Late Confession

She thought about it for a while and then sent a message saying, "Zac, I won't cook tonight. Please arrive at Petrus Restaurant for a French dinner. See you at sharp eight o'clock. PS: If you stand me up, I am going to burn you alive."

While reading this message, Zac was in the cottage by the bay with his subordinate, William. A smile made its way to his face as soon as he read Hazel's text. It was an unnoticeable one yet William caught it since he knew his boss very well. Moreover, his boss seemed to be in high spirits lately. There was a new cheerfulness about him. He couldn't help but come to the conclusion that Hazel had a part in it. He was also stunned to see this change in his boss. No other girl had managed to placate Zac since he was indifferent to their feelings. Even the most beautiful women had no power over him.

As the only person who knew the whereabouts of Zac, he also knew about this absurd marriage.

That day, Zac was drunk and went back to get his identification. William had tried his best to stop him, but Zac wouldn't listen, he fought his way out.

After escaping from one marriage, he ended up getting tangled in the webs of another marriage. It seemed that his boss had committed a marriage crisis this year!

"Valery and Mrs. Mary sent two groups to catch you. They chased after you from Paris to St. Moritz in two different ways." He reported that they wouldn't stop until they saw the bridegroom on the wedding.

"Tell Andy to continue playing with them," taking a sip of coffee, Zac said with a slight irony in his eyes. He had made full preparations for the escape from the wedding this time. He not only made up an illusion that he was going abroad, but also had his subordinates travel around the country using his name.

"Why don't you just take Miss Hazel home? Try to convince Mrs. Mary and Valery that you have no interest in marrying Valery," suggested William, confused. Although he had worked with Zac for several years, he still had a tough time understanding what was going on in his boss's head.

"It's not the right time yet," said Zac, devoid of any emotion on his face. Before he could do anything, he had to make sure Hazel would cooperate. He still hadn't convinced her!

William said no more. Speaking less and doing more was the most important quality one had to have if they wished to work for Zac.

At eight o'clock, Zac arrived at the Petrus Restaurant on time.

On his way, he kept on wondering what had prompted her to make such a grand plan! 'Is it because she was suddenly in a mood for some good dish or because at last she wanted to date me?' He wished the latter was true. He hoped his charm had finally forced her to give in.

A warm smile broke through Zac's icy face, making him look even more handsome than he normally looked.

At the sight of Zac, Mandy stood up excitedly and said, "Zac!"

Zac's smile froze in an instant. "Where is Hazel?"

"She just called and said that she had something urgent to deal with, so she won't be able to make it." Mandy had already come up with an excuse.

"What was so urgent that she had to leave the dinner?" A shadow flitted over Zac's eyes.

"There happens to be a fashion show tonight." Mandy shuddered at Zac's coldness. She realized this wouldn't go as her plan.

'How dare she!' Zac muttered under his breath, but Mandy couldn't hear it.

The darkness on his face magnified.

"Achoo—"

At the century event, Hazel, who was sitting in the front row, sneezed again.

All her attention was on the runway, and she was completely unaware that the seat next to her had been occupied by someone else.

"Long time no see, Hazel." A low and familiar voice came to her ears, making her tremble slightly. She turned her head and saw the gentle and elegant face. Her heart stopped beating at once. "Hanson, why are you here?" She remembered clearly that there was a blonde foreigner next to her. It was beyond her how that lady had been replaced by Hanson.

Seeing her perplexed face, Hanson smiled and explained, "I've exchanged my seat with hers."

"Okay." Then she once again turned her attention back to the runway. She was a little flustered, as if she couldn't face him. Every time she thought about him, their memories came flooding back.

Hanson, on the other hand, didn't have an ounce of shame. He wouldn't move his eyes from her. Her light chestnut curly hair shone golden in the light. Her delicate face was like the bright diamond. Slowly, he was drinking her in. She didn't put on any makeup, instead applied a layer of transparent lip gloss on her plump lips. She always kept it simple, allowing her pure beauty to shine, like a stream of clear moonlight pouring out. This was one of the reasons why people were amazed by her. And presently, Hanson wanted to hold her in his hands.

