Bound to the Billionaire: His Defiant Queen

EZRA

We walk back in after a few minutes of ensuring Harlem’s makeup didn’t run, my heart still beating rapidly from having her in my arms, her sweet scent invading my nostrils. I blink rapidly, trying to look more professional but I might as well have poured out my heart to the woman, not that I regret it.

I look around and I notice that people are still dancing, eating and jubilating. And this isn’t even the most of it; I heard from one of the groomsmen that they plan to have an after party. I hope Harlem doesn’t go so that I don’t have to.

I barely have the opportunity to tell Harlem just that when her mother appears from nowhere and whisks her away, smiling at me like she knows something I don’t. I smile back because she’s the one who brought the gorgeous woman who I can’t stop thinking about into this world.

Harlem winces at me apologetically and I smile at her. When she’s gone, I decide to look for where to sit and wait but I’m ambushed as well by none other than the bride and groom. Yes, both of them.

Violet and Zoran saunter over to me looking like the happiest people on the planet and an unfamiliar feeling of nervousness overtakes me and the feeling is so foreign that I have to analyze it carefully and I know it sprouts because they mean a lot to Harlem and maybe I want to... impress them. I swallow.

"Hey Ezra, hope you’re enjoying the celebration?" Zoran speaks up first while Violet smirks at me.

"Zoran, Violet. A pleasure and yes, I’m really enjoying the celebration. Congratulations on your nuptials, wonderful celebrations you have going on here." I acknowledge.

Zoran smiles nicely at me and I wonder how he can be sunshine and rainbows while his goddamn twin is fire and brimstone from the bowels of hell. "You don’t have to be so formal, Ez. We’re family now. A friend of Birdie is a friend of ours."

"Yes. And quite the ’friendship’ you both have." Violet inputs. My eyes widen slightly but I cover it up with a smile.

"Well, I do have hopes that ’Birdie’ and I become better than friends. She’s truly amazing." Yes. I said it.

I didn’t think Zoran’s smile could grow any wider and Violet’s eyes soften as well. I think I just won them over and the funny part is, I meant every word.

"Well said, Ez. Once again, welcome to the family, enjoy the celebration and please bear with my twin; he can be... much sometimes, but he means well and lastly, thank you for being her shoulder to lean on during the... issues with my father, I’m happy she has you; don’t make me regret it." I give them a polite nod, glad they care about her nevertheless.

They smile again and move away to the next set of people, Violet winking at me mischievously. I smile a bit and turn to look for where to sit and end up making eye contact with a certain Mr. Tamrin. Not the asshole one, the evil one. My mood instantly turns sour.

He’s standing with a drink in his hand eyeing me as if sizing me up. I school my expression and it takes a lot because I don’t want the hatred I have for him to show on my face. I take two steps forward to him and falter because what am I supposed to say to him?

I’ve asked my informant to see if he could find any information on him but he’s yet to reply me and I guess I didn’t really think this through but deep down I’ve been hoping to have some alone time with the man. Just to not have anything to say, nice one Ezra.

I mean I definitely want to tell him he’s a horrible father and would burn in hell for what he did to Harlem but I know that’s just my emotions talking and I need logic right now so that I don’t make a scene at this peaceful wedding and cause Harlem to hate me for eternity.

Before I know what’s happening, he’s walking up to me. I stand still like a rock staring into his soul. I’ll say he’s roughly about 70 and he looks about five foot 8 with a slightly rounded belly and little to no hair on his head, he has an intimidating scowl on his face and the resemblance with him and Harlem makes me feel dizzy.

"Care to share a drink with an old man, Ezra Roth?" he offers me a cup I didn’t know he was holding. Of course, he knows me. I sometimes forget I’m a popular billionaire.

I take the cup from him, cracking him a fake half smile. I don’t dare drink it; I don’t trust the man one bit.

"How’s business over in Germany?" he says not smiling even once. What a hardcore man. Even more so than Father.

"You’re Harlem’s father, aren’t you?" I say placing the cup on the table behind me and shoving my clenched fists into my pockets.

