It was finally Sunday, meaning the last day of our tiny little vacation at the cottage. These three days have been absolutely blissful and I enjoyed every moment that I spent with him which of course included a lot of sex but I wanted to get to know more about him. "So are you a single child?" I asked him as I got off the bed that morning and started to wear one of his t-shirt."I have an elder sister, Jude. She is married and lives in Florida now." He replied with lazy voice as he rolled over to look at me."What about your parents?""They live here in New York. My dad has retired so he and my mom have started to travel and enjoy themselves." He smiled as he spoke about them and I couldn't help but wonder if it was only me who was cursed with a wretched family. "Wow, that's so cool." I gave him a small smile as I pulled my hair up in a loose bun."Yeah, what's with all the questions?" he asked, giving me a confused look and I sat on the bed, letting out a small sigh."I know you s
“Why do you look sad, Hazel? Did you break up with Jayden?”I gave Anna a glare as I stopped wiping the glasses.“Can you mind your own business for once?” I snapped angrily and with that she shut her mouth and continued to do her work. Beth was having a date night with Mason as usual and it was just me and Anna bartending tonight.I haven’t spoken to Jayden for the last two days and I was worried sick about him but at the same time I could understand that he was not having a regular job like me. He runs multiple companies and it can be hectic and stressful.“Can I get one of your signature drink?” I heard a deep yet familiar voice and looked up to find Zach sitting in front of me with a warm smile on his face. I was seeing him only now since last week and I didn’t know how to react immediately.“I...Hi..yeah sure,” I stuttered like a fool but started to prepare his drink. There was an awkward silence between us and the bar was not that much crowded as it was a weekday.“I haven’t see
The apartment was empty when I arrived and I went straight inside my room to cry my heart out. What was I even thinking? I tried to kiss Zach and he rejected me. He must think I'm a fucking whore for throwing myself at him at the slightest inconvenience. I hated Jayden and I hated myself for being in a situation like this. This is why I never do serious relationships. It's a pain in the ass.I ignored the calls and messages from him and switched off my phone before crying myself to sleep until a loud knock on the front door woke me up with a jerk and I looked up at the clock hanging on the wall in front of me. It was 1.45 am.I was pretty sure that it wasn't Beth. She usually stays at Mason's place if it gets late and she has her own set of keys as well. I got up from my bed and looked at myself in the mirror. My face and eyes were all red and puffy from the crying and I quickly wiped the smudged mascara from the corners of my eyes. "What if it's him?" I whispered to myself and wa
"Zach!" I almost shouted in suprise as I had no idea why he was here given how awkward things were last night. If anything, I'm the one who should apologise for trying to kiss him at the slightest inconvenience like a whore."Listen about last night..." He started to talk and looked down, scratching the back of his head."I know, Zach. I'm really so sorry. I wasn't thinking straight and I was sad." I finished it for him as I didn't want to relive the moment through him again. I had damaged my reputation in the most horrible way possible and it was hard to make things right now. "No. God, no! You don't have to apologise for anything. I just didn't want you to think that I.." He stopped talking all of a sudden and went still, looking behind me and that's when I realised Jayden was right there. "What's going on here?" I heard his deep voice as he came and stood beside me, half naked with his pants hanging loosely around his waist and his arm wrapped around my shoulders. Fucking hell!
