The next morning, I was pulled from my restless sleep by the sound of my mom's voice. She stood at the door, trying to rouse me from bed. It was my first day at the new university she had enrolled me in, but I didn't feel like getting up. The idea of starting over —new classes, new people —felt more like a burden than an opportunity.
"Isabella, wake up. It's your first day of college, don't be late," Mom called out, her voice edged with the usual mix of sternness and impatience.
I arched my brows in irritation but kept the blanket firmly over my head. I knew she wouldn't waste her time trying to convince me to get up. She had her own busy schedule, her own priorities. Sure enough, after a few moments of silence, I could not hear her voice.
I sighed deeply, pulling the blanket tighter around me. The last thing I wanted to think about was college. All I could focus on was the memory of the night before, which played on a loop in my mind. The echoes of their moans still reverberated in my head, sending a shiver through me. The image of Ezekiel, his figure barely visible in the dim light, refused to leave me.
The memory made my body feel hot, a heat that spread through me despite the coolness of the morning. Without thinking, my hand drifted up to touch my chest, my fingers brushing against my skin. The sensation was electric, and for a moment, I was lost in the memory of him. But just as quickly, I snapped out of it, jolting as I heard a voice that wasn't supposed to be there.
"Isabella?"
Ezekiel's voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and clear, pulling me back to reality. My heart skipped a beat, panic surging through me as I realized he was in my room.
In haste, I forgot to lock the door last night.
I moved the blanket from my face just as Ezekiel pulled back the curtains, letting the harsh sunlight flood the room. I squinted, my eyes adjusting to the brightness as I arched my brows in annoyance. The sunlight was too much, especially after such a restless night.
"Um…" I groaned in a sleepy tone, trying to shield my face from the light.
"Don't do that."
"You're going to be late," he said, his voice deep yet soft, carrying a warmth that made my heart skip a beat. I tried to maintain my composure, swallowing hard to steady myself.
"I'm up," I lied, pulling the blanket down just enough to show my face.
As my eyes slowly opened, they were immediately drawn to the sight in front of me —Ezekiel's toned abs, the definition of each muscle visible as he stood there without a shirt. He was only wearing trousers, and the sight of him in the morning light was almost too much to handle. My breath caught in my throat as my gaze traveled from his navel to his broad chest. He looked effortlessly hot, and it was impossible to tear my eyes away.
He stepped closer to my bed, carrying two mugs in his hands. Placing one on the bedside table, he said, "Good morning. I hope my coffee will wake you up quickly."
I pressed my lips together, trying to suppress a smile. I took the mug from him, but instead of sitting up fully, I remained partially under the covers. I couldn't resist teasing him, so I said, "Mr. Ezekiel, you come into a young girl's room with coffee, showing off your hot body, and then expect that girl to stay sleepy? Do you think that's possible?"
I raised my brows at him, taking a sip of the coffee. The taste was rich, bold, and intoxicating —much like him. My mind wandered briefly, wondering if his taste in other things was just as good.
Ezekiel gave me a sidelong glance, a smirk playing on his lips. "Maybe it's not possible, especially since she saw me last night from top to bottom, right?"
His words caught me completely off guard, and before I could stop myself, I choked on the coffee, a small spray escaping my mouth. I quickly wiped my lips, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. Did I hear him wrong? Was he really acknowledging what I thought he was?
"It's hot, Isabella. Did you burn your tongue?" he asked, his tone suddenly shifting to one of concern. As he leaned in closer to check my lips, I instinctively moved aside, trying to create some distance.
"No, I'm fine," I stammered, hoping to downplay the situation.
Ezekiel didn't seem convinced, his voice still carrying a hint of worry.
"Drink it slowly, or else you'll burn your tongue."
I nodded quickly, my heart racing as I tried to process what had just happened. He was acting as if nothing had occurred last night, as if my spying on him and my mom hadn't been discovered. And yet, his words —his teasing —suggested that he knew exactly what I had seen, and still, he wasn't bothered.
"Quickly freshen up," he said, his tone now more businesslike.
"I'm going to take a shower—" he gestured to his sweat-drenched body, and I realized he had probably been in the gym.
"Then I'll drive you to college, okay?"
I nodded again, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. My mind was still reeling from his earlier comment, but I couldn't let him see how much it had affected me.
He didn't say anything more, just gave me one last look before leaving the room. As soon as the door closed behind him, I exhaled a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. I touched my lips, the lingering warmth of the coffee still present, but my thoughts were far from the taste.
So, he knew everything. He knew I had seen him last night, and yet he hadn't scolded me, hadn't even brought it up directly. Instead, he played with me, teased me, asking me questions.
Shaking my head, I tried to clear my thoughts. I had to focus on getting ready for the day.