𝐄𝐙𝐄𝐊𝐈𝐄𝐋 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞'𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

17

Ezekiel:

Late in the afternoon, I decided to head up to Xavier’s office, expecting to find him buried in work as usual. But as I reached his door, I noticed it was closed, an odd sight that immediately raised questions. Xavier rarely took breaks, let alone a day off. Curiosity gnawed at me, so I headed down the hall to Hector’s office, Xavier’s reliable personal assistant, hoping he’d have some answers.

When I knocked and stepped in, Hector looked up from his desk and greeted me politely. “Good afternoon, Sir Ezekiel. How can I help you?”

“Afternoon, Hector. I was looking for Xavier. Any idea where he might be?” I asked.

Hector nodded. “He actually took the day off, sir,” he replied with a hint of surprise in his tone.

“A day off?” I repeated, frowning. “That’s… unusual for him. Did something happen?”

Hector shook his head, looking a bit puzzled himself. “I’m not sure, sir. All I know is he asked me to make a reservation for three for dinner tonight at the Morganthe Hotel.”

“For three?” I questioned, my curiosity deepening. “Who’s the third person?”

Hector’s eyes lit up as he explained, “Mrs. Morganthe’s best friend is in town, sir. I met her yesterday—she flew in all the way from Japan.”

I paused, a slight frown on my face. I’d known Jade for quite a while now, and this was the first I was hearing about her having a best friend, let alone one from Japan. “I didn’t know Jade had a best friend,” I murmured, more to myself than to Hector.

Hector seemed mildly surprised. “You don’t know Miss Akira, sir?”

At the mention of her name, my heart suddenly skipped a beat, and a chill ran down my spine. Akira. That name struck me like a lightning bolt, bringing with it a flood of memories I had thought long buried. Could it really be… her?

“What did you say her name was?” I asked, my voice barely concealing the turmoil now churning inside me.

“Miss Akira, sir,” Hector repeated, clearly unaware of the storm he had just unleashed. “Actually, I followed her on Instagram last night. She posted a photo with Mrs. Morganthe—here, let me show you.”

He picked up his phone, scrolling briefly before handing it to me, his screen displaying a photo. And there she was—Akira. The same Akira I  knew, whose face had haunted my thoughts and dreams. She looked  even more striking than I remembered, with the same intense gaze that could hold anyone captive.

I stared at the photo in disbelief, memories flashing through my mind. How could she be here, now, connected to Jade, of all people?

"Hector, tell me whatever you want, and I'll make it happen. You’re an absolute angel!" I said, my excitement slipping through.

Hector just blinked at me, looking mildly confused, but I couldn’t care less. I chuckled, unable to hide my happiness, and quickly excused myself, leaving his office with a spring in my step. Heading downstairs, I crossed the street to the Morganthe Hotel, where I found the restaurant manager.

“I need you to notify me the moment Xavier Morganthe arrives for dinner tonight,” I requested, my tone making it clear that this was not optional.

The manager nodded, assuring me he’d personally handle it. I thanked him and made my way up to my private suite on the top floor, feeling my anticipation build with every step. Once inside, I went straight to my walk-in closet, rummaging through racks of suits and jackets, considering what to wear for tonight.

Nothing could contain my anticipation. The thought of seeing Akira again, after all these years, was like an electric current running through me. I could already feel my pulse quicken just imagining that first look, the moment her eyes would meet mine.

I smiled, choosing a dark suit with just the right hint of elegance.

🤍🤍🤍

I adjusted the collar of my shirt, my fingers lingering as I glanced at myself in the mirror. Tonight, every detail had to be perfect. I checked my watch, realizing I still had an hour before the reservation time. Unable to shake my restless energy, I poured myself a glass of whiskey, hoping it would take the edge off. But as the liquid burned its way down, it did nothing to calm the storm inside me. My thoughts were spinning, memories of Akira flooding back.

Eventually, the phone on my bedside rang, and I picked it up with a sharp intake of breath. It was the manager.

“Mr. Ezekiel, Mr. Morganthe and his party have arrived.”

I thanked him, hanging up before heading out the door. Each step toward the elevator felt charged with energy. By the time I reached the restaurant, I paused just outside, giving myself a moment to compose. I couldn’t walk in there looking too eager.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside and scanned the room.

There she was, Akira, in that stunning red dress. The last person I expected to see tonight. I hadn’t seen her in months, yet she was still exactly as I remembered. Beautiful, captivating, with a fiery attitude that intrigued me more than I’d ever admit. I owed Hector, Xavier’s personal assistant, a huge thank you for cluing me in on where she would be tonight.

Taking a deep breath, I approached their table, flashing my most charming smile. “Well, hello there, cousin,” I greeted Xavier, but I barely took my eyes off Akira. She looked absolutely stunning, and judging by the way she suddenly tensed up, she noticed me too.

Her shoulders stiffened, her jaw tightened, and I could practically see the annoyance in her eyes. Perfect. I relished every moment of it.

“Ezekiel, what are you doing here?” Xavier asked, standing up to give me a quick hug.

“Don’t forget, this is my hotel, cousin,” I joked, still holding Akira’s gaze.

Turning to the woman beside her, I offered a warm smile. “Well, what a lovely surprise to see my beautiful cousin-in-law here.”

Jade blushed, flashing me a shy smile. “Hi, Eze,” she greeted softly, her cheeks tinged with pink.

Then, my gaze dropped to her neck, where I noticed two faint marks—what might look like ordinary moles to most people, but to us, they were unmistakable: a vampire’s bite. My eyes darted back to Xavier, silently questioning him. He gave me a confirming nod, and I chuckled, pulling him into a congratulatory hug.

“You finally did it, cousin! I’m so proud of you,” I laughed, still sneaking glances at Akira, who refused to meet my eyes.

“Eze, this is Jade's bestfriend, Akira Shimizu,” Xavier introduced, gesturing toward her. The same woman who had been on my mind ever since Hawaii, and the one who had haunted my dreams.

“We’ve already met,” Akira replied sharply, catching Jade off guard.

“Oh? When?” Jade asked, intrigued.

“A few months ago in Hawaii,” Akira replied, her voice clipped, clearly displeased to be talking about it—or me.

Her words stung. “Nothing special about it?”I thought. Look at me, kitten, and tell me that again. I’ve had sleepless nights because of you. I’ve been craving the memory of you in my arms, helpless beneath my touch. I wanted to make her melt again, to hear her breathlessly whisper my name.