Chapter 72


    Chapter 72


    RAVEL


    PRESENT TIME


    Earlier, Elenor reached out to me, expressing her inability to provide an immediate update. Although


    her message was slightly cryptic, I opted not to probe further, having full confidence in her capabilities.


    She gave me reassurance, mentioning that her chauffeur, Sebastian, would keep me informed about


    her whereabouts alongside Hazel.


    Approximately an hour ago, my phone buzzed with a message from Sebastian. He conveyed that


    Elenor had sessfully arrived at the airport in thepany of Hazel. Just moments ago, another text


    popped up, notifying me that they had entered the elevator and were en route. The room’s lights had


    been dimmed, and everyone stood in anticipation, maintaining absolute stillness to preserve the


    element of surprise.


    Amidst the silence, the distinct beeping of the keypad reverberated as the lock code was attempted.


    The door slowly swung open, and footsteps cautiously traversed into the obscurity of the room. Even


    before the illumination returned, a harmonious chorus of the birthday song resonated as a unified


    surprise for Hazel.


    Caught off guard, Hazel stood with eyes widened, her gaze fixed on the spectacle unfolding before her.


    Every person present, including Elenor, joyfully joined in singing the celebratory tune. Only when the


    song concluded did I step forward, holding a petite cake that contrasted with the extravagant confection


    resting on the table. In a hushed tone, I greeted her, “Happy birthday, Hazel,” and raised the cake,


    presenting her with the candle to extinguish.


    While still seemingly rendered speechless, she bent slightly and blew out the candles, a moment that


    spurred cheers and apuse from the gathered group. Emboldened, I decided to press my luck,


    handing the cake over to Raymond before enveloping Hazel in an affectionate embrace. She


    reciprocated, her fingers finding sce as they encircled my waist.


    Elenor’s dramatic throat-clearing finally managed to draw me away from Hazel’s embrace. Elenor


    stepped in, embracing Hazel in her turn. “You really gave me quite a scare, Elenor,” Hazel remarked


    with a chuckle, her words carrying a mix of relief and jest, “I was fervently hoping you wouldn’t meet


    your demise before the doctor arrived.”


    Elenor responded with a giggle. “Perhaps I should explore acting as a potential new business venture.”


    With my hand gently resting on the curve of Hazel’s back, I guided her deeper into the room. She


    shared warm hugs with Raymond and broke into a wide grin upon spotting Adam. It was a significant


    moment, as this marked the first asion she hadid eyes on Adam since their divorce, especially


    since he had promptly departed for military service right afterward.


    “I have a surprise for you,” I whispered into her ear, my voiceden with anticipation. Holding her hand,


    I guided her into one of the rooms. She settled onto the bed, and as she did, I slipped into the closet to


    retrieve the gift.


    “Is this ce yours?” she inquired, her gaze sweeping over the room with appreciation.


    “It’s not mine,” I replied, gently cing the velvet box on the bed beside her. In truth, it was hers-a


    penthouse I had purchased for her, originally intended as a birthday gift. Circumstances, however,


    forced my hand, and we divorced before her special day.


    “Did you rent it just for my birthday?” she asked, a hint of disbelief evident in her voice.


    With a slight tilt of my head, I pondered how to respond most effectively. “More like I borrowed it,” I


    finally admitted, taking a seat beside her on the bed. I reached for her hand, intertwining our fingers,


    and exined, “I didn’t pay a penny for using it, and I’ll be returning it to the owner soon.”


    A soft smile yed on her lips as she mused, “I should find more friends who are willing to casually


    lend out their penthouses.”


    If only she knew theplete truth. My attention shifted to the velvet box nearby, and I urged, “Go


    ahead and open it.”


    Her attempt to withdraw her hand from my grip triggered an unconscious tightening of my hold. “Ravel,”


    she mumbled, avoiding my gaze, “I need both hands to open the box.”


    Realizing my slip, I released her hand quickly. “Of course, my apologies,” I responded, acknowledging


    my blunder. In a bid to diffuse any awkwardness, I offered a light chuckle.


    Her smile softened, and her attention shifted to the velvet box. As she opened it, a gasp of awe


    escaped her lips upon discovering the exquisite beauty resting within. I had invested a year of effort


    into crafting that piece. “This is truly beautiful, Ravel,” she whispered, her gaze seemingly captured by


    the mesmerizing jewelry set.


