STAY

Ezra's Pov... Like a good little girl, she still followed her bedtime. At seventeen, she was sucking on lollipops until she had terrible cavities, dressed in pink, without a care in the world. She was her own person, ignoring everything everyone had said to her. She cries when she doesn't get her way, she throws temper tantrums too. She was a brat, yet why did it feel so wrong now? I want my brat back. Thinking about it now, she's had that little girl phase since I've known her. At first, I thought it meant nothing. I thought, of course, it was just a phase. At eighteen, why am I not happy to see her act the way she was supposed to act? I know it's because her mother stopped accepting her for her, while I, on the other hand, let her do anything with me. It's all her fault that my little Lily isn't right. Being normal, seeing her act her age pissed me off to the core. I see the look in her eyes that screams help. At times, her mother would leave her at my place since she was always running late to work, but not anymore. At eighteen, her mother was working up my last nerve too, and I was so close to snapping into a million pieces. Why can't I push this aside? I miss those bright smiles, the way she would stick out her tongue and a rainbow of colors appeared. Her breath always smelled of sweet candy that I wanted to taste. Slipping my finger into my mouth, I could only fantasize about such luxury that I can't have. Her wardrobe even changed, her skin and body of pink clothing weren't there anymore. She's normal, like a normal teenage girl. I remember the day she turned eighteen. It broke my heart to know that I was the only one who remembered. Her mother, Liza, was too busy working to pay attention to her daughter, so I had to step in. In my own free will and actions, I've given Lily everything she deserved. Her father lives on the other side of town, barely taking care of her. Her siblings we non existing to me, none I can remember or know about. Her mother was those type of women where beauty was everything. She was young and beautiful, but she wasn't my type. The instant I moved here right after college; I met this woman. I wish I had the f*****g balls to just say to her face, "I'm only attracted to your daughter." f**k, the worst part of that sentence is that she thinks I'm good friends with her. Her mother flashed her t**s at me a couple of times, trying to get my attention. Still, your daughter is the only one I can actually look at. And I'm not into ancient women. I've tried my best for her to notice me, she's stuck in her own pity and sadness, it's hard. Showering her with gifts is not working, so love is what I'm trying to give. I've been trying my hardest for her to let me in, I just can't. A wall is up. It's been one month since I've last spoken to her. Each day she changes. Putting on this fake smile in front of others, every night, she just sits on her bed. Yes, she just sits there. I would know, from my own room, I have a clear view of her room. It's not like I'm a peeping tom, but I've literally had to watch her from that bubbly brat to this gloomy girl. I'm still not used to it. Stepping away from the window, I was growing tired of staring at my white curtains. Do I want to know why she is so down? Of course. Why did she just change? Nothing is sitting right with me. I know that b***h mother of hers has something to do with it. She's made many passes at me the instant I moved here, I wasn't interested back then, and I'm not interested now. I went to the drawer, taking out a pair of black sweatpants and a random white t-shirt. Putting them up, I went out of my room, heading downstairs, then out of the house I went for the mail. In my own little head, minding my own business. "Good morning, Mr. Phoenix." I heard her loud annoying voice. This was the least of my troubles. She jogged across our lawns heading straight to me. The closer she got, that choking scent of perfume she was wearing grew stronger. I couldn't tell what it was. I sighed, fanning the front of my face. That smile had disappeared. Will she ever understand my hints? "Yeah, morning. What is that stench?" I asked in disgust. "Just a light dab of perfume," A dab? More like you f*****g bathe in it. I've never been nice to this woman nor nice to any of my neighbors because I wasn't friendly, and I don't plan to. "So um.... how's your morning so far?" She asked curiously. You don't care. "Terrible, a huge pain in my ass just popped up out of nowhere." I turned around ready to go back inside peaceful home until I felt a tug on my arms. "God, you're so horrible. Can't you respect your elders?" I turned around glaring down at her, I yanked my arms away. "Just because you're older than me doesn't mean s**t. I only give respect to those who have earned my respect. What do want?" She giggled, gross. "Aww, how cute." "You're a needy woman, always trying to bat your fake..." I eyed her down. "Speak now or forever hold your peace." "I-I-I-" She stammered. I sighed then turned. "Fine! I'll be leaving for a month business trip. I know she's old enough to take care of herself, but I really need you to watch her, I don't really trust her at all she's so out there with boys you know. Plus, I don't really want to send her to her dad's place. Just pop up a couple of times to check on her. You know... like the old days." Honestly, I should never have gained this trust between us but for Lily's sake, anything to take care of her. "Over the years, it sounds as if you want me to be her guardian... or rather replacement for her father, just doing as you please. Have you ever asked her what she actually wanted? Do you think she's happy staying with me? How do you know she doesn't hate me?" "No, yes... who cares? You're the only man I can trust. You've proven that to me. It's just for a month. Besides, I'll pay ten thousand once I come back." "No, upfront now," I told her. Believe it or not, I had my own money. I was rich, had all the money in the world but someone else deserves it more than me. Would you be surprised that this woman was dead serious? Pulling out a checkbook, she wrote instantly. The tearing of that check made my body cringe and only to see that it was much more than I needed to. I looked up at her. Is she serious? Or is she stupid? Jobs like this, taking care of someone's child who is old enough is free. Why put a price? Not only that, ten thousand. Despicable. "I'm off in the next two days, when will you leave?" I asked her. "Right now! My flights' in four hours. I'm off to Italy... bye bye." She spoke quickly, walking off to her car. Is it bad that her actions don't shock me anymore? As she drove off, I went to the trash, ripping it all into tiny little pieces. Staring up at her window, I wonder if she knew how terrible her mother was. Yeah, she knows. However, this was a great opportunity for me. My devious smirk came to play into, I can't wait to see my little princess, Lily.