He blinks a few times, obviously not expecting the shift in conversations. Respectfully, I don’t give a fuck about small talk.

"I believe you already know that information, Roth." He mutters avoiding my eyes.

I break "Then, why don’t you act like it?" He turns to me slowly, narrowing his eyes a bit. I’ve crossed the line and there’s no going back. He opens his mouth to speak but I cut him off "I was at the family house the first night she arrived and I saw what went down between the two of you. Doesn’t it seem a bit hypocritical to be talking to her plus one? Or are you just rubbing with me because you know my background?"

He tils his head higher and I see the shift in his expression, he’s not shocked and startled anymore, his expression becomes something somewhat scary. There he is.

"If I were you, I’d refrain from making assumptions just because she invited you for a wedding. It’s family matters and it should remain within the family. Don’t you think? You of all people should know."

My brows go up and I feel my blood go hot. Way too hot. I smile at him and take a step forward "Harlem is my business, Mr. Tamrin. So, I’m going to ask this very nicely; stop treating her like she’s not family and that means undoing the damage. I’m ready to offer you any kind of compensation to make up for whatever you think you would loose from loving your own daughter, that is the best I can offer you. But you know what, I’m suddenly intrigued as to why this is a big deal, intrigued as to why you do this, from the outskirts it looks somewhat, shall I say... suspicious."

He stares at me for a minute then looks away, taking another sip from his cup. The eyes never lie; he’s hiding something. Something deep. "It depends on the weight of compensation, Roth." Positively, he’s full of shit.

I stare at him with I smile that never reaches my eyes, disgust filling my system. I reach my hand into my suit pocket and offer him my P. A’s card. "Reach out to me from here in a week and we’ll make a decision. Nice conversing with you, Mr. Tamrin."

I give him one last once over and I’m about to turn away when he speaks up "She’s only going to drag you down, Roth. Yes, she has a pretty face but she’s stubborn as hell. Men like you need women who would listen to him and support him. Just some advice from an old man and I know it’s a bit too late but I’d like to advise you that maybe you may regret this conversation later on; we’re dealing with a lot of higher things here, Roth."

I smile at him "Quite honestly and respectfully Mr. Tamrin, If I needed advice I would have asked. But definitely not from someone willing to be paid off to love his own daughter, don’t you think?" I walk away before I say something that would haunt him.

I tell myself it’s okay and things will get better for Harlem because I intervened; it seems a bit wrong in my head to be offering him money but maybe if he put effort, he would finally see Harlem for who she is. Maybe.

I find Harlem again talking to some random people and I politely nod at them and take my place beside her, sliding my palm around her waist earning some stares at the contact. She smiles at me and keeps talking with them while I feel over the moon. That could either be because Harlem improves my mood or I finally let off some steam concerning her father.

The strangers leave finally and Harlem turns to me. God, she’s gorgeous and she gets even more gorgeous the more I see her. I draw her a bit closer to me and she chuckles lightly placing her hand on my chest. My heart swells to how free she’s getting with me even in front of her family.

"You look slightly tense. You okay?" She says adjusting my suit slightly. I forget that her whole family is watching and give her forehead a soft peck, feeling myself relax at her care. She blinks a few times turning pink.

"I am, actually. Being with you tends to bring out the best in me and the bride and groom were giving me their appreciation." It’s not a lie but also not all the truth. She tilts her head slightly and chuckles.

"Wow, okay. Great to hear. Anyways, there’s supposed to be a family dinner and then an after party after this. And Vi said I can’t skip anyone, so I have to attend but if you want to sit them out, I won’t blame you. Besides, I invited you for a wedding not a ’one-night with a Poland family reality TV drama show.’"

I snort because where does she come up with these things? "You’re not doing away with me THAT easily, beautiful. Where you go, I go." I tell her placing a light kiss on her palm.

I also don’t miss the relief I see wash over her, even though she doesn’t say it. She nods with a sweet smile and we stay in that position for a few minutes before another family member steals her away.

I watch her go and have the funny feeling that I’m up for a long ride tonight.