Chapter Thirty
Rain
It’s just gratitude.
I haven’t stopped chanting that to myself since I dropped Hazel off at her workplace.
She held me last night. She could have refused, told me to screw myself, slammed the door on my face, and I won’t even question her humanity. I’ve been nothing but a jerk to her, yet she let me in her space. It was the first night I didn’t sleep alone since my drinking addiction every August twelve, and I have never slept better.
Her fingers barely stopped sweeping my hair all night and whenever I woke up to leave her bed, sweet slumber enveloped me back so quickly, like it was a mistake I woke up in the first place.
It bothers me. It bothers me that she’s starting to take over every aspect of my life. I’ve always been in control, but there’s something about Hazel that makes me unmoored. I don’t like it. She’s turning everything I know upside down, and I’m starting to wonder if I’m ready for that.
I’ve had to caution myself twice about the thoughts of going to pick her up. The only thing I can think of is how she looked perfect beside me in the morning, and how I want to do it again.
But I can’t. I won’t.
I glance at my watch; I’m meeting with the guys in less than two hours, but first, I have one last zoom meeting to get through. My computer buzzes on cue, and I accept the call, which reveals Kennedy Evans in his office, cladded in a gray Tom Ford. He’s a renowned award winning architect who will be working on Hazel’s restaurant.
Knox, being a Real Estate Agent and a Site Acquisition Specialist, has worked with a lot of architects, and he recommended Kennedy Evans to my family years ago.
“I hope you’re having a nice day, Mr Dacosta.” I nod. “I’m so sorry for postponing this meeting for a while now.” I’ve had Tia send him an email since Hazel agreed to marry me, but the meeting is only happening now because he’s been busy.
“That’s okay, Mr Evans. It’s good to finally talk to you.”
“Mr Meadows gave me a brief insight when we called to discuss the location. We’re thinking Maitland or Ocean drive. Both are perfect for a restaurant, we guarantee.” I nod as Kennedy continues to analyse the location, and his suggestion of designs for layout.
“What’s the budget looking like?”
“A minimum of ten million dollars is okay for now. I’ll draw out a detailed plan and have my team put together a comprehensive breakdown report of everything. The plan will be drawn based on experience with other restaurants I’ve worked with, so when it’s sent to you, the future owner can add or remove to their liking.”
I nod again with a neutral expression. “Thank you, I’ll be waiting for the plan.”
“It’s my pleasure. I’m honored to be working for a Dacosta again.” As the meeting ends, the screen goes blank and I pack up, checking my phone for the location I’ll be meeting the guys.
I arrive in Two AM in less than forty minutes.
Martin Jackson, the owner, and I met twice in total at functions, but we never had an interaction. I doubt I’ll even recognize him when I see him.
Most people think Martin Jackson, Derek Fallon and I, sit, talk, and interact together because we’re closely lined up on the same achievement lists, but we barely acknowledge one another.
Knox sees me first and raises his hand to draw my attention. I walk up to him and Anton, and Renzo shows up minutes later.
“Sorry, I had some things to dish out to the teachers at the academy.” Renzo has his own company where he does all his fashion illustrations and he recently made a section for apprenticeship.
The bartender comes to take our orders and after two rounds of drinks, we drop our flutes to chat.
“Serious talk. How’s it going with Hazel?”
I give an indifferent shrug. “She’s fulfilling her part of the deal and I’m going to start fulfilling mine soon. I called Kennedy Evans over and we would start the preparation of—”
Knox clicks his tongue and gives me a once-over. “That’s not what he meant, Rain. He meant connection. Is any connection going on?”
“For the last time buddies, no connection will be happening.”
“Are you sure? You’re glowing, if you ask me,” Anton mocks and they burst into laughter.
“I have an idea.”
The glare I throw to Renzo has him recoiling. “Renzo Dacosta, I swear to God, if you give any idea or suggestion, I’ll kill you. And I’m not even joking.”
“Then let me give you.” Knox argues and Renzo gives him a thumbs up.
“Did you all plan this? Was this why you called another get together?”
Anton seductively raises his cup to a female bartender with a wink, and I huff. “Nope! If you ask me for advice, I’d say ‘let’s stay single forever.’ Women ruin bonds. Imagine one of us dates a woman that separates us.”
“I’ll not let you say shit about women, I’m currently raising one.”
“And you further prove my point. Every time we try to get together, your daughter needs something.”
Renzo gives Anton an irritated stare. Even I am shocked. “Antonio, are you jealous of a three-year-old girl? She’s only demanding because she’s a child. Once she grows older, she won’t stress Knox out anymore.”
“You better shut your trap, mate. I’ve told you to never say she’ll grow older?”
Renzo and Anton let out scoffs at the same time, but with the looks on their faces, one can tell it’s for totally different reasons. How did I meet these assholes again? “Use your brain, idiot. Will she stay three forever?”
“Will you all stop?”
“I need a rum, you guys are starting to get on my nerves.” Anton flags the waitress from earlier who walks over with a seductive smile.
“We’ve been friends for eight years, and we’re starting ? We haven’t been doing our jobs properly.”
“Once again, idiot, it’s been nine years. We’ve been friends for nine years.” Renzo attacks Knox again.
“It was 2014.”
“Okay? Calculate it.” Anton raises his fingers and begins. “2015 … 2016…”
“Guys, I said stop.”
I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like when we argue over silly things like Renzo threatening Knox with his daughter growing up, Anton and Knox arguing over calling it soccer or football when we talk about it, or all of us betting over things that mostly aren’t our business.
Forty minutes go by and we talk about other things. After the third wine bottle, Anton orders a fourth, but one glance at my wristwatch has me deciding to leave. Hazel is going to be alone in the house and I don’t think she’ll like that. One call from her best friend, and she’ll run to her.
Renzo nudges me with his feet and just when I’m about to flare up at him, his eyes zero on something that he watches intently. “I might be crazy, but did I just see Reina walk into the restroom?”
I turn my head just in time to see the back of a red-haired woman disappearing into the hallway. “That’s a woman with red hair,” I say matter-of-factly.
“Yeah, she sent me a picture of her newly dyed hair three days ago.” She never talks to me about those types of things.
That’s because you never entertain those kinds of things.
“Maybe I thought wrong and it wasn’t…”
“Is that Hazel’s best friend?” Knox also speaks, leaning closer to get a look at the world outside our booth.
Truly, Kang Su-mi sits at the counter, her laughter echoing at something the barman tells her. My heart beats loud against my ribcage, knowing it’s only a few more minutes before my wife comes into sight too.
Now my eyes aren’t leaving her table. She definitely brought my wife to Two AM. Who knows, maybe Hazel is even drunk and has passed out somewhere. Fear of Kang Su-mi is the beginning of wisdom.
Adrenaline shoots through my body like a sign and my head snaps back to the hallway.
My sister comes out of the restroom, threading elegantly with each step she takes. Her fingers rake her hair as she pauses for someone to catch up to her.
Black short dress. Braided black hair. A beautiful unbothered smile threatening to drop me to my knees.
My wife.
She’s here and I can’t focus anymore.