UNTIL DAWN

Chapter Twelve

Song:Isaac Hong - Fallin'

The door was pushed open then my breath caught at the sight before me of the familiar figure stepping into the room yet looking like I never saw her before.

She looked... different.

Her long, flowing blonde hair fell down her shoulders in soft waves, the sunlight filtering through the windows giving its golden color a soft glow.

She wore a baby blue blouse that highlighted her beautiful hazel eyes, paired with a cream pants which hugged her figure. As she walked deep inside the office, the soft click of her heels drew my attention back to her face.

"You called me."

She did her best with hiding the dark circles under her eyes but I could see that she was tired.

"I did. You are not supposed to be here."

"I didn't say that I was not coming." She argued stubbornly.

"So did you call me here as the CEO or as... Ace?"

She was fidgeting with her fingers nervously and I smiled a little to brighten the mood.

"What about you? What do you prefer? Coming here as Miss Black or my fiancé?" I asked, cocking a brow at her with a grin and her eyes widened.

"Keep your voice down, someone might hear you!"

"Don't worry sweetheart, the walls are soundproof."

"Then can I... take a look around? if you don't mind I mean. This is so huge."

"Sure."

She smiled and started to wander around in my office, looking at paintings, past awards and I couldn't take my eyes off her. She was a good sight to ignore and she seemed genuinely curious.

Her legs found their way to the French windows facing other Hudson Yards skyscrapers. I knew that it was an incredible sight especially for someone who was seeing it for the first time, her eyes sparkled with every sight.

"This is amazing! It's as if I am looking at the city from the sky."

In a blink of an eye I was out of my chair striding towards her, being near her was irresistible.

"Yeah, I know. It is even better at night."

I replied, hugging her from behind, startling her.

She stiffened at first but eventually relaxed against me. I took the opportunity and tightened my arms around her and rested my head on her shoulder. I should have given anything to stay in that position, it was very warm and relaxing, feeling her against my chest.

"This is really beautiful!" she said with utter bewilderment looking below at the busy city.

"Very beautiful." I whispered against her cheek and pressed a butterfly kiss there.

She sighed and learned back into me and I sniffed her golden blonde hair.

It smelled like strawberry. Her hair was so thick and long.

'It must be difficult for her to dry it every time.' I thought to myself.

We stood there in silence enjoying each other's company and I couldn't be more grateful.

It was too quiet but not awkward and it was terrifying how she fit perfectly in my arms.

It was perfect until an asshole decided to ruin the atmosphere by entering my office without knocking, startling both of us. I cursed under my breath, gritting my teeth.

Hazel looked alarmed and uncomfortable under his scrutinizing green eyes.

"When will you learn to knock, you dumbass?"

"My apologies bro, I will try to remember next time."

Lexus replied with a wide grin. I wanted to wipe it off so badly, my brother was sometimes a pain in my ass.

"And stop leering at her, you are making her uncomfortable."

"Ooh so she is off limits. I will keep it in mind for... wait, is it her?!"

I didn't know if he was getting on my nerves on purpose or if it was me being over sensitive.

"Meet Hazel, Hazel meet my asshole brother, Lexus."

"Hello Hazel, it is a great pleasure to finally meet you." I wanted to kick him.

They shook hands and I met Hazel's eyes pleading with me, wanting to leave.

"I.. will get going then."

"Don't mind me, you can do whatever you were doing. If Ace makes you off limits I won't dare try to join." he joked, sinking on the couch.

"Can you please shut up." I turned to Hazel with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, he is always a handful but he is nice."

"It's okay, I can see that."

She whispered with an embarrassed smile, peeking at him as he busied himself on his phone.

"Please, Hazel I am sorry if I was out of line for making decisions involving your life but, I really hope you take on the offer. Call me anytime you change your mind."

"Okay."

She agreed to brush me off then left the office. I sighed. She was not going to agree easly.

"You said you wanted to end things with her, what was that?" Lexus said and I turned to him.

He was serious.

"I am planning to, soon."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it is best for both of us."

"She is nice. If the situation was different I could have advised you to go all in, but if you think differently, it's your call man."

"I know, but I have to. She's gone through difficult shit lately and by now I am still begging her to take the apartment."

"No shit! How old is she? She looked young, maybe that is why."

"She is twenty two."

"Whoa! Did she attend college? We were still throwing frat parties at twenty two."

"She did, she was brilliant. From what Jace found."

"Same age as Easton, I can see her getting along with Izzy."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. That will never happen." 

I stopped him from going any further with his thoughts, but he was right. I could picture our little sister excited by finding a family member closer to her age.

"Make it quick, she is already growing attached, It will hurt less." He suggested it even though he didn't seem to believe me.

So he did notice.

She was getting attached. W

hat about me?

Did he notice some changes from me as well? And refusing not to point it in my face?

Was I really okay or I was even long gone compared to her.

Lexus was right. I needed to hurry things up so as not to hurt any of us.

At that moment, I wanted to talk to mom but I knew that I shouldn't. She could get most disappointed if it turned out to be what she did not expect and, not only that, on Hazel's side I should be being selfish. She needed enough time to adjust to her new difficult life without her father, not the time to worry about my messy relationship life.

But the question was, did I really want to?

Was I going to be able to?