Early that morning, Hazel stood in front of her wardrobe, her eyes fixed on the Cinderella blue gown hanging neatly before her. The delicate fabric shimmered under the soft morning light, its elegance undeniable. Yet, despite its beauty, she could not shake the hesitation gnawing at her.
Should I go?
A sigh escaped her lips as doubts flooded her mind. The reunion meant facing old friends, old memories—and Zamiel. After all these years, did she really want to reopen that chapter?
Just as she was about to turn away, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Hazel glanced at the screen and saw a message from Jasmine:
"Morning, Hazel! Don't even think about skipping tonight. I'm waiting for you, and I won't take no for an answer! 😊"
Hazel let out a small chuckle despite herself. Jasmine always had a way of reading her mind.
Shaking off her doubts, she typed back:
"Alright, alright. I'll be there. No promises on staying long though!"
Jasmine's reply came almost instantly.
"We'll see about that. 😉"
Hazel put down her phone and looked at the dress again. "I guess I am going," she murmured, running her fingers over the silky fabric before heading to get ready for the day.
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By mid-morning, Hazel was at Star Entertainment, fully immersed in her responsibilities. Her heels clicked against the sleek marble floors as she walked through the bustling corridors, checking in with various departments to ensure everything was on track.
Mia, her assistant, greeted her with a stack of documents the moment she arrived. "Ms. Hazel, the final revisions for the upcoming production are ready for your approval."
Hazel took the papers, scanning through them with practiced ease. "Looks good. Schedule a meeting with the creative team for tomorrow morning."
"Yes, ma'am," Mia replied efficiently.
Despite her focus on work, Hazel's thoughts occasionally drifted to the evening ahead. Would Zamiel be there? How would they interact outside of their professional roles? Pushing the thoughts aside, she powered through the day, meeting deadlines and ensuring every detail was in place for the company's new project.
Before she knew it, the sun had begun to set, casting a golden hue over the city skyline visible through her office window.
Mia peeked in with a knowing smile. "Big night?"
Hazel looked up, startled. "What?"
"You have been checking the time all day," Mia teased. "You should go home and get ready. I will take care of things here."
Hazel sighed, offering a grateful smile. "Thanks, Mia. I owe you one."
With that, she gathered her belongings and left the office, her nerves returning with each passing second.
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The get-together party was in full swing, with everyone seated along a long chair while a beautifully arranged table stretched across the middle, laden with an abundance of food and drinks—including an assortment of fine wines and stronger alcoholic beverages. Laughter and chatter filled the air, and the atmosphere brimmed with nostalgia.
Suddenly, all eyes turned to the entrance as Amanda made her grand arrival. She walked in majestically, her long red gown flowing around her like a fairy princess stepping into a ballroom. The shimmering fabric hugged her figure perfectly, and the delicate embellishments on the dress sparkled under the golden chandelier lights. She radiated confidence, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor as she strode gracefully inside.
A hushed admiration spread through the room before Ezekiel, one of their old high school classmates, stood up enthusiastically. "Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome the one and only, the beautiful actress Amanda!" he announced.
Applause erupted as everyone stood, clapping and smiling innocently at Amanda, their eyes filled with admiration. She flashed a dazzling smile, soaking in the attention, her heart swelling with satisfaction.
Moments later, Ezekiel turned to Jason and asked, "Where is Zamiel, our CEO? Is he not coming tonight?"
At the mention of Zamiel's name, Amanda's expression faltered slightly as her mother's words echoed in her mind: You must seduce Zamiel no matter what.
Just as she tried to steady her racing thoughts, a deep voice interrupted her reverie.
"Sorry, I am late."
All heads turned toward the entrance, and there he was—Zamiel. He stepped into the hall with effortless confidence, dressed in a tailored black trouser and a crisp blue shirt that accentuated his chiseled features. A sleek black wristwatch adorned his wrist, adding a touch of luxury to his already commanding presence. His cool gaze swept across the room, and for a moment, Amanda forgot to breathe.
