Se connecter
Ezra's POV
I walk out of the ensuite bathroom with a towel hanging loosely around my waist. I glance at the bed and catch sight of the girl in it. She stirs a little bit and I thought for a second she would wake up but she only sinks deeper into the pillows. She's clearly still deep in sleep. The memories from last night flood through my mind. I had a really wild night. Though it got really annoying when her screams almost blasted my ear drums. At some point, I had to stuff her panties into her mouth to keep her from screaming my ears off as I finished. I was a bit tipsy last night so I didn't particularly go easy on her. I quickly get dressed into the freshly ironed work clothes my driver sent up earlier and drop some bundles of money by the lamp stand beside the bed. One thing is clear. I don't do love and commitment. And my girls understand that. They keep me satisfied and I fund their accounts. No demands for attention and all that mushy stuff. Safe to say everyone understands their roles and plays it well. My secretary carefully hand picks my women so I have nothing to worry about on that end. I can't afford to get attached to anyone. Besides, women only want one thing from me. No, let's make that two. The pleasure I give them and my money. It's all transactional. We all get what we want and everyone is happy at the end of the day. I call my driver to bring my car to the front of the hotel as I ride the elevator down. I get in and we quickly head to the office. The deal that was left hanging last week would be finalized today and closing this particular deal will mean I’d meet my financial target for the year and we're only in the third month. It's been a good business year so far. This deal is a huge one and the meeting is slated for 9am. I get a text from Jason, my friend and business partner asking where the hell I was. I send him a quick reply as the magnificent office building that houses TechZenith, the company I own comes into sight. Minutes later, I'm riding the private elevator up to my office on the highest floor. I barely get to settle in when Jason comes bursting through the door. "Ever heard of knocking, man?" I squint my eyes at him. "That's not important right now, Ezra. We need to be at the conference room now. The investors will be here soon" Jason says seeming very nervous. "Okay, you need to calm your nerves down, Jason. We still have about 30 minutes before the meeting commences. Chill, man. You're acting like this is the first time we're closing out a deal" I almost laugh at how nervous he looks. "I know but this is different. Ezra, this would be the biggest deal we've ever closed from the start of this company and the investors seemed skeptical at the last meeting. We need to bring in our A game if we are going to get them to sign" ”Well, we definitely won't be able to do that with you looking nervous as hell” I give him a pointed look. “ Fine” he says, taking a seat in front of me. “But do you think we are going to win them over? I mean everything seems perfect on our end but I just have this feeling” “You're right. Everything is perfect on our end and that's what we should focus on. You need to get your act together or you might have to sit this one out. I'm serious, Jason” He relaxes a bit on the chair. “Should I get Denise to bring you coffee?” “Nah, I'm good. I already had three cups” “Okay” I practically hold in my laughter. Denise walks in minutes later. “Good morning Ezra, Jason” The click of her heels against the marble floors is subtle but I still hear it. I look up at my Assistant from my computer. “Good morning Denise” I reply as Jason gives her a slight nod. “What's my schedule for the day?” She drops my morning coffee on the table and begins swiping through her tab. “You have the meeting with the Chain Investors for 9am and then a follow up meeting with the operating team at 11. You also have a lunch meeting with the CEO of Anderson Enterprises at 1pm and then a test run of the new app with the design team by 4pm” She looks up at me through her rimmed glasses. “Okay. I guess I have a packed day then” I take a sip of my coffee. Her phone beeps and she taps the airpods stuck in her ears as she listens to what the person on the other end says then she looks back at me after a few seconds. “The investors are here, Ezra. Connor is currently leading them to the conference room” “Alright. Thank you Denise” I say dismissing her. She gives me a tight lipped smile and turns on her heels, quietly leaving the office. “I guess they're early” I gather some files from my desk as Jason stands. “Told ya” he says with a small smile. I squint my eyes at him. He looks a bit relaxed now as we make our way to the conference room. I'm seated behind my desk an hour later, staring at a very smiley Jason as I prepare for my next meeting. “Okay that went a lot smoother than I expected” Jason says leaning back on the chair. We had been able to close out the deal with the investors and I must say, this is a big win for our company. “Right. You were all nervous for nothing” I tease. He rolls his eyes at me and brings out his phone from his pocket. “We should celebrate, man. What do you say tonight?” he asks. “I'm down for whatever. Just text me the address” I smirk at him. “You seem energetic for someone who practically rushed down here from one of your booty calls. Don't you need to take a rest?” Jason teases. “I can never say no to an extra bit of fun, you know. As a matter of fact, Denise has already made arrangements for tonight. She's bringing one of my best girls. What better way to celebrate than being deep inside a woman?” I shoot back. “There’s no saving you” he shakes his head at me. “But don't you ever get tired of this? You're almost thirty Ezra. You should be looking to settle down” he says, giving me a sheepish look as he deliberately taunts me. “Listen man, what you and Hailey have is great and I adore Nadia. But that's not for me. I don't need a woman telling me what and what not to do for the rest of my life” “My wife doesn't dictate my life. You know that” “Yea. But not all women are like Hailey. Also, I can't imagine not having a different girl to warm my bed every night. I can't stay stuck to one woman. The thought alone is scary” Irritation from the topic is evident on my face. I mindlessly glance through the papers in my hand. “Whatever man. You're just a whoremonger. I guess I'll be seeing you later tonight. A new private club just opened in town. I think we should check it out. I'll send you the address” Jason is already on his way out by the time I look up. He doesn't wait for my reply before he slips through the door.Ezra’s POVI still can’t believe what happened. I’ve been sitting behind my desk, trying to distract myself with work but my mind keeps taking me back to the board meeting held earlier today. