Chapter 66


    Chapter 66


    RAVEL


    FIVE YEARS AGO


    Hazel had mentioned that we would have an extensive conversation about Kelvin once we returned to


    the penthouse. Perhaps she was finally prepared to share with me the reasons behind her recent


    behavior, the motives that underlic her actions.


    After an evening of dining, dancing, and engaging in conversation, the hour had grownte, well past


    two in the morning. Hazel’s repeated yawns were clear signs of her exhaustion, and I didn’t want to


    keep her standing any longer than necessary. Therefore, I decided it was best for us to call it a night


    and retire.


    Gently wrapping my arm around her waist, I ced a delicate kiss on Hazel’s neck. “Shall we call it a


    night?” I whispered softly into her ear.


    She nodded, stifling yet another yawn. “I’ll go say goodbye to Elenor, and then we can head out.” I


    observed as she made her way across the room, seemingly dragging her feet, towards where Elenor


    was engrossed in taking shots with a group of girls. I wasn’t even sure who those girls were; Elenor


    had organized their presence herself.


    Just as I turned my attention back to the scene, Adam approached me. I slid my hands into my


    pockets, blinking slowly as I focused on him. “What is it, Adam?” I asked.


    His expression was serious as he spoke. “Boss, I thought you should know that Ms. Hazel met up with


    a man she referred to as a friend. But something seemed off; she appeared tense throughout their


    conversation.”


    My brow furrowed in concern. “Did you manage to get his name?” I inquired, my focus narrowing on the


    situation.


    Adam winced slightly. “I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t get his name. But I saw his face clearly, and I can definitely


    identify him if I see him again,” he assured me, attempting to rectify his oversight.


    Frustration gnawed at me. “His face won’t be of much use if we don’t have a name,” I replied curtly.


    Could it be the Kelvin she was nning to discuss with meter? As my gaze shifted back towards


    Hazel’s approach, I spotted her walking toward us. “We’ll continue this conversationter,” I informed


    Adam, receiving a sharp nod in return as he moved away.


    Hazel reached for her purse on the table, giving me a soft smile. Despite her attempt to appear


    cheerful, a tinge of unease was evident in her eyes. “What were you and Adam discussing?” she


    inquired as we made our way toward my car.


    My thoughts were spinning, trying to understand what was going on with Hazel. I couldn’t let myself


    believe that she had cheated on me. “We were discussing the need to enhance your security


    measures,” I fabricated, my voice steady. “Given the news Elenor posted, the papara zzi and potential


    threats might start hounding you.”


    I courteously held the car door open for her until she was seated before I rounded the vehicle and


    settled into the driver’s seat. “Is that really necessary?” she questioned, expressing doubt about the


    heightened security.


    “The decision is final,” Vasserted firmly, my tone resolute. “Your safety isn’t up for negotiation. You’ll


    grow ustomed to their presence over time.” The remainder of the drive back to the penthouse


    transpired in silence, and I observed Hazel as she eventually drifted off to sleep in the car.


    Bringing the car to a stop in the parking lot, I switched off the engine, unfastened my seatbelt, and


    turned to gaze at Hazel, who was now peacefully asleep. My heart swelled with a mixture of affection


    and concern. I was deeply in love with her, to the point that I might even forgive her if she had cheated


    on me, but I was resolute in making sure that whoever he was wouldn’t be able to freely walk the


    streets of New York.


    Lost in admiring her beauty, I was caught off guard when her eyes fluttered open. Our eyes locked, and


    a soft smile tugged at her lips as she rubbed her hands over her face, drawing attention to the ring that


    now adorned her finger. I couldn’t help but grin at the sight. “You look absolutely beautiful,” I


    complimented genuinely.


    Hazel let out a gentleugh. “Well, I just hope I wasn’t snoring too loudly,” she quipped, her gaze briefly


    shifting to the


    window. “When did we arrive back home?”


    “It’s been just a few minutes since we arrived,” I replied. “You appeared so peaceful while sleeping that


    I didn’t want to disturb you.”


    She yawned and reached for her bag, undoing her seatbelt. “I did mention that we needed to talk,” she


    pointed out with a hint of amusement, “so eventually, I knew I’d have to wake up.” She opened the car


    door and stepped out, and I followed suit, cing a hand on her waist as we made our way into the


    house.


    Once inside the living room, Hazel dropped onto the sofa, kicked off her shoes, and then stood up once


    more, making her way to the mini bar. I observed her closely as she picked up a bottle of vodka and


    took a swig straight from it. The sight was unexpected, and I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in


    surprise.


    Seeing Hazel exhibit such behavior was entirely out of character, especially outside of a party


    atmosphere. Concerned, I called her name softly and left the sofa to join her at the bar. “Hazel,” I


    began gently, “if discussing what’s on your mind proves to be too difficult, you don’t have to do it.”


    She took another swig from the bottle and wiped her lips with the back of her hand. “Not addressing


    this issue will not only jeopardize our rtionship and possibly our marriage, but it could also tarnish


    your public image.”


    I studied her closely, my heart pounding with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. “Is this connected to


    the man you met earlier?” I asked, and her eyes widened in surprise. “Adam told me,” I continued, “so I


    know about it. Is he the reason you’re resorting to alcohol? Did you cheat on me with him?” The words


    left my mouth, a knot of worry tightening in my chest.


    She red at me, her gaze intense. “I’ve told you before, Ravel, I’ll never cheat on you,” she retorted


    firmly. She removed the pins from her hair, allowing her locks to cascade around her shoulders. “Hell


    will freeze over before that happens”


    If she hadn’t cheated, then perhaps the situation wasn’t as dire as she believed it to be. I moved closer


    to her, cing my hands on her waist, and then lifted her to sit on the edge of the bar counter. I stood


    between her legs, looking into her eyes with reassurance. “Talk to me,” I urged gently. “We’ll find a way


    to work through it together.”


    Her eyes


    blinked, now glistening with unshed tears. The same beautiful eyes that had captured my heart. She


    whispered softly, her voiceced with vulnerability, “I’m afraid that you’ll leave me, Ravel. I’m afraid that


    you won’t want me anymore.”


    “Nothing,” I-assured her with utmost sincerity, “absolutely nothing will ever make me stop wanting you.”


    Drawing nearer, I nted a tender kiss on her lips. “I don’t think you realize just how profoundly I love


    you.”


    Hazel’s lips were slightly moist from nervousness as she licked them, struggling to articte her


    thoughts. Seeing her hesitation, I decided to gently guide the conversation. “You mentioned wanting to


    talk about Kelvin. Is he the same man you met earlier tonight?” I asked, and she nodded in response.


    “Can you tell me more about your history with him?”


    With a deep breath, she began to reveal her truth. “I’m currently being ckmailed by Kelvin due to my


    past,” she disclosed, her voice tinged with emotion. My brow furrowed, puzzled by the revtion. “I was


    a drug addict, Rav,” she continued, her voice quivering with vulnerability, “and I nearly caused the


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