Ezekiel wasted no time in standing again. "Let us all welcome our CEO, the owner of Star Entertainment, Zamiel Blake"
Once again, applause filled the room as Zamiel nodded politely, taking his seat among the others. The dinner began, and the room buzzed with lively conversation, everyone sharing their life experiences since high school. Amanda, however, was more preoccupied with finding a way to get Zamiel's attention—though he seemed utterly uninterested, giving her no chance to engage him.
Meanwhile, Jasmine sat near the end of the table, scrolling through her phone anxiously. She kept checking the time, wondering if Hazel would really come. Just as she was about to send another message, the entrance doors opened, and Hazel walked in.
A collective hush fell over the room.
Hazel was no longer the girl they once knew.
She stood tall in a breathtaking blue gown adorned with dazzling diamonds that shimmered with every step she took. A pair of silver heels complemented the dress, and her matching silver necklace, earrings, and bangle added to her ethereal look. The soft breeze from outside teased her long hair, making her appear almost like a sea goddess emerging from the waves.
Ezekiel, momentarily stunned, quickly snapped out of it and announced, "And here comes the gorgeous Hazel! Welcome!"
Hazel smiled gracefully as the applause followed, and she made her way to her seat next to Jasmine. Conversations resumed, with everyone enjoying their meals, discussing their careers, families, and dreams. Despite the lively atmosphere, Amanda's eyes rarely left Zamiel, trying to find an opening to speak with him. Yet Zamiel remained focused on the event, effortlessly evading her attempts.
As the dinner concluded, Ezekiel stood up once more. "Now that we have enjoyed the feast, let us take this time to truly reconnect with each other through good conversation." He stepped away, leaving everyone to mingle freely.
Taking the opportunity, Hazel stood up from her seat, leaving Jasmine behind, and quietly slipped outside to the hotel's terrace. The cool night air was a welcome change from the bustling room inside. She leaned against the railing, gazing out at the city lights twinkling in the distance.
To her surprise, she heard footsteps approaching. She turned slightly to find Zamiel walking toward her. Without a word, he sat down on the nearby bench, and Hazel's eyes widened at his casual action.
"It is good to see you," Zamiel said, breaking the silence.
Hazel looked up, unsure of his meaning. Seeing her confusion, he quickly corrected himself. "I mean... it is good to see you outside of work."
A small smile touched Hazel's lips. "Yeah. It is different."
There was a pause before Zamiel softly spoke her name. "Hazel."
Hazel looked up at him, startled by the warmth in his gaze. His eyes were filled with something she had not seen in a long time—love and longing.
"I am here because of you," he admitted, his voice sincere, and he stood up and moved closer to hazel slowly.
Hazel's heart raced at his words. "What do you mean?" she whispered.
"I am here to finally confront our past, Hazel," Zamiel said, his eyes never leaving hers. "I know I might not be making sense right now, but I need you to listen—just this once. I do not want our past to remain in the past. I want us to bring it to the present and continue our journey."
Hazel felt her eyes sting with unshed tears as she asked, "If you felt this way... why did you not tell me sooner? Why did you not give me hope that you still remember the promise you made to me before you left?"
Zamiel leaned closer, his voice gentle. "Because I did not know if you still remembered... or if you still cared."
Hazel's voice trembled with emotion. "Why would I forget you? Do you know how much I have tried to move on? How much I have been waiting?"
Before she could finish, Zamiel cupped her face gently and captured her lips in a deep, passionate kiss.
The world around them seemed to disappear as their emotions poured into that kiss—years of longing, regret, and hope intertwining in that single moment. Hazel's hands trembled as she held onto Zamiel, feeling the depth of his love through his touch.
When they finally pulled apart, Zamiel rested his forehead against hers. "No more waiting, Hazel. This time, I am not letting you go."
Hazel smiled through her tears, whispering, "Then do not."