Chapter 8

Ezekiel's pov.

“Meet my wife lauren—” Ezra had said, would I say I actually felt her before we even got introduced– Ophelia Sinclair was Lauren– the same woman who made me believe in things I had no right to believe in.

I recalled my throat going dry as our gaze met– I sat at the back of the car as the driver drove me out of the estate–I could still recall her hand against my chest and the way her breath had hitched the moment I drew closer.

“I love my husband–” she muttered, like I care.

I laughed recalling how she had insisted I left her house, meanwhile her eyes told a truth I'd waited weeks to see.

She wasn't someone I could forget, but she was the type of mistake any man would bleed for and I was sure as hell wasn't ready to forgive her.

The city blurred past me, but all I saw was the night in Athens–the love making, her smiles and laugh, which were too soft for a woman who clearly was married, and her kiss…. God!. I can boldly say I had been with different ladies, but she? She tasted different like a secret I was never meant to know– which was definitely my reality.

And when the last morning came, she didn't leave a note, not even her number so I could call her, she had gone silent–completely.

She didn't just leave the room but she disappeared across borders.

So imagine the crazy shock I had when Ezra had introduced her to me as his wife.

“Lauren Lennox–” I scoffed, staring at the portfolio which I had asked for the night I had arrived at their house.

Ezra never mentioned to me that he was married– all I knew was he was doing okay for himself as a Ceo of a company.

Lauren stood right in front of me like the perfect wife, but I knew better– I knew her as Ophelia sinclair– the lady I had bidded over, and the same lady who had whispered lies against my lips before vanishing before sunrise.

The car finally pulled to a stop across a quiet café, I dropped my head forward and closed my eyes and saw her again, in the hallway of her home– trying to look angry, but her fingers shook.

She had whispered about love for my brother, but her pulse had betrayed her. I stepped into the cafe, and ordered a cup of coffee–black and bitter– exactly how I felt, before sitting right outside the window.

I needed to think, but I couldn't—meanwhile, the sound of camera flashes overwhelmed the air, and I guess I had forgotten–I was a hot shot–but still I didn't care.

I was lost in my thoughts, instead she consumed it all. The same lady who lied about her name, I knew everyone lies, from family members, to lovers and maybe we could even add Religion to the bracket.

I took a slow sip of the coffee, letting it burn down my throat. I sat there watching couples pass by, strangers laughing and a few crazy fans hovering over the table which I sat on.

My driver quickly stepped out and moved towards me, clearing the gap of strangers, the media around me– before leading me back to the car.

I stared back at the tablet in my hand– she was beautiful and still the main heiress to JK holdings.

Now it was all making sense– but I had no idea what was really going on.

Lauren's pov

The house felt too quiet the moment he left. I could still feel his breath against my neck and the way he had whispered my name.

I leaned against the balcony railing trying hard to steady myself but my hands still didn't stop shaking.

My mind began to replay his voice again as I pressed my head backwards and I slowly touched myself, the moment I closed my eyes–the front door opened up and Ezra walked in.

I quickly jerked out of what I was doing and turned towards the door. He looked drained as I watched him drop his keys on the glass table and smiled sheepishly at me.

“Hey honey–” he called out, I forced a smile at him as I stepped into his open arms–because that was what wives were meant to do, right?

“You didn't come home last night,” I said softly, trying hard to sound casual and not suspicious.

“Work was insane,” he whispered, kissing my cheek. “Overnight negotiations. I literally crashed at the office.”

Meanwhile, his shirt reeked of cologne, expensive whiskey and something else I chose not to name.

I slid my arms around him, pressing my breast against his chest– my nipples hardened just from the graze of his shirt buttons–I needed to play this right.

“Are you okay?” I asked. “Or do you want something to eat? Coffee?” I suggested.

“Shit, darling . I'm exhausted,” he finally said, rubbing his face. “ I might just shower and sleep.”

I leaned up to kiss him, I guess I had wanted reassurance or even a mere plea.

The moment our lips met– his phone began to ring.

“Ignore it–” I whispered, underneath his tongue.

He suddenly pulled back and stared at his phone.

“Hold on, I really have to take this–”

“Ezra–” I whispered, but he was already walking away. I swallowed my frustration as I stared down at my already hardened nipple.

The next minute, Vivian’s call came in. My stomach twisted, just from seeing her name pop up on my screen. I almost allowed it to ring out and I wanted to pretend like I didn't see it at all.

But then her voice came through. “Hello Lauren–" she muttered.

“Finally! Vivian, I've been trying to reach you, where the hell have you been? We need to talk.”

I heard the stutter in her voice, while she agreed to meet up.

We both finally came to a decision– we were going to meet at a restaurant– public so we could both talk freely.

I lunged up the phone, and was about heading into the bathroom– but then something on the TV finally caught my eyes.

The news headline flashed in red as the blonde news lady repeated the words on the screen.

“Billionaire CEO Ezekiel Lennox spotted downtown Beverly hills. Is the rumored Lennox corporate relocation real?”

I stared back at the TV as the camera lights flashed in his face as he walked through the crowd of fans–I guess. His eyes seemed cold–the same eyes that had looked at me like he could see through every lie I ever told.

The same lips who had whispered down my ears and the breath it showered my neck this morning, I was so far gone that I had no idea Ezra had walked in.

He scoffed, grabbing the remote and switched off the TV without hesitation, as irritation grew across his face.

I turned towards him slowly and whispered.

“You don't like him?” I asked, carefully.

Ezra scoffed and stared back. “I don't think that is any of your business."

He finally walked into the restroom leaving me with a lot of questions on my lips and mind.