LOVING EZEKIEL

CHAPTER TWO

If you just heard it, it can be or cannot be true.

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Hello. I thought it is rude of me to leave your room without even saying goodbye.

I am writing this while dressed in your gray shirt (I took the first shirt I saw on the cabinet) because I woke up drenched in sweat because I am not feeling well. I will return your shirt later in the evening (I will wash it beforehand). I am looking forward in meeting you again, Ezekiel.

-Georgia

Ps: Finn can be quite noisy and might repeat your words often, so please be patient with him. I am already apologizing on his behalf.

Georgia’s morning began by reenacting a typical romance film—after she left a sticky note on the same spot where she found his message, she snuck out of the hotel room, hoping to not bump into anyone she knows while carrying her coat and shirt.

As she waited for the elevator to open, she looked back and forth the corridors, hoping that she won’t cause another scene.

Fortunately for her, the elevator opened with only visitors and foreign guests walking around the 16th floor of the hotel. Relieved, she walked in the empty elevator with a small smile resting on her lips. Finally.

Once the doors closed, she locked eyes with her own reflection that is being shown through the clear, metallic doors. There, she saw her messy hair that is freely flowing on her back with some locks resting on her left shoulder, which she only finger combed before rushing out the room, her pale face, shirt that is larger than her frame, pants that tucks the shirt in, and her overall look that screams hungover after a cliché, booming party.

“I look pretty weird, don’t I?” sighing, she lowered her gaze and stared at her sneakers that still have traces of sand. He knew how to take my coat, shoes, and socks off, but still respectful enough to keep my pants and shirt on. He must be really used with bring ladies in his- With her thoughts revolving about that man she just laid eyes on for a few moments, she felt her bl*od rushing to her face, slowly tainting her cheeks with red as she stood there with a warm feeling.

Ting!

Hearing that, she looked up and saw the indicator showing that she’s currently on the 12th floor. As the doors opened, she walked to the corner of the elevator and stood there properly, her eyes were looking straight in front of her, pretending to be lost in her thoughts despite feeling nervous of who might enter the elevator.

With her periphery, she saw a man dressed in gray V-neck, khaki pants, and a bracelet made of the seashells that is on his left wrist. He looks like someone from the high society too. Keeping her thoughts to herself, she held her clothes tightly and lowered her eyes after seeing that only one person is about to come in.

“No. I haven’t found him yet, sir.” As he entered, he continued conversing on his phone. “I doubt that sir will leave the hotel since it is still early. I believe that he is just roaming around for a change.” Of course, that’s not true. Who am I kidding?

Contradicting his words, he just shook his head, making him notice the reflection of the woman through the doors—more like, her shirt caught his attention. Wait. Is that…?

There, he saw the patched logo at the upper left of the shirt: EFH. Sir Ezekiel’s initials. Seeing that, he looked at the woman behind him. She looks descent to be hooker, but too plain to be of high caliber. With questions circling his mind, he stared at her with a questioning look. Who is this woman?

“—Jones? Jones! Are you listening, Secretary Jones?!” Snapped out of his thoughts after hearing his name getting mentioned by his employer, he cleared his throat and then stared in front of him once again, now observing the woman through the doors.

“My apologies. I will continue looking for sir and will report to you as early as I can, Mr. Hendrix.” After the call ended after listening to the angered screams of the caller, he lowered down his phone and took a deep breath. Why do I have to cover up for sir Ezekiel? This is the first time that he left his room early in the morning, I hope he won’t do this again.

Regretting how he made friends with his arrogant and stubborn boss, Ezekiel Finn Hendrix, he just shook his head and looked back at the woman who caught his attention.

“Didn’t your mother tell you that it’s rude to stare at people?” surprised by the sudden words, his eyes slightly widened when she looked up and looked at him with blank eyes. “I am not a beggar who got lost in the hotel by accident, so you don’t have to think whether you’ll call the manager, the police, or whatnot.” She scoffed.

“I-no-I wasn’t-” every unfinished sentence made him took a step backwards with his hands raised up in surrender. So when he is three steps farther than he originally is, he looked at her with concerned eyes. “I don’t.” he said, and that answer made Georgia nearly laugh. But for the sake of her dignity, she remained stern.

“That isn’t the right way to respond, sir stranger.” He’s so cute! Deep inside her, she admires how his eyes somehow reminds her of the sea that’s being shined on by the morning sun, his disheveled brownish hair makes him look like a softhearted person, and his overall outfit appeals as a kind and comforting aristocrat that’s out for a casual stroll.

“I-I mean-” wanting to stop his nonsensical words, he paused, took a deep breath, and rubbed the back of his neck before returning his gaze to the woman who’s looking at him with her tired, honey brown eyes. “I’m sorry. I thought you look like someone I know.” He said, followed by an awkward chuckle which made her brows furrow in confusion.

My memory is a little dusty but I am confident that I have not met this person. “Yes. You must be mistaken.” She clarified, and as if on cue, the elevator doors opened. Leaving no chance for them to talk any further, she quickly took big steps to exit the elevator and walk straight to the hotel’s exit.

