Drake opened the door, and Hazel along with her team were already seated, deep in discussion. As soon as Hazel noticed him, he offered a polite, "Good morning," to everyone in the room and took his seat. This time, the way he looked at Hazel had changed not with the usual warmth or familiarity, but with the cold precision of a business partner. The meeting began.
The meeting progressed with presentations and discussions about upcoming project strategies, financial forecasts, and collaborative ventures. Hazel tried to stay focused, her eyes scanning the reports, but her mind was tangled — she kept replaying Axel's words, his unexpected visit, and most of all, the moment she realized Drake had seen him. Her heartbeat was uneven, her thoughts unfocused.
As one of the managers presented the final segment and turned toward Hazel, they said, "Ma'am, we just need your approval on this."
Hazel blinked, startled. Her lips parted, but no words came out.
The room grew silent. Everyone turned toward her — even Drake. His sharp eyes were fixed on her with a knowing weight. Hazel cleared her throat awkwardly and said softly, "I'm sorry. I'm… I'm not feeling well today. I'll have to leave."
She grabbed her purse with trembling hands and stood up. As she reached the door, about to open it, Drake stood too and caught her by the wrist.
Hazel turned, her eyes meeting his.
"Drake… please, not today," she whispered, her voice tight with emotion.
Without another word, she pushed open the door and walked out. Her assistant stood up immediately, bowed slightly to the room and said, "I apologize for the inconvenience," before hurrying after Hazel.
The meeting room remained silent, the tension still hanging in the air.
Hazel gripped the steering wheel tightly as she drove, her assistant glancing at her with concern but staying quiet. The silence in the car was thick, broken only by Hazel's frustrated taps on her phone screen. She called Caleb — once, twice, over and over — but he didn't answer. With a deep sigh, she scrolled and dialed Lucas.
"Hello?" Lucas picked up quickly.
"Can you come to my home?" Hazel asked, her voice low and shaken.
"Yeah, I'm on my way," Lucas said without hesitation and hung up.
Soon after, Hazel reached her home. She unlocked the door and stepped inside, letting herself sink into the couch as if her body had given up. She closed her eyes, needing just a moment to breathe.
The door burst open minutes later. Lucas rushed in, eyes full of worry. "Did something happen?"
Hazel opened her eyes slowly. "He came to see me today… at the company."
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Drake?"
She shook her head. "No… Axel."
"What the…? For what?"
Hazel sat up and explained everything — Axel's unexpected visit, how he'd waited all these years, how he knelt down and held her hand, and confessed his feelings. How she had pulled her hand away and told him she was engaged… and how, in that panicked moment, she accidentally said Lucas' name instead of Caleb's.
Lucas stared at her in disbelief. "So you said my name instead of Caleb's?"
Hazel groaned and nodded. "It was a mistake. I didn't even think — I just forgot to say Caleb's name."
Lucas slapped his forehead. "Did you call Caleb?"
"I tried. He's not picking up."
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Lucas said, getting up quickly.
Hazel stayed on the couch, heart thudding, still overwhelmed. When she saw Lucas return with Zayn, she sighed heavily.
Zayn looked at her with mild confusion. "I met Axel… he talked to me."
Hazel's eyes widened. "He did?"
"Yeah," Zayn said. "So… did you tell him Lucas is your fiancé?" he asked, puzzled.
Hazel stood."Wait — did he tell you that?"
Zayn nodded. Hazel turned to Lucas in panic. "Lucas! What if he tells Drake the same thing? Drake stopped me today."
Lucas shook his head. "If Axel tells him that… Drake will definitely react. He'll do anything."
Hazel stared at Zayn. "This is your fault."
Zayn blinked. "Huh? My fault?"
Lucas sighed. "We planned this whole idea to help solve the tension between you and Drake."
Zayn looked between them slowly. "So… you guys were planning this for me?"
They both nodded.
Zayn looked even more awkward. "Oh… I thought you guys were helping Hazel."
Hazel raised a brow. "Helping me?"
Zayn scratched his head. "Yeah, i thought… bringing you and Drake back together."
Hazel just stared at him.
Lucas quickly jumped in. "Zayn, man, why are you standing? Sit anywhere."
Hazel gave a forced smile — more like a smirk — and said, "You guys talk. I'm just going to take a shower."
She turned and walked upstairs, leaving the two boys in silence.
Hazel tied her hair up tightly, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes looked tired—haunted. She splashed water on her face again and again, as if trying to wash away everything that was storming inside her. Then, without another thought, she turned on the shower and stepped in. The water poured down as she closed her eyes…
---
Past
The moment she almost fell, time slowed. The boy had caught her just in time. Their eyes locked—longer than it should've—and for a moment, neither of them moved. Hazel blinked rapidly, trying to compose herself. She stood straight, heart still racing, trying to make sense of what just happened.
Then, her eyes darted back to him.
Who is he? she thought. His hair's messy… but perfect? She blinked again, shaking her head. What am I even thinking?
"Thanks," she muttered quickly, brushing past him and running ahead, trying to put the strange moment behind her.
The boy stood still, watching her until she disappeared down the hall.
Hazel reached the school gate, looking around for the bus. Nothing. She checked her phone — 6:36 p.m. She sighed. No bus to her route. With no other choice, she began to walk, holding her phone tightly.
Her thoughts shifted to Ethan. She tried calling him, but his phone was switched off. Worry crept into her chest. She stared at her phone screen while walking, her mind racing.
Then she felt it.
Footsteps behind her.
Hazel stopped.
The footsteps did too.
Slowly, she turned — three men in black masks stood in silence, just a few steps away.
She froze.
They didn't move.
She didn't either.
Then, suddenly, she bolted — running as fast as she could. Panic flooded her. They chased her. One of them caught the strap of her bag, yanking her back.
"Where are you trying to escape, beauty?" the man sneered.
He reached out and touched her cheek.
Hazel struggled, her heart pounding. She kicked, trying to fight, but one of them lifted her off the ground, slinging her over his shoulder.
They began walking toward a black car parked nearby.
But luck—maybe fate—intervened.
Lucas, driving down the road, caught a glimpse of the scene. His eyes widened as he recognized Hazel. Without hesitation, he slammed the brakes, jumped out, and sprinted toward them.
"HEY!" he shouted, fury in his voice.
Hazel, barely conscious of what was happening, felt hope stir.
Lucas reached them and the fight began.