Chapter 11: Hearkening To My Words

Back to my room, I closed the door and walked straight to my extra-sized bed. My legs shouldn’t hurt taking off my boots, but from so much dancing, it did. Pulling out a drawer’s chest from beneath my wardrobe, I brought out a box of facial wipes. Taking out my makeup, not sleeping with it. I hate the uncomfortable feelings that comes with having it on for too long. Wiping out my red, chapped lips, the door opened. Without looking back, I knew it was Hazel. She strolled straight to my bed, sitting right next to me. With the full smile brimming through her cherry-red lips, one could tell how happy she was without using words.

“My dearest mum!” Hazel started, and I turned to her, swabbing my raised eyebrows.

“Thank you for giving me the best birthday party ever!”

I chuckled at her excitement in reply.

“Thank you, mum!” she hugged me at once, tightly. Hazel lives doing this, especially when she’s elated.

“You’re welcome, my dear.” As my arms wrapped against her slim body, I felt the texture and temperature of the bare skin from her exposed arm. “Oh, my! You’re having a high temperature!”

She pulled back. “I had fun!”

“You did. Are you sure?” I dropped the stained wipes on the side table, picking another.

“Yes, mum! The party was hell and paradise at the same time. I never expected that many people would turn up like that. Even the uninvited guests! You don’t seem to understand how happy I am! Today was remarkable, and I feel honoured!” She meowed with cat eyes, cuddling me once again.

“My dear, I am so tired. All that energetic dance I did downstairs really drained me. I’m still feeling lightheaded.” I told Hazel, and she gave a half-suppressed laugh. Knowing I only ate, drank, and danced a little. Staring into her glittering blue eyes, I held Hazel’s hand into mine.

“My beautiful daughter.”

“Yes, mummy.” Her lips held a slight smile.

“You’re now a woman.”

Hazel rolled her eyes at the marbled ceiling, pulling her hair back off her shoulders with pride.

“Excuse me, I’m 21. I like became a woman when I was 18.”

“No, my dear.” I pointed out. “You were an adult when you were 18. You just became a woman. And there are some things I need to tell you.” I unhooked the black diamond bracelet off my wrist, placing it in my jewelry box on the table next to the wipes. Her eyes met mine with seriousness, and I continued.

“Such discussions often take place at time like this. There are still a lot you need to know.” I heaved on my breath and her gaze dropped to the clear diamonds hanging on the lower part if her short white dress. Hazel’s lips pulled down a bit while she paid listening ears, hearkening to my words.

“All these artificial eyelashes, expensive jewelry, nails, heels and clothes aren’t what makes a woman.” I stared at her, and she raised her gaze to mine in understanding. “Don’t for once think that this extravagant lifestyle makes me think... No! That is not it. Out of everyone out there, you know me well and you know that these are not the things that make me think. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon, even though my dad owned his company. He was still struggling with everything. There were days he wouldn’t eat, but he would make sure he well fed me. Not that he had no food to eat, but sometimes, the urge to eat comes with a settled heart and peace of mind.” Tears pierced in Hazel’s eyes as she looked at me.

“I never felt my mother’s love. My dad gave me the best and out of his pure intentions, still gave my hand out in marriage at 18. All the good things and privileges I didn’t have, I want you to have and enjoy. All the wrong decisions I took, I want to save you from. But today, you are a woman. Hazel, I want to give you freedom to live a happy and well fulfilled life. I want you to have all your heart's desires. What makes a woman is the fierceness of her eyes, the pureness of her heart, and the diligence of her hands. That’s what pushed me over the years to become who I am today. Patience, endurance, and industriousness.”

“Yes, Mummy.” Hazel’s voice came in a whisper, pulling back the tears that threatened to fall.

“Yeah, when you face a challenge without fear, while not losing your kindness and humility, which I’ve taught you. That’s how to be a woman.” I watched as more tear filling her eyes, but I continued. “And a time is coming when you will be alone.”

