AUTHOR'S POV

WILLIAM'S MANSION
12: 33 am

Taking off his coat Reed entered the mansion with a stupid smile plastered on his face. His cheeks still had a hint of redness as he was recalling the dreamy moment he shared with Alice.

Coming out of the fantasy world he noticed the hallway is half-decorated. It was also empty and dark as it was past midnight.

"What's the occasion again?" He thought to himself. " Ahhh...the party to celebrate the success of the collaboration."

He tiredly yet happily went to his room and threw himself onto his bed. The tension finally vanished about everything. The meeting is done, Alice's doing good as well as accepting his proposal. Everything was on track but the sadness of Xaden was still there.

He closed his eyes as the thought of him crossed his mind once again.

Nighttime is the hardest as its darkness and the silence brings back the hurtful memories.

He could hear those few heartbreaking lines in Xaden's voice that he wrote for him in the letter. Those words still scream in his head and all he could regret is slapping him that night.

Every accomplishment feels empty, and unsatisfactory, and reminds each of them of their Xaden.

Reed sighed thinking what Xaden would have done the moment he was present at the hospital with them for Alice.

The whole hospital would have turned upside down, he would have made from every nurse to every doctor and every single patient dance. He would have deadass come in another yacht and sing his heart out if he'd have got to know about their date.

He's so extra and heart-touching. The kind of person who leaves their footprint in every little thing they do. But all we could do is miss them helplessly.

But it's not like they have given up on him. Reed has been trying to locate Xaden and finally has got a clue that he was seen in New York last week.

" O. M. G..." The door slammed opened and extremely happy Hazel dashed inside. Reed turned to see her having a wide smile on her face. " Reed, Alice got her Eyesight back." She announced loudly.

Reed sat up. " That's good news." He said watching her sitting next to him on the bed. " But I have got better news," Reed added hearing her scoff in return.

" Better than this." She relaxed her shoulders being confident.

" I'm dating her."

The room turned silent. Hazel didn't react only stared at Reed for a long moment. Her eyebrows started to crash and her mouth slowly opened wide as soon as the realization hit her.

" You are dating? Alice?" She repeated to confirm.

" I am-" Before he could finish Hazel threw her arms around his neck tightly.

" You didn't tell me?" Her twinkling eyes said how her happiness got doubled. " Lemme invite her real quick." She broke the hug and started to search for Jane's number.

" Wait." Reed put his hand on her mobile stopping her from taking the next move. " Won't it be harmful to her eyes? I mean-"

" Caring huh?" She teased poking her finger in his arm.

" See, this is why I don't share-"

Their conversation got interrupted by Hazel's mobile ringtone. They glanced at the screen to see Ian's name. Now Reed folded his arms over his chest causing her to quickly put the call on silence.

The teaser got teased without Reed having to speak a word.

" Are you happy with him?" He asked having seriousness in his tone. She nodded getting petted by him in response. " Don't ever hesitate to come to me whenever things go wrong. I'll be there. Go now, answer the call." He said politely.

Nodding once again she left his room. Passing by the corridor she got into her room and picked up the call. She put her mobile between her shoulder and ear and slid the door of her cupboard to search for her pajama.

" Are you busy?" She heard Ian's voice from another side of the mobile.

" No, not at all." She replied lowly.

" I have something to ask for?" Ian said sounding a bit excited.

" Say it," Hazel replied.

" There's a music festival this week. Random artists are coming. I'm planning to go there and spend a fun time with you. What you say?"

She grabbed her mobile properly. " I'm-"

" It's completely fine if you don't want to." Ian was too ready to cancel the plans.

Hazel sighed.

It's been half a year since they got engaged but Hazel hasn't spent any quality time with Ian. He's getting neglected between her problems but now she felt bad for saying no to him. Because even though he never demanded her for her attention she knows how relationships work.

" Hello?" Hazel snapped out of her thoughts hearing Ian's voice.

