Arin picks up her phone from the table and dialed Annie's number. The phone rang for a few minutes before she eventually answered. "Hello Arin, what's up this morning?" She said, her voice lightened from the other end. "Where are you right now Annie? We need to talk. It's very very important." Arin said impatiently. "Is there any problem?" Annie asked suspiciously. "I am right at home but - I am kinda busy." "Can you please come over to my office? It's really urgent and it doesn't look like something I could handle on my own. I really need your help." Arin said, her voice faltering as she spoke as quietly as possible. "Oh no! I can't come over. You know Gerald doesn't like it when I come there. I don't want to cause any drama and if he sees you and me together, I'll be in trouble." Annie responded, making Arin go silent for some time. She wanted to tell her that Gerald wasn't in the office but she wasn't certain if he wouldn't come. This required contempla
Gerald walked into the open office space where his staff members were busy working on their laptops. He cleared his throat loudly and clapped his hands to get their attention. "Hey, everyone, I have an important announcement to make," he said with a wide smile. "Tonight is my engagement party with Hazel and I would like you all to be there. It's going to be a blast!" The staff members looked at each other with dismay. They all disliked Hazel, not only because she was a kleptomaniac but they all believed that she didn't represent them in a good way despite the fact that they gave her the best respect one could ever get being an intelligent colleague who have a wide range knowledge of jewelry making. They also believed that she was only after Gerald's money and power, and that she had seduced him into proposing to her. They felt sorry for Gerald, who seemed oblivious to Hazel's true nature. Although, all these was planted in their head by Arin. They also resented the fa
Hazel reached the stage, and Gerald took her hand. He kissed her softly on the lips, and whispered in her ear. "You are looking really beautiful, Hazel. I'm so happy you're here." "Thank you so much, Gerald. I'm happy too." He smiled and turned to face the crowd. He cleared his throat and spoke into the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to our engagement party. I'm sure you all know who this lovely lady is. She is Hazel, my fiancée, and the love of my life." The crowd clapped politely, but some of them looked skeptical or disapproving. They knew about Hazel's problem with stealing things, and they didn't think she was good enough for Gerald. Who were they to complain about this? They just had to remain quiet and watch what happened. Gerald ignored them and continued. "I met Hazel two years ago, at an event. The Silversteins event to be precise. She was working as a volunteer there, and I was impressed by her kindness and generos
The engagement party ended in chaos and confusion. The guests left the hall in a hurry, some of them gossiping and laughing, others shaking their heads and sighing. The band and the DJ packed up their equipment and left as well. The decorators and the caterers cleaned up the mess and left too. Only four people remained in the hall: Gerald, Hazel, Arin, and Annie. No one said a comforting word and that felt like the most humiliating moment of Gerald's life. This was exactly what Arin and Annie wanted. They knew it wouldn't take him a long time to cede once he kept on getting humiliated like this. They were all silent, each of them dealing with their own emotions. Gerald was sitting on a chair, holding his head in his hands. He felt like he had been hit by a truck. He couldn't believe what had happened. He couldn't believe that his sister and his assistant had betrayed him. If he could imagine Arin doing this, he couldn't believe his sister could do it too. He couldn't
Gerald drove away from the hall, feeling numb and empty. He didn't know where he was going, or what he was doing. He just wanted to get away from everything and everyone. He drove for a long time, until he reached a park. He parked his car and got out. He walked around the park, trying to clear his mind. He thought about Hazel, and everything that had happened. He thought about their relationship, and their future. He still loved her, but he also felt hurt by her. He wanted to forgive her, but he also wanted to forget about everything that she had done. He didn't know what to do or say. He didn't know how to feel or think. He felt lost and confused. He sat down on a bench and looked at the sky. He wished he could find an answer. He wished he could find a way. He closed his eyes and sighed, not noticing the woman who was sitting next to him at the other side. He didn't notice that it was Hazel. Hazel had followed Gerald from the hall, hoping to talk to him. She ha
"The gravest mistake you've ever made is leaving Hazel. She needs you this time but you left her because of what? Of what you knew of? Is it really done that way?" Gerald couldn't just stop hearing this voice in his head as he lay on his bed, trying to sleep off everything. He took a deep breath and sat up. He shook his head, running his hand across his face, not knowing what to do. He glanced at his table clock, it was still past ten and he hadn't been able to fall asleep. How could he just try to forget Hazel - if not forever, at least for now? He jumped out of the bed and started to pace back and forth, not knowing what to do. Just then, he heard knocks on his door. "Is that you Annie? Get the fuck off my door before I unleash my wrath on you." Gerald barked. "Not sweetie. It's your mother. I heard about what happened. I should have been upset that you didn't tell me anything about your relationship for the past six months. I should have felt bad that my son di
Gerald looked at Mr. Jones with shock and disbelief. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. He couldn't believe that he was being asked to choose between Hazel and the company. He looked at the other board members, hoping to see some support or sympathy. But he saw none. They all looked at him with the same expression as Mr. Jones: seriousness and concern, firmness and expectation, finality and challenge. They all wanted him to choose. They all wanted him to choose the company. He felt angry and hurt by their ultimatum. He felt confused and abandoned by them. He thought about the company, and everything that it meant to him. He thought about his career, and everything that he had achieved. He thought about his legacy, and everything that he had built. He loved the company, and he was proud of it. This was something his father left for him, he couldn't just let go of it like that. But he also thought about Hazel, and everything that she meant to him. He