When you are in love, nothing matters to you except that person. Not even the red flags because you convince yourself it won't happen again but it will happen again and you will always end up being wrong. It happened to me as well.I knew Jayden had a temper when I told him about Zach but I convinced myself that his reaction was acceptable given the fact I hurt him but what I didn't know was that, it wasn't a one time thing.Things were pretty normal since the past week. Jayden and I have become inseperable, we were offically dating but it was not established in the media as he wanted to settle things with Mallory's dad first and it would also look bad for his reputation to jump into another realationship immediately. His words. I loved spending every single moment with him. The passion between us was fucking unreal and we were hardly able to keep our hands off each other. I stayed with him most of the nights and Beth didn't mind it as she was staying with Mason as well. As for Zac
By the time we reached the club, it was packed and I wondered how Anna alone was managing the bar. After our little argument with my clothes, I was pretty upset throughout the whole car ride but Jayden somehow convinced me and got me in a good mood.We made out in his car before entering the club. That's how, my inner self mocked at me.I walked inside with Jayden by my side and he had his arm around my waist in a protective manner. I looked over at the bar and found Anna and Zach handling the crowd. I noticed Anna trying to flirt with him but Zach was hardly paying her By attention. Just when I was about to look away, our eyes locked with each other and I sucked in a deep breath.Fuck!He ran his eyes all over my body and his eyes lingered for a bit longer than usual at my waist where Jayden's hand was present. It's been so long since we spoke to each other and I missed him. I could see from the way he was looking at me that he missed me as well. But the question was, did he miss me
I was the first one to walk out of the booth, controlling my tears before anyone could react and I knew I couldn't go home as I had to work the next shift so I chose the only place where I would be alone in this whole building. The terrace. I was greeted by the cold wind as soon as I stepped walked inside the terrace and hugged myself with my arms, feeling cold, sad, alone and heartbroken. I walked further towards the right to find a decent spot on the concrete floor where I could sit down. I could see the entire city from where I was sitting. I always come here whenever I feel low because the view of the whole city makes me think that my problems are so small compared to it. I felt fresh tears flowing down my cheeks without my knowledge and I squeezed my eyes shut.I realised at that moment that I was more angry at myself than Jayden for being so weak, for being so ignorant of his actions and also for loving him even when he treated me like shit. I knew I deserved better and I dese
I stayed in bed for three days without showering or eating. I was just breathing, merely existing and I was out of tears from all the crying and had no more energy in my body to produce anymore tears. My phone was still switched off and I heard a few knocks on my door every now and then but I completed shut myself from the world and remained in my bedroom, trying to forget about everything that happened in the last two months.I wanted to forget meeting Jayden.I wanted to forget sleeping with him.I wanted to forget that stupid mascarede night that changed my whole life. I wanted my body to forget him and my heart to stop missing him. He might have been an asshole who treated me like shit but I did fall in love with him and knowing that he probably doesn't feel that way was so damn painful. I could feel the pain all over my body and wished there was some kind of off button. Maybe I should see my mom. She was a selfish bitch but I actually missed the warmth I received from her whe
"I still can't believe that she is married. Look at her! She is so happy." Zach exclaimed with a hint of surprise in his voice and I couldn't help but laugh at him in amusement. "I know. Marrying the love of your life does that to you." I replied, looking at them dancing in the middle of the room without any care in the world. Beth looked so beautiful and they looked perfect for each other that it almost made me want to cry. The wedding ceremony was over and most of the people had left except for a few close friends and family who were hanging around just like us."Are you going to eat that?" Zach asked, eyeing my cake and I pulled my plate closer to mine. "Yes, sir. Keep your hands to yourself." I laughed, shoving the cake into my mouth swiftly in a not so lady-like manner. "You are such a dork." "You love me anyway." I added with my mouth, still full of cake. He kept staring at me and I couldn't help but wonder if I had something on my face.I must look like a dork if I had cak
Six Months Later...."You have to make me stop eating, Hazel. That's your duty as my bridesmaid." Beth complained as she pushed her plate away and I tried to hold back my laughter. The wedding was on Sunday and I had been helping her all week despite my busy schedule working at the company and also attending my culinary classes in the middle of it. Taking over the company was extremely hard that I wanted to give up so many times but I got through the transition process with Zach's help as he had some knowledge in what my company does. It involved shipping and logistics related to heavy loads all over the world and the employees were so supportive and sweet towards me. They accepted me immediately and were patient with me until I understood the business. It's still a learning process no doubt.As for Lisa, she gave up and quit on her own without putting up much of a fight. She also moved out of the house two months ago which was quite surprising to me but at the same time it was under