" I'm up. When is it?" She asked smiling as she imagined a big grin on his face.

" This weekend." He replied sounding happy.

" Okay then, Snacks on me." She deceived.

" Tickets on me." He mocked her girly voice and laughed in his original deep voice making her smile. "Meet you tomorrow at the ball."

" Will wait," Hazel responded.

" Love you." He added at the end.

She heard him but stayed silent. Her smile slowly vanished instead of widening. She zoned out for a few moments then suddenly ended the call.

" What's wrong with me?" She threw her mobile on the bed and smacked her head cursing herself for not replying.

She got changed into white pajamas and laid herself down on her bed. Everything was on track, she even got engaged to the person she has a crush on since her childhood but she was not as happy as she expected from this relationship. Ian hasn't shown any disappointment, and has forced her with anything instead she finds him good at waiting. Yet she was trying to find the reason behind her unsatisfied heart.

She realized she was still facing her closet as her eyes caught her newly designed fish-cut black dress handing at a side stand with jewelry, which somewhat changed her mood again.

THE NEXT NIGHT:

The sisters entered the party becoming the center of attention at the exact moment. All eyes followed them as they ambled toward the third beauty.

Alice was wearing a simple yet decent gray off-shoulder pencil dress while Jane was in a floor-length white midi. Her scarlet lipstick was the cherry on the top to eat any other woman at the ball.

" Welcome." Hazel flashed a big smile at Jane then her gaze turned towards Alice who was sweetly smiling at her, her hand was linked with Jane's all the time as Alice was wearing heels after so long.

" I'm so happy for you." Hazel hugged her shortly.

Alice glanced at Jane secretly asking who this tall lady is as she didn't recognise Hazel even by her voice as they met after so long.

" Sorry, I was excited to meet you I didn't introduce myself. I'm Hazel William." Hazel politely unrevealed her identity.

" Nice to meet you." Alice smiled and started to look around.

Hazel knew what her eyes were in search of. " Reed was here a moment ago."

Alice's head snapped back to Hazel who acted like she was casually mumbling.

" Hello, ladies." Edwin came in a umber brown coat checking out three of them yet he had to double check to confirm if it was Jane because of the way she selected her outfit for the night.

He joined and unknowingly their conversation took a turn related to the office work.

Alice stood there silently not understanding anything. She caught Hazel busy and swept her eyes around searching for her man only to find him coming in her direction smiling ear to ear.

" Congratulations, Reed sir." Jane bowed putting her palm on her chest.

Reed nodded standing between Hazel and Alice. Hazel didn't leave a single chance to tease Reed and Alice wasn't able to lift her gaze out of shyness.

Soon Reed came up with an excuse to take Alice with him and Jane agreed." Where are you taking me?" She asked trying to walk properly.

" I want to introduce you to someone." He answered.

" Is Xaden back?" She asked thinking about the possibilities.

Reed shook his head and linked his arm with hers to support her, still her gaze was on her feet and the other hand was lifting her dress a bit so she won't step on it.

She sighed when he finally decided to stop walking. She lifted her head to catch herself standing behind a busy old couple.

Alice looked up at Reed with wide eyes. " Are they your parents?" She asked more like whispering.

" Yes." Reed nodded excitedly.

" Why did you bring me here." She panicked and started to pull her hand from his tight grip. " Let go of me, please..." She tried to run away but Reed didn't release her wrist.

The sound of someone clearing their throat made her snap her head back to his parents who were now facing her and Reed. She gulped standing straight out of nervousness and Reed also freed her hand.

" G-Good evening, sir." She greeted bowing a bit.

" What a beautiful young lady you are." Anna pulled her into a gentle hug.

Alice smiled at the most polite lady she got to meet. Reed glanced at Alice as her ears turned red and her grip got tightened as the next person they set their eyes on was Tan.

" She's Edwin's secretary's cous-"

" Let her introduce herself." Tan cut Reed off and turned his gaze at Alice.

