Living With The Bad Boys

Ezra’s Point Of View.

“ARE you really sure about this?”

My attention was focused on Kiana when she asked me that question. I can tell how concerned she is just by looking at her face right now. I let out a deep sigh and nodded.

“Yes,” I answered, determined and with no hesitation.

She crossed her arms and heaved a worried sigh. “It’s not like I can stop you from escaping–”

I felt like my ears grew bigger and my eyes widened. Like a flash, I covered her mouth before she even continued what she was going to expose.

“Can you please lower your voice, Kiana? They might hear us!” I hushed her and darted her a warning glare.

We are here inside my room. Kiana asked permission from her parents to let her sleep here in our house for tonight. We’re talking about a concrete plan for how I can escape later. Because tomorrow is the day that I’m going to get married, and there’s no way my parents will call the wedding off, so I have to run away before that happens. No matter what, I can’t let that wedding proceed. I can’t let them have satisfaction.

Kiana and I fell silent as soon as the door opened and Mom entered my room.

“Ezra, are you ready for tomorrow?” Mom asked me in a jubilant tone.

I just nodded in response. Although in my heart, I intend to answer the opposite. I feel disappointed and bad for Mom at the same time. I feel bad because I can see the glitters in her eyes as if she’s been waiting for me to get married. I feel disappointed because I can’t believe they can put my life in line for the sake of their company. I’m not their puppy. I’m their daughter.

I’m sorry, Mom, but I can’t and I don’t want to go on with the marriage that I never approved of in the first place.

It has only been a month when my parents declared our engagement without asking for my approval. Now, Mom wants me to marry him as soon as possible? What does she think marriage is? A game? A business deal?

“That’s good to know. Get rest now, my dear. Tomorrow will be the greatest day of your life!” She smiled at me before finally leaving my room.

Greatest day, my foot.

“Your parents are really serious about that wedding, huh?” Kiana, who was sitting beside me, whispered while she’s eating the snacks I hid earlier. “So, what’s your plan now?”

“I’ll wait until midnight to assure that they are sound asleep. Then, that’s the right time to leave.”

“I’m trying to weigh the possibilities, Ezra. What if… What if you failed to execute your plan?”

I was a little taken aback. She’s right, I didn’t think of that. What if I failed to carry out my plan? What will I do, then? What will happen to me? For the rest of my life, I will be tied to a man I don’t love. I gasped for air as I clenched my fists. Only by imagining it will happen in the near future suffocates me. It will be the cause of my death.

“Just trust me with this, Kiana. I know I’ll succeed,” I said boldly.

“Let’s say you succeed in escaping, so where will you go?”

“I’m not yet sure… I have my own car and enough money to rent an apartment or maybe I can stay at a hotel,” I replied, uncertain.

“Duh! The hotels here are way far from our city, and I bet your parents will do everything to find you, Ezra. You know how important you are for their business.”

“Yes, I know, but I will not let that happen. If I need to leave the country as soon as I get out of this house, even if it’s risky, I’ll do it. If they are willing to do everything to seek for me, then I’ll do the same thing to get away.”

I was fed up by the fact that nothing else mattered to my parents but their company. Kiana sighed with a sound. I know she’s stressed as well because of what is happening to my life, but I’m glad she’s by my side because I no longer know from whom else I will draw strength to fight for my rights to choose what I think is best for myself.

She approached me and caressed the back of my palm to somehow ease my mood. I smiled at her so she would be less worried.

“Whatever happens, I will always support you, Ezra. I’m rooting for you.”

“You’re the best, Kiana!”

***

It’s now 12:30 AM at midnight. My parents, the maids, and the guards are now sleeping tight. Good thing my parents go to bed early. Kiana is with me at the moment. She hasn’t slept yet because she wants to make sure I can escape from this house with no worries or conflicts.

After I finished preparing my baggage, we slowly left the room. Every step we took was careful, nor did we make any noise because the bodyguards at the front gate might hear us in no time.

When we got down the stairs, we went through the backyard. The two of us decided to go to the nearest and easiest route, which is the exit at the backyard, because there were no bodyguards there at this time. When Kiana and I got outside, I hurried to bid my farewell to her.

“Thank you for helping me, Kiana. I owe you a lot.” I smiled at her.

“Take care of yourself. Call or text me, okay? Keep me posted. I will miss you, Ezra,” she reminded me despite getting emotional. I hugged her tightly.

