Chapter 50: BROTHERS AND AESTHETICS
EZRA
Violet crosses her arms with a knowing smirk on her face. I sigh internally; I guess I should have known it would be literally impossible to have Harlem to myself. I look at the said woman and she can’t possibly turn any redder. I refrain from dragging her back to my arms because that would look weird and slightly too territorial.
"Sorry to interrupt but can I steal you for a moment, Harlem? Is that okay with you, Ezra?" I’m sure if I say no to the bride, I could get stoned.
I smile amusedly at her while Harlem looks like she’s imagining herself anywhere else. "Whatever you- "
She grabs Harlem’s arm, not even waiting for me to finish "Thanks, you’re a doll. Harlem, there’s this actor friend of mine I told you about, he wants to see you. Let me introduce you." Now, THAT gets my attention and as I watch Harlem being dragged away, I consider following but I involuntarily meet the eyes of none other than the twin that hates me.
My eyes widen slightly because I hope he didn’t witness me trying to absorb his younger sister a moment ago. So, I look away briefly but then I remember he just fought with his sister about me, which I found out while following closely behind her, of course, so I look back at him and he’s still glaring at me. I take a deep sigh.
People are still dancing, eating, jubilating, taking pictures and whatnot so it takes a while before I eventually reach him but I do. He tilts his head to look at me, almost predator like and I’m hit with the image of Harlem when she’s about to cuss me out. It makes this easier actually; SHE makes this easier.
I clear my throat and assess him; we’re roughly about the same height but I’m slightly taller. He has Harlem’s gold-hazel eyes that I adore and he’s slightly less bulky than me, so I believe I can take him if he tries swinging; because I won’t put it past him at this point.
"Can we talk?" I ask him.
He narrows his eyes "You’re already talking to me. Why?"
"Look, I overheard you and Harlem earlier. Don’t you feel the need to clear things up? I don’t exactly want to be the reason why the both of you are beefing at your brothers’ wedding."
"Oh, but you ARE the reason. I’m willing to hear your apology though." He can’t be serious right?
I sigh "Can we step outside for a bit? Maybe not in here."
He shrugs and heads for the door and I follow behind him with my clenched fists stuffed in my pockets. Let’s be honest, I have no idea why he hates me because I sure as hell can tell he does.
We end up on a balcony that occupies just about three other people at most on it. I turn to him as he waits for me to talk.
"Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but I can sense there’s something you might want to tell me. I just want things to be better with us, at least for Harlem’s sake, so if there IS something on your mind, now would be a good time."
He raises a brow and scoffs. "Look, I’m not falling for your false good guy personality, so you can drop it. All I have to say to you is that I know guys like you, and I’m very aware who you are; what your company does, your net worth and all that shit. But I promise to make you pay if Harlem even sheds as little as one tear from you."
I nod rapidly because I believe him, but what I can’t believe is that I’m about to let it slide. What the hell has Harlem done to me?
I take a deep breath and look him in the eye "You have every right to be worried about your sister, but what you DON’T have a right to do is to judge me. I’m not the most perfect person but neither are you, and I know words wouldn’t be enough to describe how much I care about your sister but I can promise you I won’t ever purposely do anything to hurt her. I myself am looking out for her, greatly. So, I’m asking you kindly to believe me that her well being is also my priority. I you can do that it would be greatly appreciated."
He stares at me for a while; the hate in his eyes still lingers but lessened to intrigue and curiosity, and is that a smile? He notices I’m not faltering; he finally breaks eye contact and clears his throat. "You only get one chance, Roth. One. But, I’m willing to place bets, and I believe we’ve come to the same conclusion. That’s basically all I have to say. We’ll meet on the other side then; I hope to make it hurt if you don’t fulfill your promise." He adjusts his tailored suit "Now, are we done here?"
I refrain from smirking. Not gonna lie, it’s a bit refreshing to be threatened once in a while especially when it’s rare. And it’s quite nice to know her brothers care for her; even though they show it in questionable ways.
I nod slowly at him and with one last slightly less spiteful look, he walks away. I decide to stay a bit longer on the balcony because the view was calming and I needed the calm. Today seems to be producing all sorts of emotions in me and it’s slightly annoying but Harlem makes it better.
Unfortunately, seeing her father treat her like she’s a failed project, the weird dude who fucking HUGGED her earlier, how stressed she seemed with her brother and the wedding seems to be bothering me more than it might be bothering her. I wonder how I can fix it all, how I can solve all her problems.
After a few minutes, I head back inside; feeling a bit more determined. I head in the direction of where I saw Violet drag Harlem to and luckily end up finding her. She’s surrounded by Violet, two women and a man who laugh at a joke she says. I study her expression and she seems to not be faking her smiles and laughs and I’m glad to see that. I try not to be noticeable as I watch her like some kind of creep but she sees me either way; beaming, she waves me over. Who am I to turn her down?
I walk over to her and stand beside her; she loops her arms through mine, smiling at me and I realize the world look a lot more colorful all of a sudden; her smile cutting through me like a sharp knife.
"Guys, this is my plus one; Ezra. Ezra, these are Violet’s actor and actress friends." She introduces us. She doesn’t even need to say their names; I recognize Louis Ambrose immediately. He’s literally one of the best actors Briggs had briefly sponsored in the past. What a delightful coincidence. I suddenly realize why Harlem is all smiles.