Her steady pupil focused on mine, making a solemn tear roll down from the corner of her eyes.

“I won’t be with you forever... I know it.” My lips pulled down as I swallowed on my words.

Hazel watched me in the same manner. She just rolled her eyes away with an exasperated sigh.

“I am preparing you for such a time, so you have to be strong. Always remember that you are Hazel Beckett, your father’s princess, and your mother’s pride.”

“Okay, mum, I’ve heard you.” She tried to cut me out of the sad mood. “I’ll heed to your words and I promise to be strong for you and for myself.” Hazel assured amidst her lingering tears.

“That’s what I want to hear, okay?”

“Okay, mum. I love you.” She clasped her arms around me in another warm hug.

“I love you too.”

Thinking about my words, it might have been heavenly if Dan was here with us. I still miss him every day. He must be proud of Hazel and me wherever he is.

“Your body is freezing, Mummy!” Hazel pointed out.

“And yours is boiling.” I remarked. “Now I know your boyfriend.”

Hazel covered her face in both hands. Then leaned to my back so I won’t see her smile.

“Oh, my... So he’s Noah? A very charming guy and he’s in good company. I saw his friends. I just didn't think you'd fancy a guy in tattoo but that's okay.” I muttered, wiping out the rest of my makeup with another wipe. “Tell me something and don’t lie to me. Are you still a virgin?”

“Mum! Oh, my! Jesus christ! How can you even ask me?” Her words blurred in a sharp chortle. “I swear, mum! I’m a virgin.” I raised my gaze, chuckling at her anxiousness.

“Of course, it was my intention to ask you today!”

“Today, out of all days?” Hazel buried her face in the bed, holding me tightly. My daughter couldn’t even face me. What a shy lady. She reminds me of my younger self.

“Of course, I needed to know.”

“I am still a virgin!” She concluded.

“Good, you better be.”

Later that night, I scrolled through my phone and got messages from Adam.

“How old are you because you barely look older than Hazel?”

“You don’t ask older people for their age.” I typed and sent to him. “I know I’m at least 10 years older than you.”

“If not that Hazel herself introduced you as her mum, I’d have denied that.”

I beamed a smile at the screen of my phone. I bet he was doing the same right that minute. “You really want to know me? Why?”

“Because it was more than an honour to meet The CEO of Beckett holdings. Alright, apart from being kind, what are your other virtues?”

‘How childish?’ I thought, smirking at his last text. I just broke up with Chris today. Relationships need a rest.

“You’re being ridiculous, young man. We can’t be friends?”

“What, why? I don’t quite see it that way?”

“You’re about my daughter’s age, mate, okay? What you’re driving at is impossible. Just forget about being friends with me.” I cut him off. Hazel shouldn’t know of this. No one should know of this.

“Are you in a relationship... Ma’am?” His message hit me hard. I think I just had goosebumps. They might be permanent. Why is he so adamant about letting go?

“No..”

“Then why are you pushing me away? It’s like you don’t understand. This feeling is like diarrhea. I can’t hold it in. I want to see you again. Where can we meet?”

“Why do you want to see me? We have nothing to discuss.” I typed.

“Trust me, we have a lot in common. I want to know more about you. Even if it’s the last thing I do, please... Let’s be friends.” He replied.

“Okay, meet me at Beckett Housing Company on Monday morning. 10:00 a.m. Would you be there?”

“Sure, I’ll meet you there, Eve. It’s 2:00 a.m. already. Have a good night's rest.”

“Bye.” I texted and sent with a smiley face. Adam went offline.

'How considerate? He left first, and he called me Eve? Adam must have gotten my name somehow, but why did he choose to call me that? Only Dan calls me Eve.'

I scrolled through our chat with a smile before dropping my phone. Switching off the lights and going to bed. 'Ugh! What a day!'

Staring at the darkness and rolling on my bed, It took hours before sleep wiped out the though of Adam from my mind.