“I will miss you, too…”

After a few minutes of deafening silence in the middle of the solemn night and embracing one another, we both loosen our grip on the hug.

“I have to go now. Goodbye, Kiana.”

“Goodbye, Ezra!” she said, crying while waving as I turned my back to walk away.

I don’t want to go but I have to. I don’t want regrets to fill inside me in the end because I didn’t turn down this marriage. I’m aware of the possibilities that the Tan family may delay or pull out their investment in our company, but I can’t sacrifice my lifetime to this arranged marriage that I’ve been against since the beginning.

I put my belongings in the car compartment and started driving off. I don’t know where I’m going but maybe it’s better to go to a hotel only for tonight.

Two hours of driving yet I still haven’t found a single hotel. Like Kiana said, hotels and buildings are too far from our city because we’re in the rural side. It’s hard to grope.

I parked my car for a while when it rained heavily out of nowhere. It was dark so I couldn’t see very well where I was going.

Over time, the downpour of rain only intensified. I can’t find a place to stay in until now. I peeked at my cellphone when I heard it ring suddenly.

“Hello?” I answered Kiana’s call.

“Are you okay? Where are you? The rain is heavy, Ezra!” she shouted over the line.

“Don’t worry, Kiana. I’m fine. Although I haven’t found a place to stay yet.”

“But it's raining cats and dogs! I’m afraid something bad will happen to you on the road.”

“The rain will stop soon. So please, stop creating loud noises! They might wake up!” I hissed.

“Fine. Then find a hotel or a place you can stay in as soon as possible, Ezra. It’s dark outside and you’re driving. Because of the heavy rain, something might happen to you, so be careful.”

“Don’t tell me what to do, Kiana. I know what I’m doing. I’ll call you later, bye!” I said before I ended the call and turned off my phone.

I’ve been driving for almost four hours already but I couldn’t find any hotels or apartments in this area. I had no idea where I was either. All I knew was that I was far away from home and from the city. I swore every bad word I knew when my car suddenly stopped in the middle of the road.

“Shit!” I cussed. “Of all times, why now?!”

I could do nothing but jump out of the car. I don’t care anymore if I get soaked in the rain. I checked my car and found out that I ran out of gas. How unfortunate I am. There is no gasoline station near here.

Even though I couldn’t clearly see the road because of the pouring rain, I roamed my eyes around the place. I was wondering if I could find a shelter. Good thing I noticed a house near where I was standing. I took my baggage from the compartment before I ran towards that house. It wasn’t as big as our house but it had a second floor, and it looked spacious inside so I decided to knock. Maybe I can stay here until the sun rises.

I knocked several times but no one answered nor opened the door for me. I thought that maybe no one was there. I was set to leave, but then, the door suddenly unclasped. A man appeared in front of me.

“Do you need anything, miss?”

I was about to speak when I turned to the others behind him. There are seven in total and they are all men. I swallowed the lump in my throat in nervousness.

“U-Uh… N-Nothing! I’m sorry if I woke you up. I-I’m leaving!” I stammered and smiled raw.

It was embarrassing that I even woke them all up with the loudness of my knock. I would have turned my back on them when the rain got heavier to the point that I could no longer see anything in the street. I closed my eyes tightly and heaved a deep breath before facing them again.

I have no other choice…

“C-Can I stay here?” I asked, cutting to the chase.

“What?”

“C-Can I stay here first even until tomorrow?”

I scratched my nape and averted my gaze in embarrassment. They all looked at each other before turning their eyes to me again.

“We are all men here, miss,” said the fierce-looking man.

I was engrossed in twitter and examined them one by one. I think they are good people so I will thicken my face. I have no other place to go.

“Well, uh… It’s okay! I mean, I need a place to stay for now because as you can see, I’m soaking wet because of the weather. So please!” I desperately begged.

Let me in, please! I have consumed all my remaining pride. I have nothing left of my dignity.

“Come inside,” he agreed. I sighed in relief and smiled.

“Thank you!”

They made me sit on the sofa. I looked around every corner of their house. It’s spacious and the interior design is jaw dropping. In fairness, the house is also clean.

They sat in front of me while the guy whom I talked to earlier excused himself to heat some water for my bath.

“May I know your name, Ms. beautiful?” the melodious tone of the question of one of them to me.

Not judging him but he already seems like a playboy to me at first sight. I eyed him thoroughly. He’s handsome and a hottie, but I think he’s the type of jerk that should be avoided or else girls will end up crying their tears out because of him dumping them.

