13 An Awkward Invitation and a Masked Memory
Hazel’s POVD
The clock showed 5:30 PM. I stretched my arms above my head, feeling the satisfying pop in my spine after hours hunched over documents. My first week at Sterling Group had been a whirlwind of emotions–from the mortifying first meeting with Liam to his bizarre possessive comment yesterday. I still couldn’t believe he’d called me Catherine in that commanding tone.
A gentle knock interrupted my thoughts. Evelyn poked her head in, her elegant blonde hair perfectly in place despite the long day.
“Ready to head out?” she asked with a warm smile.
I nodded, gathering my purse. “More than ready. This week has been…”
“Eventful?” Evelyn supplied with a knowing look.
“That’s putting it mildly.”
As we stepped into the hallway, Damian appeared, his tall frame leaning casually against the wall, signature grin in place.
“Ladies! Perfect timing.” He straightened up, adjusting his perfectly tailored suit jacket. “I was wondering if you’d join Liam and me for dinner. Nothing fancy–just a casual meal to celebrate your first week”
Before I could respond, Evelyn placed a gentle hand on my arm. “I’m afraid we’ll have to decline. Hazel and I already have plans.
I blinked in surprise. We didn’t have plans, but Evelyn’s firm tone left no room for argument.
“Another time, perhaps,” I added politely.
Damian’s face fell dramatically. “Come on! It’s Friday night. The boss is actually in a decent mood for once.”
“I said they have plans.”
The deep voice behind us made me jump. Liam stood in the doorway of his office, arms crossed. over his broad chest, his violet–blue eyes darkening as he looked at us.
“And what plans might those be?” he asked, his tone deceptively casual.
Evelyn smiled pleasantly. “Women’s business, I’m afraid.”
Liam’s jaw tightened. “I see. And this women’s business is more important than building professional relationships with your colleagues?”
The temperature in the hallway seemed to drop ten degrees. I glanced between Evelyn and
13 An Awkward Invitation and a Masked Memory
Liam, confused by the sudden tension.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Sterling,” I began, trying to smooth things ou
“We could always reschedule our
“No.” Liam cut me off sharply. “Don’t change your important plans on my account, Ms. Vance.”
His emphasis on “important” dripped with sarcasm. What was his problem?
“We weren’t,” Evelyn replied coolly. “Have a lovely evening, gentlemen.”
Liam’s eyes narrowed. “Make sure you’re both well–rested for Monday. The Clairemont situation requires our full attention.”
“Of course,” I said quickly, “I’ll be prepared.”
“Will you?” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Because right now, you seem more
concerned with your personal affairs than the company’s reputation.”
I stiffened, anger flaring in my chest. “That’s not fair. I’ve worked overtime every day this week”
“And yet you can’t spare one evening for a professional dinner.”
“Liam,” Damian interjected, placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Let it go, man.”
Liam shrugged him off, his gaze still locked on mine. “Enjoy your evening, ladies. Without
another word, he turned and stalked back into his office, the door closing with a decisive click.
Damian winced. “Sorry about that. He’s been… tense lately.”
“That’s no excuse for rudeness,” Evelyn said firmly. “Come along, Hazel”
In the elevator, I finally found my voice. “We don’t actually have plans, do we?”
Evelyn’s expression softened. “No, but I thought you might like to escape the corporate atmosphere for a while. Was I wrong?”
I exhaled slowly. “No, you weren’t wrong. Thank you.”
“Besides,” she continued, “I’d love to meet that adorable son of yours.”
My face lit up at the mention of Leo. “Really? You’d want to come over?”
“I would. And perhaps I could meet this best friend of yours as well?”
“Chloe would love that!” I grinned, already pulling out my phone to text her. “Fair warning though she has no filter!
Two hours later, my small apartment buzzed with laughter. Chloe had arrived just minutes after Evelyn and I, bearing wine and takeout from our favorite Thai restaurant.
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13 An Awkward Invitation and a Masked Memory
“So then, Chloe continued her story, wine sloshing dangerously in her glass, “Hazel walks in, covered head to toe in blue paint, and announces she’s quitting art class!”
Evelyn laughed, the sound bright and youthful despite her years. “I can’t imagine you not excelling at something, Hazel.”
“Oh, believe me,” I groaned, “art is definitely not my thing.”
Leo tottered over from where he’d been playing with his blocks, climbing onto my lap with a sleepy yawn. I smoothed his dark hair back, my heart swelling with love as he nestled against
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“Looks like someone’s ready for bed,” I murmured, kissing the top of his head.
Evelyn watched us with a strange expression–almost wistful. “He’s absolutely beautiful, Hazel.”
“Thank you.” I beamed with pride.
“Those eyes of his are truly remarkable,” she continued carefully. “So unusual.”
