13 Chapter 13 – Dinner Plans and Revelations
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Chapter 13 – Dinner Plans and Revelations
Hazel’s POV
When my boss finished briefing us about his business trip, Evelyn and I headed back to our shared workspace to tackle the remaining tasks. The afternoon flew by in a blur of documents. and phone calls. As we gathered our belongings to leave, Liam’s office door swung open just as Damian materialized in our doorway.
“Quitting time for my favorite ladies!” Damian announced, flashing that trademark grin that never seemed to fade. “Liam and I have reservations at Giorgio’s tonight, and I absolutely refuse to dine without the two most stunning women in this entire building.”
My pulse quickened at the mention of Giorgio’s. The upscale Italian establishment had been on Chl’s and my weekend wishlist ever
Since we heard about their legendary handmade gnocchi and exclusive wine selection. Chl had been pushing me to familiarize myself with these high–end venues, insisting they’d become routine once I started attending corporate events.
“Such a generous offer, Damian, but we’ve already committed to other plans tonight. Perhaps we could arrange something for later this week?” Evelyn smoothly deflected, reminding me we’d planned dinner at my apartment
I offered my thanks with a polite smile, but something in Liam’s demeanor shifted dramatically. His jaw tightened, and storm clouds seemed to gather behind his eyes. When he spoke, his voice carried an edge I’d never heard before.
“Surely you could rearrange your evening plans to accommodate your employer? I find it rather unprofessional to dismiss such an invitation so casually.”
“Liam, stop being such a child. The real discourtesy would be expecting us to abandon our commitments with zero notice. Tomorrow works perfectly well, doesn’t it, Hazel?” Evelyn’s tone held the patient firmness of someone addressing a temperamental teenager.
“Absolutely, Evelyn. We’d be delighted to join you tomorrow evening. Though if this is truly urgent business, I’m certain our friends would understand the professional obligation,” I replied, immediately wishing I could retract my words when Liam’s expression darkened further.
“Forget it. I wouldn’t dream of inconveniencing your precious companions. Enjoy your evening, just ensure you’re punctual tomorrow morning, Miss Vance.”
He stormed past us with thunderous footsteps, jabbing the elevator button with unnecessary force before barking “We’re leaving!” at Damian, who simply shrugged and trailed after his volatile friend. I stood there bewildered by the sudden outburst, while Evelyn seemed to find the entire scene amusing.
13 Chapter 13 – Dinner Plans and Revelations
We departed shortly after the dramatic exit and made our way to my apartment. Chl welcomed us with her characteristic warmth and the aromatic promise of homemade Italian cuisine that rivaled any restaurant. Leo was sprawled on the living room floor with his building blocks but scrambled to his feet the moment he spotted me, launching himself into my arms with enthusiastic giggles.
“Leo, I want you to meet my friend Evelyn from work,” I said, hoisting him higher on my hip. Evelyn’s expression shifted the moment she got a clear view of his face, her eyes widening with unmistakable recognition.
“Hazel, your little boy is absolutely gorgeous! You weren’t exaggerating about those eyes. they’re identical to Liam’s shade, she murmured, though I sensed deeper thoughts churning beneath her casual observation.
The evening unfolded with surprising ease. Evelyn and Chl connected instantly, their conversation flowing as if they’d been friends for years rather than minutes. Leo was completely smitten with his new “auntie, dragging her around the apartment to showcase his entire toy collection and insisting she help construct an elaborate tower with his blocks.
After settling Leo in his bedroom with his favorite stuffed elephant, we reconvened in the living room where Chl uncorked another bottle of wine. The conversation meandered through work stories and future plans, with Chi gushing about her new position and Evelyn expressing excitement about potentially collaborating with Adrian West, whom she described as refreshingly down–to–earth in their industry.
Then Evelyn’s tone shifted, becoming more serious as she studied my face. “Hazel, I have to ask.
– what’s Leo’s father’s name?”
Heat crept up my neck as I realized I’d never explained the unusual circumstances surrounding Leo’s conception. The truth seemed almost too bizarre to voice aloud.
“Oh God, Evelyn, it’s incredibly complicated. The honest answer is that I have absolutely no idea. what his name is I watched her eyebrows climb toward her hairline as she waited for claboration, “I know how that sounds, but hear me out. I’d been drinking that night which isn’t an excuse, just context – and when he asked me to dance, we got so caught up in conversation that we never bothered with proper introductions. Since it was a masquerade event, I never actually saw his face clearly, just those incredible violet–blue eyes and that smile that completely scrambled my brain.”
“You’re joking! Please tell me you have more details than that. This is like something straight out of a romance novel – a mysterious encounter with a masked stranger” Her eyes sparkled with genuine fascination as she leaned forward eagerly, clearly hungry for the complete story.