The light blue organza dress on her body set off her tall and thin figure. And the large V-neck design revealed her delicate clavicle. The hemline was even lower than her thighs.

Watching this, Hanson's Adam's apple rolled. He said, "It's a beautiful dress." Of course she was more beautiful, but he wouldn't scare her with compliments.

However, Hazel thought he was talking about the show, so she nodded and said, "Ordinary people wouldn't be able to pull off such a bold collision of colors."

"I was talking about your dress," he said, clearing the misunderstanding. The hair at the temples of her ear was tossed away by him. The skin he touched was burning hot. She looked away in a hurry. "I... made it myself."

"Letting you leave is Bella's loss." Hanson sighed.

The light in Hazel's eyes dimmed. When she graduated from Donghua University, Hanson had just graduated from the famous Istituto Marangoni and returned to China. Later, he became the deputy CEO of Bella. It was for Hanson that she overcame many tests and entered the design department. She thought that she could be with him day and night...that was, until she met Sunny–her rival. Sunny had set her up and forced her to leave Bella Company. In addition, she took advantage of her father's influence and forced any company she had applied to, to reject her. However, Hazel wasn't going to give up just like that. She opened a store on Taobao. She started to tailor clothes for her two friends who were private celebrities, which attracted plenty of people from the upper-class.

"There are so many talented people there." She lowered her head.

"Well, you're different." His deep voice was like the night wind blowing through her hair. She blinked in surprise and raised her gaze to face him.

"It's too noisy here. Would you like to take a walk with me?" He motioned to the outside.

She nodded, still in a daze from his words.

It was not late at night, yet the fragrance of newly brewed tea pervaded the air. It still smelled like summer. She inhaled as a smile curved her lips.

The air was cool. She could feel her hair swaying from the breeze as the leaves rustled in response.

When they reached the flower bed at the middle of the square, he stopped. Hazel waited, not really knowing what he wanted to say.

"When you told me you like me...was that true?" he suddenly asked. Her heart trembled in her chest as her hands shook. 'Yes.' She wanted to scream on top of her lungs as she waved her hands up in the air, but she held herself. Hazel managed to plaster an exaggerated smile on her face. "Of course not. It was April Fool's Day. I was only kidding," she lied. She didn't want to hurt herself again.

"So...it was just a joke?" The neon lights from the road flashed and glittered across the night, but none of them could lighten up what he was feeling.

"You're getting married." Her words were like knives ramming straight into his heart. That was right. He was getting married, and he had no right to ask her that. Deep inside, Hanson had always liked her, but a part of him was satisfied with their lukewarm relationship, but after seeing her with another man, he couldn't find himself wasting another moment. His hands shook as he reached out for her.

"I like you, Hazel." Hanson held her cold hands and stared into her eyes.

Hazel quivered under his touch, feeling as if she had just been struck by lightning. She blinked, and a part of her wondered if she had heard it wrong. "I like you," he repeated. Her eyes had gone misty and tears started to streak down her cheeks. She had waited for so long to hear those words from his mouth, and here they were.

Hanson's fingers grazed against her face, brushing away the tears. "I know that you were serious that day. I really, really like you," he whispered. He lowered his head and got close to Hazel. She stood still, as if she had just been frozen in time. Her heart was beating faster and faster as if she was running a marathon.

Not far away, a Bentley was parked under the tree. The dark color blended with the night's shadows.

At the other side of the car window, cold eyes stared at the two figures under the starry night. If looks could burn, everything would've already been lit up into flames.

The man in the driver's seat had already noticed Zac's unusual behavior. Zac's usual poker face was nowhere to be seen as conflicting emotions flashed across his face. He couldn't believe the fact that his boss could be so emotional over the woman.

When Zac was about to turn away, a figure rushed towards the flower bed, disturbing the supposedly romantic sight.