Chapter 12


    HAZEL


    For the umpteenth time, David told me that we have to leave for the airport, but here I am, repeating


    the same instruction for the twentieth time. “Remember to give her the ducky doll and give me a call to


    wish her good night before putting her to


    bed.”


    “For Go d’s sake Hazel!” David groaned, his head craned towards the heavens, “You’ve said that a


    million times!” I rolled my eyes; speak of exaggeration. “I’m sure Daphne gets the memo. Let’s go or


    we’ll miss our flight.”


    “Fine! I’ming!” Leaning down, I kissed a sleeping Daisy on the forehead before walking out of her


    room. David who has been waiting in the hallway fell in line behind me. “You’re going to be gone for


    only twenty-four hours.”


    He held the door open for me as I got into the back seat before joining me. “I’m going to be gone for


    more than twenty-four hours if I get that award.” I red at Agatha seated in front, “A certain someone


    agreed to interviews.”


    Agatha, my secretary and social manager chuckled. “Interviews are requirements if you get the award.”


    She picked up her tablet, “I’m sure David agrees with me too.”


    “Let’s stop using the word if,” David mumbled as he leaned back and closed his eyes. “She’s going to


    win the award, I’m sure of it.”


    My lips stretched into a smile. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Copying his position, I closed my


    eyes. “Wake me when we get to the airport.”


    “Why don’t you hold that sleep until you get on the ne?” Agatha requested.


    I rolled my eyes inwardly. “Whatever.”


    It took us eight hours to get to our hotel room. Thankfully, I was able to get some sleep on the ne,


    because the moment we arrived at the hotel, Agatha told me to grab a shower because the makeup


    crew and designer are on their way to the hotel.


    I took a quick shower and grabbed something to eat before the crew arrived. Just as nned, they


    opted for smokey eye makeup and a wet hair look, topping it off with a long Versace red gown with high


    slits.


    I was almost done with getting ready when David walked into my room, dressed in a ck tux and a


    red broochplimenting my dress. His gaze slowly racked my body as he took in my dress, his gaze


    lingering on the slit and my bare thigh. “You look breathtaking.”


    My cheeks stained red. “Thank you.” Smiling to get rid of the tension, I grabbed my clutch. “You don’t


    look bad yourself.”


    He chortled. “As opposed to looking good?” I shrugged in response, my eyes twi nkling with


    mischievousness. Shaking his head, David stretched out his hand, offering me his open palm. “Come


    on, let’s get this over and done with it.”


    I can’t wait to get back to Seattle. epting his open-palm invitation, I allowed him to lead me out of


    the hotel to the limo waiting for us outside.


    Just as Agatha predicted, the pap ara zzi went crazy when I stepped out of my car, my hand


    interlocked with David’s. We posed for the camera, modeling the Versace outfit. I’m certain that some


    of them can’t wait to get home and write nothing but lies about my rtionship with David.


    Agatha walked over to me and whispered in my ear that we should get going and just as I was about to


    walk away from the red carpet, the crowd went crazy. Curious to know the reason for their craziness, I


    looked at the ck sleek Benz that just pulled over.


    David leaned in. “I bet my a ss it’s Jeremy Beckham.” Jeremy is mypetitor in the art curating out to


    steal your shine, which was why he let you walk in first.”


    iness. “He was always


    Almost rolling my eyes, I leaned in to tell him that not everyone is as dramatic as he is, but when my


    eyes captured who got down from the car, the words got stuck in my throat.


    What is Ravel doing here? My palm which was once lyingzily on David’s arm tightened its hold,


    squeezing tightly. David, noticing my sudden tensed demeanor trailed my gaze and it led him to Ravel.


    “Why weren’t we informed that he’ll be showing up?” David hissed at Agatha through clenched teeth.


    “I had no idea.” She mumbled, trying to keep a rxed face for the sake of the camera. “This shouldn’t


    be a problem right?” She nced at me. “I’ve seen a couple of people divorced that are in this event.”


    “Just zip it.” David scolded her. He ced his other hand on mine which was resting on his arm. “If you


    want to leave, I’ll make it happen.”


    As if sensing that we are discussing him, Ravel turned his head and locked his gaze with mine. I could I


    sworn that he smiled at me. The crazy b astard smiled at me! We held each other’s gaze for a little too


    long before Nooked away. “I’m receiving that award myself.”


    “You sure about that?” David asked skeptically. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”


    “Let’s go find our seat, these heels are killing me.” I held onto David’s arm tightly as he led me into the


    grand hall. Following the number on the invitation card, we made our way to our seats at the corner of


    the hall.


    Against better judgment, my eyes kept wandering around the hall, trying to catch sight of Ravel, and


    thankfully, I didn’t see him anywhere.


    “Are you looking for someone?” David whispered in my eyes, his voice clipped, almost sounding angry.


    “Don’t tell me you’re looking for Mr. Southwark.”


    Blinking rapidly, I took my gaze away from the crowd and settled it on David. “I’m just curious to find out


    where he’s sitting.”


    “I’m sure he’s somewhere in the front.” Agatha chimed. “I heard he’s the one presenting the awards, so


    he must be somewhere in front where he can be easily essed by the organizers.”


    “If only you paid more attention to details, Hazel wouldn’t have stuck in the same room with him.” David


    retorted, clearly still offended that Agatha was oblivious to the fact that Ravel will be showing up.


    “Let her be, David.” Even if she knew, I would have still shown up. “We are already here, let’s not make


    the night more stressful.” Picking up the champagne ss that Agatha picked up for me, I took a sip,


    praying and hoping that this night will go on without any more surprises.


    “You got to be f ucking kidding me!” David growled. Curious to know what got him so worked up, I


    turned around. “Why the heck is heing towards us?” He red at Agatha. “I thought you said his


    seat is somewhere in front?”


    “That was just an assumption, David!” Agatha snapped at David, “Stoping at me with the biting


    words David, you’re an employee just like me!”


    Zoning out their bickering, I stared unblinking at thedy on Ravel’s arm. June. The samedy he


    cheated on me with. How dare he?! The more I red at them, the more my blood boiled with fury.


    “Hazel?” David called out softly, his voice breaking me out of my fury daze. “If you hold the ss stem


    any tighter, it’ll snap.” cing a hand on my cheek, he turned my face away from the approaching


    couple. “Are you okay?”


    Clearing my throat, I nodded. “I’m fine.” Why am I even angry? It’s not like their rtionship is news to


    me. Lifting the ss, I took another sip, hoping they’ll walk past but to my dismay, Ravel stopped at our


    table and pulled a seat out for Jane before settling down next to her.


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    “What the heck is going on?” David demanded, his eyes bouncing from Ravel to June, but he got


    ignored.


    The ba stard smiled at me instead, ignoring every other person at the table. “Hello, Hazel.”