Chapter Thirty-one
Rain
I fist the wine glass in my hand again. A little more pressure and I’m breaking the damn thing.
It’s been one hour since I saw Hazel. She still remains unaware of my presence in the bar, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing. I can barely take my eyes off her. Despite the pulsating beat of music reverberating through the air in the bar, I can almost hear every sound she makes each time she opens her mouth.
I am that fixated on her.
Through the frosted glass separating us, I catch a glimpse of her every now and then. Her black dress hugging the right curves and her laughter ringing like music to my ears as Reina and her best friend flank her with their loud personalities. One thing is sure, tonight is always going to be imprinted in my head.
Knox let out a laugh and I tear my gaze from the women’s table. The guys aren’t even talking to me anymore. It’s like they’ve left me in my own little ‘Hazel-obsessed’ world.
Hazel-obsessed? God, please no.
Knox nudges me playfully with a smirk on his face. “Admit it, Rain.”
I squint my eyes, pinning him with a look. “Admit what?”
“Come on, you can’t take your eyes off her. Even in such a crowded space, she’s all you see.”
I lounge back on the plush couch in the booth and down my wine. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I replied, trying to appear nonchalant despite the warmth starting to spread in my chest.
“I think Knox is right,” Anton slurs slyly. “You’ve been staring outside the door for ages. You’re not fooling anyone anymore.”
“Seriously, shut up,” I can’t deny the magnetic pull she’s starting to have over me, but I try to bury my feelings deep down. I don’t have to admit that I’m attracted to her. It’s just an attraction.
“Admit it.”
“Admit it.”
“Admit it.”
I scoff, taking a sip of my drink to mask the blush staining my neck. “You guys are ganging up to watch rom-coms behind me, hm? You’re delusional. She’s just a—” I pause, struggling to find the right adjective. “Just an acquaintance.”
“She’s your wife,” Renzo argues.
“An arranged one.” I refuse to give up, but even as the words leave my lips, they no longer hold any significance. Every fibre of my being long to be near her, to drown in her scent and bask in her presence, like last night.
The night wears on, but I still find myself stealing glances at her whenever I could, my heart quickening with each fleeting glimpse. Desperation brims in me to make her aware of my presence, to make her see me. And that’s when the realization washes over me that I’m starting to see Hazel more than what she should be, which is incredibly dangerous for both of us, because I have nothing to offer her.
Minutes stretch into an hour and my gaze is still fixed on her. Knox talks about leaving soon and I wonder if I should make my presence known to her or leave without letting her know we were in the same space. That’s until he appears.
A tall stranger staggers his way over to the women’s table, his eyes pinning on Hazel like a moth to a flame. My heart and fist clench at the same time and I lean to get a hold of their conversation. I hate the way his attention is solely focused on her and I hate the way she just smiled at him. She doesn’t have to be nice. A quiet ‘back off’ should be enough.
Anton leans closer, his voice dripping with amusement. “Oh, looks like someone’s got a competition.”
Renzo chuckles and takes the wine glass from me. “This is your chance, Rain. Go over there and show that man who the boss is, while winning Hazel’s heart. Women love prince charmings.”
“I’m not interested in winning Hazel’s heart.”
“There he goes, being stupidly stubborn. See, he’s stretching his hand out to shake her.” My neck flings to check out the scene, and truly, Hazel’s hand is in his. Hazel turns to take a drink from the bar, and the stranger runs his eyes over her body, running his tongue over his lips.
Blood rushes to my neck and I push myself to my feet, straightening my suit. “I’m only going to get her because I’m leaving already.”
“Suit yourself and good night.” I have no idea who said that because I’m already on my way to Hazel’s table.
My heart hammers in my chest and blood roars in my ear as I further approach the table. Kang Su-mi sees me first and clamps her lips together, trying to hide a smirk peeking out, but I ignore her and make my way to my wife. I calm my unsteady nerves and snake my hand around her waist. “ Principessa .”
Hazel turns to me and drops her jaw as she connects her eyes with mine, struggling to find the right words. Before she can speak, the soon-to-be-dead asshole beats her to it. “And who might you be?” he drawls, his tone dripping with both drunkenness and arrogance.
His stupid smirk sends a surge of rage coursing through my veins, but I square my shoulders and meet his eyes with a deadly gaze. “I’m the man who’s about to make sure you never lay your eyes on her anymore.”
“Alpha male,” Kang Su-mi’s tone drips with mockery. Reina covers her mouth to hide her laugh, and Hazel chastises them by kicking their chairs.
“Is that true, baby girl? I don’t see no ring on it.” I can’t believe I’m about to commit murder in a club, but it is what it is. I match forward, but Hazel jumps off the chair and presses her hand on my chest to stop me. My heart threatens to escape through the area she has her palm on.
“I’m so sorry, but yes, this is my husband, and we’re leaving.”
‘I’m so sorry’ ? Is this a joke? Why is she sorry?
The asshole stutters some words and shrugs away with his cup of beer, while I fume beside Hazel. “We’re going home. Now.”
“What? No! The girls and I came to—”
“They’ll be fine,” I argue. “We’re leaving.”
Hazel throws the women a sorry look. Reina waves her hand unbothered and faces me. “You always ruin all the fun.”
“Never bring my wife to a club again.” The words leave my mouth faster than I can catch them and while I hope none of them hears it, Kang Su-mi scoffs and beams a seraphic smile at me.
“Say please.”
“Rain, just let it go.”
Hazel says her goodbye and drags us out of the bar. I don’t bother looking back to the booth I shared with the guys. I can tell their reactions with my eyes closed. I can only hope they aren’t holding on to their weird motion of me having any single feeling for Hazel.
We get out and Hazel let go of my hand, the warmth her hand once brought being replaced by the cold chilly wind. “What are you doing here? Did you follow me? Can’t I even go out with the girls now?”
“Get your mind out of the gutters. I didn’t come here for you, I just happen to be in the same space as you. I’m here for a happy hour with the guys.”
Hazel’s reaction morphs from confusion to realization. “The … the guys? As in your friends?” I nod in confirmation and she gasps, her palm flying to cover her mouth. “If they were in there earlier, then why didn’t you let me say hello to them? They must think I’m so rude.”
“The main question is, what was happening in there? Why were you talking with that man? What was he saying to you? Would you have given him your number if he asked? I promised you fidelity. Are you planning to break your vow already?”
“I don’t think I owe you any explanation. After all, our marriage is just a contract. As long as I fulfill my duties, which is living with you, then we shouldn’t need unnecessary discussions, right?” she throws my words back at me and folds her arms, pining me with a glare.
Despite the tightness of my heart, I straighten my suit and bob my head. “Right. I’m glad you haven’t forgotten.” I bring out my car keys, open the door and watch as she enters with a grumble. A warm hearted smile almost makes it way out of me, but I push it back in.
Hazel keeps bringing out sides of me that I thought I’d buried.
Dangerous woman.