Chapter 54: Chapter 54

Chapter 54

HAZEL

PRESENT TIME

Ravel has exquisite taste because how else how can you explain this red dress that hugs my body like a second skin? David has been complimenting the dress, his eyes occasionally wandering to the high slit on the dress that reveals my bronzed thighs. If he knows the dress is from Ravel, I bet he won’t like the dress like he does right now.

The first time he complimented the dress, it took everything in Agatha for her not to laugh. She knows about David’s dislike for Ravel and that he will lose his mind if he finds that I accepted a gift from him.

The car pulled to a stop next to the stairs covered in red carpet. I was still buried in my phone, trying to respond to Agatha’s text about work when David whistled beside me.

“Now that is a sight.” He pointed out with a chuckle. Curious to know what he finds amusing, I looked out through the window only to find Ravel posing for pictures with June, his hands wrapped around his waist. As if noticing my gaze, he looked in the direction of my car.

I tried not to grip my phone too hard. As if the sight wasn’t painful and annoying enough, June leaned up and placed her lips on Ravel’s, kissing him, and he just stood still and let it happen.

David cursed beside me. “I think that show is for you, because I mean, why the f uck will he stare towards the direction of your car while kissing her?”

Clearing my throat, I tore my gaze away from the kissing couple. “there is no way he could have known this car is mine.” This isn’t my usual car,

I rented a limo for this occasion.

“Then why is he staring at the car?” David asked, countering my claim that Ravel doesn’t know that I am the one in this car. “he has no reason to be staring at the car like that if he is oblivious of the occupants of the car.”

Grabbing a mirror from the car, I checked my face just to make sure that my makeup is intact. “the same way he has no reason to stare at the car is the same way he has no reason to put up a show for me.” Everyone already knows he is dating June, so why would he want to rub it in my face, also last night, he claimed that he wants to fix what is broken between us.

David narrowed his eyes at me. “why does it feel like you are defending him?”

Rolling my eyes, I dropped the mirror and turned to him. “I am only saying that you should refrain from making wild assumptions, hoping that I’ll get hurt and think of Ravel as a dou chebag, I already know that he is a dou chebag.”

He frowned. “That wasn’t my intention.”

Right. “come on, let’s get this over and done with.” I tapped on the door once and the security at the other side opened the door. I stepped out with David and he held my hand, a gesture that is expected of him as my date. We stopped for pictures, and as we took pictures, I felt someone’s gaze on me.

Involuntarily, my eyes scanned my environment until they landed on Ravel who is staring at me from the entrance. My first instinct was to glare at him. He mouthed ‘I’m sorry’ which made me almost frown, but the consciousness that I am in front of flashing cameras stopped me. I was still engrossed in Ravel when something unexpected happened. David kissed me. My first reaction was shock before it mirrored Ravel’s expression. Anger. I almost shoved him away, but for the sake of the papara zzi, I let him do his thing.

After what felt like hours to me, David pulled away. I smiled tightly at the camera before letting him lead me away. I turned to the space I once saw Ravel only to find it empty. The moment we were out of public sight, I turned to David. “Can I have a moment with you alone?” I’d hate to embarrass him in public.

He winced slightly as he followed me. I looked around and entered the only room I saw, luckily, it was vacant. David walked in after me and the moment he closed the door, I slapped him hard. “How dare you?” This is the second time he is kissing me without my consent. Maybe because I let the first one slide, he thinks it is okay to repeat it again. “Have lost

you your go dda mn mind?”

Chapter 54 “I’m sorry.” He apologized, rubbing his cheek that received the impact of the slap, “I admit, I was wrong, I shouldn’t have

done that.”

“Then why did you?” what the heck told him it will be a good idea to do that?

“I noticed Southwark staring and I was angry that he thinks he has the right to feel jealous after kissing another lady.” He took a step forward. “I only wanted him to get the taste of his own medicine.”

“Ravel is mine to fight David,” I informed him in a clipped voice. “I’ll appreciate it if you stop thinking that you can swoop in and save the day.”

“Hazel, I said I’m_”

“Let me finish,” I snapped. “I was going to discuss this with you later, but I can as well say it now so we can avoid further occurrences of what just happened out there.” He opened his mouth to speak but I lifted an index finger shutting him up. “the one month that you asked for is already gone David, but I let this go on because I felt guilty about what Ravel did to you, but I think it’s time I gave you my response.”

His eyes widened, panic flashing through them. “You don’t have to give me a response now because you are clearly upset.” He reached forward and grabbed both sides of my arm. “sleep on it and give me your response tomorrow.”

I tried to shrug off his hold but he only tightened it. “My response has nothing to do with what happened out there. This has been on my mind for a very long time.”

“Hazel…”

“I’m sorry David, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t help but see you as a friend.” His eyes turned glassy. “I’m sorry for leading you on all these while, for using you to shield myself against Ravel, but this must stop.”

“I don’t want to,” he whispered, “I don’t want it to stop.” His grip on me hardened and I could a/bruise forming, “I love you” Hazel, you can’t leave me.”

“You are hurting David.”” I cried out. “Let me go.”

The door opened suddenly and Ravel stomped into the room. He sna tched David’s hand away from mine, pushed him. back, and slammed his fist into his jaw. David sta ggered back. “when a lady says you should let her go, you f ucking let her go!”

David laughed hysterically. “what? So I’m the bad guy now?” his angry eye sliced at me and he glared.

“I watched you cry yourself to sleep because of him, I consoled you during your darkest moments, and because I love you, I am the enemy?”

“David…” I whispered, unable to utter any other word. Honestly, I understand his plight. It is painful when you love someone who does not understand your love or who is unable to give it back. I took a step toward him, shrugging off Ravel’s hold when he tried to hold me back. “I’m so sorry.”

His glare intensified. “I don’t want to f ucking hear it.” He hissed. “Maybe I shouldn’t have cared.”

Cussing under his breath, he walked out of the room.

“Are you okay?” Rayel asked and I ignored him. “Hazel?”

“I am here for the sake of my public image and promotion,” I snapped. “I’ll appreciate it if you stayed the f uck away from me.” I tried to walk past him but he grabbed my arm.

“Is this because of what happened between me and June?”

He is insane. “don’t you think for one minute that my breakup with David is an opportunity for you to come after me.”I spat and his eyes narrowed. “Stay the f uck away from me Ravel or I may really consider that restraining order.” Dumbfounded by my word, he just stood still and watched me walk away.