chapter seven

CHAPTER SEVEN 

Hazel's POV 

“Hazel! Hazel! Are you even listening to me?” Maia grabs my shoulder and jolts me back to reality. 

I stare at her with confusion “ow! what was that for?”

“I have been calling your name for the past five minutes with no response. I thought something bad had happened, maybe you slipped and hit your head, only for me to come in here to see you standing in front of the mirror staring at your reflection with your toothbrush dangling from your mouth like a zombie”

She shakes me again so hard my teeth rattles

 “hazel! You are staring at me with blank eyes, what is it?”

Her brows pulled up together, vertical lines appearing between her eyebrows.

“You are scaring me”

Peeling her fingers gently from my shoulders 

“I am fine Maia, I was just lost in thoughts that’s all”

“By thoughts you mean; Andrea, here I was thinking you were having a stroke” she rolls her eyes.

“Very funny, yes I was thinking about him among other things, I really thought I could avoid seeing him, the company is so big I don’t get to see some of my colleagues for days, but I keep bumping into him.”

I fight the urge to stamp my foot on the bathroom tiles.

“The other day I saw him waiting front of the elevator, I had to use the stairs all the way to the fifth floor. I didn’t want to ride alone in the elevator with him. And yesterday I literally bumped into the man, I cannot keep doing this, sooner or later he would want to have the talk.”

I air quote Talk for emphasis.

Maia paused her lips shaking head.

“Let’ go have breakfast, I can’t deal with this on an empty stomach” she walks away.

I cannot deal with the hate and questions I glimpsed in his eyes on the day I went to introduce myself, although yesterday when we bumped into each other those smoldering brown eyes were filled with such fervor it had the secret thrill of illicit behavior.

My traitorous body responded to our closeness too, whatever I saw in his eyes was definitely not one sided.

 Rinsing out my toothbrush, I join Maia in the kitchen. 

She already laid two plates of cheesecake omelet and two mugs filled with coffee on the table. 

She bites into her omelet “Have you reached out to the lady that helped you out yesterday?"

“I think you mean the lady that helped us out? And Yes, I tried calling her on my way home yesterday it went to voicemail. I will try again today during my lunch break. I don’t want to call now it feels too early.”

“Okay, what about your Andrea situation? You know, it has been six years already, I am sure working closely with the woman who he feels betrayed him would not be an easy feat, I just feel he is too much of a professional to let your past affect your work relationship. Besides It’s has been close to three weeks since you guys started working together and he has not once tried to have the talk.”

She makes air quotes

“I know you do not want to hear it, but you are going to have to tell him the truth. He may not forgive your actions but at least he would understand the reasons behind them. Besides he is not the only one hurt, I’ve watched you suffer and die a little every day since them, the guilt is eating you up.”

“Maybe that is my punishment Maia and I accept it”

She continues ignoring my statement 

“instead of hiding and avoiding him, why not try to tackle the issue by addressing the elephant in the room, even if you would not explain by telling him everything, acknowledge your errors and apologize. So you do not have to take the stairs or run into the bathroom whenever you see him. That’s just crazy” 

I rub my head in pain “it’s not that simple Maia”

“Erm, yes it is hazel” she retorts

I have a headache already just thinking about it.

“Any word from the investor?” I change the topic.

Maia looks at me and shakes her head, as if to say I know what you are doing. But she doesn’t push it.

“Not yet, his secretary just sent a confirmatory email that she has received the documents that’s all. I am giving them till the end of the week before I call or send another email, I don’t want to seem desperate, well I am desperate, I just don’t want them to know.”

She laughs at herself and dumps her plate and mug into the dishwasher.

I stuff the last piece of egg into my mouth and join her in front the dishwasher.

“Just leave” she takes my plate and mug from my hands 

“Are you not cold? walking around in just your towel?”

I rub my arms and look down at my bare feet

 “Now that you’ve mentioned it, I feel a little chilly.” 

 

“Go get dressed I’ll clean up here” she shoos me out of the kitchen 

“Thanks mom”

“Good morning miss Hazel” Lily calls out to me, from her desk, the moment I step into the office. 

“Hi Lily, good morning to you too” I can’t help the smile that stretches across my face, lily’s grin is so contagious.

She walks up to me as soon as I am seated 

“You had a call from the office of Mr. Wang Xiao, his secretary called to cancel their appointment with us, she said due to some personal issues he would not be available for now. She also said she would put a call through once he is available.”

“Thank you Lily, is there any other meeting for today?”

“Yes, we have a meeting with Mr. Giovanni’s CFO by 12pm”

“oh! That's today, send me the monthly financial reports for Stohlman in the last six months, you can ask Kamal for help.”

“Okay, would there be anything else?” 

“Yeah, would you please help me put a call to the CEO’s office and inform them of this development?"

“Right away”

After three hours of crunching numbers and writing a follow up report for the CFO after our meeting, I am worn out.

 I look around the office and notice its almost empty. It’s just me and Kamal, the other intern in our office he is having a very big lunch at his desk.  

A quick glance at my wrist watch tells me its lunch time. Ergo, time to call Natalie Portman.

