Chapter 62: Chapter 62

Chapter 62

HAZEL

FIVE YEARS AGO

For the past few weeks, I’ve been trapped in an emotional abyss. Kelvin seems determined to inflict anguish upon me, relentlessly siphoning the essence of my being until I’m hollow. I’ve attempted multiple times to confide in Ravel about my ordeal, yet each endeavor has ended in frustration. Every instance I’m faced with his presence, my resolve crumbles.

Who could possibly desire a romantic relationship with an individual who once battled addiction?

Someone who was perilously close to causing harm to an innocent infant? A mere baby. When I departed that town, I believed I was shedding my past, only to realize that it had resurfaced, embodied by my former partner.

Unbeknownst to me, he had captured images of me during my moments of drug use. Now, those pictures serve as a potent tool for blackmail. It began gradually, with demands for a few hundred dollars, an amount I could easily procure from my account. Then, the extortion escalated to thousands of dollars, leading me to withdraw from Ravel’s account, praying he wouldn’t question the purpose, which isn’t like him.

Although Kelvin’s silence has persisted for three weeks, a sense lingers that he’ll return for more, a prospect that fills me with dread. What will occur when he requests a sum I cannot readily provide? My aspirations and hopes with Ravel might transform into the very thing I fear most-mere dreams.

“Are you okay?” Ravel asked from across the table.

I blinked slowly, raising my gaze to meet his, a pang of guilt hitting me for unintentionally getting lost in a date that he had clearly put a lot of effort into planning. “I’m okay,” I murmured, attempting a smile that felt more strained than sincere.

Ravel’s brows furrowed with evident concern, his hand reaching out to gently grasp mine. “Hazel, something’s bothering you. I can sense it, and it’s written all over your face.”

It came as no surprise that he had noticed my deviation from my usual self. Just yesterday, I fumbled and broke a glass in his presence due to my phone ringing, only to later discover it was Elenor calling. I felt utterly foolish. Letting out a sigh, I picked up my wine glass, taking a sip before I spoke, “I assure you, Rav, I’m fine. No need to concern yourself over something that isn’t even real.”

Despite my reassurance, his frown persisted. “Did my mother say anything that is crazy? Adam said she met up with you last week. Is that what this is about?”

Anne visited me last week at Cayden’s shop and just like the last time, she offered me yet another money to stay away from his son, and for a minute, I was tempted to accept it, not because I really want to stay away from Rav, but because I need money to pay that leach off.

“Hazel!” Rav called out again, and I blinked rapidly, realizing that I have zoned out again. “Are you really not going to talk to me about what’s bothering you?” his eyes searched my gaze. “What exactly did Anne tell you?”

I chuckled. Anne is the least of my problem right now. “She offered me money to stay away from you,” I revealed. “You don’t have to worry about that Rav, this is not her first time and I am sure it won’t be her last.

Ravel’s lips tightened. “the next time she offers you money, take it and get yourself something pretty since she has so much money to waste.”

Amused by his idea, I chuckled. “I will not disrespect our relationship like that.” Besides I do not want to make the mistake of depending on her money to pay off Kelvin. “I appreciate your sense of humor, but I will have to pass on the offer.”

Leaning back on his seat, Ravel folded his hands and stared at me. “I know Anne isn’t what’s bothering you. This behavior of yours started after your walk with Adam. Are you going to tell me what really happened that day?”

Trying not to let my emotions show, I locked it away and lied to his face. “I already told you what happened that day Rav.” Squinting my eyes, I observed him closely. “Do you think I lied to you?”

Chapter 62 He held my gaze for a while, his gaze growing more intense by the minute. I tried maintaining his gaze, but it became so intense for me that I had to look away. “Stop staring at me like that Rav,” I grumbled, “I am not hiding from you, so you aren’t going to find anything by staring at me like that.”

Finally shifting his gaze, his jaw clenched as he reached forward and grabbed his wine glass. “Is there someone else?”

His question caught me by surprise. My lashes fluttered rapidly. “What did you just ask me?” grinding his teeth, he kept mute, allowing me time to answer the question. “Are you honestly asking me if I am cheating on you?”

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Ravel leaned forward and pinned me with his gaze again. “Having an interest in someone else doesn’t necessarily mean that you cheated,” he tilted his head, “or have cheated yet.”

Is he insinuating that there is a possibility that I will cheat in the future? I tried my best not to feel offended but I failed. “There is no one else Ravel,” I hissed, “and insinuating that I may have feelings for someone else is classified as cheating!”

With his frustration mirroring mine, he ran his fingers through his hair. “Then talk to me, Hazel! I need to understand the reason for the change in your attitude and behavior.”

Will he still love me so fiercely if he finds out what I did in the past? “I just told you that everything is fine.” Suddenly feeling tired and emotionally drained, I stood up and grabbed my purse. “I want to leave Ravel.”.

He glared at me. “Would you rather leave than address the issue between us?”

“There is no issue between us.” I insisted with clenched teeth. I promise to handle the problem before it has the chance to affect him or our relationship. ‘I want to go, Ravel, I am really tired.”

Sighing dejectedly, he stood to his feet and grabbed his jacket. Before I had the chance to walk away, his hand circled my waist and he pulled me closer to himself. “I am sorry.” He whispered, his forehead almost leaning on mine, and his lips dangerously grazing mine. “I shouldn’t have indirectly insinuated that you were cheating on me.”

How can I not fall deeply for this man? Taking the first step, I kissed him softly, feeling the warmth of his love. His hand circled my waist as he deepened the kiss, nibbling and sucking on my lower lips. Slow and sensual, we poured out the words. that we couldn’t say at the moment.

my

Breathless, I pulled away and smiled warmly at him. “No matter what Ravel, never doubt that I love you, or question love for you.” I reached forward and cupped his cheeks, wondering what I did to deserve a man like him. “I love you, Ravel.”

His eyes danced around, searching mine. “I love you so much that the thought of you with another scares me.” He placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. “It’s two days to Christmas, let’s get through the days with more love.”

Nodding, I let him pull me into a hug. “I hate fighting with you,” I mumbled.

He chuckled. “What if I tell you that it turns me on?”

I slapped his chest playfully. “per vert!”

Unfazed, he shrugged. “You love this pe rv erted fellow.”

That right. I love him so much that I won’t let anything hurt him.