Chapter 6 Rumours #2
Crossing her arms, Hazel let out a snort. “I still can’t believe Alexander just hauled Mia away like that,” she said, barely holding in her laughter. “And these pictures in the company chat? Absolute chaos. People are panicking. Look at them—it’s like the office is on fire.”
Harold’s jaw clenched as he shoved his hands into his pockets, scowling at the screen. “If he weren’t my family, I’d have fought him already,” he muttered. “No way I’d let him take Mia that easily.”
Hazel shot him a sideways look, lips twitching. She bumped his shoulder, voice dripping with fake sympathy.
“Relax. It’s because Alexander’s way older than you. You can’t fight elderly people,” she said solemnly. “He’s practically halfway to retirement. If you steal Mia from him, he might never find another girlfriend. You, on the other hand—you’ll bounce back. Very noble of you.”
She even patted his arm, as if he were making some grand, selfless sacrifice.
Harold let out an exaggerated sigh and deliberately slowed his steps. “Exactly. I’m stepping aside out of pure kindness,” he said gravely. “If he ends up dying alone, my auntie will cry. I’m just saving the family from a tragedy.”
Hazel stared at him for a second, unimpressed. Then she sighed loudly—and smacked his arm. Hard.
“For fuck’s sake, stop thinking about Mia already,” she snapped. “She’s your sister-in-law now!”
Harold jerked his head toward her, completely offended.
“Hey! Why are you hitting me?” he protested. “You should be supporting me, not cheering for them.” He paused, then added hopefully, “Besides, aren’t Mia and Alexander fighting right now? Maybe I still have a chance to—”
“Don’t even think about it.”
Hazel stopped in her tracks, spun around, and jabbed a finger right in his face.
“Mia and Alexander are married,” she said firmly. Then, just as quickly, her expression shifted. Her eyes gleamed, her tone turning light and sly.
“Maybe I’ll also be your sister-in-law one day,” she added thoughtfully, “if I marry Alexander’s younger brother.” She tilted her head, clearly thinking hard. “What was his name again… Marcus? Mauras? Mani?”
Harold stared at her like she’d just announced she was moving to Mars. Then he slowly raised both thumbs.
“Wow. Incredible,” he said dryly. “Already planning to become my new sister-in-law? You don’t even know his name. Or his face. Or literally anything about him.”
“What’s that got to do with anything?” Hazel snapped, flipping her hair dramatically.
Then she froze.
Her eyes lit up. She spun back, rushed over, grabbed his arm with both hands, and leaned in far too close.
“He’s handsome, right?” she demanded. “Show me his picture.”
Harold shut his eyes and quickened his pace, pretending his life choices hadn’t led him here.
Hazel chased after him, tugging at his sleeve. “Just one photo! I swear I won’t tell anyone. At least tell me he’s handsome! Medium-handsome? Rich-handsome?”
As their bickering escalated, a familiar voice cut through the chaos.
“Hey, guys! Sorry I’m late.”
Mia appeared from the other side of the street, walking toward them, her bag slung loosely over her shoulder.
Harold stopped mid-step. The moment he saw her, his entire expression transformed—his scowl vanished, replaced instantly by a bright, eager smile.
“Mia,” he said warmly, eyes lighting up. “Don’t apologize. I’d wait all day for you.”
Hazel twisted toward him and smacked the back of his head without hesitation. “Wipe that fanboy look off your face, Harold!”
He winced, rubbing the back of his head. “Why do you keep hitting me?” he complained, shooting Hazel an offended look.
Hazel shot Harold a murderous glare, eyes blazing. “I swear, if you don’t snap out of it, I’m going to beat you to death and claim it was self-defense.”
Harold twisted his face in disbelief, grinding his teeth as he turned away from her.
Hazel didn’t spare him another glance. She rushed straight to Mia, grabbed both of her hands, and squeezed them hard, all her fury instantly evaporating into panic. She scanned Mia from head to toe.
“I heard about the attack a few days ago,” she said rapidly. “When you told me on the phone, my brain just shut down. Are you okay now? Did it hurt? How bad was it?”
Mia let out a small smile, tightening her grip on Hazel’s hands. “I’m fine,” she said softly. “Alexander showed up in time and saved me.”
Hazel studied her face for a second. Then, slowly, a teasing grin crept up her lips.
“So… you’re not calling him Mr. Graves anymore, huh?”
Mia shot her a warning look and lightly smacked Hazel’s arm before looping their arms together and steering her forward. “Stop it,” she muttered. “Let’s go eat. Have you decided where you want to go?”
Hazel hummed as they walked, Mia tucked at one side and Harold sulking dramatically on the other.