“Wait!” despite hearing that, she kept on walking—her pace is getting faster. Don’t look back. Don’t look back. As she conditioned herself to not be affected by a man he just met, she was nearing the exit when she felt someone grab her arm, causing her to look back and saw the same person looking at him with a worried expression.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry.” Because they are blocking the exit, the people who are near them began whispering.

“Scare her?”

“Look at her clothes. She must have spent the night with him.”

Wanting to not gain more attention, she took a quick peek at the forming crowd before glaring at him. This is like last night. Instead of dismissing him, she held his wrist and pulled him out of the hotel, hoping that he won’t protest before she can even reach a safe place for them to discuss.

Since there are a few set of cars parked in front, she lead him at the back of one of them. Taking a deep breath, she brushed her hair back before looking at him annoyedly. “Look, I don’t know what runs in your mind to the point that you’re too guilty of what you did, but I am not angry and I think I don’t deserve any apology.” She said in one breath.

She doesn’t need an apology? Confused as of why he’s being talked to like that, he stared at her for a short while before she blinked and showed her an apologetic smile. “Even so, I want to say sorry since I might’ve made you uncomfortable at some point.” He said, then he raised his hand, offering a hand shake.

“My name is Drake Jones. I hope you won’t mind this.” He said, then he opened and closed his hand to pertain to his friendly gesture.

Georgia stared at him for a few moments. He doesn’t seem like a bad guy. Saying my name won’t hurt. “Georgia. My name’s Georgia.” She said, then she lifted her hand and accepted the handshake which quickly brightened Drake’s expression.

“Is it too much to ask for your surname too?” Sir Ezekiel never lends his clothes. She must be something else. Hoping to not cut the connection with the mysterious woman he happened to meet before he ends up frustrated because he can’t find his boss anywhere, he played safe and wishes to know her full name—reason? To easily find her if the time he needs her comes.

“It’s not. But it’s rude to not settle with what you’re given.” I don’t know what he’s up to, but I’m sure he needs something more than my name from me. Smiling despite her wariness, she watched as his expression turned from hopeful into a slightly agape mouth.

“Oh.” Embarrassed that he’s corrected for the second time, he just let out a small chuckle as he averted his gaze. Feeling a small amount of guilt, Georgia sighed and raised her brow at him. “Little Sunshine Veterinary Clinic.” Upon the mention of her clinic, he looked at her confusedly.

“Find me there.” With that statement, he was lost for a moment, but when he looked down the folded coat that she’s holding and noticed the paw print logo with its clinic name, he finally understood what it meant. “Okay, miss Georgia.” Beaming like a child that was given what he requested, Georgia couldn’t help but smile at the stranger who somehow gives a wholesome sensation.

“See you when I see you, sir Drake.” With that, she took a step back as she gave him a gentle smile. “Please just call me Drake, miss.” Hearing that calm voice, she was surprised on how someone like him is speaking politely to someone like her.

So there are some good people in the rich man’s world. Thinking a little better about him, Georgia chuckled. “Goodbye for now, Drake.” Finally giving her farewell, she turned her back and then walked away from the parking lot. I think he’s a nice person. But despite that change of impression, the thought of being misunderstood by the crowd by the hotel exit caused for her face to get flushed embarrassment once again.

As she walked away, Drake stared at her retreating figure. “I doubt sir is into women who loves animals.” Judging by her coat, she is a veterinarian. If she’s a veterinarian, then she’s so good with animals, right? “Sir hates animals. He can’t possibly get along with a woman who likes them.” While muttering to himself, the phone in his hand suddenly rang.

Mr. Ezekiel Finn

Seeing that name on his screen, he gave glanced at her for the last time before answering the call, now looking at the seashore in front of him. “I thought I made it clear that leaving more than two missed calls is against the rules, Jones.” Hearing his boss’ morning grumpy voice because of his sleep getting disturb, Drake sighed.

“Your dad is called me, sir. He was looking for you and he got mad because you aren’t answering his calls.” He reported. “I threw away my spare phone so his calls cannot even reach me. Tell him I’ll come back when I want to, so f*ck off because it’s my life, not his.” It wasn’t new to him to hear his boss’ rebellious words, so just as when he will reply, he heard a rather unusual sound.

“F*ck! F*ck!”

“Sir?? Why is there a parrot?” confused as of why there is a bird imitating the curse word, his brows furrowed as he turned to look at the direction where Georgia left. Bird? That veterinarian….

“Ah f*ck. Now her pet’s cursing.”

Her? Connecting the dots one by one, he came in a conclusion—That woman must be dating him!! But he’s just here two days ago. How come?? Mislead by the information he received, his face turned red upon remembering that the woman he just met is not wearing her clothes. But his.

“F*ck! F*ck!”



“Stop copying me, you f*cking piece of- damn. I have to clean this damn bird’s mouth. I’ll deal with you later, Jones.” When Ezekiel ended the call, he left his secretary lost in his wild thoughts.