Ezra's POV
The following morning I walk down to the family area and sigh when I see Jackie waiting for me.
"We need to talk." She tells me cooly.
"You're right." I say as I take a seat next to her.
"I know you probably feel horrible about what happened last night, and I want to give you the chance to make it up to me." Jackie says as she bats her eye lashes.
"How would you like me to do that?" I ask her curiously.
"I'm going shopping in the village this afternoon, and I'd like you to come with me." Jackie tells me.
"Why do you need me there?" I ask her confused.
"Gosh Ezra, you should know these things! As a man, it's your job to carry my bags and tell me how beautiful I look when I try on new dresses." Jackie says as she rolls her eyes.
I really don't want to spend my afternoon kissing up to Jackie, but I need to get on my father's good side.
"I'd be happy to do those things for you." I say as I force a smile.
"Good." She says as she storms out of the room.
Line Break
"Let's go into this shop!" Jackie says as she gestures towards a dress store.
"Another store?" I ask with a pout.
"Stop complaining, it's only been five hours." She says as she leads me into the store.
"Who's complaining?" I ask with an eye roll.
"What do you think of this?" Jackie asks as she holds out a silk dress.
"Beautiful." I say absent-mindedly.
"I'm going to try it on." Jackie says as she rushes into a dressing room.
I'm about to sit down, but a beige dress catches my eyes. I can't help myself from thinking about how beautiful Aria would look in it. I remember her telling me that she wasn't pretty because she didn't have any nice dresses to wear.
"Excuse me Ma'am, can you wrap this dress for me?" I ask the woman working the cash register.
"A surprise for your mistress?" She asks with a smile.
"Sure." I say guiltily.
"I'll do that for you." She says as she takes the dress from me.
"Do you sell jewelry here?" I ask the woman curiously.
"Yes." She says as she pulls out a box of necklaces.
"Please wrap this with the dress." I say as I hand her a beautiful pearl necklace.
After I hide the dress and pearls in one the of the many bags, Jackie walks out of the dressing room.
"Wow, you look stunning!" I say as I rush over to her.
"Thank you Ezra." She says as she wraps her arms around me.
"Just doing my job." I say with a chuckle.
"I really appreciate you coming with me today." Jackie tells me with a smile.
"Any time honey." I say as I force a smile to mask my guilt.
Aria's POV
I hum happily to myself as I sweep the floors. I haven't been able to stop thinking about Ezra all day! I know I should hate him, but the way he stood up for me was so brave! He's also so handsome and gentle.
"Why are you so happy?" Catherine asks as she enters the corridors.
"You scared me." I say with a small laugh.
"I found a note for you in the kitchen." She says as she hands me the piece of paper.
Meet me in the rose garden at five o'clock.
-EF
My heart skips a beat, could EF stand for Ezra Fitzgerald?
"Who is EF?" Catherine asks me curiously.
"I have no idea." I say as I stare at the ground.
Line Break
I wait in the rose garden for nearly half an hour, but nobody shows up. Right when I'm about to leave, Ezra approaches me.
"I'm so sorry I'm late." He says apologetically.
I respond by running over to Ezra and giving him the biggest hug that I've ever given anyone. He hugs me back, and I spend a glorious few seconds in his embrace.
"What was that for?" He asks me softly.
"For the other night, no one has ever stood up for me like you did." I tell him truthfully.
Ezra responds by giving me a gentle kiss on the forehead.
"Why did you ask me to meet you?" I ask Ezra curiously.
"I've been an absolute jerk to you, and I'm so sorry. I promise that from now on, I won't let anyone hurt you." He says softly.
"Thank you Ezra, that means a lot." I say as I stare into his beautiful blue eyes.
"Good, now close your eyes and follow me." Ezra says with a goofy smile.
"Wait, what?" I ask confused.
"Don't ask any questions, I promise I won't let you fall." Ezra says as he grabs my hand.