“I’m not sure,” she said thoughtfully. “Maybe that new Mexican place on—”
“Mia?”
The unfamiliar male voice sliced through the conversation.
All three of them froze.
Mia turned, brows knitting. “Gavin?” she murmured.
Gavin stepped out from beside his parked car and hurried toward them, his face lighting up the moment he saw her.
“Mia,” he said, slightly out of breath. “Can we have dinner together? There’s something important I need to talk to you about.”
Mia hesitated, studying him for a moment before nodding. “Okay. Give me a second—I’ll come to your car.”
Gavin’s smile widened, grateful. He nodded politely at Hazel and Harold, then jogged back to his car.
The second he disappeared inside, Hazel’s eyes went comically wide. She whipped toward Mia and grabbed her arm.
“Who is that handsome stranger?” Hazel demanded, eyes sparkling. “And why am I only meeting him now?”
Harold’s expression darkened instantly, his lips pressing into a thin, offended line.
Mia rolled her eyes at Hazel’s dramatics.
“He’s James’s friend—Gavin. I met him a few days ago. It’s nothing special,” she said lightly. “We just ran into each other by coincidence. I don’t even know what he wants to talk about, but we’ll see.” She hesitated, then added more quietly, “He helped me out when James caused trouble.”
She glanced between Hazel and Harold, guilt flickering across her face. “I won’t be able to have dinner with you guys today. Maybe tomorrow?”
“Of course,” Hazel said immediately, waving a hand. “Go. Be mysterious. We’ll survive.”
Mia smiled gratefully, gave them a small wave, and hurried toward Gavin’s car. She slipped inside, and moments later, the car pulled away.
Hazel folded her arms, a slow, knowing smile stretching across her face as she watched the taillights disappear.
Beside her, Harold continued staring after the car, jaw tight. “That guy is trying to take Alexander’s place,” he said sharply. “It’s obvious. You can see it in his eyes.”
Hazel’s smile widened. “Oh, I know,” she said cheerfully. “I saw it the second he smiled.”
Harold snapped his head toward her, eyes wide. “Then why didn’t you stop Mia from going with him?!”
Hazel shrugged, utterly unbothered.
“Because she’s my best friend first,” she said calmly, “and your brother’s wife second.” She grinned at him. “If my best friend wants to go on dates with a hundred men, I’ll pack snacks and cheer her on.”
With another shrug and a satisfied little smile, Hazel turned and strutted away.
Behind her, Harold let out an irritated huff. He pulled out his phone, opened Alexander’s contact, and stared at the call button like it might bite him. After a long breath, he muttered,
“Well… looks like I’m your savior now.”
He sighed and pressed call.
***
Gavin and Mia entered the restaurant. It was still early evening, and the place was quiet—soft music playing in the background, sunlight spilling through the glass windows. The modern interior, cement walls, and cool tones gave the space a calm, polished feel.
They walked to a table near the window and sat down across from each other.
“What do you want to eat?” Gavin asked with a warm smile. “Should I order what I like, or do you have something in mind?”
Mia settled into her seat, offering a polite smile. “I’m not really that hungry,” she said. “Maybe we can just get some coffee and talk about what you wanted to discuss?”
“Oh no, no,” Gavin said quickly, waving a hand. “I’m treating you to dinner. It’s already almost dinnertime.”
“It’s really not necessary—” Mia started, but Gavin had already lifted his hand to call the waiter.
When the waiter arrived, Gavin ordered five main dishes along with several sides. Mia’s eyes widened slightly as she watched him, startled by the amount. She’d already refused him more than once, and saying it again felt awkward, so she stayed quiet and let it go.
After handing the menu back, Gavin leaned forward, placing his hands on the table. “How’s your new job?” he asked. “Is it good? You know, you could always come work at my company instead. I’d pay you better.”
Mia waved her hand quickly, smiling politely. “It’s really fine. Everything’s going well, and I don’t need a new job right now.”
Gavin nodded slowly. “Right…”
But the disappointment in his eyes was hard to miss.
Mia hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, “What about you? Do you have your own company, or do you work somewhere?”
Gavin let out a loud laugh, leaning back in his chair as if amused by the question.
“Of course I have my own business,” he said easily. “Don’t you know our family? We’re very well known in our field. We’re in gem and diamond mining.” His smile turned faintly smug. “We’re… pretty rich.”
“Oh.” The sound barely left Mia’s lips.
She didn’t follow up. Didn’t react. She simply nodded once and reached for her glass of water, lifting it slowly as she turned her gaze toward the window. The city lights reflected faintly in her eyes as she took a small sip, her expression calm, distant—unimpressed.
Gavin fell silent.