AUTHOR'S POV

EXR Enterprises,
10:54 am

The projector was showing Xaden made slide show in the meeting room and well prepared Xaden was perfectly explaining their ideas for the next project to the clients. Reed was giving him encouraging nods whenever Xaden glanced at him out of nervousness.

He glanced at Hazel again and again who was sitting next to Ian. She wasn't paying attention instead gossiping about something during the meeting.

Ignoring them the whole time he reached the end part of the topic. But the low giggles pulled his attention towards Hazel again.

" Miss. Hazel?" He called clearing his throat but she didn't hear him.

"Miss. Hazel". Xaden tapped his palm on the table. The sound flinched her she moved her eyes to see everyone staring at her. " Behave yourself or you can leave." Xaden turned his gaze to Ian. "And Mr. Ian, you can also join her." His voice came out bitter.

" I'm sorry for the interruption. Please continue." Ian apologized sitting properly.

" I'm sorry." Hazel muttered.

Xaden turned and continued his presentation. The meeting finally ended and everyone emptied the room except for Willam's heirs and Ian.

Xaden sat on a chair and started drinking water.

" You did really good." Edwin complimented.

Xaden winked at Reed who showed him his thumbs up.

" You worked hard, Xaden. No one can say it was your first presentation." Ian encouraged. Xaden faked a smile at him.

" Yes, they are right. You even called me so formally-"

Hazel happily came to encourage him too but Xaden didn't even spare a glance at her. He stood up and collected his files.

" I've something to take care of. See you soon gentlemen." Cutting her off he left the meeting room.

" He's testing my patience." Hazel clenched her jaw.

" He's finally trying to grow up." Reed sighed.

" But I'm afraid." Edwin said concern fully. " I know he's up to something. If he won't get what he's doing all this for..." Edwin added looking at Hazel. " I can't imagine what he'll end up doing."

" I need to talk to him." Hazel left with fast steps. She looked around to see Xaden getting inside an elevator. He turn and pressed a button from the panel but his head lifted hearing the clicking sound of Hazel's sandals against the tile floor. She rushed and before the door could close she got inside too.

Xaden moved his eyes from her and gazed down at the file ignoring her once again.

"Xaden?" She called making him face her by pushing his arm aside. But he kept his eyes on the files in his hand turning the pages. " I'm sorry okay? I shouldn't have insulted you in front of everyone that night." She apologized sincerely but he did not react. " Xaden?" She snatched the files from him and widened her eyes to get his attention. " You have to talk to me." She said stopping the elevator.

" Stop it, I need to go somewhere important." Xaden not looking at her face, irked her more.

Xaden tried to reach out to the button panel but she stood in front of it.

" Hazel, move." Xaden sounded a little frustrated.

" I won't until you say you forgive me." She said stubbornly.

Xaden suddenly pushed her into the metallic wall behind her. She gasped as her back hit the wall. "I'm not the good guy remember?" He asked bringing his face closer to her small ones. Her breathing got uneven looking at Xaden's eerie eyes. " I'm the selfish one. I take what I want, I do what I want. I don't do the right thing. I interfere. I disturb other's personal space, I'm mean". Xaden repeated every word she had ever called him with. " I'm much more than a bad boy. Better don't mess with me again." He said looking straight into her eyes.

Xaden leaned closer stopping her heartbeat. He snatched the files which she was hiding behind her back and pushed her aside punching the G button from the panel.

No one can stand a chance in front of Xaden's stubbornness but she's Hazel.

"I regret a lot of things. Having this conversation TOPS THE LIST." She seethed.

" Why are you talking to me then? You were the one who didn't want me to bother you, right?" He asked rolling his eyes.

" That's the problem. It's bothering me that you aren't bothering me." She said standing in front of Xaden.

Xaden chuckled. "Watch your words, Hazel. You don't know what you are saying."

" I don't know anything. I just know one of us is right and the other one is you." Her lips formed a pout while her eyes were showing anger.

" See... I'm wrong again. You were here to apologise and I'm wrong." He scoffed. "Women." He mumbled under his breath.

" Xaden." She pouted showing puppy eyes and tilted her head. " We always fight then sort out quickly then why can't this time? Please Nah." She whined.