“Shut up, Axle,” a cold restraint of one of them. The Axle he called just laughed and shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m Ezra Jin Medina,” I introduced myself.

“Axle Corpuz by the way, no way, highway. Don’t forget my name.” The man who asked my name earlier introduced himself and winked at me.

“I’m Clarence Samson,” said one and stretched out his hand to me. I accepted it and we shook hands.

Based on my opinion, I think he is the youngest among them. Although he doesn’t really look young, he has a baby face.

“Jeremy Mariano at your service,” said one who also looks like a womanizer.

“Joaquin Sison,” introduction of the good boy and silent type.

“Iñigo Salazar, present!” joke of the fierce-looking man when he returned. I barely laughed.

“Xavier Vergara,” said the one opposite me with a smile.

We all turned and looked forward to the remaining one of them who had not yet presented himself. The cold type.

“Hyde,” he said sparingly.

I winced because of how boring he is. Among the seven men, he was the only one snobbish. He must be an introvert.

When the hot water Iñigo boiled, which I think is his name if I’m not mistaken, I headed to the bathroom and showered immediately..

While taking a bath, I memorized their names so that I wouldn’t be confused if I called them. I don’t think they are planning to do anything bad to me. I don’t know why I feel comfortable staying here as well, but still, I can’t let my guards down.

After I dressed up, I immediately came out of the bathroom. I went back to the living room but they were no longer there. I walked around the whole house to look for them. I almost got lost along the way, but then I found them in the dining room. They glanced at my direction when they noticed me standing behind them.

“Sit down. Have breakfast, too,” Clarence offered me a seat.

My forehead furrowed slightly in astonishment as I peeked at the clock hanging on the wall. It’s only four o’clock in the morning.

“Isn’t it too early to eat breakfast?”

“We can’t go back to sleep when we wake up,” Joaquin replied. I bowed my head at the guilt I felt.

“Sorry…” I apologized shyly.

“You don’t have to be sorry. It wasn’t your fault,” Axle clarified. “Come here. Sit down.”

He motioned me to sit on the chair next to him. I could do nothing but just sit there. We were enveloped in silence for a few minutes. It’s awkward because I’m the only woman here. I’m not used to being surrounded by men.

“Are the seven of you the only one living here?” I broke the deafening silence. “I mean, don’t you have anyone else with you? Even your parents?”

“Yes,” Iñigo replied.

“Why? Where are your parents?” I asked more in curiosity.

“At our house.”

My eyebrows met in confusion. “Huh? I don’t get it. Isn’t this your house—”

I was unable to continue what I was about to ask when Joaquin spoke to explain it to me.

“This is our house as well. Our parents wanted us to be independent, so they bought a house for us without them.”

“So, you all aren’t brothers?” I ejaculated in shock.

“Who said we are? We’re not,” Hyde replied coldly.

“But we treat each other like we share each other’s blood,” Jeremy added.

I nodded. I thought at first that they were brothers because they somehow look alike but now it’s clear that they are not.

“Ezra, right?” Xavier talked to me. “Do you mind if I ask you what you were doing in the middle of the street when the rain was pouring? I mean, why were you outside? Did your car stop in front of our house? Or did your tires become flat?”

“The truth is…” I paused for a second. “I ran away.”

“Why?” they asked, interested to know except for Hyde.

“My wedding is about to take place tomorrow…” I mentioned along with the series of deep sighs. “I mean, an arranged marriage for our company. I don’t want to get married because apart from the fact that I don’t love the person I’m going to marry, I also don’t want to because I don’t think I’m ready to settle down yet. That’s why I ran away. I don’t want the marriage to proceed. Then, while I was driving, it rained hard and my car happened to run out of gas near your house, so this is where I ended up going. I sincerely apologize that I disturbed your sleep earlier. I just can’t find any place to spend the night.”

“Don’t think about it, Ezra. We understand, and you can stay here as long as you want,” Jeremy’s generous offer.

I smiled at him in gratitude. “Thank you.”

“But won’t your parents look for you?” Iñigo suddenly asked me with a hint of fear on his face.

My smile faded in an instant. Concern immediately led me and occupied my whole-being. I hope Kiana won’t speak a word to my parents or else the two of us will be at the peak of danger.

“They will search for me,” I stated the fact. “I’m sure of it. So, I should be able to find a permanent place to hide tomorrow–”

“No.”

I was surprised to turn to Hyde when he suddenly interrupted my speech and spoke. His eyes were looking straight at me.

“You better stay here…”