LOVING EZEKIEL

CHAPTER SIX

Hello, it is nice (?) to meet you…again.

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Drake Jones has been Ezekiel Hendrix’s secretary for the past four years. At first, he was nearly swayed by the rumors circulating his new boss—they said he was obnoxious, ill-tempered, monstrous, and negatively overwhelming. Those words were just a few of what he heard, but among everything they said, only one thing was proven to be true: he is definitely ill-tempered.

As a secretary who does his work efficiently but not workaholic, people admired his diligence in acting both as a senior in the company, and as a secretary of the tyrant. And now, for the first time in his life, he found himself stoned on the spot as he stared at the sleeping woman, comfortably covered in his boss’ sheets, laying in his boss’ bed, and using his boss’ pillows.

“I didn’t enter the wrong room, right?” asking an obvious question, he slowly turned to his boss, currently sitting by the window. The morning sun is gently hitting him through the space given by the closed, glass windows and well-tied curtains, his face is looking at the direction where the heat comes from. “Ask yourself, Jones.”

It isn’t new to him that his boss is not looking at him every time they speak at day, because as part of his job, he is entrusted with a secret that only the Hendrix family and the direct employees know: Ezekiel Finn Hendrix has an unknown condition of being nearly blind at day, but his vision at night is as clear as crystal at night.

So for Drake who earned the secret through hard work, he cannot understand on why her, out of all people, was fortunate enough to meet with him twice, sleep in his room twice, be treated on a tier much better than the rest, and be involved in his life even when he have a secret and a reputation to uphold. They’ve just met each other, what made happened in a span of a few hours?

“I purposely didn’t tell you that Georgia’s staying with me last night because you’ll ask me needless questions. Right now, I want you to make her a soup for hangover, give her food to eat when she wakes up, and let her use my bathroom to fix herself before leaving.” Ezekiel said, causing for Drake to stare at the sleeping Georgia in awe and confusion.

“Does she know about-”

“No.” when he received an answer before he could even finish his question, he quickly looked at his boss who was still facing the sun. No? But why is she being treated like a lover? Could it be that she’s- “Whatever you’re thinking, erase it. I just…need to check something.”

Check? What ‘something’ does he need to check to the point that he needs to break his own character? So indulged with a question he can’t answer on his own, he stared at his boss who just kept quiet while letting the heat warm up his face. “Not seeing you doesn’t mean that I don’t know you’re staring, Jones.”

Hearing that comment, Drake snapped out of his thoughts and blinked before turning to look at the sleeping lady. Her looks are above average, but she also appears much simpler than the woman they typically interact with in the world they belonged too. With physical characteristics that are in between of a beauty and a commoner, what made his boss interested?

“Ugh….”

Drake’s eyes widened when she heard her mutter a small groan. Is she waking up? Feeling a kick of anxiousness upon the thought that she might mistook him as creep again, he took a step back, hoping that she won’t wake up until he’s prepared enough to explain the situation to here.

“Stop talking, Finn….” Saying that, she moved to the side, now facing the door and her back is against the windows. “Quiet…” after mumbling the next words, she soon fell in a quiet state of sleep. However, that small stunt she unknowingly pulled just caused for another question to arise in the secretary’s mind.

The name that slipped in her mouth made Drake look at his boss. She calls him by his second name? Are they that close? “No. she doesn’t.” Before he could even utter a word, Ezekiel quickly responded to his question that was just on its way of being verbally expressed. “She’s talking about her parrot, Finn.”

“Parrot?” That’s it! That statement just cleared one of his suspicions—the parrot he heard disturbing his boss on the call that day, and the parrot he was asked to pick up last night, is the very same parrot who owned to that girl, Georgia! How can boss be with a veterinarian? He hates animals as much as he hates idiots!

Before he could process what he just learned, his gaze followed Ezekiel who stood up and walked towards the door without bumping his knee or tripping on the carpet—a skill he learned because of his unusual blindness is to memorize the place he’ll stay in like a puzzle, so he walks and moves expertly like he’s just exiting a maze. “Where are you going, sir?”

“I’ll sleep on the couch.” He replied, ruffling his hair as his other hand touched the knob. “I’m giving you permission to guide her to do whatever she wants in here as long as she won’t wake me up.” Saying that, he opened the door and closed it right after he exited, disappearing before Drake could even respond to the order he was given.

“Boss?? Will sleep on the couch?” if Drake is a character with his thoughts floating above his head, thousands of question marks will remain like a bunch of clouds on top of his ever-puzzled expression. “These things are too good to be true.”

***

“LAYLA!”

As if she was struck by a spell of having her heart nearly beat out of her chest, she woke up with cold sweat, quick breathing, and a pounding headache. It wasn’t that surprising for her to wake up in a state other than a peaceful morning soul, but for her to wake up in a distressed state almost the same as what she felt when she first slept on his bed? It is rather unusual.

“I’m here again?” It wasn’t a question, it was rather a question of affirmation. Does it make sense? No—because even for Georgia, she doesn’t even understand how in the world did she end up in the room she vowed to never enter again.

When she heard the knob twist open, she looked at the door and saw a familiar figure enter while carrying a tray of warm soup and a glass of water. Seeing that man, her brows furrowed in confusion. “Drake? Drake Jones?” saying the name that echoed in her tired head, she followed him with her gaze as he closed the door and walked towards her.

As she sits on the bed, she can’t help but think. “Why are you here?” she voiced out.

