Cuffed by Will

VI. Kostelijk

Friday, 04th May. Day 4.

Ezra said certain things last morning which shut me up for the entire day. At first, I thought of it as irrational. Irrational, because, I have suffered the worst remarks from him for a year so I really shouldn't care when he hurt me like that. But then, he had never said anything like that to me before.

After skipping work yesterday and not even replying to Ezra's constant questions, I realized that he plays an even more important part in my life than I had originally thought. His words and actions directly influence my next choice or decision. Like when he says certain things, I skip work. When he decides on something, I agree blindly. I should be revolting, going rebellious even. Why should I follow his orders when I have a right to say what I want?

I decided that once I get my heart and mind sorted after the blow of pain I suffered yesterday, I would never take no for an answer. When I wanted something, I'd damn well fight for it. But when exactly was I going to get over that 'rejection'? Frankly, it seemed stupid but if Ezra had his ego, I had my feelings.

I grew so frustrated one point in time yesterday that I switched off my phone and almost broke it when there was a constant buzzing because of late deliveries. Worse was that most of my customers recognized me from the papers and wanted to know what was going on and find out how I snagged bachelor billionaire Ezra Copper.' Because of my second nature of not taking anyone's shit, I naturally told them to fuck off. If only my second nature worked on someone like Ezra himself.

My mind wandered to yesterday when Ezra and I were walking, well, running into the Copper House to get away from reporters. Part of me wanted to publically insult him just for the sake of it but I didn't. I couldn't go that far and I knew I get extremely unpredictable when I was high on anger and hurt.

When we got back home that evening, I spent a good long time looking at my reflection on the glass doors of the shower, wondering if what Ezra said was right. Am I so disgusting that no one would give me a second glance? I did not get the answer myself, neither did I do the stupid thing and ask Ezra. I simply went to sleep, or actually stayed awake in bed with a headache.

"Permanently lost your voice or done being you?" Ezra asked during breakfast. I simply looked down and finished my pancakes. I'm glad the staff was there today. I don't think I could have managed co-operating with Ezra today. "Hey, I'm talking to you." He said a little while later and a bit more annoyed. A maid took my plate and I turned to give my attention to today's newspaper, praying whole heartedly that there was nothing on page 6 revolving around me. But Fate loved messing with me and now the entire world knew my name. Perfect. Just too damn fucking perfect. They could now splash my entire life story on the papers and write an award winning book about it.

After Ezra and I got dressed, we left for his office. Once we reached the entrance of the building, I put on my shades and got out of the car with my head down. If only I had longer hair, maybe I could have provided myself with another false layer of security, just like the sunglasses.

"Clara, any comments on the handcuffs?"

"Clara, are you and Mr. Copper together?"

"Mr. Copper, does this mean you're off the market?"

"Mr. Copper, can you comment on the status of your relationship?" Reporters waved tape recorders and mikes in our faces and hit us with questions and only when we were safe inside the building did I release the breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Good morning, Mr. Copper, Miss Penn." Sylvia greeted us and I gave her a small smile. Ezra replied too and we went straight to his office. He worked on his laptop and I got some plain sheets to doodle on after I finished going through every magazine Sylvia managed to fetch for me.