95 An Unexpected Invitation and a Startling Revelation
Hazel’s POV
Two days later Usat across from Sebastian at a quiet corner table in an elegant cafe nervously, fiddling with my teacup: The afternoon sunlight streamed through the Widows asting a warm glow across his perfectly composed features My cheeks burned with embarrassment as memories of our last conversation flooded iny mind
“I still can’t believe I accused you of wanting to harvest my organs,” I groaned, hiding behnic ory cup of barl Grey
Sebastian ships quirked into that half-smile that made my stomach flip. I found it rather endearing, actually.
“Endearing isn’t the word I’d use.” I set my cup down with a clatter. “Mortifying seems
more accurate.
“We all say things we don’t mean when we’re not ourselves. His voice was gentle. without a trace of judgment. “Besides, I promised not to mention it again, remember?”
I peeked up at him. “And yet here we are, discussing my drunken paranoia in broad daylight.
“You brought it up, not me.” His eyes twinkled with amusement. “Though I admit, it does make for entertaining conversation.
Despite my embarrassment. I couldn’t help but smile. There was something about Sebastian that put me at ease, even when I wanted to crawl under the table and disappear
“Well, for what it’s worth, thank you for being a gentleman that night I said softly “Not everyone would have been so respectful
Sebastian’s expression turned serious “Any decent person would have done the same.
“You’d be surprised.” I muttered, thinking of Alistair and how quickly he dabandoned me when something more interesting came along
Au uncomfortable silence fell bet weet us reached for my purse determined to
hange the subject
“Let me pay for the drinks this time it’s the least can do after everything
Sebastian opened his mouth to protest, but was interrupted by a sharp knock on the window beside us A woman in an impeccable stuf stood outside, tapping her watch with an apologetic expression.
“Your secretary? I guessed.
Sebastian sighed, nodding. “Mrs. Reynolds. Always punctual to a fault.” He glanced at his own watch and frowned “I’m afraid I need to cut this short. I have a meeting across town in thirty minutes.
“Of course I Ined to hide my disappointment as we both stood appreciate you making time to return my watch.
I would have found a reason to see you anyway” he said simply, as if stating an obvious
fact.
My heart stuttered at his directness. Before I could think of a response. Sebastian was guiding me toward the elevators with a light touch at the small of my back
“I’m heading to the parking garage.” he explained as we stepped inside the empty elevator. “Allow me to escort you down.”
The doors slid closed, leaving us in charged silence. Sebastian stood close enough that I could smell his cologne-something expensive and subtle that made my pulse quicken.
“Lactually wanted to ask you something” he said suddenly, turning to face me. My mother’s birthday celebration is tomorrow evening. Would you consider attending as my guest?”
The question caught me completely off guard. “Your mother’s birthday? As in, a family
event?
He nodded watching my reaction carefully. “It’s a small gathering at our family estate, Nothing too formal:
Nothing too formal: I repeated faintly The Sinclair estate” was legendary a sprawling mansion that was practically its own zip code “Sebastian, I don’t belong in your world”
And what world would that be” His eyebrows rose in challenge
The one where people own islands as vacation homes and have buildings named after them’d shook my head. “I’m just a designer whose career is hanging by a thread
You’re selling yourself short His voice was firm. “And I’m not inviting the designer I’m inviting Hazel
The way he said my name made something warm bloom in my chest. Still, doubt niggled at me
Won’t your family find it odd that you’re bringing a stranger to a family birthday?”
“My mother has been asking to meet you,” he admitted.
That stopped me cold. “Your mother knows about me?
Sebastian hesitated, looking almost sheepish-an expression I’d never seen on his confident face before.
I may have mentioned you once or twice.
I didn’t know how to process that information. Sebastian Sinclair talked about me to his mother? Before I could question him further, he pressed on.
“Please consider it. It would mean a lot to me.”
There was a sincerity in his eyes that made it impossible to refuse. Against my better judgment, Inodded.
“Alright. I’ll come
His smile was worth whatever social anxiety I’d have to endure. “Excellent. I’ll send a car for you around seven
The elevator dinged as we reached the ground floor. As the doors opened, Sebastian
ated to me, lus expression suddenly serious.
“Hazel, there’s something else I should tell you
Something in his tone made me tense “What is it?
It’s about Alistair Everett Sebastian’s jaw tightened. “I saw him following us the other night when I drove you home.
My blood ran cold “Following us? What do your mean?”
he was parked across from you building when I dropped you off,” Sebastian’s eyes darkened had some business to attend to bearby, and when drove past your apartment again later that night, he was still there Watching your windows
My stomach twisted into knots. “Are you sure it was him?”
Positive Sebastian’s voice was grim. He stayed all night, Hazel. I checked again early in the morning before heading home
The thought of Alistair stalking me made my skin crawl. After everything he’d done- choosing my stepsister humiliating me publicly-now he was lurking outside my apartment like some obsessed ex?
“I didn’t want to worry you, Sebastian continued, studying my face with concern. “But Ithought you should know
The elevator doors began to close, and Sebastian quickly pressed a button to hold them open. People were waiting to enter, forcing our conversation to end abruptly
“Thank you for telling me? I managed, my mind reeling. “I’ll be careful.”
Sebastian nodded, his expression troubled. “The car will pick you up tomorrow at seven. And Hazel-” he hesitated, then added softly, “don’t worry about Alistair. He won’t bother you again.
There was something in his voice-a quiet certainty that was both comforting and slightly unsettling-that made me wonder exactly what Sebastian intended to do about my ex-hance’s unwelcome surveillance.
As the elevator doors finally closed between us, I was left with more questions than answers about both men–one from my past who couldn’t seem to let go, and one who was increasingly becoming part of my present, drawing me deeper into his mysterious world with each encounter