Drake stopped beside her. “That’s what I want to ask you too.” He sighed, then he sat a little in front of her side to look straight in her eyes. “How did you meet my boss?” without beating around the bush, he popped out a question that made Georgia’s mind feel fuzzier than before.

“Boss?” she repeated as she blinked twice. “Ezekiel is your boss?” her question was answered by a single nod, but that is enough to make her heart pound in fear. What should I do?! What id he’s here to give me food and then tell me that I’m getting sued for sleeping in his bed TWICE without a valid reason to?!

Noticing how her expression screams worries, Drake sighed and placed the tray on her lap, causing her to gasp but instinctively place her hands on both ends of the tray to keep it still. “I’m Sir Ezekiel’s secretary but I’m not here to file a case on you or something.” He said, making her face lit up after hearing what he just said.

She looks a little too naïve to be a scammer. Maybe she’s a good woman for boss. “Sir instructed me to give you a soup good for hangover and assist you in whatever you need to get ready before leaving.” He smiled. “As long as you won’t do anything wrong, you can use anything in his room to freshen up, miss.”

Doubting his words, Georgia looked down at the tray she’s given before her eyes roamed around the room, looking as if she is searching for something—or someone. “If you’re looking for Sir Ezekiel, the boss is sleeping on the couch in the living room.” She quickly looked at Drake when he spoke, and she felt how bl*od rushed to her face.

“I-I just want to k-know if the room owner’s w-well. I mean nothing odd.” She defensively replied. Knowing that she’s more than what she said, Drake just chuckled and stood up, giving her a set of nods that made her feel more embarrassed due to his obvious disagreement. “I’m serious!”

“Okay, okay you are.” Drake laughed. “But you’re not bel-”

“This room has a bathroom already. I assume you still remember where the boss’s cabinet is so I’m expecting you to ask things after you eat and take a bath.” He said, cutting off her statement. “I know you mean no harm, miss. So rest assured that I won’t think of anything silly about you and your mismatched words and expression.”

With those last set of words, Drake practically ran to the door and left Georgia in a reddish state, her thoughts are buffering and all she understands amidst the chaos of her brain is that she messed up a good impression—and what’s worse? She flunked right in front of that rich guy’s secretary.

“Mismatched words and expressions?” she asked, whispering to herself as she looked down on the tray, now staring back at her reflection seen on the soup. “Did I really look that stupid?” sighing to herself, she picked up the spoon with a heavy heart and began eating.

While she is busy contemplating her life, the things outside the bedroom are a little less depr*ssing. Drake is cooking lunch, Ezekiel is fast asleep on the couch despite his complaints about how uncomfortable it is two hours ago, and the parrot is just minding its own business without disturbing anyone.

Nodding his head along to the music playing through his airpods, Drake skillfully cooked pasta for lunch so a dish will be ready to get served if any of the two were to ask for a heavy meal. As he enjoy the time he is given, the music was replaced with his ringtone when a call suddenly occurred.

“Wow. Only 30 minutes of peace.” He muttered before answering the call. “Hello?” despite the sudden call, he remained focused on the dish. “Ma’am Sarah said Ezekiel has no plans of coming back yet. Is that true?” Hearing the voice of the man he dislikes as much as his boss does, Drake turned the stove off and focused on the call.

“I don’t see a reason why I should answer you, sir.” Drake may have been a secretary for a long time, but this man, Lucian Everest, a man who stayed near his boss for much longer—but not as a secretary nor a staff, but as a fellow prince who competes with Ezekiel with nearly everything.

“I’ll take that answer as a yes.” Lucas chuckled, but that just made Drake heave a deep breath. “Sir is currently asleep, do you have a message I should relay?” wanting to stay civil with the person who gave nothing but malicious air, Drake asked the only thing he could reply back.

“I have nothing to say. I just called because his parents are talking a lot of s**t about him to my parents.” He laughed insultingly. “Sir. With all due respect, I will end the call now because I am cooking for sir Ezekiel’s lunch.” Drake said through gritted teeth.

“Oh, okay sure. Just tell Ezekiel my regards. And don’t forget to tell him that his parents miss him a lot too.” He said with his signature gentle tone that hides the real message he wants to convey.

Before he could reply to him, Georgia’s voice was heard. “Drake?” hearing that, his eyes widened in surprise as he quickly turned around and saw Georgia carrying a tray of an empty bowl and glass.

“Why is there a girl when you’re cooking for Ezekiel?”

Shit. “No sir. You misheard it.” Panicking, he ended the call without giving a proper goodbye. Wanting to act as normal as he could, Drake removed the airpods, put on a smile, and walked towards her who is by the kitchen counter, confusedly looking at him.

“Did I interrupt something important? I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were in a call.,” she worriedly asked. “N-no.” Drake chuckled. “You came on the right timing.” He said, but for some reason, that statement sounded sarcastic for Georgia who is sensitive to how people deliver their statements—an aftermath of being the city’s woman who nearly all the secrets because of how people gossip around her.

“Okay?” she replied questioningly. “Uhm…I just came here to ask if you’re done cooking so I can wash it along the bowl and glass that I used.” She said, causing for Drake to blink and look at the tray on the counter before glancing at the set of used kitchen materials in the sink.

“Oh yeah, I’m nearly done.” He smiled. “But I will wash it, so please go and take a bath, miss Georgia.” Feeling that she is purposedly getting dismissed, Georgia felt a little disheartened. Saying nothing about it, she just gave him a smile before walking out.

I knew it. They don’t want me here. In the dictionary of the rich, Georgia knew that the presence of a woman much lower than them is just equivalent to a stain that will disgrace the higher one. Funny how I nearly got swayed.