Thirty. Strip
The Fords invited Ezekiel Don over to their mansion for lunch the next day. Ezekiel could have declined but for some reason decided to go over. Maybe, that would be best to clear his head.
When he arrived, their butler was already there to receive him. The old man had a kind smile on his face at his arrival which earned him a slight nod from the cold devil. When he reached the living room, their was no sign of Mr and Mrs Fords except for their daughter who sat there alone with a book in hand.
She was seated on a couch which was facing the windows and the rays of the sun fell on her tanned skin which made a pleasant hue with the natural lights. Her hair was tied in a pony tail and the star dangling earrings hung beautifully on her piercings. She was beautiful.
Arianna was too engrossed in the book she was reading that she didn't notice the presence of the visitor or perhaps, she pretended not to notice.
"Miss Fords", the cold voice called, getting her attention.
It was at that moment that she looked up from her book. A happy smile graced her lips and she stood up in greeting.
"You're here?"
"Yes", he said without moving from where he was. His gaze moved from place to place as if looking for something.
"Is there something you are looking for, Zeke?", Arianna asked, adding an endearment for him at the end.
Ezekiel frowned at the sudden endearing name she had used but didn't want to bother with it. She wasn't the first.
"Where are your parents?"
"Oh...", she mouthed, surprised the he asked out of nowhere.
"They called me out for lunch. It won't be nice dishonoring the elderly".
Arianna smiled within. Her parents loved her so much. They had already laid the floor for her so it was best if she made her moves very well.
"Something came up at the company, so...they said that I entertain you on their behalf".
Ezekiel was no fool. He looked in closely at the curtains and could see the strings that were being pulled but he chose not to expose her.
"Alright", he said.
Arianna dropped the book down on the table beside the couch she was sitting on and walked to where he stood.
"Let's go to the dining", she said, gesturing him towards the dining.
The butler had the maidens serve the dishes on the dining with practiced expertise. While they were waiting for the food to be served, Arianna brought up a topic so that things wouldn't get awkward.
"I didn't get to say thank you for attending my comeback party"
"Well, you did say that to everyone ".
"Oh...but you can't consider yourself everyone. I chose you specially for the role you played at that party".
"Yeah. I hope I met you expectations?"
"You went beyond. But, you left after sometime".
Ezekiel didn't say anything. Arianna didn't mind and continued.
"You said you were going to attend to something but the next moment I asked for you, you were reported gone".
"That's because, there was something more urgent".
"What's that? The woman you took home?"
Ezekiel looked at her. "It seems Miss Fords is interested in this kind of things"
"Not really but can't help it if it concerns you".
Ezekiel arched a brow which she found sexy.
The butler was already done with the servings and left with the maidens. The man and woman were the only ones left at the dining.
"Miss Fords, I'd appreciate it a lot, if you didn't delve into my life. It's not something you would be glad to do".
"I don't care. I want to".
Ezekiel kept silent.
"Zeke, I have a special liking to you. You've known that for a while, since we were in high school ".
"Miss Fords"
"And you being so formal with me is so painful. You and I know that we aren't strangers".
"We're not friends either" he said.
"I know you have Kayla by your side, and I thought she was the only one that I had to deal with but now, there's this other woman?"
Ezekiel didn't say anything and took his cutleries to serve himself. Arianna was enraged by this.
"Zeke, say something".
"I have nothing to say".
"I came back this time for a reason".
Ezekiel looked at her. "What reason?"
"You. You're the reason this time. I hope you'd let me love you".
"You're crossing the line Miss Fords".
"Yeah. I want to. I have to. You already did so with Kayla and you might have done so with that woman. Why won't you do that with me?"
"I don't see a reason to do so".
"So, what's the reason you're doing it for them?"
"I don't do things for anyone. I do things for myself ".
Arianna was about to talk but the chiming of his cellphone halted her. She swallowed her words back in and decided to eat.
Ezekiel looked at the picture that was on his phone. His face scowled up, dropping the whole place into an ice cellar. Arianna noticed his change of mood and decided to keep eating.
Ezekiel couldn't continue the lunch and stood from his seat.
"You're leaving?"
"Yeah. And, don't try delving into what doesn't concern you next time".
After he had said that, he left. Arianna sat on the seat fuming with red rage. She couldn't believe him. Now, she knew that she had two people to take out. Kayla and Monalissa. At this thought, her mind wheels began to turn.
Monalissa was at the factory, working hard as usual when she was called by Mr Andrews.
"Yes sir", she answered when she reached the office.
"You're needed at the Alpha gardens", he said, his face as stern as always.
Monalissa nearly puked. Not again! Why was she needed there? Was there a mission? At the thought, that there might be a mission for her she smiled and said,
"Yes. I understand sir".
The man looked at her. She understood? What did she understand? He hadn't even said anything yet. But, he didn't say anything and just let her leave with the people that had come to pick her up.
Monalissa arrived at the Alpha gardens that evening. Louis was the one who had come to pick her up. On the way, she kept asking if there was a problem but Louis responded negative each time. When she entered the house, everyone was looking at her with gazes she couldn't understand but she wasn't one to care about such details.
The female butler came to her, where she stood.
"The boss wants you up" she said in a stern manner
"Oh...ok", she replied mechanically and left. Her feet got heavier at every step she took towards his room. She also felt her heart beating loudly in her chest.
When she reached the door, the door opened for her and she walked in. That familiar room.
Ezekiel was seated on the couch from the previous day she had left. His head was thrown back with his eyes closed in a relaxing manner. He was wearing home clothes which made him look quite refreshing.
"Master, Monalissa is here".
Ezekiel gave a start. His body reacted again at her presence. He cursed it and quickly put it under control.
"You sure took a while".
"I'm sorry for making you wait long. Is there a mission that you want me to execute for you?".
"Obviously", he said coldly.
"What mission is that master?"
Finally, he opened his eyes and looked at her. She was dressed simply as always and some strands of her hair were plastered on her temples due to sweating.
Ezekiel clenched his fists and spat those tortuous five letter words, "Strip".