Chris And Hazel - Volume 1 Chapter 44 43

‘So are you gonna say something or are you just gonna stay mad like this?’ Hazel asked looking at Chris who kept staring down at the table they were seated in.

It has been over fifteen minutes since Grayson left but Chris hasn’t breathed a word since then.

Hazel couldn’t understand what made Chris quiet down all of a sudden, all they exchanged were some formal greetings and Grayson told Chris to ‘Take Care!’ before taking his leave. But Chris’ reaction changed right after he heard those words.

‘I am not mad, Haze’ he answered after a short pause, looking up at her.

‘But you are awfully quiet…since that man left! Grayson, right?’ she asked slightly unsure of his name.

‘Yeah but am okay now! So, don’t worry!’ he assured as he looked into a distance deep in thought.

Hazel gave the kids sitting in front of them a blank look. The kids were totally clueless of what was going on there. All they could ever understand was Hazel kept looking at their dad concerned and their dad seemed to be lost in his own world.

‘Hazel…’ Robert called out as he looked up at her with a smile on his face.

‘Yes honey’ she answered smiling back.

‘Are you gonna be our mommy?’ he asked innocently looking at her with twinkling eyes.

Chris nearly spat out the water he was having as he heard his six-year-old son question Hazel.

‘Chris! I am gonna need some help here’ she said looking back at Chris who was almost choking up.

‘I think I am getting a call’ he said attempting to get away from the table.

‘No, you didn’t!’ Hazel caught his hand preventing him from leaving the table.

‘Hazel I am not ready to tell the kids yet’ he whispered slowly.

‘You think I am? And you are willing to let me handle this…all alone?’ she asked in disbelief.

‘But you are always good with kids’ he debated.

‘But you raised them for six years’ she defended listening to his explanation.

‘So shall we take it as a yes?’ Aurora asked as they kept arguing.

‘…Why?’ Hazel asked surprised from her question.

‘You guys aren’t denying it but fighting on who will be the one to tell us…just because we are kids doesn’t mean we are dumb!’ Aurora answered in a calm tone.

‘…’

‘…’

‘Shall we start calling you mommy then?’ Robert asked eagerly looking at the couple.

‘…Honey, are you really okay with taking me as your mommy?’ Hazel asked puzzled by how cool they were with such a situation.

‘Yeah…dad loves you and we love you too’ Aurora answered smiling at her.

‘Robert, handover a tissue’ Chris told his son as soon as Aurora finished.

‘Dad why…?’ he stopped his question mid-way as he noticed tears rolling down Hazel’s cheeks.

Hazel dried up her tears quickly as the kids gave her a sympathetic look.

‘Your kids are so smart! I am really starting to wonder whether it was really you who brought them up’ she murmured to Chris sniffing back her tears.

‘You still know how to joke around in an emotional situation’ he said smiling at her.

‘Those were happy tears anyways are you okay now?’ she asked wiping the corner of her eyes with a tissue Robert just gave her.

‘I am! Thank you!’ he answered smiling positively.

‘Are you sure?’ she asked still worried as his eyes told a different story.

‘Hey Haze! How about we go on a date?’ he asked after thinking for a while.

‘Like right now?’ she asked looking around.

‘No dummy! After Ed’s engagement, once we are ready to leave’ he clarified looking at her stunned reaction.

‘Sure…just don’t go invading in other’s property again’ she pleaded as she remembered that dreadful day. Since then she has been in a dilemma whether to take that day as the best day or the worst day of her life rather preferred to remember it as a day she discovered a whole new side of Chris.

‘Sis, do you think Hazel will tell dad about our previous plans?’ Robert asked quietly leaning over to his sister.

‘I don’t think so…just to be sure we’ll tell her again not to’ Aurora told her brother as they looked up at Chris and Hazel.

Chris’ phone rang as they sat there quietly dwelling in their own world.

‘Ed?’ he answered looking baffled as Ed was standing right opposite to him in the same room but a little farther away from where they were seated.

‘It would be a pleasure if you do the honors of getting here and being there for your best friend on such a big moment in his life’ he yelled glaring at Chris from the other corner of the hall.

‘Be right there’ he answered in a deserving tone getting up from there.

‘Haze, stay with the kids! I will be back’ he said leaving in a hurry.

‘Where is dad going?’ Robert asked as his eyes followed his dad till he reached Edward.

‘Dude I know you just got together with Hazel but that doesn’t mean you could abandon me on my engagement’ Ed said angrily as Chris walked over to him.

‘I know…I know! I am sorry’ Chris apologized as he pulled his best friend aside.

‘So what’s up?’ Chris asked as he saw Ed sweating through his suite.