I whip out her fancy complimentary card from my purse and dial the number on it.

She answers after two rings

“Hello” It’s impossible to miss her accent

“Hi Natalie, this is hazel we met at cilantro yesterday, the restaurant where you saved my life”

I hear her chuckle “it’s nice to hear from you Hazel, how is it going?”

“Fine, I want to thank you for yesterday, I really appreciate your timely assistance, And I would really love to pay back, I know you said not to worry but I have to insist.”

“I might just take you up on that offer, I happen to be at the restaurant we met yesterday, if you are free you could come buy me lunch.”

“I am free, hungry and I am on my way” I make sure to drop my cell phone inside my purse.

Clearing my desk, I check my purse for my credit card and cash. I wouldn’t want a repeat of what happened yesterday.

I make my way quickly to the restaurant, I am very careful of where am going looking carefully before crossing the road and keeping my head up to avoid bumping into “anyone”.

As I step into the interior of the restaurant slowly, I feel a little awkward coming back there, I instinctively scan the place for the waiter who attended to me yesterday, I rub my sweaty palms on my skirt, why is it so hot in here? Is their air conditioner bad?  

I wonder if they would throw me out when they notice me, word must have spread, I don’t see him around, he is probably busy in the kitchen or maybe he did not come to work today. Dragging my eyes from uniformed staff, I search for Natalie’s table, I bet I look like a crazy lady standing by the entrance with my hand resting on the door handles as if I am about to flee.

I see her at the far end, she is on a call. Few steps to the table I notice her crestfallen expression, even with the scowl she still stands out. With her impeccable fashion sense, complemented with such elegance, and of course her accent. she is a show stopper  

“Hello!” my smile is so wide I fear my face would crack

“Hi Hazel” she flashes her perfect white teeth.

Her outfit is something straight out of Zendaya’s wardrobe; a short teal sequins sheath dress paired with a white diamond drop earring. I peek a grey suede heels sandals on her feet as I take the seat in front of her.

Her skin is like milk, her face is like a goblet of fine wine; a lovely oval shape with high cheek bones, and a pointed chin that dimpled right at the tip. Her full lips were painted red, she had pearly blue eyes with honey blond polished curls that rests just below the collarbones but above her chest.

 “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting for long?” 

I hope I do not appear rude; I must have been staring.

 “No you did not, I was actually waiting for someone, but they didn’t show up, I was about ordering when you call came in, I figured we eat together”

“Let’s make our order, shall we Hazel?” I like the way my name rolled off her tongue

As if on cue the waiter approaches our table and hands us the menu. “welcome to cilantro, I’ll be back shortly to take your order” 

“There would be no need for that, we will just order right now” Natalie stops him from leaving.

“I’ll be having the butternut squash linguine with fried sage” she gestured towards me “and my friend would be having….”

“Philly cheesesteak with fries and extra mustard please” I say handing him back the menu.

 

“I must confess I really like your dress and the one you wore yesterday; you look like someone straight off a runway”

She smiles “thank you, they are actually from the spring collection of kutaare clothing line. I model for them from time to time”

"Wow, that’s really impressive. You are a model! Now that’s explains it. I’ve been trying to figure out for the life of me why you look so familiar. You were also on the cover of vogue last fall, right?”

“Yes, but I wasn’t wearing kutaare on the cover” she coos 

“I know; my best friend Maia is obsessed with kutaare collections. So, she keeps track of them, she has a few magazines where their pieces are featured, that’s where I saw your picture. It didn’t occur to me till you made mention of it.”

 Now a lot of things make absolute sense to me, she looks like a supermodel because she is a supermodel.

“Why thank you very much. So what about you want do you do?” the waiter arrives then with our meal, he drops Natalie’s salad and my mouth watering cheesesteak on the table.

Just as I am about to unceremoniously take a big bite into my cheesesteak with such ravenous hunger that is not fit for present company, I glance at Natalie as she picks at her food with such lady-like poise its stops me in my tracks, I take a little bite instead.

Asides from the difference in our table manners I couldn’t help but notice the complete disparity between our meals. While I’m consuming loads of fat that goes straight to my ass, Natalie is making healthy life choices. I always procrastinating when it’s time to work out and burn the junks I spend so much time eating, making petty excuses for my laziness. I am pretty sure she never misses a day of exercise.

“I am an accountant' I reply to the question she asked earlier 

'So, how long have you lived in Manhattan? I ask her

“Well, I don’t live here, am actually here for a photoshoot” she beams I can tell she’s really excited about the gig.

“Smooth, what kind of photoshoot if I may ask, you seem really excited about it”

“I am, it was actually my idea, well, kind of my idea. A lingerie company I model for, recently merged with a bridal company”  

There seems to be a lot of merging going on these days

“Some months back, after a shoot I casually suggested to the PR officer that there should be a photoshoot for the bridal dresses in store. it would be good for PR, that way when people go online to browse through their stores, they don’t just see dresses on mannequins, they also get to see them on real life models, with different body type. That visual image really helps.”

She continues “they got back to me free weeks ago and asked me to join their first shoot for the bridal dresses.” 

