What the heart wants

19. Life without him

Stay away from troubles.", he said before pulling apart and creating some distance between us.

"You too.", I breathed out and he nodded in return.

...

That day, if I had known that it was the last time I was seeing him, I would have never let him go.

Two years.

It has been two gruelling years.

His eyes are still captured in my mind, sea green pools of never-ending depths, haunting me in my dreams every now and then.

He was the first man who made my heart leap in my chest, he was the first man who stepped into the barrier I had created around myself, he was the first man who did something for me without asking anything for return.

And as much as I hate to admit, I had fallen for him. Badly. The most terrifying thing was that it took me just few days.

Is it even possible?

"Hazel?", Meredith's loud voice penetrated my ears. She was my roommate for the last three months. She may look harmless with her black curls and innocent, brown eyes but only I knew what a devil she is. Her mood-swings are more appalling than all the Conjuring movies combined.

"Yeah.", I answered, pushing these thoughts back.

"You were daydreaming again. For God's sake, do you even realize you have a job interview in just two hours?", she glowered, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"Crap, I totally forgot.", I exclamied in panic.

"Of course you did, you were so busy planning your fake marriage with that blue-eyed fantasy of yours.", she said, raising her eyesbrow and I cowered under her gaze.

"Ok, firstly, I was not dreaming about our marriage. And secondly, he is not a fantasy. He is real.", I objected.

"Yeah right.", she said and tiptoed back to her room.

After she left, I picked up the phone and dialed Lily's number.

"Hazel? How's Seattle?", she yelled in the receiver loudly.

"I am fine. Thanks for asking.", I added sarcastically and she chuckled in return.

"How did your job interview go?", she asked.

"It's in two hours.", I replied nonchalantly.

"So girl, what are you doing here on phone. Go and prepare.", she scolded like a mother. I could imagine her hands resting on her hips and a frown etched on her face.

"I was thinking about him.", I admitted.

"Whom?"

"Xavier."

Silence.

"I don't want to live in Seattle. What if he comes back, how would I meet him?", I said anxiously.

"Are you crazy? You have worked all your life for a nice job. Do you want to throw it away for a boy who could be happily married by now.", her voice held disappointment.

"I just-"

"Don't you remember what his mother said the time you went to find him?", she said and the memory reappeared in my mind.

"Just go and meet him. Ask him if he feels anything about you.", Sarah suggested.

"I am telling you forget about him. He is not the last guy on Earth.", Lily added.

"But what if he is the one?", I mumbled in a low voice.

"Oh my God Hazel, what has he done to you? He has turned you into a crappy lovesick girly girl.", Lily said and checked my temperature to see if I was sick.

"Shut up, Lil. And yes Sarah, you are right. I should go meet him.", I stood uo excitedly and dressed up into the only cute top I owned. It was a purple halter top and paired it with black tights.

I took a cab to his house. Knocking on the door, I waited for someone to open.

After few minutes, a beautiful blonde woman came out. She looked like she was in her fourties.

"Ah dear, who are you?", she asked in a sweet voice.

"I am Hazel.", I answered, plastering a big smile on my face.

"Are you Anna's friend? Sorry dear but she has gone to her aunt for summer vacations. She will be back in 15 days.", the woman said.

"Actually, I came for Xavier. Is he in here? ", I asked in a meek voice.

"No, he isn't here."

"Oh, can you tell me when will he come back?", I asked.

"I have no idea Hazel. He has been transferred by his firm to their higher branch in Los Angeles. He hasn't told me if he is coming to visit us any time sooner. " she said and my heart clenched in a painful manner.

He is gone.

For good.

Tears pricked the back of my eyes, threatening to come out.

"Do you want to come in?", the woman asked but my voice got caught in my throat.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and excused myself.

"I remember everything . Yeah, you are right. I should stop acting like a clingy woman and focus on my future.", cutting off the call, I made my way towards the bathroom.

Wearing a black pencil skirt and royal blue shirt, I applied some makeup to make myself look presentable. Slipping into black platform heels, I made my way towards my car which I had bought from my savings.

The drive to Victoria co. was quite short so I managed to reach there in time. The receptionist told me to go to 22nd floor. Following her instructions, I reached the destined floor where more than 20 girls were sitting outside the CEO's office. Slumping on an empty chair, I took deep breaths to calm my erratic breathing.

A girl walked out of the office, her eyes were laced with unshed tears and her face was flushed, probably due to embarrassment.

All the girls started whispering into each other's ears about how cruel this boss is. I tried not to let it affect me.

Another girl went in, her face was caked in make-up. I cringed when I noticed how the top buttons of her shirt were open.

Have she not read the company's name? It's Victoria, Not Victor. Displaying your assets won't help, woman.

After few minutes, she walked out. There was a big smile on her lips and her lipstick was smudged. She walked happily towards the elevator, swaying her hips.

What in God's name is going on in this room?

"Hazel Martin.", a woman called my name and my hands started shaking.

I need this job very badly. I can't let anything ruin this chance.

Taking another deep breath, I stood up and trudged towards the office. Opening the cream colored door, I took feather steps and stepped in.

But as soon as my eyes laid on the man sitting on the chair, I felt all the blood drain from my face.

"You!!!! ", I squawked in surprise.

***********************

Who could it be?

Did you expect this two year leap?

What is the first thing that comes into your mind after hearing 'Seattle'?

Me: Grey's anatomy

P. S : Hazel has crossed 10k reads.