In the kitchen:
La la la la la…
Hazel hummed softly in the kitchen as she stirred the pot, a gentle smile playing on her lips while cooking Dan Marcer's favorite food. For over five years, she had done this same routine, yet somehow, it never tired her.
They had met one summer evening on the lush green grounds of Rulan University. Later, Dan had been the one to take the first step. He proposed to her after two years of dating. They eventually got engaged, and since then, life had seemed endless, like a beautiful dream stretching far into the horizon.
She didn't realize it back then, but those were the golden days. Hazel sighed.
Just as she placed the last dish on the counter, her phone suddenly screamed to life, vibrating violently against the table.
She yanked off her apron and rushed to answer.
The screen lit up with an unknown number. She answered instantly without thinking.
"Hello…?"
I'm Dan's friend," a male voice said. "We're at Hill Valley Club. Can you come pick him up? He's... drunk. Please come as soon as you can."
"O-Okay," Hazel replied, panic rising in her voice. "I'll be there soon."
She looked down at herself. Should I change? Sniffing her shirt, she grimaced. Ugh, the onion smell still clung stubbornly to the fabric.
She dashed into the shower, scrubbing away the scent, then changed into comfy jeans and a loose top. Grabbing her keys, she rushed out the door.
---
Inside the VIP Lounge:
"Haha… Yo, will Hazel come to pick you up?" Asher, Dan's best friend, asked with a teasing grin.
"Dan, why did you call her?" came a sweet, misty voice. "I don't mind bringing you home," said Aurora gently.
"Yes, yes," others echoed, joining the mood.
"I mean, now that Aurora's finally back from abroad…" Iron smirked. "Why not let her accompany you home? let her be the one to take care of you. You two have so much to catch up on."
Dan looked at Aurora for a long moment before answering, "I don't want her to tire herself. She just arrived today. We'll have lots of time in the future."
Aurora blushed at his affectionate tone, especially under his deep, affectionate gaze.
And the group erupted into playful cheers.
"Alright, you two lovebirds!" Asher grinned. "Let's play truth or dare!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
...
Outside of the grand Hill Valley Club:
"Haah… forty minutes," Hazel murmured to herself as she stepped out of her car.
She stood before the towering entrance of the Hill Valley Club; a grand, five-star venue reserved for the rich and influential. A place few people could afford. Dan and his friends, however, belonged to that few.
Dan is the only heir of the Marcer Group. From the start, his family had never approved of their relationship, let alone their engagement. "You don't belong in our world, Hazel. Remember that, his mother said." They had only agreed after Dan threatened to leave the family if they kept interfering.
But Hazel still wondered... why had he chosen her at that time? Pushing the thought aside, she headed toward the club entrance.
"Oh no!" she gasped. "I didn't ask the room number…" She quickly redialed the previous number, but no one answered.
Guess what? I'll have to figure it out myself. Hazel walked straight to the VIP Lounge. As she neared, she heard laughter and the sound of glasses clinking. One voice stood out.
Asher...?
"What if Hazel comes now?" he said.
"She won't mind," Dan replied casually. "She'll understand. I'm just helping Aurora. It's just a kiss."
Hazel's heart skipped a beat. Her steps halted as she reached for the door but didn't open it. She froze, her hand still on the doorknob.
The group inside started chanting, "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss." Hazel couldn't help but peek inside. There...!
"Dan... If you're uncomfortable, you don't have to kiss me," Aurora said softly. "I can ask Asher."
Just as she turned away, Dan placed a hand around her waist and pulled her close.
"I'll help you," he whispered.
Aurora wrapped one hand around Dan's neck, the other tangled in his hair. Without hesitation, Dan leaned forward and kissed her! It wasn't just a quick, friendly kiss. It was long and deeply affectionate kiss!
To anyone watching, they looked like lovers undeniably.
Hazel fingers still on the doorframe. Her breath caught in her throat, chest tightened. Her stomach churned. She stood mid-step unable to move, tears formed in her eyes until Asher noticed her.
"Ah… Hazel? When did you get here?" he asked, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Dan quickly pulled away from Aurora, his expression unreadable.
"Listen, Hazel, don't take it the wrong way," Dan said, his tone neutral, devoid of guilt. "It was just a dare. I was helping Aurora with her dare.
Every word he spoke came so casually, as if kissing a woman intimately was the most normal thing in the world.
Aurora stepped forward. "Please don't misunderstand Dan. Hazel? Is it? Dan and I are childhood sweethearts. He just didn't want me to kiss someone else."
Everyone turned toward Hazel.
She wanted to scream. To cry. To do something - anything. To yank Aurora's perfect curls from her scalp. But nothing came out.
"It's okay," she said quietly, forcing a smile.
"Come, Hazel! Join us!" Asher offered with a bright smile, as if nothing had happened.
"You guys continue. I need to use the restroom," she replied as she turned away.
The chatter picked up again behind her, laughter and cheer resuming like she meant nothing.
Hazel barely made it to the restroom before the tears spilled over. She leaned against the door, her legs trembling.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. Her chest heaved with silent sobs.
Her mind replayed the image... Dan's lips on Aurora's, his hand on her waist, the way they kissed like they belonged together.
The same man who once held Hazel the same way.
Was it just a game? she wondered. Or… was it really just a helping hand, like Dan claimed? Or was there more?
Was this the beginning of the end? Her heart ached.
Am I reading too much into it? Was he just being kind to an old friend? Minutes passed, maybe fifteen, maybe more. When the tears finally slowed, She stood slowly, staring at her reflection. Her face was pale, eyes swollen. Her cheeks blotchy. But she washed it, splashing cold water over the raw evidence of heartbreak.
One last breath. She straightened her spine before leaving the room.
That night, something in her cracked. She didn't know it then, but she would never be the same Hazel again.
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