“That’s crazy, what kind of bridal dresses do they sell?" I  wonder if it's a luxurious brand

"Well, I think they sell a little of everything, do I hear wedding bells ringing Hazel?" She edges forward in her seat and almost giggles. 

"It's nothing that interesting I promise, I am just curious i guess, I have never been to a photoshoot before,so I am trying to get a mental picture of it"

"Well, you know you could come to the shoot this evening' she replies with a twinkle in her eyes. 

She pushes her half eaten bowl of salad to the side and leaned back on the chair slightly.

 I planted both my elbows on the table and rested my chin on my open palms. I can't believe she is inviting me to be at an actual shoot.

"I couldn't possibly come,I wouldn't want to get in your way since you would be working" of course I politely decline, she better insist cause I really want to be there.

"Nonsense!" She whips her slender right hand in the hair as if to sweep away my statement

"You should come, my job literally requires numbers of persons to get in my way, so trust me you will be no bother at all" she flashes her teeth, the whiteness contrasting the bright red lipstick.

Natalie is simply a strong case of " do not judge a book by its cover" she is so put together,and she's even a celebrity, one look at her, the way she dresses and speaks you could easily the wrong idea about her.

 

Sitting with her now, I can tell there is more to her I didn't expect, her to be this warm and so relatable.

"Alright,you've convinced me Natalie"

 I chuckled lightly.

"It's settled, the shoot begins by 5pm but I am not on still 6 or 7, depending on how fast the others are, I'll leave your name with security so when you get there just tell them you are with me" 

"Thank you" I say in a sing song voice I am so excited I am barely restraining myself from doing my happy dance.

 "Fuck!" My lunch break has been over for a while.

"What?" Natalie queries

I signal our attending waiter for the check

"My lunch break is over, I need to get back. I really enjoyed my time with you Natalie"

"Same here Hazel,I'll see you this evening?" The waiter comes up to us and I pass my card to him he swiftly uses the machine to deduct their fee and hands it back to me.

 Gathering my things to go, I stand up abruptly

"so sorry to leave like this Natalie, you would definitely see me this evening, just text me the address for the shoot"

"Alright,will do she replies,have a nice one."she gives me a small wave.

 As I got into the lobby the urge to pee hit me, I briskly walked to the restroom.

My cell phone buzzed, as I wash my hands in the sink after I finish using the toilet. It's a text from Natalie  I am smiling as I read the  text.

Live axe lounge; 59 street uptown Manhattan, 7pm, don't be late!

I drop the phone into my pocket and make my way to the office,the small smile still etched on my face, as I approach the lobby I find myself face to face with Andrea coming in from the main door.

His strides reduces the moment he saw me, he was dressed in a Plum two piece suit with dark shirt,his secretary is walking beside him with an ipad in hand,she seem to be explaining something to him.

Locking His eyes with mine,he takes small deliberate steps towards my direction. I turn my head and all but ran to the elevator,slipping in before the door  closes. Phew! I exhale noisy through my pursed lips as soon as the doors close, without any sign of Andrea.

I am sure he saw me,maybe I should have said something to him. And he saw me run off.

Well,at least i did not physically hit him today. Getting off the elevator I will my beating heart to be steady.

 The remaining hours at work passed quickly, my thoughts were divided between the exciting shoot I get to attend and my awkward encounter with Andrea at the lobby.

"Miss Hazel" Kamal walks towards my desk "do you still have something you need me to do?" 

"Oh,no I will be leaving in a minute, thank you Kamal"

It's past 5pm already I need to get going if I want to make it to the shoot on time and see Natalie in action

My feet are killing me in this shoes, as i walk down to the park lot I notice a party of three walking towards my direction. I pause in front of my car to make out who they are when I hear my name from a familiar voice.

"Hazel,wait up'  it's John beryl Andrea's nest friend calling out to me.

" I saw you earlier today by the restroom,I tried calling you but you looked like you were in quite a hurry" John grins and makes to hug me.

I walk towards him and extends my hands too. he is so broad it's comforting to hug him.

"Hello yourself John,how have you been?" I am genuinely happy to see him. He has always been nice to me. He comes with Andrea they are a packaged deal,I had to let go of him when Andrea and I ended things.

"Not bad,how have you been adjusting to the change of management?" He asks still holding on to my hands.

"I can't complain, change is good right?" 

"This is Max Malthus and Frank Stone,they both are from the legal department"

he turns to his companions 

"Guys this is Hazel Moore, we were friends I'm college. She is head of accounting for stohlman corporations"

They both murmur, polite greetings and turn to each other.

"We need to catch up over a meal, Hazel I am hoping you still have the same monstrous appetite." 

" Mr John, you wound me" place my palm on my chest.

"I will have you know my monstrous appetite is definitely still intact, even better now." We crack up at the same time. 

"I need to get somewhere right now,but we will see about that meal huh? Give me your number John"

He calls the number and I save it.

" I will give you call. Goodnight John ,have a nice weekend"

He moves towards his companions with a small wave.

"I'll be expecting that call Hazel, have a good weekend you too."

I climb into my car and start the engine,on my way out I honk a little and wave a final good bye to John.