Nine Years Later,
"No," Hazel said outrightly, turning her gaze away from Anna.
"Please, Hazel, give it one more chance," Anna implored. She had been trying to convince her best friend, Hazel, to go on another blind date, but it appeared that Hazel had firmly decided against it. Her previous experiences with men had been disappointing; the first was a smoker, the second was overly authoritative, and displayed manipulative traits like her ex-boyfriend, Damon, the third had a high libido, the fourth was a relentless flirt, and so on.
"My answer is still no. Back off," Hazel warned.
"But…"
"There's no "but", Anna," she replied firmly.
"Fine!" Anna hissed.
She sighed, "Does it mean you're not giving love a chance anymore?" Anna asked softly
"No, Anna," She continued, I want to be loved and I want to give love but the thing's that I'd stop trying to chase it but instead allow it to come to me willingly,"
"Hmm… I understand, Hazel," Anna replied. "I think it's best to let love come to you naturally, on its terms,"
"Right!" She said, heading towards the kitchen.
"Anna, I'm getting you a plate of oats!" She called out, but there was no response although she wasn't expecting any.
She quickly made it and dished it out. Setting the dishes in a tray, she reached out for two glass cups poured a small quantity of milk into them, and set them beside the dishes on the tray, making her way to the living room.
Hazel placed the dishes on the table before her, "Enjoy. You're welcome," she teased, winking at her best friend
Anna rolled her eyes at her in a playful manner and they burst into laughter.
It wasn't until the first bite of food and sip of her drink that she remembered Jermaine.
"Where's Jermaine?" She queried
"Seriously?" Hazel asked, surprised at her best friend for asking a silly question.
She shrugged, "I asked because I don't know,"
"He's at school, Anna," she informed her
"Omg, right!" She exclaimed
Hazel shook her head, totally amused
"What? You don't expect me to know this. I don't have a baby," she bantered playfully
"Fair point," she acknowledged, feeling a pang of hurt
Anna noticed immediately and apologized. She was quick to admit her mistake and didn't want Hazel to feel uncomfortable. With a warm and sincere tone, she said, "I'm sorry, Hazel. I didn't mean to put you on the spot,"
"It's fine," she responded softly.
Anna drew closer, giving Hazel a warm hug.
Anna had proven to be the second-best gift the universe ever gave her, right after her son, Jermaine. Their connection was deep and enduring. Anna offered support, both physically and emotionally, during and after Jermaine's birth. Their friendship had a remarkable beginning – they met as cashiers at a supermarket and an instant connection was formed. Their bond strengthened over time, and then fate took a turn when they met a realtor who introduced them to his line of business and helped set them up. Since that moment, they have been a winning team, steering the real estate world together and celebrating their shared successes.
Hazel's phone blared Rihanna's Diamond, causing them to pull away from the hug.
"Yes?" Hazel answered
"Ma'am, a client is insisting on seeing you today," Joan reported
"Why? Didn't you inform him that I had the day off today?" Hazel inquired.
"I did but he said it's important," she replied
"Alright. It better be worth it," she continued, "I'll be there in a jiffy," Hazel stated
"Work, yeah? Anna asked, her brow furrowing with curiosity.
"As usual," Hazel replied, giving a resigned nod.
"Better than being broke," Anna chimed in.
Hazel responded, chuckling, "You have a point,"
Anna nodded, approving Hazel's comment. She packed the dishes to the kitchen to do them while Hazel made her way to her room to get ready.
After she had her shower, she headed to her dressing room where she chose to appear in a red suit with a black camisole, black heels, and a red handbag.
Pouring her long chestnut hair, she did her makeup lightly, applying everything in little quantities, especially her red lipstick. She wore diamond pieces of jewelry and body spray that had a nice fragrance. Afterward, she slipped into her outfit of the day, looking bossy and beautiful.
Without delay, Hazel swiftly gathered her two phones and stashed them in her bag. She rummaged through her bag, ensuring that everything she might need was neatly organized inside.
Walking past the living room, "Ooouuu… you look ravishingly bossy," Anna complimented.
Hazel chuckled, "Thank you, ma'am"
They left. Anna drove behind Hazel in her white Bentley Mulsanne while Hazel sped up in her black Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Anna made a turn along the way, headed to a venue. She had an appointment with a client scheduled for an hour earlier, but she didn't want to keep them waiting. So she left regardless of the early time.
On reaching the office, Hazel met her personal assistant on her desk, "Where's he?" She asked
"He's somewhere on the premises," she responded
"Who's he?" Hazel queried, her curiosity piqued.
"He's the client that showed interest in the stunning waterfront penthouse," Joan replied
"Oh!" Hazel exclaimed, recalling Joan telling her about it.
She nodded and acknowledged, "Yes, ma'am. He's here to finalize the paperwork,"
"Alright, send him in ten minutes," Hazel said walking into her office.
A knock at the door sounded, and Hazel responded, "Enter,"
A man in his mid-thirties, dressed in a sharp suit, entered the room. He had a smart yet slightly rugged appearance, with rough, dry hair and tattoos on his neck. His deep, commanding voice immediately caught Hazel's attention, though it made her feel somewhat uncomfortable. She had a nagging sense that she'd seen him before, but she couldn't quite place where or when.
Hazel forced a fake smile while she welcomed him. They proceeded to sign the paperwork, and after a while, they successfully concluded the deal. She informed him that the transfer of ownership would be processed the following day, and he accepted the terms. As he rose to leave, something caught her attention. She noticed a distinct scar on the back of his neck, and a wave of shock, surprise, fear, and trembling overcame her. It suddenly dawned on her. It was him. One of Damon's men.
Hazel bid him farewell, faking a smile. Without delay, she packed her things and left the office, leaving Joan in charge of handling the necessary documentation. She instructed her to send the documents to her email for review, her mind racing with the reappearance of him.
She drove down to an area where she resided in Las Vegas in search of a mini art shop she had seen online. It was a place she craved to be at that time, admiring arts and understanding the meanings behind it all, somehow it had a way of calming her nerves.
As she walked back and forth, admiring the artwork displayed on the walls, her attention was suddenly caught by a beautiful figure. It was a man, and he exuded a sense of gentleness and serenity. He appeared to be in his late twenties, standing at about 6 feet tall, with striking green eyes, auburn hair, tanned skin, and an artistically round face.
Immediately, Hazel knew that he was the one.