I"m sorry I didn't update this chapter when I updated my other story. I just wanted to wait it out and let you read one story at a time. But now that I think of it it's a stupid thought and here is the next chapter... All of your reviews and comments as really made me happy. I love reading them and I love hearing what you have to say. So please keep them coming and don't be afraid.
On another note: I have nothing to do with Pretty Little Liars.
Aria walked around the house getting a feel for it. She loved the way it was designed and the way it made her feel. She loved the fact that this house was the exact description of the floor plan that she talked about with Ezra.
A two story home with a brown picket fence, wide open kitchen that over looked into the living space so if and when they would have guest over and she was cooking. It wouldn't be as if they were shutting out the guest. Aria walked up the steps and picked up the books that were on each and every other step. She let out a soft breath when reaching the top and placed the books down on the table that was against the wall near the stairwell.
She looked around the upstairs and saw that Malcolm was right; this house was probably clean only once. The floor needed to be swept and mopped, the walls needed to be dusted and not to mention the bathroom. Aria was afraid that something was going to pop up from the sink with all the hair that was clogging it.
"Come on Ezra," Aria said as she felt her heart break. Here was a man that did nothing but make sure his apartment was cleaned up and tidy. "What happened to you?" She questioned as she took out her cell phone and called Carol.
"Hey babe, what's up?" Carol asked in her cheerful voice, "Are you heading in now?"
Aria closed her eyes, "Actually, I was wondering if you could take over for the day?"
Carol stayed silent for a few seconds, "Wow, it's not like you to take a day off."
"I know, but there is some kind of emergency that I need to take care of."
"Is everything alright? " Carol panicked, "What happened!"
Aria laughed, "Not like that everyone is fine. I think, but if anyone asks for me like Jay, can you just say that I'm in a meeting and that I will call him later?"
Carol was shocked at the words Aria was telling her, "Are you sure? Do you need my help with something?"
"Actually," Aria smiled to herself, "I was wondering if you could get three of the maids to volunteer their services for a few hours. I need them to clean a house from top to bottom and I need this to be off the record. I don't' want anyone finding out and I will pay them well if they do this."
"Wow, Aria are you in trouble or something?" Carol asked jokingly, "Where are you and why is there an echo?"
Aria let out a breath, "I'm at Ezra's house, do you have a pen and paper handy?" Carol replied with a yes and Aria gave her the address, "Do you think that you can get a team here in an hour or two? I will leave the key under the mat outside the house and tell them to put it back when they're finished."
Carol sighed, "I don't know about this. Are you sure you're supposed to be there what if Jay finds out? He's been nothing but good to you and-"
"Carol, I will tell you everything when I see you just promise me you'll do this and try to keep it under wraps."
"I promise, and Aria?" Carol called out before Aria had the chance to end the call, "Be safe, I don't know about this guy after the night in the bar."
"I promise, he won't hurt me," Aria smiled, "I'll see you later!"
After hanging up the phone Aria walked into a room thinking it was Ezra's but only to find out it was Malcolm's, she smiled thinking this was the only room in the house so far that was neat and tidy. She closed the door and walked down to the second bedroom where she could hear someone moving about. She heard a groan and glass hitting the ground.
She opened the door and leant up against the frame looking at Ezra as she draped his body over in a slouching position. "Hung over?" Aria asked bitterly, "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Ezra looked up bitterly and a little taken back that Aria was looking at him in this state, "What are you doing here? How'd you get in?"
"Why are you doing this to yourself Ezra? This house is a disgrace and I can't believe you would let Malcolm live here!" She yelled slamming the bedroom door closed as she walked in and picked up his keys and wallet that were on his night stand and then walking over to his closet to grab him some fresh pair of clothing, "Get up!"
"What? You are not my girlfriend anymore you have no right to tell me what to do. Go, get out of my house!" He yelled standing up from where he was, "I don't even want to look at you."
"Get up and take a shower, you stink. Change into these and let's go. I don't care if you fight me on this, you will get your act together. And I am not leaving until you are ready to go!" She sat down on the bed putting his things in her purse, "Do you need me to help you shower?" She smirked, "Maybe wash behind your ears a little?"
"You're a bitch you know that?" Ezra shook his head as he grabbed a towel from the hallway closet.
Aria laughed bringing out her cell phone once again, "So I've been told once or twice, that doesn't faze me." She bit back, "Now go shower and don't take your time."
Ezra hissed a few un-liked words at Aria before slamming the bathroom door shut. Aria shrugged it off because she really didn't care; all she cared about at this time was helping out Malcolm and helping Ezra get back on his feet.
She opened up her email and started to return the few messages that she left hanging. She read and re-read the one that her boss sent telling her that he was coming to inspect the Hotel next month. She huffed a few times thinking that what if she didn't get the place ready for his liking? Or what if he completely just turned her down and didn't want her working for him?
Every time her boss would send her one of these vague emails, she would always worry and get upset for nothing. She was only making herself worked up from nothing.
Aria looked up when she heard Ezra open the bathroom door only wrapped in his towel. He looked so different his tone body that he once had was gone and there was an obvious beer belly, "Damn," She mumbled to herself, "You look different."
"Yeah," Ezra said taking his shirt that Aria placed on the bed, "Whatever!"
Aria licked her lips and got off the bed, "Did you brush your teeth?"
"What are you doing here?" Ezra asked ignoring her as she slipped on his boxers, "Why'd you come back?"
"I work here now Ezra, and if you have a problem with that then that sounds like a personal problem to me." Aria replied, "Are you ready to go?"
"I'm not going anywhere with you" Ezra laughed harshly and sat down on the bed, "I want you to leave."