    A sense of contentment welled within me. “I’m delighted you like it.” With gentle movements, I lifted the


    ne from the box. “Could you turn around for me, Hazel?” I requested. Slowly, she obliged, her


    back now facing me. Gently gathering her hair, I swept the strands to one side, exposing the nape of


    her neck. My resistance waned, and I leaned in, pressing a tender kiss against her skin.


    An immediate tensing of her body was perceptible, though her lips remained sealed.


    With careful precision, I secured the all-diamond ne around her neck, my fingers adeptly


    fastening the sp. My hands then settled on her shoulders, gently pivoting her to face me. Hazel’s


    gaze remained locked onto mine, a subtle parting of her lips hinting at the underlying tension.


    My attention involuntarily dropped to her lips, the memory of their taste and the desire to experience it


    again resurfacing vividly. As my hand rested on her shoulder, its motion gradually ascended, my fingers


    tenderly curving around her neck, pulling her gradually nearer.


    A slow inhale on my part met her exhale, my thumb instinctively tracing the rhythm of her pulse. “I’ve


    missed you, Hazel,” I breathed out, my words a mere whisper that triggered an esction in her breath.


    Summoning every ounce of courage, I decided to y my final card. Leaning in, I closed the distance,


    pressing my lips against hers in a kiss, a fusion of emotions encapsted in that one daring act.


    Remaining perfectly still, I allowed Hazel the space to make her decision, to withdraw or reciprocate.


    Astonishingly, she held her ground, a silent agreement to allow this connection. Neither of us moved for


    a moment, a delicate equilibrium hanging in the bnce.


    Gradually, our lips began to move in sync, a tentative rhythm forming between us. The kiss was a


    gentle dance, an unspoken exchange of feelings that transcended verbal expression, a testament to


    the depth of longing we had for each other. My grip on her neck grew firmer as the kiss deepened, and


    a telltale moan escaped her lips, melding with the connection we shared.


    Hazel’s moan was intoxicating, a raw affirmation of desire. With a lustful growl resonating within me, I


    pulled her even closer, any consideration for the delicate jewelry momentarily forgotten. The feel of her


    hands encircling my neck fueled my passion, her teeth teasingly tugging at my lower lip, a tantalizing


    blend of yearning and restraint.


    My hands were about to feel the curve of her breast when her phone suddenly rang, snapping her out


    of the sexual haze between us. She pulled away, blinked rapidly before reaching for her phone. “Hello,


    David?”


    “Yeah, the dinner date is still on,” her words rumbled, causing my eyebrows to furrow. How could she


    contemte going on a date with another man immediately after sharing such a passionate kiss with


    me? “Let’s schedule it for the two in the morning,” she suggested, a hint of urgency in her tone, “I’m


    dealing with something that’s going to dy me.” A brief pause followed. “Alright, then. I’ll see you in


    the morning.” And with that, she ended the call.


    Driven by a surge of jealousy and desperation, I blurted out without restraint, “Stay the night.” My words


    hung in the air, pregnant with unspoken implications. “I won’t do anything you’re notfortable with,


    but please, just stay.”


    Returning the ne to the box, she closed it and clutched it before rising to her feet. “I’m sorry,


    Ravel, but I really have to leave,” she said, her voice tinged with a mix of regret and finality.


    ncing at the wall clock, I noted, “It’s nearly eight in the evening.”


    Her


    response came measured, as if calcting her next move. “If I head out now, I should be back home


    before three,” she stated, her grip on the box steady. “Thank you for the gift and the surprise party, I


    genuinely appreciate it.” With those words, she began to walk out of the room.


    I followed in her wake, my determination to ensure her safe departure unwavering. “At least let me drop


    you off at the airport,” I offered, my voice carrying a mix of insistence and concern.


    Chapter 72


    Elenor’s voice interjected, seemingly from out of nowhere. “I’ll handle that,” she said firmly. “I have


    something important to discuss with her.” An exasperated re from me was met with an unconcerned


    shrug from my sister. “You’ll see her again, Ravel,” Elenor assured, her wordsced with a sense of


    promise that she definitely knew not how to fulfill.


    Hazel bid her farewell and departed from the room. Positioned by the floor-length ss window, I


    observed the unfolding scene outside. She and Elenor were embroiled in what appeared to be a


    fervent exchange, their bodynguage betraying the intensity of their conversation. Eventually, Hazel’s


    frustration boiled over, and she stormed towards the waiting car, mming the door shut in her wake.


    As the car pulled away from the driveway, Elenor remained behind, a decision that left me both


    perplexed and intrigued.


    Didn’t she say she was going with her to the airport?C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.