Billionaire Bad Boy, Broken Underneath

Chapter 11

Ezra's POV

I groan as I tussle and turn in bed. This has to be one of those days. I don't even have the energy for this. I need to be at the office. There's a lot to do and this would only hinder me. I drag myself out of bed and manage to shower and get dressed. I plan to skip breakfast but knowing Carissa, she won't let me off easily so I stroll towards the breakfast nook to see her already setting the table. I take a seat and mumble a reply to her greeting.

“You don't look okay, Ezra. Did you sleep well?” she asks.

“Not really, but I'll be fine. I need to be at the office in a few” I say as I begin eating. I only manage a few spoons when the pain intensifies. The spoon is halfway to my mouth when I drop it and let out a deep groan. Carissa is beside me in seconds.

“Ezra, are you okay? What's happening? Is it the food?” she asks and I only groan further. Some days I have it better. Other days, it's really bad but this is nothing like I've felt before. I've battled stomach ulcers since I was at my last foster home. It only got worse as the years went by. My time spent at Randall Cole's house is a memory I want to keep locked away forever but this only takes me back.

The ulcers developed as a result of heavy doses of painkillers I would consume to lessen the pain my body felt after every assault. It was a really dark period in my life and I hate reliving it. The housekeepers then would be kind enough to sneak these pain killers to me and the other kids. We would take them frequently because of the unbearable pain but I guess it did more harm. The constant starvation only worsened the situation.

After I left Randall's home, I met with a doctor and he confirmed I had a severe case of stomach ulcer. I already had an unhealthy relationship with food due to being frequently starved and then I developed a drinking habit when I lived on the streets. It only made it worse but I couldn't stop. Alcohol helps numb my pain so I cling to it. Not even the ulcers can make me stop drinking. It's like my lifeline now.

I try to get up with Carissa's help but I only fall to the ground after taking two steps. This is just bad timing. I have work to do today. I really don't care about this pain. I just want it to go away so I can work.

“Ezra, you're not okay. I need to get help. Miss Michelle!” Carissa calls out. My eyes are getting too heavy to keep open at this point.

“Ezra please stay with me. Miss Michelle! Anyone!” she screams and that's the last thing I hear before I black out.

I slowly open my eyes and look around. The lights in the room are a bit dim but somehow too bright for my eyes. I turn my eyes to the figure next to me. For a moment, I don't know where I am until I see her. Carissa's beautiful face stares right at me. Concern and a resemblance to fear etches around her face and that's when I feel it. The tight grip her hand has on mine and I smile inwardly.

“You're awake. I'll go get the doctor” she tries to move away but I only tighten the grip on her hand.

“Not yet” I manage to say. “Please get me water” She pours water from a jug into a cup and puts a straw in it. She helps me up to a sitting position and assists me as I take a few sips. I look at her, hating that she has to see me in this condition but I'm grateful she's here with me and not anyone else.

“Miss Michelle called the doctor and had the driver bring us here” she says as though she knows the question I had in mind to ask.

“Thank you for bringing me here. This doesn't always happen. I could call Jason to come over so you can go home. I still need to be at the office today” I say as I lean backwards.

“You shouldn't be thinking of going to the office when you only just woke up. And Jason was here earlier. He stayed for a while. I told him he could go since he said he had things to handle at the office. Besides, it's a little too late to go to the office” she says as she points towards the wall clock. I realize it's almost 9pm.

“Don't tell me I've been sleeping all day” I groan lightly.

“You have” she smiles as she adjusts the bed back to it's normal position. “I'll go get the doctor now” She's out of the room in seconds.

The doctor comes in with Carissa after a few minutes. Dr. Graham has been my personal doctor for years now. He understands my situation and strongly advises against my alcohol consumption but I still stubbornly indulge.

“You're back at the hospital, Ezra” he says as he gives me a knowing look. I turn slightly away. “How're you feeling?” he asks

“I'm good, doctor. Can I go home now?” I ask hopefully

“Not yet. It was really serious this time so I had to admit you. You'll be staying the night for further observation. If we see positive changes in the morning, then you can go home” he says as he assesses me.

“I'm fine, doctor. You know I hate being here” I counter

“Well, if you had listened to me, you wouldn't have had to come in this soon. Ezra, I've strongly warned against your…” I cut him off before he completes his statement, knowing fully well what he's about to say. I don't want Carissa knowing the cause of my illness.

“I hear you, doctor. I'll take better care of my health” I interject. Carissa looks between Doctor Graham and I with suspicion.

Doctor Graham clears his throat. “That's alright. I'll get the nurse to check on you later” he says. He smiles politely at Carissa before leaving the room.

“I'll get the driver to take you home, Carissa. This is not part of your job description. I'm sorry you got dragged into this” I say to her

“There's no need for that. I'm staying with you. I can't leave you here all by yourself. I already sent for a change of clothes. Your driver should be here soon” she says.

There's a knock on the door and she goes to answer it. It turns out to be my driver. Carissa collects a duffel bag from him and places it in the storage. She grabs a duvet and settles on the couch.

“You don't have to do this, you know” I look away from her, feeling slightly embarrassed.

“It's alright, Ezra”

“Well, if you insist. But you're sharing the bed with me. It's big enough for more than two people. I can't have you lying on the couch” I'm in an executive suite in the hospital, so the bed here is a king-sized one.

“No. I don't want to bother you. The couch is comfortable. I'll just lie on it” she says

“You’ll wake up with a strained neck. Come on, I insist” I push further

“But..” she tries to argue

“Carissa. I insist” I state convincingly

“Fine” she said as she grabs her phone and moves to the other side of the bed. She scoots far away from me and I only smile.