Line Break
After walking for what seems like eternity, Ezra and I finally come to a stop.
"Where are we?" I ask him curiously.
"My room." He tells me.
"Can I open my eyes now?" I ask him hopefully.
"Not yet." He says with a chuckle.
"Ezra!" I whine.
"Hold you arms out." He instructs.
I nod, and hold my arms out for the prince. Less than a second later, I feel something silky in my arms.
"Open your eyes." He whispers.
I do as he says, and gasp when I see a beautiful beige dress in my arms.
"Do you like it?" Ezra asks me shyly.
I can't find the words to answer his question, so I simply nod.
"Good, because I bought it for you." Ezra says with a smile.
"But..." I start to say.
"You're welcome." He says as he envelopes me in a hug.
"Thank you." I say softly.
"Put it on, I can't wait to see you in the dress." Ezra says as he turns around to face the wall.
I change out of my regular clothes, and slide the dress on. I've never worn anything so soft or exquisite.
"Are you done?" Ezra asks me impatiently.
"Yes." I say with a nod.
Ezra turns around and gasps when he sees me.
"You look so...so beautiful." Ezra says as he admires me.
"Thanks." I say with a blush.
"Look in the mirror, I want you to see how beautiful you look." Ezra says as he gestures towards the mirror in the back of his room.
My eyes grow wide with shock when I see my reflection, I don't even recognize myself.
"Do you feel pretty?" Ezra asks me softly.
"I've never had one before." I tell Ezra suddenly.
"A dress?" He asks me in disbelief.
"Yes, I've always wanted one." I tell him truthfully.
"I have one more thing for you." Ezra says as he holds out a brown package.
"I can't accept anything else, you've already given me so much!" I exclaim.
"Please take it." Ezra begs.
"Okay." I say as I open the gift.
Inside the package is the most beautiful pearl necklace that I've ever seen. Before I can stop myself, I burst into tears.
"Aria, what's wrong? Do you not like it?" Ezra asks me nervously.
"Where did you get this?" I ask him curiously.
"A market in the village." He tells me.
"This belonged to my mother." I say through my heavy sobs.
"What are you talking about?" Ezra asks me confused.
"The necklace was my mom's most prized possession, I'd spend hours staring at it when I was a little girl. My mom told me that when I turned seventeen, she would give it to me." I tell Ezra.
"Aria, there are probably millions of necklaces that look just like this one!" Ezra exclaims.
"This is my mother's. She wrote EM on one of the pearls, and here it is." I say as I show Ezra her signature.
"What does EM stand for?" Ezra asks me curiously.
"Ella Montgomery." I say as I begin to cry even harder.
"Don't cry!" Ezra says as he pulls me close to him.
"You don't understand! She loved this necklace, and she'd never sell it to anyone. What if something's happened to her?" I ask terrified.
"I'm sure she's fine." Ezra says as rubs my back.
"You haven't seen the village that I grew up in. Entire families die of starvation everyday, and people murder their neighbors to get their food and clothes." I say as I think about my childhood.
"That's horrible." Ezra says with a shutter.
"It was!" I say with a sniffle.
"I'm so happy you're here Aria! You're safe from all of those horrors." Ezra says as he strokes my dark hair.
"I might have been able to help her." I say as I bury my face in my hands.
"I'm going to find your family Aria." Ezra says suddenly.
"Y-you are?" I ask in disbelief.
"Yes. I don't know how, but I'm going to do it. I'll find them as soon as possible." Ezra says with determination.
I respond by leaning into Ezra and pressing my lips against his. He kisses me back and doesn't pull away this time.
"E-Ezra." I say as I break the kiss.
"What is it honey?" He asks me gently.
"I-I think I love you." I say as my cheeks turn bright red.
"Don't be embarrassed, I think I love you too." Ezra says as he holds me close to him.
What did you think? Will Ezra find Aria's parents, and are they alive? I'll update as soon as I get 25 reviews. Thanks for reading :).