Hide and Seek

13 hours...

'Renata and I had been hanging out for about two months when Ezra finally caught on. We were careful, very careful. We normally hung out at Renata's mother's house. Her name is Nadya. She knew about us and her daughter's happiness was the most important thing to her. She gave us her blessing and let us hang out there. All she asked was for us to wait until Renata and Eli were divorced before being too intimate. That was her only condition and we agreed to it. Renata and I were there for each other as friends. Best friends. And that blossomed into a deep love for each other. We were lovers who were also best friends.
The day Ezra found out the two of us were having dinner in the kitchen at Nadya's house. It was on the day that the article had come out about the spy, and everyone was a bit on edge. But Renata tried to calm me with a video of her son Bradley.'

"Aww this is cute." I played the video again. "What was he reciting?"

"He was reciting his poem for a talent show," she giggled. "When he realised that I was taking a video he got so mad and locked his door. I had to use a new Xbox to pacify him, and he made me promise to never show it to anyone. So, when you guys meet do not mention it to him please." She switched off her iPad.

"I really can't wait to see him. It's always fun hanging out with Bradley." I sighed.

"I know," she rubbed my arm. "But I need to be careful so that Eli doesn't suspect anything."

"Yeah. It sucks how Bradley and I can only see each other at family meetings, and I can't even look at you at those when what I really want to do is to take your hand," I intertwined our fingers, "and kiss you. Why can't the three of us just live in peace?"

"All in good time my love. All in good time." She kissed my cheek. "Oh and I've been meaning to ask you, how come your other siblings are single? I know Seth's wife passed away, so maybe he's still not ready yet. Kaiya's single, Myra's single, Inez's single, Ezra's single. And they've never spoken about their relationships.

"Well, Kaiya had a boyfriend once but dad didn't really approve of him," I told her. "She had a big fight with dad but officially yielded and broke up with him. As for Myra and Inez, I've never seen either of them serious with anyone and to be honest I don't care. Then, Ezra told me he's waiting for his true love. I don't know if he's found her yet."

"Do you think he ever will?" She pursed her lips.

"I don't know." I shrugged. "It's possible that he might. I mean, he's handsome and all that."

"Looks aren't really everything love. Whoever ends up with him has to be patient with his silence and condescending gazes." She chuckled and I shook my head.

"His eyes can be really annoying sometimes."

"I know you said not to talk about this but, who could it be?" She asked me, curiosity filled in her beautiful eyes.

"What do you mean? Ezra confessed," I answered.

"Yeah, but you couldn't possibly believe that it was actually him. Ezra wouldn't do that."

"Why does everyone seem to think that he is so perfect? I don't get it. He is human too. He makes mistakes too and he confessed."

"You know, of all the Levi children, I expected you to be the one person on his side. You're always saying how you are the only one who he talks to. Doesn't that mean something to you?"

"Of course it does. But it just annoys me how people think Ezra is perfect and does no wrong."

"Maybe it's because he hardly makes any poor decisions. He's not perfect, but he'd never do something to hurt your dad like this. Believe me my love."
Someone cleared their throat and we both turned to the kitchen door to see Ezra standing there with his eyes wavering. He had shadows of tears hovering over his eyelids. I had never seen him look so panicked. He ran a hand over his face and forced onto it a mask of indifference.
"That's an interesting term to use for your brother in law Renata," he muttered and we both heard him.

"Ezra..." I breathed, failing to formulate an explanation.

"I'm here because I managed to find documents that prove that Eli has been stealing company money, Renata." He glared at her. "I thought about this over and over again. Since you are his wife, you should be the first to know."

"Ezra," I repeated, but he still did not look at me. He continued to speak to Renata as if I was invisible.

"I will keep quiet about the documents, so you decide what you want to do." He took a flash drive out of his pocket and placed it on the table. "Goodnight." He turned to leave.

"Go after him," Renata whispered, and I ran after him.

"Ezra!" I called out to him as he stepped towards his car. "Ezra." I took hold of his arm before he could open the car door. He glared at my hand and I had to let go of him.

"I can explain," I said.

"Are you sure?" He narrowed his eyes.

"I- she needs me Ezra. And I need her. This is not like what you think. We agreed to be there for each other as friends. We haven't done anything you would think we would do. We haven't done anything wrong, okay?"

"Let me ask you one thing Dilean. Why is your 'friendship' a secret then?"

"Ezra we don't want people to-"

"If you are doing nothing wrong in your so called 'friendship', then why is it a secret? Why?"

"Dude-"

"Why is it a secret?"
The way he looked at me had me speechless. He had never looked at me with such disappointment before. He was judging me and I hated it. I felt so angry and I just wanted to punch him. Though the conversation was far from over, I took a step back and let him go.'