Payable Comfort

Chapter 18: Catfight

*Ezra POV*

I wasn't expecting Nick to knock on my door in the middle of the night. 

"Ez...Hi?" Nick stood there looking all glorious. If only he didn't possess fuckboy personality, I might give it a shot.

"Hey babes! Won't you allow me in?” He said with a sly smile on his face.

"Nick you have a proper reason for disturbing me in the middle of the night."

"I heard you have problems sleeping, thought might give you some company."

Is he joking? How the f**k does he know about it? I don't remember telling him.

"You should leave Nick. It's quite late and I would like to be left alone." 

"C'mon Ezra, I am not trying to invade your personal space, just being a good and helpful co-worker." I should have known Nick can be quite persistent. This guy never understands what 'NO' means.

"My problems are none of your concern. And thank you but I don't need any help."

"Ezra, are you doubting me?"

Yes, but I didn’t say that aloud. I mean why would he come at this hour. Not that I am narrow-minded. But still, him suddenly showing up at this hour was quite fishy. "You are assuming Nick. I am just too tired to invite you know…" he barged inside my house even before I could complete my sentence. "Woah woah what are you doing?" 

"Chill Ezra. I haven't been to your place ever. Thought should give myself a tour." He said while wiggling his eyebrows.

"Nick my house isn't an art gallery exhibition where you can come and have a tour. To top it all, I am tired." I meant it. I was too tired of all the drama that happened today.

"Of-course your house isn't an art gallery. But it's still better and cozy than mine." He said roaming around as if he owns it.

"Nick I would like you to leave", I said with my stern voice.

"Where are your manners, Ezra? Is that how you treat a guest at your house?" He plopped down on the sofa and kept his leg on the coffee table.

At this point, I was tired of arguing with him. I just wished he would leave as soon as possible or maybe Taysha could give a surprise visit so it becomes easy to throw him out.

"So tell me what is your relationship with that taken dude?"

"Mind your words, Nick."  Taken dude. Huh. He was with me when Elena decided to destroy it.

"You know everyone always thinks of you as someone with great intellect and sweet girl. But today’s afternoon drama proved something else." 

"You tell me, Nick. When did you manage to have such great gossip skills? Was it because all your time is occupied with women that you have forgotten how to behave like a man?" I knew my words were sharp and rude but he had no right to judge me either.

From his facial expression, I knew I had overstepped but this is what he will get for walking over me and invading my privacy.

He was about to say something when the doorbell rang again. I kept hoping for it to be Taysha so that I could easily throw him out.

But it was Michael when I opened the door. What was he doing here right now? I don't remember texting him to come tonight. 

"Why didn't you tell me you were home?" I could see he was upset.

"Actually I wasn't going to be home but something…"

"Who are you talking to Ezra?" Nick popped up behind me.

It looked like both were competing against each other in a staring game when I decided to end it,"Michael this is Nick, my colleague. And Nick this Michael, my f.."

"Boyfriend", Michael interjected.

WHAT???

Has everyone lost their mind today? 

"So if you don't mind I want to have some alone time with my girlfriend."

"Chill man. I was about to leave anyway. I didn't know you have a boyfriend Ezra. Damn you, player." He winked at me and left the place.

Michael invited himself inside the house. This is my damn house but everyone is barging in as per their convenience. I had enough of people bossing around. This needs to stop, "What was that Mike?"

"What?"

"Why did you say that? And don't f*****g try my patience."

"I didn't like the guy." 

"Just because you don't like someone doesn't mean you can say whatever you want." I was fuming at this point.

"Why are you so worked up Ez? Do you like that guy?" 

Why is everyone interrogating me about my personal life? "I am worked up because you could have handled it much better. Yes, I did want to throw him out but lying straight at his face, No. He works with me. All I know he could just spread this around." I grabbed my hair and pulled them. My mind was not working. I was tired. Mentally tired. 

"That's great. No guy would trouble you."

"Why do you think anyone is troubling me? For f**k sake I am big enough to handle men, Mike. I don't need you to babysit around."

"So why didn't you tell me you were home?"

 We both were raising our voice. None of us wanted to back down.

"I wanted to be left alone."

"But why? Is it because of yesterday?", he asked surprisingly calm.

"What? No." The thought of our previous night's kiss was a good distraction. I sort of calmed down. I took a long sigh. "Today Elena knew about me being Aiden's ex and all went downhill". I told him everything.  He listened to me patiently. 

"What a pathetic excuse of a man he is? How could he blame you?"

"Let's not talk about this. Anyways only 3 more days of torture are left. Then I am all done." These three days are going to be very long. It feels like everything is passing in slow motion.

He sat near me and gave me a side hug. "I know you can handle everything. Just ignore them and do your work.”

I just nodded. "I am sorry for venting my anger on you like that before."

"It's okay." 

I don't know when I slept in his arms and it's morning already but there are no signs of him. I took a quick shower and got ready. I went to the kitchen and there I found breakfast neatly arranged on the table with a note saying, 'Had some work. But I am just a call away. Don't hesitate in case you need me. Have a good day'. I smiled at his sweet gesture. 

*Elena POV*

I tried to convince mom but all in vain. I still have to see her. She is still planning my wedding. I just want to get rid of her anyhow. If mom is not throwing her out, I will do something so that she herself backs out. I know what to do. I dialed a no. but it went to voicemail. Pick up. Pick up. As I was about to throw my phone in frustration, her name flashed on the screen. "Sorry, I was taking a shower", she said on the other side.

"Everything is ready? I don't want any last-minute excuses. She has to leave by tonight."

"Consider it done Elena. See you tonight."

"See you at the party, Kiara."