Chapter 4 CHAPTER 4: A Chance Meeting

Hazel

Two Months earlier

I have always been intrigued and drawn to tall, fair guys with a face made for sin, but I had never believed in love at first sight nor had I experienced it before until I saw him leaning against the door across the crowded ballroom. Tall, fair, with deep blue eyes like the depths of the ocean, mysterious and captivating, drawing me in with their intensity and depth. He looked pretty even.

Then our eyes met, and I felt a stirring in my stomach and the rapid beating of my heart as he made his way to my side of the room.

I stood there dazed as he came close, waved and as I raised my hands to return the gesture, he walked past me and I realized that the blinding smile and electrifying eye contact was in fact meant for someone else, to my utter disappointment. I dragged my rejected self to the bar.

But he walked past me, his smile and gaze meant for someone else. My excitement shattered, I retreated to the bar, feeling the sting of rejection.

"Hey, beautiful. Rough night?  The bartender asked, his grin warm and inviting.

I managed a half-smile in response. "Can I get a coke with some ice?" I asked, trying to mask my disappointment.

"Sure thing, milady," he winked, preparing my drink with a theatrical half-bow.

"Thanks, Max," I said, appreciating his effort to lift my spirits.

"Anytime, darling." he replied.

I sat there and nursed my drink while the music washed over me. I knew in my guts that I had met the perfect stranger somewhere, but I could not seem to place the face. I was lost in my world until I heard the master of ceremony announce that it was time for the toast. I turned from my seat to the direction of the couple who were grinning from ear to ear. The bride was a family friend, and I was dragged to the wedding by my parents, who insisted I attend.

Coincidentally, the person giving the toast was the stranger I saw earlier. My gaze was fixated on him as he gave the speech eloquently and with an air of superiority. I was so lost in his voice that I didn’t feel the presence of my best friend Adam behind me until he placed a warm hand on my shoulder.

“Earth to Haze”. Adam whispered in my ear.

I turned with a startled look on my face and playfully smacked his hands on my shoulder.

“Hey, don’t startle me like that”! I whispered, and he smiled, wrapped his arms around me and planted a light kiss on my neck.

“Are you alright”? You look dazed, he whispered again.

“Why are we whispering”?

“Because William is giving a speech, silly.”

We giggled and continued watching the speaker.

“How do you know him?”

“Know who?” he scowled.

“The speaker”

“Oh, you mean William? I work for his father. He is the son of the popular business tycoon, Mr Thorn” he replied.

Adam is my best friend and a software developer who works with Nova Empire, which is owned by William’s father, popularly known as Thorn, a retired military officer and business tycoon with fleets of companies scattered all over the country.

“You could say Williams is my direct boss,” he smiled.

“What? Is that William?

"Yes Haze, that is William Thorn" Adam replied.

"I was trying to remember where I met him moments ago and now, I have a vague memory of us when we were kids. I remember always getting in trouble because of him…he has changed so much! I can’t believe I did not recognize him immediately”, I rambled on.

“Yes, I know your father had some business connections with their company many years ago, but then there was a fall-out”, Adam concurred.

“Little wonder I froze the first time I laid eyes on him across the room.” Adam stared at me and took my hands in his.

“Abort that mission, my love, because I can feel the wheels already turning on that pretty head of yours”. He advised.

“I didn’t say anything, Adam,” I protested innocently.

“You don’t need to say anything, Haze, I know you more than you know yourself. Don’t do it”.

We both laughed and Adam pulled my chair close to his and hugged me from behind, and then I noticed Williams walking towards us but in the company of the woman he had earlier smiled at. Apparently, he had spotted Adam.

Adam disentangled his body from mine, stood up and stretched out his hand to William for a handshake.

“Hey man, nice speech as always, it’s not like I was expecting anything less”, he chuckled.

“Thanks man”, William smiled, but his eyes were trained on me. Adam noticed and cleared his throat.

“ William, this is…"

“Hazel”, they both chorused. To my utter surprise.

William’s gaze continued to bore into me. His stare was so electrifying that it felt like he was looking into my soul. His voice was as commanding as Adam’s was soothing. His eyes raked all over me from head to toe before he blinked and forced a smile.

“Hi Hazel, my name is William. I’m sure you do not remember me, he said, his deep blue eyes sending shivers down my spine. Then he turned to the woman beside him, "This is Emily, my friend.”

“Hi Mabel”, Emily threw a glance at me and then proceeded to hug Adam.

“It’s Hazel” I corrected, scowling at her.

“Oh…" she replied before turning to Adam again,

"Hey Adam, you look absolutely breathtaking in that suit” she gushed, completely ignoring me.

“Oh, thanks Emily…you look amazing as well”, Adam replied. I turned to look at Adam, who winked at me.

“Well, see you guys around” William said as Emily took his hand.

“Bye Mabel” Emily smirked

“Hazel” I retorted, sounding a bit annoyed, but she was already out of earshot.

“That was awkward.”

“Oh Adam, you look absolutely breathtaking”, I made a face while mimicking Emily and we both laughed.

“That girl gets on my nerves and I don’t even know her.”

“Sorry Mabel”. Adam laughed.

“Not funny Adam” I hissed.