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my best friend has been siphoning company funds for months now. What really hurt me the most is that he didn’t see the need to confide in me about his gambling addiction. We would have found a way to pay off the debt and get him the help he needs. I would have done everything in my power to help Jason out.I don’t fault him for battling with the addiction. People go through all kinds of crazy stuff. I’m battling with a lot as well. But then again, I feel so betrayed and hurt. I can’t seem to explain how I really feel. I stare at the words on my screen, unable to actually read anything. I slam my hands down on the table and groan inwardly. Standing up from my chair, I grab my suit jacket from the hanger and head out. I direct my driver to take
Ezra’s POVI called for a full board meeting two days after Denise informed me about the theft. Just this morning, she had told me that she was able to trace the transactions back to Jason’s unit. The audit team Denise organized secretly to look into the matter already has the culprit. I asked that they hold on with the report and bring it into the boardroom when I send for it. I thought about talking to Jason about it first before the meeting but Denise advised against it, saying, I need honest reactions, regardless of whoever might be behind it.I look around from the head of the conference table to see the faces of everyone on the board, seated and staring at me with curious glances and judging by their expressions, they are probably wondering why I called for the emergency board meeting. Jason is seated to my right and Denise to my left.I clear my throat. “My attention has been drawn to an ongoing theft in the company. Millions of dollars are being discreetly siphoned into an of
Carissa’s POVI toss and turn in bed, unable to sleep ever since Ezra told me about the theft issue in his company. I became more concerned after he mentioned Jason. I think back to the suspicious phone call I overheard him have when we visited his house some months ago. And also, the message that popped up on his phone which felt like a threat. I don’t know if I should let Ezra know or not. But what am I going to say to him exactly? I have no tangible evidence whatsoever. And what if all of this has nothing to do with the theft in his company? I don’t want to make false suggestions and jeopardize their friendship. I’m so clueless and I feel like I’m caught in the middle of all of this. I take out my phone and put a call through to my friend, Rachael. If anyone would give me some good advice, it has to be her.“Hey, babes,” her voice comes through from the other end.“Hi, Rach. How are you doing?” I ask, sitting up and pulling the blanket over my knees.“I’m alright. You’re calling
Ezra’s POVI made up with Carissa two days ago and things and things are pretty much back to normal. I had promised her that I’d seek professional help for my alcohol problem. She even agreed to go with me on my first day after I asked if she could accompany me. I really don’t know what I did to deserve Carissa. I know I don’t deserve her but I’m too selfish to let her go. Meeting her family and getting acquainted with them just makes me feel closer to her. They made me feel like I’m a part of their family and it kind of felt like home, being around them. Her mom is very sweet and quite chatty. I wasn’t bored for even a second with her around. I was reminded in that moment what it feels like to have a family and a caring one at that. I missed having my mom and wondered what it would have felt like, introducing Carissa to her as my girlfriend. But I’m sure of one thing. My mom would have loved Carissa. It’s easy to love Carissa. She makes it so easy.“How’s the public reception of t
Carissa’s POV“Come in” I say to whoever it is by my door. Ever since I left Ezra’s house, or he rather asked me to leave his house, I’ve been held up in my room, not really speaking to anyone. Ezra called a few times but I refused to speak to him. I’m still mad at him. He’s refused to acknowledge the fact that he’s drowning and needs help. I don’t know how to help him when he isn’t even giving me a chance to. “Hey, honey” dad says as he comes and sits at the foot of my bed.“Hey, dad” I say, sitting up slightly.“You good?” he asks, observing me.“I’m alright dad” I say, not wanting to admit that I had my first fight with my boyfriend and I’m not feeling okay at all.“You clearly are not. Even your mother noticed” “So, mum sent you here?”“No, she didn’t. She even asked me to give you some space but it’s been a few days now since you got back from Ezra’s house and you've been in your room, barely coming out. Your mum even has to force you to eat most of the time. Did anything happe
Ezra's POVI got discharged from the hospital earlier today after spending three days there. It was a lot more intense this time. My body broke down in a way that was too critical. The doctor said I was lucky I was brought in on time. Carissa stayed in the hospital with me for the entire three days. Her dad visited as well and brought her a change of clothes. We came home earlier and luckily, the press has moved on to other gossip. I no longer have hidden paparazzi camping around my house.I sit up on my bed and grab my MacBook on the side. I haven't been to work in three days and I can't even begin to imagine the pile of work waiting for me. I held a virtual meeting with the investors a few hours ago since a physical meeting wouldn't be possible in the meantime. They refused to postpone the meeting and agreed to a virtual one. I was able to convince them to not pull out of the deal and promised to deal with any issues that may arise. They looked convinced and that took a lot of bur