His eyes light up "Mr. Roth? Woah, this is crazy. It’s been forever since we’ve met, it’s so nice to meet you again. Fancy meeting you in Poland of all places. How is the company and Mr. Roth?" he offers his hand for a shake and I take it.
"Louis, what a delightful surprise; I didn’t take you for a wedding kind of guy. I’m here with my girl as her plus one for Violets wedding. The company and my father are doing great as well, thanks for asking. How have you been?"
He releases a deep chuckle "I’m doing great as well, just on vacation with my girlfriend and her sister. Woww, the great Ezra Roth has a girl; I’m certain hell froze over. But it’s great to see this side of you. Once again, thank you for kickstarting my career with your company; I’m forever indebted."
I wave him off "Please, don’t thank us for YOUR talent. Also, I’ll have my assistant reach out to you; there’s something I would love to discuss with you."
"Of course, Mr. Roth. Anything." We exchange a few more pleasantries while Harlem makes small talk with his girlfriend and Violet.
Finally, I steal her back and we agree to get some fresh air; we end up on the balcony I was on with Zeke.
I stare at her as she admires the view, noting how beautiful she looks with or without makeup, the glittery substance all the bridesmaids put on their skin glistening on her skin, her full lips, hair pinned up in an exquisite bun, the tattoo sleeve running up the pale skin of her left arm and the steady way her chest moves with her breathing. I look away quickly before she catches me staring.
I take out a cigarette pack and place one on my lips, looking for my lighter in my suit pocket. It’s her turn to stare.
"What?" I mutter glancing at her as I light it.
"You know, you don’t really look like someone who smokes. Every time I see you do it, it’s like; ’wow, it looks like his first time’. It’s not really your aesthetic."
I snort and turn to her fully, avoiding blowing the smoke in her face. She’s looking at me with a slightly curious-shocked expression, her head tilted like she’s trying to figure me out.
"Is that a good thing or bad thing?" I ask her taking another puff; feeling myself relax, even if not all the way.
She scrunches her face in a thoughtful manner "I’ll say good."
I chuckle "What exactly is my ’aesthetic’?"
She bites her lips trying not to laugh and I become lighter instantly. I feel it in my bloodstream, working faster than any cigarette ever could.
"I’ll say someone who grew up loved, with a silly amount of wealth and hey look, you’re not getting married to that witch anymore. I’ll say you’re aesthetic is giving perfect, not-so depressing bachelor life who also happens to be the successor of a billion-dollar company." She states chuckling lightly.
I stare at her. She’s smiling and she means it, but I can still see in her eyes, what I see in many people’s eyes when they look at me; wishing to have my life, to be me.
I sigh and put out the cigarette; the thought of Harlem wishing she could be loved and treated better by her own goddamn family, souring the taste in my mouth.
I take her folded arms and draw her closer to me. She startles a bit but lets me. I study her beautiful face; smoothing out her eyebrows just because I want to touch her and I lean my forehead on hers. Fuck who sees us.
"Harlem, you don’t have to pretend with me. I want to know exactly how you’re feeling at all times."
One of her brows shoot up in questioning "How does me knowing your aesthetic having anything to do with me pretending?"
"I’m not done, princess." I smile and sigh because I’ve never met anyone ready to defy me like this woman. I love it.
"You already are the best thing in most rooms you walk into. People just don’t know what to do with that. And don’t you dare for one second, think that what you’ve been through in the past is your fault. It’s not you; It never was. And I just want you to know that you’re special in many ways beautiful." She blinks a few times and I see her eyes go glassy. And I’m still not even done. "In life one thing I’ve realized as a 30-year-old individual, is that they’re two kinds of people; some take a beautiful thing and turn it ugly and the other set take a beautiful thing and makes it even more beautiful. Unfortunately, people who don’t deserve it have ended up on the wrong side and that’s the unfairness of life. For someone like me, you can say I ended up on the ’good aesthetic’." She laughs a bit causing a tear to fall and I wipe it away, careful not to ruin her beautiful makeup.
"But, you know what? Life has a way to humble everyone. You don’t break easily though; that’s not normal, you know. Most people would’ve folded." I study her face and swipe my thumb across her cheek.
"Trust me when I say I can’t do half the things you’ve done. I can’t work in a bar, I can’t survive on my own with nothing, I can’t be YOU. People like me? We don’t survive your life, honestly. And how I wish to have a story to tell like yours but I can’t survive the way you did. I mean look at me; I got everything handed to me on a gold plate with my name engraved. Do I want to know if I would still be this successful and rich without being born into it? NO. Because I won’t. As a matter of fact, you’d be wayyyy past me, according to life and worldly standards anyway. Do you understand what I’m saying?" She nods her head rapidly, sniffing a bit.
I hold her face in my palm, staring into her beautiful eyes and kiss her nose "You’re amazing just the way you are. Take the ’good aesthetic’ guys word for it. Okay, starlight?"
I drag her even closer and envelope her in my arms. I can’t deny what my heart if feeling for this woman anymore. I’m truly grateful to have her in my arms and I look forward to more times like these.