I nodded, stroking Leo’s soft cheek. “They fascinated me from the moment he was born. The doctor said it’s an extremely rare genetic trait.”
“Mmhmm,” Chloe agreed, refilling her wine. “I’ve literally never seen anyone else with that color except-”
“My new boss,” I finished, sighing. “I mentioned it to Evelyn earlier.
Leo yawned again, his little eyelids drooping. “I should put him to bed,” I said, standing carefully. “I’ll be right back.”
In Leo’s room, I changed him into pajamas and tucked him into his toddler bed, humming softly as he drifted off to sleep. I stood watching him for a moment, overwhelmed as always by how much I loved this little person who had completely changed my life.
When I returned to the living room, Chloe was showing Evelyn pictures on her phone, both women laughing quietly.
“He’s down for the count, I announced, grabbing my wine glass.
Chloe put her phone away, her expression turning serious. “So, Evelyn, Hazel tells me your boss is a total dreamboat with anger issues.”
I choked on my wine. “Chloe!”
“What?” She shrugged innocently. “That’s what you said.”
Evelyn chuckled. “Liam can be… intense. But he’s a good man underneath it all.”
“Underneath what?” I muttered. “A mountain of arrogance and mood swings?*
“He’s been through a lot, Evelyn said softly. “The helicopter crash that killed his parents
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13 An Awkward Invitation and a Masked Memory
changed him.
The room fell silent for a moment. I hadn’t known the details of their deaths, only that it had happened around three years ago.
Evelyn traced the rim of her wine glass thoughtfully. “That’s actually when I decided to retire. After the accident, Liam threw himself into work. Never took time off, rarely slept. I think it was his way of avoiding the grief.”
“That’s awful,” I said quietly, feeling a pang of sympathy despite myself.
“Yes,” Evelyn agreed. “But that’s enough about work. Tell me more about you, Hazel. Or should I call you Catherine?”
I stiffened slightly. “Hazel is fine. Catherine is… in the past.
Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Except your new boss called you Catherine yesterday.”
“Wait, what?” I spluttered. “How did you-”
“You texted me, remember?” Chloe grinned. “Something about him claiming exclusive rights to your behind?”
Evelyn laughed as my face flamed red. “It wasn’t exactly like that, I protested weakly.
“It was exactly like that, Evelyn confirmed, eyes twinkling. “Poor Damian nearly fell out of his chair.
Chloe leaned forward eagerly. “So what’s the deal? Why did he call you Catherine?”
I shook my head, genuinely confused. “I have no idea. I never told him my birth name.”
“Curious,” Evelyn murmured, studying me intently, After a pause, she asked, “What about Leo’s father? Is he in the picture?”
The abrupt change of subject caught me off guard. I shot a nervous glance at Chloe, who nodded encouragingly.
“No,” I admitted quietly. “He’s not.”
“May I ask why?” Evelyn’s voice was gentle, free of judgment.
I took a deep breath, then a large sip of wine for courage. “Because I don’t know who he is.”
Evelyn’s eyebrows rose slightly, but she waited for me to continue.
“It was just one night, I explained, staring into my wine glass. “Three years ago, at the Harbor City Annual Masquerade Ball. I was trying to escape… something painful. He was wearing a mask, I was wearing a mask
“So you never saw his face?” Evelyn asked carefully.
C
13 An Awkward Invitation and a Masked Memory
“Just his eyes,” I whispered, the
memory washing over me. “The most incredible violet–blue
eyes
I’d ever seen.”
Chloe reached over and squeezed my hand supportively.
“We connected instantly,” I continued, lost in the memory. “We danced for hours, barely speaking, just…. feeling. Then we ended up in his hotel room. It was incredible, passionate… perfect.” My cheeks flushed at the admission. “When I woke up the next morning, he was gone. No note, no name, nothing.”
“And a few weeks later, she found out she was pregnant, Chloe added softly.
Evelyn’s face had gone completely still, her eyes wide with what looked like shock.
“I’m sorry if that makes you think less of me,” I said quietly.
Evelyn quickly shook her head. “No, no, of course not. I’m just… surprised.”
“Surprised that our Hazel had a wild night?” Chloe teased, trying to lighten the mood.
“No,” Evelyn said slowly, her gaze moving between me and the hallway where Leo’s room was. “Just surprised by… coincidences.
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused by her strange reaction.
Evelyn hesitated, then smiled warmly. “Nothing important. Just thinking about how life works
out sometimes.”
She changed the subject then, asking about my move to Haven Harbor, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant had just happened. The way Evelyn had looked when I mentioned the masked ball and those distinctive violet–blue eyes…
A chill ran down my spine as a crazy thought formed in my mind. But no–it couldn’t be possible.
Could it?
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