Aria rolled her eyes, "I'm not leaving," She crossed her arms over her chest, "We are going out and I really don't care if I have to pull your ear to get you out of the house. You will come with me. We have errands to run!"
"Errands? What the hell are you talking about?" Ezra asked turning to the night stand, "Did you take my phone?"
Aria smirked, "You want it? Come and get it," She walked out the bedroom door leaving Ezra to watch after her.
LINE BREAK
Ezra stood in front of his bathroom mirror brushing his teeth. It was ten minutes after Aria left his room that he realized he left the ring hanging on the hook. He looked at himself and thought what a mess he really was. After so many years Aria seemed well put together while she was onto bigger and better things, he was left holding onto memories and thinking back to their first kiss.
He rinsed his mouth and rubbed his chin, he really needed to shave. He looked like an old grump that people run away from not run too!
"What are you doing up there? Hurry up!" Aria yelled from downstairs with a grunt, "You take longer than natural women."
Ezra laughed and tucked the ring under his shirt so it was out of sight and headed down the stairs. He looked at Aria who was still on her phone and tapping her foot as she waited by the door, "It's about time"
"Who cares?" Ezra said sarcastically, "I don't and I don't want to go anywhere with you."
Aria licked her lips and looked up from the phone, She took the four steps up to him in a power walk and got up in his face, "You can hate me all you want Ezra, but I am not giving up on you. You will walk out that door and get into the car and you will come with me. If not for my sake then do it for Malcolm." Ezra looked at her confused, "He came to me, please." She said softly, "I can't see you like this anymore."
Aria looked into Ezra's eyes for the first time since she's been there and Ezra did the same. He nodded and complied for the first time, "Fine, but don't expect me to be subtle toward you."
Aria rolled her eyes, "ditto," She replied opening the door, "After you sir!"
Ezra walked out of the house and toward his car. He went over to the passenger seat and waited for Aria to open the door since she had his keys. She opened the driver side door and unlocked the door for him to get in. He grunted and said a few unkind words whilst putting his seat belt in and placing his elbow on the door and his head in his palms.
Aria turned the car on and then placed her phone on her lap as she put the earphones in. He turned his head to look at her for a brief moment before she reversed the car out of the parking spot. He wondered why she was doing this and where they were going. It was only 7:30 in the morning and not too many places where open at this time of day.
Aria's phone started to ring and she glanced at the caller before picking it up. Ezra listened in as Aria told the person on the phone that she wasn't going to be in for the day and to let Carol know of the situation and that Carol was going to handle things.
Not even a few minutes after Aria ended that call she got another one, she answered it and took that call. Ezra shook his head and looked over at Aria with angry eyes, "What?" she mouthed and Ezra reached over and took the phone away from her, ear buds and all.
"What the hell Ezra? That was an important call," She yelled pulling up to a red light, "Never do that to me again,"
"Get off the phone. You idiot, do you know how many people die because of idiots like you talking and driving at the same time?" He hissed back, "If you have any compassion for the people around you now would be a good time as any to use it!" he stared at her before the car behind them honked their horn, "That would mean red light is over and it's turned to green"
"You are an ass hole Ezra," Aria waved her right hand, "What the fuck is your problem other than you're a drunk and a mean one at that"
Ezra rolled his eyes, "If I have to answer that question than you really weren't in love with me." He mumbled, "I just don't want to be here with you right now." He paused for a few seconds, "It's too hard,"
Aria remained silent for the rest of the ride and so did Ezra. She felt bad that Ezra was hurting this much and it was all because of her. In high school Ezra was always there for her and even after their break up, he would try to make small talk and try to get her to talk to him.
Aria let a few tears fall before she tried to fake it with a yawn. She didn't want him to see her breaking; she didn't want Ezra to realize that she was still very much in love with him from the day they meant.
"What are we doing in New Haven?" Ezra asked, "what's here?'
Aria licked her lips and turned into the building's parking lot, it wasn't hard to find a parking since there were only a few cars and the meeting they were going to didn't start for another twenty minutes or so.
"I have a meeting to go and I want to you come with me." Aria turned off the car and took her seat belt off, she turned to him and waited till he turned his attention to her before talking again, "I want you to forget about me, and I want you to move pass this stage you're in."
Ezra could tell that she had been silently crying and closed his eyes for a brief few seconds, "Why would I want to be here with you?"
Aria shrugged, "You already are right?"
"Does Jay know that you broke into my house before dawn and drove us here?" Aria shook her head no, and Ezra tilted his head before taking off his seat belt "What kind of meeting is it?"
"You'll find out soon enough." She answered and opened her door.
They both walked into the entrance and looked around; there were a few more people than there were cars. Ezra looked around trying to see if there was a sign or anything that would tell why and what was he there for. But there wasn't - there was only a sign that said meeting starts at 8:30 am.
He let out a breath before feeling Aria's small hands grabbed his and started to pull him to a couple of free chairs. He smiled, he couldn't believe the electric spark that he felt when their hands touch, fingers entwined. He licked his lips and felt Aria's hand slip away as she placed her bag between them. He wanted nothing more than to feel her, to feel that sensation of golden all over again.
"Hello everyone, I am glad to see all of your faces here today," The speaker announced bringing Ezra out of his thoughts, out of his wants, "I see that we have two new faces here today; so I want to introduce myself. My name is William and now I want to know who you are and why you are here." He gestured to Ezra but he just looked like a deer in a headlights.
Aria smiled and stood up looking at the group before looking back at Ezra, "I'm sorry but I had to do this." Ezra looked at her confused, "My Name is Aria and I am an Alcoholic."
So what did you think? I kind of liked how this chapter turned out and I like how the next chapter did as well. Tell me your thoughts in the reviews love you and enjoy the show tonight!