Chapter 25: The caring brother-in-law
Ruelle sat rigid in her seat, her gaze flitting between Ezekiel and Hailey. She wasn’t the type to seek attention, and she prayed Ezekiel wouldn’t treat her differently because she was his wife’s sister. But then his eyes shifted from her to Hailey.
"Miss Elliot, if you would be kind enough to join me," Ezekiel said, his voice assured. Hailey, with a mix of nerves and excitement, rose from her seat. The room was filled with curiosity, with every student—including Ruelle—wondering what this exercise was going to be about.
Ezekiel’s smile was calm, almost disarming, as he turned to address the class. He said, "Today’s exercise will focus on something simple but often overlooked: the way a pair greets each other in formal settings. There is always an unspoken exchange—a delicate balance of power."
He extended his hand towards Hailey, his movement slow, drawing every pair of eyes in the room. His fingers were steady, waiting for Hailey to place her hand in his, which she did, though her fingers trembled slightly at the touch.
"The key," Ezekiel continued, his gaze sweeping over the students before settling on Hailey, "is control. There’s a balance between dominance and respect, an unspoken negotiation in every touch. It is to know how much to give, and just when to pull back." He lifted Hailey’s hand, just enough to bring her knuckles close to his lips, brushing them with the faintest kiss—a mere whisper of contact.
The gesture was elegant and controlled. The subtle tension in the room increased, the girls watching with a mix of envy and fascination. Hailey’s face flushed a deep red, the heat in her cheeks visible for all to see, but she held her composure, her smile shy as she stepped back.
"A woman’s response dictates the course of the interaction. She must accept the gesture, but not at the cost of her own agency. Vulnerability, when wielded with awareness, is not weakness—it’s a form of power," Gemma added to the class.
Hailey’s nod was faint; her face was still flushed, but her smile was more confident than before as she took her seat.
"Would anyone else like to try?" Gemma asked, her tone light, but the invitation clear.