Chapter 05

HAZEL 

I watched as he adjusted his position, settling on one knee and extending the ring towards me. “Marry me Hazel, I have wanted this since the first day I met you, make me the happiest man alive by saying yes and I promise to spend the rest of my life making up for my mistake.” He pleaded, staring at me with both love, remorse and adoration. 

“Get out!” I screamed at him. “I want you out!” 

The door flew open and Aria raced in, fearing that her brother hurt me, she grabbed him. “What the fuck did you do?” She demanded, her hand crawling into a fist. 

“I want him out please.” I fell to my knees, crying weakly into the palm of my hands. 

Aria threw him out and immediately came to check on me, he helped me up from the floor and guided me to the couch then she went to the kitchen to bring me a glass of water. “I’m so sorry you’re going through this Hazel.” 

I set down the cup once I finished drinking from it. “I thought after last night it wouldn’t hurt anymore but it still hurt like hell, especially when Kane brought out that ring and asked me to marry him. I got so angry, I felt pain so great it turned into rage.” 

She put her arms around me. “You have every right to feel however you feel and I want you to know, no matter what…I’m on your side.” 

“I don’t want to come between your relationship with your brother, you don’t have to choose a side, he’s your family regardless of what happened.” I told her, feeling more guilt. 

“I don’t care Hazel, he ruined our relationship when he hurt you especially when I warned him from the beginning. I was against him asking you out but he assured me he would never hurt you and I believed him, he was sincere.” 

“A part of me do believe he never really meant to hurt me Aria, isn’t that fucked up? When he cried and pulled out that ring, I almost said yes, I wanted to say yes so bad.” 

She was about to respond when her phone started to ring, she ignored it until I insisted she pick the call as I went to the kitchen to get myself another glass of water. 

“Oh shit! I forgot that’s today, is it okay if I reschedule?” 

“You don’t have to do that, I will be fine.” I whispered to her. 

“Can I call you back? Sure.” She hangs up, joining me in the kitchen. “I’m not leaving you here all by yourself for an entire weekend.” 

It was then I recalled she told me about going over to her uncle’s place for the weekend. “Was that your uncle? Then you don’t have to leave me alone for the weekend, I'll finally accept your invitation to come with you to his manor.” 

Her face lit up at my statement. “Really? Are you sure? I mean seeing a member of my family after what happened, won’t it be a trigger?” 

“I’m seeing you right now aren’t I?” I teased. “But your uncle doesn’t know about Kane and I right? I just need the weekend off and you told me there’s a lot of fun activities to do there.” 

“Yes! His outdoor swimming pool is fantastic! It’s the perfect place to get your mind off your break up. Cheers to a weekend trip!” She jumped on me, causing me to laugh. 

“You’re the best friend a girl could ever ask for.” I remarked, a little teary. 

Hours later, Aria throws her last bag into the truck of her car, we will be taking hers since mine happens to be a piece of excuse. Wrapping my arms around myself, I open the passenger door and slide inside. 

“Trust me, by the end of the weekend, you will no longer remember my brother’s name, cross my heart.” She assured me, I nodded, choosing to believe her. 

The ride to her Crescent Lake Pack was an hour ride, I have never been there before so I’ll be using the opportunity to explore the city. My mouth was wide open when we arrived, passing through a large iron gate with two statues at either side of it. 

We were stopped by security but once they identified Aria, we passed through the gate without any issues. Her description of what her uncle's home looks like didn’t prepare me for the reality of it, it’s like stepping into paradise and I wished I could have worn something other than the big hoodie I was wearing. 

“Okay, this is absolutely breathtaking.” I gushed, stepping out of the car. 

“See? You’re having a good time already.” She followed suit, directing one of the guards that approached us to the truck of the car to get our bags. 

Why isn’t she here more often? I wondered as we were escorted into the building by another set of guards. If I were here and receiving this amount of royal treatment, my uncle would have to chase me out to get me to leave. I chuckled at my own thoughts, looking around with wide eyes. 

“You’re here.” A deep familiar voice came from on top of the stairs and I turned around, staring in disbelief as my mysterious stranger strolled down the stairs. 

“Uncle.” Aria hurried to meet him across the room. “I brought a friend, to be honest we both needed the weekend off.” 

Uncle? My mysterious stranger who I had a one night stand with is my best friend’s uncle which makes him my ex boyfriend’s uncle too!