Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Chapter 22

HAZEL

(PRESENT TIME)

When I received that text from Elenor, for the first few seconds, I panicked. Having dinner at my place entails seeing Daisy, and not only seeing her but also her pictures which decorates almost all the hallways of my house.

It took five full minutes before my brain was able to come up with something useful. I sent her a text that I’ll be working all night, so we should meet up at a restaurant close to my office to which she agreed.

I had to stay in the office still it’s almost dinner time. Grabbing my bag and car key, I turned off the light in my office before walking out. I was almost close to the elevator when I ran into David. He looked equally surprised to see me at the office by the time. “What are you still doing here? I thought you’d left.”

He stepped into the elevator with me. “I didn’t want to take work home, so I decided to finish up before leaving.” He explained, his eyes quickly frisked me, lingering on my face a bit longer. “Going out?”

I nodded. “I have dinner plans.”

“With who?”

Sighing, I fixed the strap of my purse before facing him. “About what happened earlier in my office,” He slipped both hands into his pocket and stared at his shoe, “I’m going to assume it was a mistake that won’t happen again.”

David slowly lifted his head and, zeroed in his gaze on me with his hands still buried in his pocket. “It wasn’t a mistake, at least not on my part, but I assure you that it won’t happen again, not without your consent.”

“David,” I groaned, “don’t complicate things between us.” I love having him as a friend and I don’t want to lose him, plus Daisy loves him too and he’s practically the only male figure in her life. “I don’t want to lose our friendship.”

“Neither do I.” He reached forward and grabbed my hand. “I’m not trying to force you into a relationship Hazel, all I’m saying is that you shouldn’t be against the idea. Let’s go with the flow and see what happens.” I moved my gaze from him and he squeezed my hand. “If you’re not feeling it, I promise I’ll stop.”

“David…”

“Please,” He pleaded, interrupting me. “Just keep an open mind.” Dating David has never crossed my mind and right now, he’s doing a very bad job in trying to convince me. “A month.” He blurted out, confusing me. My brows arched in question. “Give me a month to woo you, and if after a month you’re still not interested, I’ll let you be.”

Why is he setting himself up for failure? “I still don’t think it’s a very good idea, David. You’ll only end up getting hurt.” Then I’ll be left with trying everything possible to save our friendship.

“It’s my heart Hazel, let me worry about that.” He smiled at me, looking like the cheerful David I met in the art college hallway. “All I ask is one month. Give me one month to make you fall in love with me.

One month to steal your heart away.” He placed his palm on his heart. “Please…”

The desperation in his eyes made it difficult to say no to him. Sighing with resignation, I forced a smile for him. “Fine.” His smile widened. “I’ll give you one month David, but if after one month this doesn’t work out, you’re gonna have to swear that you won’t be bringing this up again.”

With his right hand still on his chest, he lifted the other one. “I swear it.” The elevator pinged. “You don’t know how happy I am right now.” His cheeky smile says it all. “Can I give you a hug?” Before I could respond, he pulled me into a hug. “I promise you Hazel, you won’t regret it.”

I hope so too.

Chapter 22

I arrived at the dinner venue a little later than planned because I had to handle a business call in my car. Checking my appearance once more, I got down the car and walked into the restaurant.

“Reservation under Hazel Blacks.”

The young lady smiled warmly at me. “This way ma’am.” She led me to a secluded corner where I found Elenor seated, engrossed in her phone with a glass of wine.

As if noticing my presence, she looked up and smiled widely. “Hello, stranger!”

Laughing at her jovial attitude, I made myself comfortable on the plush sofa. “It’s nice to see you too Elenor.” I’ve not seen her physically ever since I left New York. “You look good,”

She giggled. “I feel good.” Waving down a waitress, she requested an extra wine glass. “Oh my gosh Hazel, you look amazing.” Nodding appreciatively, she sna tched my finger that was lying lazily on the table. “Is that real Diamond?”

That was a birthday gift to myself last year. “Yes, it is,” I confirmed which made her grin widen. “As a model, I’m sure you have eyes for real things.” She can easily distinguish between fake and original.

“Enough about me.” I sna tched my hand away. “How is work.”

“Crazy as ever.” She muttered. “I decided to become a model out of fun, but it’s stressing the f uck out of me.” The extra glass arrived and we equally ordered dinner. “What about you? What is life like as a single, se xy art curator?”

My life has been chaotic. “Fun.” That’s the best word to describe my work, but not my personal life.

“We’re expanding soon, and when that happens, we’re hoping to hold an exhibition.”

Our dinner arrived and Elenor dived right in. “I’ll be waiting for the invite and hopefully by then, you won’t avoid taking me to your house.”

The fork paused a few inches away from my mouth. “What?” I breathed out, surprised that she figured it out.

“I’m smarter than you think Hazel but I get the reason why you’re trying to be careful.” I held my breath and waited for her to explain further. “You don’t want any Southwark close to your personal life, and I get it.”

Well, she’s partially right. “Thanks for understanding Elen.” My phone lit up, showing a text from David.

I simply ignored it. “I’d rather none of you know where I live.”

She nodded. “Congratulations on your award,” she mused, “I would have loved to be there to cheer you on, but work held me back.”

My phone lit up again, yet another text from David which got ignored again. “It’s fine, I totally understand.”

My phone lit up again and Elenor stared at it then smiled. “Boyfriend?”

I shouldn’t even classify David as that yet. “Something like that.” I picked up the phone and quickly responded to his text. “Sorry about that, he’s worried about me staying out late.”

Waving off my apology, she returned to her food. “You don’t need to apologize or explain things to me Hazel.” She picked up her wine glass. “I’m just glad that you’re moving on and that you are finally getting the happiness that you deserve, the happiness that my brother couldn’t give to you.”

Ravel. A past I can’t regret because of Daisy. “So what exactly are you doing here in Seattle?” I asked, changing the topic. I’d rather not talk about Ravel at all.

“I’m here to shoot a commercial video.” She responded. “This is a lovely city. If I wasn’t addicted to the crazy life of a New Yorker, I would have actually loved moving here.”

I’m glad she loves New York. I’d hate to move just because she relocated to Seattle. “I’m glad to see you Elen.” Despite my fallout with Ravel, she’s still my friend.

“Really?” She waggled her brows, “Even though I’m keeping you away from your boyfriend?” She chuckled at her own teasing and for whatever reason I didn’t bother correcting her about the imaginary boyfriend. “I would have loved to meet him but I’m leaving very early tomorrow morning.”

Chapter 22

I shrugged, not sure how to respond to that.

“Well, I’ll be back next month, maybe then I can meet him.”

By then, I’ll be certain if I’m dating him or not. “What will you be doing in Seattle next month? Another commercial video?”

“Nope.” She lisped, “I’m hitting the runway.” Finishing the salad on her plate, she dropped her fork and leaned forward. “This isn’t public news yet, but Ravel is holding his next exhibition here in Seattle and I’m one of the models.”

I froze and stared at her with wide eyes. “You say what now?”

“Ravel is holding his next jewel exhibition here in Seattle.”