"Are you "Are you ready for this? No going back now." Zach squeezed my hands as we were standing outside Tim's office. It was a one hour ride from my house to the lawyer's office and a part of me was scared that I might find more shocking news from him."Yeah, it's not like I can be any more suprised than this. My entire life feels like a poorly written movie. Why can't I have anything normal like a normal human?" I complained with a pout and he simply pulled me closer to kiss my forehead softly. "You have me. I'm pretty normal." "No, you are special to me." I smiled, feeling grateful that I had him beside me during the toughest part of my life. "That's a good one. Now stop flirting with me and let's get this done." I let out a deep breath and nodded before knocking on Tim's door. He must be a big shot lawyer if he was practicing law independently and there were a dozens of people waiting to see him in the middle of a week day. "Come in." We heard the familiar voice that we hear
"Wait, so she is not your biological mom?" Zach asked for the third time since I told him the whole story and I shook my head, looking at his confused face. We were still in bed and I finally unloaded everything that happened since I stormed out of his apartment that day. "I don't understand. If she really hates you because she thinks you somehow ruined her relationship with your dad, why would she try to send you money every month and act like she cares about you?" he questioned, sitting up straight on the bed and it was my turn to be confused. He had a point. She has always been so persistent that I take money from her and she has been extra sweet especially after my dad's death until our last phone call when I caught her on her bullshit.Thanks to Jayden! It was probably the only good outcome of dating him."I didn't think about it. Maybe she didn't want me to find out that she was ruining my relationships or something. I'm honestly confused, Zach. I had way too much to process
I stood outside Zach's house with a nervous look on my face and licked my lips as I adjusted my clothes. I was dying to meet him while he was being a respectful boyfriend, giving me the space I needed but I was done moping around. I was ready to take control of my life instead of being sad and crying over the truth. It was already too late and I needed to figure out what's the real deal with Lisa."Okay! It's just Zach. He will be happy to see me. Stop overthinking." I whispered to myself and knocked on the door. I tried to take deep breaths and calm myself as I heard some rustling behind the door. It was way past 8 in the evening and I knew he would be at home and not at the bar. "Coming!" I heard his deep voice and instantly felt my heart swell in response. I realised that I had missed him more than I had imagined. The door swung open and I sucked in a deep breath at that exact same moment. I met his crystal blue eyes that went wide in shock, surprise, happiness all at the same tim
"You are kidding, right? Is this some kind of sick joke?" I asked, sitting down on the couch, my hands already shaking. My palms were starting to get all sweaty and I had to shift my phone from one hand to the other."I have no reason to joke around, Hazel. You accuse me of having an affair but did you stop to think why didn't your father say a word despite knowing about it?" I went silent and thought about all the moments when she was being candid. She used to come home late and disappear every now and then even before my dad was sick. My dad wouldn't ask her anything.Fuck, she was right. She didn't try to hid it from us."I don't get it." I whispered, feeling so lost and confused and I wished that I had Zach with me right now. I missed him. "Let me cut to the chase, your father cheated on me long before I did, Hazel and your whore of a mother died giving birth to you. Only when your dad brought you home as a baby, I knew about the affair and your existence." She explained and al
I couldn't stop crying after I reached home as the pain of what Zach told was unbearable and it was even more painful because I missed him and I wanted to be with him. How did a perfect day turn out to be the worst?! I was so happy and excited to see him but everything was ruined because of Jayden. It all comes back to him always.Why the hell can't he leave me alone?I couldn't stop thinking about what Zach had mentioned in the call. He told that Jayden was inside my house shirtless but how is that possible when I wasn't even at home? Fuck! Is he stalking me?Or maybe the lock on my door is easy to pick and he simply wanted to ruin my relationship. He did see me keeping my key under the mat once. Could that be possible? As my mind was trying to come up with a logical explanation to this mess he had created, I heard the doorbell ringing. It must be Zach but I wasn't in the right state of mind to talk to him. I would just fall into his arms and hug him, forgetting about everythin
Zach's POV:I had to get out of there immediately. I couldn't stand looking at his smug face for another second. I knew Hazel wouldn't do that to me but the scenario in front of me was so convincing that despite, trying to not believe it, my heart broke into a million pieces. The fact that he was in her house, shirtless devastated me to the core. I tried to stay composed and got out of her building before I could break down. I knew I had to speak with Hazel first and I shouldn't jump to conclusions but I was human after all. I walked back to my car, trying to hold back my tears. Beth called me at that exact moment and it was like she heard my cry for help. I needed her. I knew she would back me up and tell me that I was not insane to think Hazel loves me."Hey,""Where are you, dumbass? I told you I'll be late to work today. Why did you leave early?" I knew my voice would give away if I open my mouth now. I never knew I could feel so much pain. This feeling was worse than loving h
Zach's POV:The next morning, I woke up to the familiar scent of strawberries and vanilla, courtesy of Hazel's hair tickling my nostrils and I grinned widely in satisfaction. I would give up anything to wake up like this everyday and my cock became hard just at the thought of how quickly things escalated last night. The best night of my life so far!I pulled her closer to me, feeling scared that she might disappear at any moment now. The way she smuggled against my chest made me smile wider and my heart was full at that moment. I kissed her forehead and wondered how many years I had craved for this moment, to have her in my arms, to hold her, to kiss her and to make love to her like there is no tomorrow and I feel like I was on top of the world right now. I finally got the love of my life and it was absolutely worth the wait. "What time is it?" she whispered in her sleepy voice which made my cock stir again.Damn!I needed to calm the fuck down before I could overwhelm her with my