Chapter 47: Chapter 47

Chapter 47

HAZEL

(FIVE YEARS AGO)

Things have been crazy with Ravel and his family. He claims everything is okay, but I know better than to believe it. His mother is upset with him for choosing me. According to Elenor’s side of the story, Mrs.

Anne wants him to marry the daughter of their father’s friend, who is also a business mogul.

In as much as I respect Mrs. Anne, I still feel she should let her son make his decision; she should let him marry out of love and not money. How much money could she possibly want to have after all the riches and wealth that her husband’s family and her family have accumulated over the years?

The Southwarks are known to be generationally rich. Never in human history have they ever been recorded to be poor, so she should let her son breathe? I understand that she is trying to uphold the family’s legacy even after her husband’s death, but then I equally feel that her children’s happiness should also matter.

“Hazel!” Oscar called out from the kitchen hallway. I looked up from the dishes and blinked at him with a slight smile. “Mrs. Southwark is demanding to see you.”

My smile dropped instantly. “what did you say?”

“Mrs. Southwark is demanding to see you.” He repeated. Dropping the sponge, I pulled off the gloves and apron, wiped my hands, and tried to walk past Oscar but he grabbed my forearm. “what exactly is your deal with that family?” he asked curiously. “I’ve seen Mr. Ravel drop and pick you up countless times, I’ve equally seen Elenor Southwark come around to see you and now Mrs. Southwark herself is here demanding to see you.”

Arching a brow, I glared at his hand which was holding onto me. “Are you trying to confirm the rumor among the staff?”

He frowned, reluctantly letting me go. “what are you saying? I’m only asking because I’m worried about you. That family – isn’t one that you should mess with.”

“I’ve overheard you guys countless times Oscar.” I hissed slowly, trying my best not to snap. “I even heard you guys whether I’m dating Ravel or not.”

bet on

His eyes widened. “you are on a first-name basis with him?” I scoffed at his audacity. “sh it!” he cursed out aloud, “I just lost hundred dollars to those scoundrels.”

“What the f uck did you just say?” I took a step towards him, ready to scratch his eyes out. “you shamelessly stand before me and confirm that you guys indeed placed a bet on me.”

Rolling his eyes, he stepped away from the doorway. “don’t be silly Hazel.” My glare intensified “You should go ahead, I’m sure you do not want to keep Mrs. Southwark waiting in her car.”

Willing not to waste more time on him, I walked away. “Hazel!” He called out again and I ignored him.

“you should wake up from that dream you are having before it’s too late for you.”

It’s already too late. I am madly in love with Ravel that I can’t think of a life without him in it.

Stepping out of the building, I noticed the trail of luxurious cars, one of them opened and a young man stepped out and approached me. He’gestured towards the second car. Nodding silently, I walked over to the car and stared at nothing but black-tinted windows.

Slowly, she rolled down the window and stared at me with pure disgust. “now I understand why my son couldn’t tell me where you work.” She looked past me to the building, “I guess he is equally ashamed of where you work.”

Do not let her words get to you, Hazel. Elenor and Ravel already warned you about how harsh she can be with her words. “Ravel respects and accepts what I do.”

She laughed mockingly. “is that what he told you?” she shook her head. “my dear, I’m sure he only said that to get you

into

his bed.”

I had to count to three in my head before responding. “he already achieved that ma’am and he is still with me regardless of my working status or the type of my job.”

Anne’s lips thinned. “Are you trying to play smart with me right now?”

“No ma’am,” I mumbled, avoiding her stern gaze, not because I’m afraid to look her in the eyes but because I don’t want to come off as disrespectful again.

She glared at me for a moment without uttering any word, making me extremely uncomfortable.

“everyone needs money,” she mused, finally breaking the silence, “and you are definitely not an exemption. How much do I have to give you to leave my son alone?”

“Excuse me?” I whispered, feeling insulted by her words.

“I’m giving you an option of an open cheque right now.” She explained. “this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and if you ask me, I don’t think you should miss it.”

Unable to hide my disgust, I scoff. “Your family must have a thing for writing cheques.” She frowned at my word. “your son offered me an open cheque the second time I met him, and that cheque is still lying pretty in my drawer.

“What did you just say?” she asked, stupefied. “My son did what?”

“With all due respect ma’am, don’t you think your offer is a bit irrelevant?” crossing my hand, I wondered if all rich people are like this. “you do realize that I can have that same amount you are willing to offer me to stay away from your son and still have him in my life.”

“Or you will leave the relationship penniless.” She challenged.

Even if I break up with Ravel, I still have the cheque. Exhaling tiredly, I wetted my lips. “If you came all the way here to tell me to stay away from Ravel, I’ll like to go back to work.”

“You will regret your decision of rejecting this cheque.” She promised, her eyes holding that promise that she will make it happen.

“Or you

will lose your son whilst trying to make more money for the family name.”

“don’t tell me how to run my family!” she spat. “what do you know about family when you don’t even have one!”

I may not have any family due to my bad decisions in life, but I’ve obviously received more love than she has received in this life. I bowed slightly out of respect. “if you’ll excuse me, ma’am, I’ll like to get back to work.”

Without waiting for her acknowledgment or approval, I walked away without sparing her another glance. The moment I stepped into the restaurant, I was greeted by Harrison’s angry face.

“you’ve been away for thirty minutes Hazel,” He spat. “where were you?”

Already in a f ucked up mood thanks to Mrs. Anne, I tried not to let it show. “I had to see someone real quick outside the building.”

His jaw tightened as he jabbed an angry finger at me. “I’ve tolerated your bul lsh it too much in this restaurant Hazel. To my office now!” He stomped away and I silently followed behind. Oscar and the rest of his crew stared at us from the side of his

restaurant.

Stepping into Harrison’s office, I closed the door softly. “I apologize sir if my actions upset you.” I quickly apologized. No matter how angry I am at the moment, there is a probability that my job is at stake. “I assure you that it will not happen again.”

He stared at me silently from his seated position. I watched the anger in his eyes change into something else. “Hazel I really wanted to fire you, but I’m going to give you the chance to redeem yourself.”

Chapter 47

I frowned, not liking the tone of his voice. “what should I do sir?”

He rose from his seat and slowly advanced towards me. “it is not news that I like you, Hazel,” he stopped in front of me, picked up my hair, and sniffed. “just an hour with me, and I promise to increase your salary and move you to a better place.”

Is he insane? I roughly pulled my hair away from his grasp and took a step back. “I have a boyfriend sir, and I have no intention of cheating on him.”

He closed I again, sna tching my arm abruptly and squeezing tightly, “an hour with me and I assure you, you won’t even remember your boyfriend. You will only scream my name.”

I tried to shove him away but he tightened his hold, his face inching closer for a kiss. “let me go!” I screamed, trying to force myself out.”

His lips finally found mine and his left hand went to my waistline and he squeezed. I used that opportunity to shove him again and he bulged, sta ggering backward. “what the f uck is your problem?”

I spat. He tried to approach me again but I grabbed the artifact beside me. “if you dare come close to me again, I am going to smash your head with this artifact and I am going to crush your balls with it after slicing your throat!”

My threat got to him and he halted, his eyes gleaming with arousal and anger. Disgusting pig.

“I am going to give you a chance to reconsider my

offer.”

“you are a lu natic.” I spat.

“That’s it! You are fired!”

“That’s where you are wrong Harrison, I quit!”