would he have realised he actually loves you.'

I look up at her with my mouth hanging open. Blush rising up my cheeks. But still I have to say it.

"Actually Mrs Reed. I don't think he lo-"

"Anyways, come here"

She doesn't let me complete. Pulling me along to make me stand in front of her vanity mirror.

"Stay put okay?"

She searches for something in her almirah. And next I know, she stands behind me in the mirror. And places a beautiful necklace studded with diamonds on my neck bone.

"Mrs Reed...I can't..."

"Shh not another word. My goodness. It looks so beautiful on you!"

She says smiling at me through the mirror.And I got to admit. It looked very beautiful. Why wouldn't it? I am sure it cost a million atleast.

"It's too expensive Mrs Reed-"

"Oh come on Ezra. You are going to be my daughter."

"Can't a mother gift her daughter out of love? "

"You can Mrs Reed but-"

"No buts! You are wearing it tomorrow with your wedding dress and it's final."

I gulp tracing the diamonds with my fingers. To only look into her glistening eyes in the mirror and smile.

"Okay...mom"

She looks taken back for a second and I see her eyes moisten with tears of happiness on hearing me calling her with the endearment .Places a gentle kiss on my forehead she replies.

"Bless you my child"

Looking at myself in the mirror. I take a deep breath. Preparing myself.

Get ready Ezra.

We are getting married tomorrow.