Gerald decided to take Hazel to meet his mother. He wanted to introduce her to his family, and to show them that he was serious about his relationship with her. He wanted to show them that he loved her, and that he was happy with her. His mother was still angry with her for not telling her anything about his relationship with Hazel and she was ready to make things right again. He called his mother and told her that he was coming over with his fiancée. He asked her to be nice and welcoming to her. He asked her to give her a chance. His mother agreed and said over the phone, "Oh my sweetie, how can I not be welcoming to my daughter in law? I am certainly looking forward to meeting her. I am always and will always be happy for you. I just want you to be happy. Whatever makes you happy, makes me happy too." She lied. She wasn't happy for him, and she didn't want him to be happy as long as she was with Hazel. Annie had told her alot of things about him and she couldn't
After a one-hour recess, the doors of the courtroom swung open, and a solemn silence fell over the room. Mark Wilson, adorned in a disheveled suit, returned to his seat next to his defense attorney as he disgustingly glared at Gerald. The tension in the air was palpable as all eyes turned towards him. The judge, a stern figure draped in black robes, resumed his position on the elevated bench. He surveyed the room with an air of authority, his gaze landing on Mark Wilson. "Mr. Wilson, it is time for your final defense to present any evidence supporting your innocence," he declared, his voice resonating through the room. Mark Wilson's attorney, a middle-aged man with graying hair, rose from his seat, his expression anxious. He glanced towards Mark, his eyes filled with unease, and then nervously addressed the judge. "Your Honor, unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances and lack of conclusive evidence, we have no additional exhibits or witnesses to present. However,
Gerald closed the door behind him and leaned against it, feeling exhausted and drained. He had just spent hours at the police station with his lawyer, Mr. James, trying to prove that Mark was the one who had been blackmailing Hazel, his fiancee, for months. Gerald rubbed his eyes and sighed. He looked at his watch and saw that it was past midnight. He wondered if Hazel was still awake, waiting for him. He pushed himself away from the door and walked towards their bedroom, hoping to find her asleep in their bed. He reached the bedroom door and opened it quietly, not wanting to wake her up if she was sleeping. He stepped inside and saw her sitting on the bed, wearing a white nightgown that contrasted with her dark hair. She looked up at him with wide eyes that reflected the moonlight coming through the window. She smiled faintly and said in a soft voice: “Gerald… you’re back.” He smiled back at her and walked towards the bed, dropping his briefcase on the flo
The dimly lit police station was filled with an air of tension as Gerald stood beside his lawyer, Mr. James. They both shared a look of determination, while Mark looked nervously around. The room was cold, with gray walls and a flickering fluorescent light overhead, casting an eerie glow on the worn-out furniture. Officer Jacobs, a middle-aged man with a stern expression, entered the room. He had a no-nonsense demeanor that intimidated even the most composed individuals. He approached Mark, handcuffs in his hand. "Mark Wilson, if I get that right, you're under arrest for the alleged blackmail of Mr. Gerald Carrington Fraser's fiancée," Officer Jacobs declared, his voice firm. Mark's eyes widened with what seemed like disbelief. "What? No, Officer, you've got it all wrong. I would never do such a thing! I was in my room when these two men barged in. Firstly, I could have charged them for invasion of privacy, but I didn't. Now, they are accusing me of what? This is what we
Hazel looked at Gerald, her heart pounding as she wondered where to start the whole narration from. Obviously, she wasn't at fault because she didn't do anything but would Gerald believe that? He knew that she was obsessive, so if something like that happened, no one would want to doubt it. And here she was again, the fact that she hid it from everyone will make it seem as though she was trying to cover up for herself. "Why are you silent? Speak up! You need to say something." Gerald said, almost yelling. "I don't want to care what happened. Just tell me in details. Who is Mark and why is he blackmailing you? It is had simple as that." Hazel took a deep breath, and sat up for the sake of comfort. "Promise me you won't hurt me." "Does it matter? Just tell me what happened." "I really didn't do anything, I swear. I was being blackmailed falsely because I know the consequences of it getting out." Hazel said, her gaze apologetic as she spoke. "If you didn't do an
Hazel's eyes fluttered open blinking away the remnants of sleep. Her body felt heavy and tender each movement, a reminder of the accident that had landed her in the hospital. As she tried to adjust to the warm sunlight that streamed through the bedroom window the scent of something delicious wafted into her nostrils. Hazel turned her head and saw Gerald standing in the doorway a soft smile on his face. "Good morning my love. How are you feeling today?" Gerald asked his voice filled with genuine concern. Hazel mustered a weak smile and replied "I'm getting there slowly but surely. Thank you for taking care of me Gerald." Gerald crossed the room, his footsteps gentle on the hardwood floor. Pulling a chair beside the bed he sat down and took Hazel's hand in his own. "You don't need to thank me Hazel. Taking care of you is the least I can do after what happened l," he said his voice filled with determination. Hazel gazed into his eyes filled with gratitude and love.
