Ethan approached the door and gave it a firm knock. A muffled voice responded with a faint "come in." Intrigued, Ethan turned the doorknob and stepped into the grand office space that exuded opulence from every corner. The room was adorned with lavish decor, reflecting Damon's taste for the finer things in life. As Ethan observed the extravagant surroundings, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anger building up inside him. The display of wealth and careless spending only fueled his frustration towards Damon.
"I have been expecting you brother," Damon said, smirking evilly. Ethan frowned, completely disgusted by him, and noticed a man in an expensive black suit seated. He looked very familiar but Ethan could barely recall where he saw him.
"Excuse us" Damon waved his hand dismissively, signaling for the man seated in front of him to leave. The man, visibly trembling with fear, hastily retreated from Damon's presence. It was as if Damon's mere presence commanded authority and instilled a sense of trepidation in those around him.
Ethan moved closer to Damon who boldly sat cross-legged on his chair, with a smirk on his face. Ethan folded his arms, determined to go straight to the point, ignoring all he previously heard and said,
"What do you want from Hazel?"
Damon shook his head with a mocking smile on his face and responded nonchalantly,
"I cannot believe you traveled down here to ask me about a common whore Ethan. Sit and let's talk about how to join forces and rule the world. You've always had the brains."
"Don't you fuckin dare call her names you son of a bitch!" Ethan hissed with clenched fists.
Damon didn't show the slightest hint of being affected by Ethan's presence. If he did feel anything, he was a master at concealing his emotions, determined not to appear vulnerable or weak. It was as if Damon had built an impenetrable fortress around his true feelings.
Ethan wasn't taken aback by Damon's response; he had already anticipated it. Deep down, Ethan understood that behind the walls Damon had erected, there lay a frightened and isolated soul. Damon's tough exterior was only a shield, protecting him from the vulnerability and loneliness that lurked within.
"Listen, brother"
"I'm not your brother!" Ethan retorted.
"Whatever you say" Damon mockingly raised his hand in surrender and continued,
"Hazel is mine and mine alone. I choose to do whatever I want with the mother of my child!"
Ethan froze, startled by what he had just heard.
"What did you just say?" He asked, hoping Damon was messing around with him but unfortunately, Damon did not give him the response he wanted,
"Oh, your little slut did not tell you that Jermaine is my son?" He chuckled, "Seems to me that your serious relationship wasn't so serious then".
"How can she be the mother of my stepbrother's child?" He thought to himself. Confusion and anger consumed him. He grappled with the uncertainty of Hazel's intentions. Was she playing with his emotions, or was Damon trying to mess with him? In this tangled web of emotions, Ethan questioned the purpose of fighting for someone who did not trust him enough to let him in on important aspects of her life.
Ethan refused to believe Damon's words, "It cannot be. The father of her child is dead! He died in an accident"
Damon threw his head back in laughter and said
"Is that what she told you?"
Ethan couldn't believe what he was hearing, his head shaking in disbelief. He angrily stormed out of the office as Damon's laughter filled the room.
Ethan hopped into his car, his grip on the steering wheel tightening as he unleashed his frustration. He pounded on the wheel, letting out screams of anger, berating himself for being so foolish to believe all the lies she told him.
He recalled the time she hurriedly went to meet someone when they were at his art shop. "Could that have been Damon? Is that why she flared up when I asked her who it was?" He thought. Ethan's head shook with annoyance as he began connecting the dots, realizing what a complete fool he had been.
*****
"Jermaine, hurry! We're running out of time" Hazel called out to her son. They already moved their things to their new home, they were finally moving there. Jermaine was not too happy about leaving his old home but moving to a new town was his consolation and Hazel tried her best to make him happy about moving.
Jermaine got in the car and Hazel went to cross-check the boot of the car to make sure all their things were packed properly. Anna, who assisted all through the moving process was unhappy that her best friend was moving to another town and they wouldn't be able to see as frequently as they used to.
As Hazel was going through their things in the boot, she came from behind and gave her a tight hug. Hazel turned around to look at her, held her hands, and promised to always keep in touch with her.
"What about Ethan?" Anna curiously asked.
"Well, I guess it was amazing while it lasted. I'll miss him so much, Jermaine too." She pursed her lips and said, "I will be fine".
Anna squeezed her hands reassuringly and nodded her head before giving her a warm embrace and whispering,
"Be good for me, okay?"
Hazel nodded and waved goodbye.
The drive to their new home was filled with peace and serenity. Hazel's heart swelled with joy as she realized that she and her son would no longer live in fear of a stranger barging into their home and causing them harm. She rolled down her car window, letting the refreshing breeze caress her skin, and as she drove further, it felt as if all her worries were dissolving into the distance, leaving her with a sense of relief and newfound peace.
They finally made it to their destination, and Jermaine couldn't contain his excitement. He squealed with joy, jumping out of the car and darting around the house in pure delight. Hazel stood back, taking in the sight of their new home. Though it may not be as spacious as their previous house, it exuded a unique beauty and coziness that instantly captured her heart.
It stood proudly among the neighboring houses, its charming exterior catching the eye with its vibrant paint and welcoming front porch. As she entered, she was greeted by a cozy living room, bathed in warm sunlight that streamed through the windows. Upstairs, a snug bedroom awaited, adorned with soft colors and a comfortable bed, providing a peaceful retreat at the end of each day. And outside, a small backyard perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee or tending to a small garden.
Jermaine's room wasn't as huge as his previous room but he was in love with it. His favorite toys were properly arranged and his bed was boyish and cozy.
Hazel was satisfied with the house and decided to call Anna to thank her for everything. She picked up her phone and dialed Anna's phone while relaxing on her couch. Jermaine was fast asleep after the day's journey.
After ringing a few times, Anna picked up the phone, "Hey bestie! How are you?"
"I'm good." Hazel lazily replied.
"Are you settled now?"
"Yeah. Thank you so much for everything, Anna. I don't know what I would've done without you"
"Anything for you girl. I hope Jermaine is happy with the place too"
"Of course he is. He is already fast asleep."
"Alright girl, I'll talk to you later, I have to work now."
They said their goodbyes and ended the call.
Anna eagerly picked up her phone to call him,
"Yes?" He answered aggressively
"She is now in Ravenna"
"Who?"
"Hazel. Hazel has moved to Ravenna with her son"