" I-I-I'm Alice Madden."

Alice expected him to ask her about his parents or at least about her job because of his usual deep voice. Even though Tan used his politest tune she felt nervous and didn't dare to look up into his eyes.

Her heart started to thumbs as she got silent in response. Soon she felt her fingers getting intertwined.

" She's my girlfriend." Reed dared and she closed her eyes.

" That's great." Anna grinned causing Alice to look up with dropped jaw. " I had lost my hope in him dating, to be honest." She added scrunching her nose at Reed before flashing another smile of adoration at Alice.

Reed was almost aware of Anna's reaction, his real deal was his father. So he kept quiet until Tan spoke.

" I'm happy if you are willing to spend your lives together. My blessings will always be with you." Tan said elderly tapping Alice's cheek. " Keep her happy," Tan added facing Reed who nodded still processing his father's words.

" Hey, Tanna?" They turned to see who was calling him so casually only to find Aiden with his family.

" Let's go. He talks a lot." Reed muttered alerting Alice. He shortly greeted them and took Alice with him to the other side where sitting Ian and Maxwell.

Nor did Alice recognise him nor he was sober enough to recognize her. The party just has begun, guests were still coming and he was already wasted.

His hand was clinching a glass of alcohol while his eyes were on Jane who was at the most unexpected spot.

On the dance floor with Edwin. Eyes locked. Faces at some distance apart.

It was Edwin who convinced her to dance with him just to make Maxwell jealous that he succeeded. Now his hand was wrapped around her waist and her hand was on his shoulder. Their bodies were following the rhythm of the slow music in the background.

" Why are you looking for another job?"

Jane lifted her gaze at the question to meet with his soft one.

" How do you know?" She questioned back.

"I know what my employees doing, I'm a boss for a reason." He stated confidently only if she knows she has been stalked by him for her safety. " You don't need to stress yourself if it's because you trying the payback to Reed. He'll never pressurize you." He added.

Jane glanced at Alice who was standing next to Reed who never left her side.

" I know. But I want to clear all the depths before Alice finds out about it. As far as I know her, she won't be comfortable with him once she'll get to know-"

" You are great at overthinking." He chuckled pulling her attention back to him. " No one's gonna tell her. Chill."

Jane nodded in response finding him being all smiley. " Why are we dancing for so long?" She asked.

Edwin's hand which was resting on her waist moved up and rested on her bare back. He pulled her towards himself causing her to take a few quick steps forward. Their chests collided as his grip got tightened.

" Because I want to." He replied in a husky deep voice.

Jane bit her bottom lip out of nervousness. She felt his hand drawing circles on her back sending shivers down her spine. She turned her gaze back from his face as he settled his gaze on her lips.

" Did I mention that you are looking gorgeous today?" He asked.

" N-No but t-thanks..." She forced a smile trying to find out what was wrong with him tonight.

She froze when he leaned to her ear. " This is our last day together until the next project begins. I'll miss you." He mumbled.

" I'll also-"

A pair of sad eyes looking straight at her killed her voice in her throat.

Edwin followed her gaze to see Maxwell somehow standing up and leaving the ball.

ONE WEEK LATER:

A week passed and the engaged couple went on the trip.

The show was after sunset. Hazel was standing in queue to buy snacks with a round hat and goggles covering her eyes.

Soon she got her orders and handed the snacks to Ian so she could pay but she was not able to transfer the money throw her mobile.

" I'll pay." Ian paid the bill as many people were waiting in the queue.

" It's saying my bank account is blocked?" She mumbled trying to find out the problem she was facing.

" It can be a network problem. Let's check this out later, the show has already begun."

Hazel nodded getting towards their respective barricade seats. The more she was going near the stage the more she was able to hear the familiar voice clearly.

" He sounds amazing." She finally got in front but soon as she settled her eyes on the singer her smile vanished.

" Xaden?"

• True love has a habit of coming back.

Chapter Published On: 14 May 2023.

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