The sun shone brightly through the hospital window, casting a warm glow on Hazel's face as she watched the door waiting eagerly for Gerald to arrive. It had been a difficult journey days spent in pain and uncertainty, but his visits were like beams of light in her darkest moments. He brought laughter love and a sense of normalcy to her life in the sterile hospital room. Gerald walked through the gleaming white corridors of the hospital his heart pounding with anticipation. He couldn't help but feel a mix of anxiety and excitement every time he came to visit Hazel. Her vibrant smile and infectious joy had always been a light in his life and he couldn't wait to see her again. As the door creaked open Hazel's heart skipped a beat. There stood Gerald tall and handsome a bouquet of colorful flowers in his hand. His hazel eyes sparkled with joy as he caught sight of her and a wide smile spread across his face. As he approached her, he took a deep breath to steady his nerves. Opening the
Finally Hazel's eyes opened and a weak smile graced her lips. "Gerald," she whispered her voice fragile but filled with love. Gerald felt a rush of emotion relief flooding his being. He leaned closer to her tears streaming down his face. "Hazel you're awake. Thank God you're okay." Hazel's smile widened her voice barely a whisper. "I love you Gerald. I'm sorry for scaring you." Gerald placed a gentle kiss on her forehead their love reaffirmed in that sacred moment. "I love you too Hazel. Nothing else matters as long as you're here with me." In that beautiful instant all the fear worry and anxiety melted away. Gerald held onto Hazel's hand cherishing their love and grateful for each slow-paced beat of their journey ahead. Gerald's heart pounded in his chest as he paced back and forth his mind racing with worry and fear. How could this have happened? Hazel was always so careful so cautious. He searched for answers trying to make sense of the accident that had turned his world u
Gerald's heart pounded in his chest as he paced back and forth his mind racing with worry and fear. How could this have happened? Hazel was always so careful so cautious. He searched for answers trying to make sense of the accident that had turned his world upside down. As he continued to pace, his mind kept replaying the words the nurse had spoken just moments ago "I'm sorry but Hazel is still in the theatre and we have no news about her condition." Those words seemed to echo endlessly in his mind. The unknown was tormenting him; he was desperate for answers for any sign of hope. He didn't know who to call and discuss this issue with. He was so stressed out. Just as he was about to lose all hope his phone began to ring, startling him from his thoughts. He fumbled to grab it his hands trembling. Looking at the caller ID he saw it was his sister Annie. His relief was short-lived though as he realized that Annie somehow already knew about Hazel's accident. There could be no other r
Gerald's eyes fluttered open as the dim morning light streamed through the curtains casting a soft glow in the living room. Confusion instantly washed over him as he realized he was sprawled on the couch instead of his usual spot in the bedroom. He sat up abruptly, his heart pounding in his chest and called out Hazel's name. Silence enveloped the room amplifying his growing anxiety. "Hazel, where are you? Why couldn't you wake me up when you came in?" He said. Darting his eyes around the living room, Gerald searched for any sign of his fiancée. To his dismay there was no trace of Hazel, no shoes by the front door, no handbag on the kitchen counter. Panic seeped into his veins as he hastily made his way to the bedroom hoping to find her there. But the room was empty, her side of the bed untouched. She didn't come back home last night? Gerald asked himself, totally confused and furious. Wide-eyed and growing increasingly alarmed Gerald reached for his phone and dialed Ha