He looked down at her desperate self." Does it matter to you when I ignore you?" He asked watching her fondly." Does my absence upsets you?"

" Of course, Xaden. Because I care about you." She replied seeing him melting a little.

He was lost in her eyes. Almost had carried away but the ding sound of the elevator brought him back to reality and ruined Hazel's chance.

" Stop caring about me. Because now your presence bothers me." He moved her aside and left palming his heart.

Hazel went towards her car. Her eyes filled with tears that she was fast to wipe.

" Hazel." She heard her name being called but she didn't turn to show her face as she recognised the voice.

She opened the car door. " I'll meet you later." She tried to sound strong but her voice didn't support her, she sounded heartbroken.

" Hazel." Ian grabbed her shoulders and made her face him. He placed his finger under her chin and lifted her face. " Are you crying?" He asked but she didn't respond. More tears started streaming down her cheeks. " Xaden again right?" He asked wiping her tear-stained cheeks.

Hazel shook her head and removed Ian's palms from her face. " I will talk to him. No matter what it takes." She nodded to herself looking straight into Ian's eyes. " If he's Xaden William then I am Hazel William."

She sat in her car and started the engine. Ian moved back as she took a sharp U-turn and dashed outside the parking lot.

Ian sighed looking at her stubbornness.

Hazel chased Xaden's car. And soon overtook him. She rolled her steering and stopped her car in front of him causing him to pull break immediately. But the car behind him didn't stop. It bumped into his.

His eyes widened witnessing Hazel getting off the car and standing in front of it.

Xaden didn't care about his car or the person behind who's car crashed into his. He went out of the car and slammed the door shut close.

" YOU COULD HAVE F*CKING DIED." He growled clenching his jaw at Hazel's face. " MOVE NOW. Silly girl" He muttered the last words feeling his heart thumping against his chest at the thought of Hazel getting hurt.

" I won't until-"

" Have you gone mad or something?" Hazel got cut off by a girl who pushed her by her shoulder and made Hazel face her. She was the one whose car crashed against Xaden's and the reason was Hazel.

" Stay home if you can't drive ." The girl said glaring at Hazel. Many people gathered around them too.

Hazel was about to apologise but felt her arm into a tight grip which pulled her back. " How dare you push her?" Xaden stood between the females looking at the girl as if he'll punch her any second.

" X-Xaden W-W-William?" She stuttered as she recognised him.

" Xaden Willam." Xaden proudly nodded. " Owner of EXR enterprises. One of William's heirs. Son of Tan William and much more." He added sending a shiver down her spine.

Frightened she, stepped backward. Swelling her saliva under his intense gaze. " Now. F*ck off." He seethed in her face.

" Xaden." Hazel grabbed his biceps and pulled him.

" I'm sorry, I'll pay for my mistake." Hazel said to the girl and took Xaden with her toward her car. As Xaden's car was dripping fuel because of the accident.

" Sit in." Hazel said opening the car door for him.

" F*cking bitch. What does she think of herself? How could she push you?" Xaden kept on cursing out of rage.

Hazel sat on the driving seat and started the engine. She called one of her guards and informed him about Xaden's car as well as the incident.

She sighed heavily after ending the call knowing the guard will deftly sort out the matter. She turned the car smoothly and glanced at Xaden whose eyes were fixed ahead.

No matter how mad he was at Hazel he would never let anyone lay a finger on her. Finger? Even voice. It's like only he has rights to behave however he wants with Hazel...others must speak kindly to her.

" You noticed her face when she realised who we are?" Hazel said watching him side-eyeing her.

She knows giving water or advice won't calm him down but insulting someone with whom he had last fight will definitely work.

And it did right away as he scoffed. " Her car tho. She pushed you for that shity car of hers." He chuckled resting his head against the seat's headrest and glancing at Hazel who smiled.

He's unaware that these are some of his last best moments. The eyes which are holding galaxies gonna have tears in them. Tears of hopelessness. He's unaware... completely.

• There's no better time than now.

Chapter published on: 1 November 2022.

🪶 Twists are on its way. Stay hooked.