‘Dude, you look good! Stop sweating’ Chris assured as Ed flashed Chris a conscious look.

‘I know but…’ Ed was stopped midway as Chris interrupted him saying;

‘You know? Now you are just being a narcissist!’ Chris commented laughing at his best friend.

‘I didn’t mean it like that…it’s just that I am just…so nervous’ Ed confessed as he looked around the room trying to find Ava.

‘She’s not here, Ed! And it’s good to be nervous because soon you will be taking over your entire family business and then become a family man which will be much more complicated than handling your whole businesses’ he said in a calm tone but it sounded sincere.

‘Dude you aren’t helping’ Ed reminded Chris as the more Chris was being honest the more Ed felt like running away from reality.

‘I know! I am just being honest’ Chris answered frankly.

‘Don’t be! Out of all the times I wanted you to be honest and you choose now? Just lie! Ok? Just say I will make a great business man or a great husband, just lie. You know at a time like this I will believe anything, right?’ Ed asked losing his senses as with each passing moment reality dawned on him.

‘I know and that’s why I chose to tell the truth’ Chris replied as he pulled Ed to the secluded side of the hall.

‘But…this just got real and I am so scared, I am gonna inaugurate two new chapters in my life and I am totally unaware of what am gonna do. Can I handle all of it? Dude, you make it look so easy’ Ed said as he sighed heavily looking around the place.

It was true that Ed had trained all these years for taking over his family business but no matter how much knowledge he had regarding the business, now that he had to face them, it was terrifying. He was stepping into the next chapter of his life and he knew once he steps in, there’s no stepping back. It can’t be undone and it can’t be restarted, as it’s no game.

‘It’s not easy Ed! It never was! Trust me! I had no one idea when I took over the business and at the end of the day I always wondered how my brother managed to keep things under control and maintained a perfect lifestyle but he did it! He never really showed how hard it was and I had to learn it the hard way. The business you are gonna take over will always keep firing challenges at you and it will be worse than your worst nightmare ever…and you gotta be ready at all times…otherwise….’ He stopped trying to fight back a tear.

‘Anyways I am here for you and we’ll support each other this time’ he finished swallowing back his emotions cause he knew that it was the time to be there for his friend.

‘Chris! I know it’s been tough…ok? It will be alright and I am glad you are here’ Ed consoled placing his hands on Chris’ shoulder.

‘I know! Anyways well now let’s go and get you engaged’ Chris said smiling brightly at Ed.

Though Ed was still unsure of how things were gonna turn out, he wanted to go for it. It assured him to know that there were people to support him and it was time to face up to the challenges that come his way.

As they were about to get to the grand hall, Chris was stopped by a phone call.

‘Go ahead Ed! Greet the guests! I have to pick up this call’ Chris said walking away from Ed.

‘Okay man!’ Ed nodded leaving the place.

‘Yeah?’ he asked receiving the call.

‘Mr. Finch, we have Edwin as you requested’ the person on the other line answered.

‘Great! Was it that easy to get hold of Mr. Grayson’s right hand?’ he asked trying to locate Grayson among the scattered guests.

‘No sir…it wasn’t! In fact, we didn’t know a mere secretary could be given this much protection’ the other person answered as his tone conveyed how difficult it was.

‘Thought so…! So keep him right there I will be there in at most an hour’ he answered disconnecting the call.

Chris made his way towards Grayson who was chatting with a few other guests;

‘Look its Mr. Finch’ he announced as a sly smile crossed his face as Chris walked over to them.

Chris exchanged a few greetings with the other guests present around and as he was about to leave turned towards Grayson and said;

‘Take care Mr. Grayson’

Grayson’s face grew pale as Chris walked away wearing a triumphant smile on his face.

‘He did something’ Grayson told himself as he left the party hurriedly.

‘You look happy’ Hazel said as Chris walked over to her.

‘Really..? Is it that obvious?’ he asked still beaming over his victory.

‘Well…yeah!’ she said letting out a laugh.

‘I am just excited for our date tonight’ he answered winking at her.

‘Shut up! What about the kids?’ she asked looking over to Rob and Aurora who were busy playing around.

‘Out of all days you choose today to be their full-time mom?’ he asked staring at her.

‘…But I can’t leave them alone at home?’ she said defending herself.

‘So you think that after you come I will abandon my kids?’ he asked raising a brow at her.

‘Fine…fine! I was just worried’ she answered giving him a caring look.

‘I asked mom to take them home tonight’ he explained convincing her.

‘Ok cool! So where are we going?’ she asked surprised.

‘Surprise!’ he said as he looked over to the dais where Mr. Richardson was ready to make an announcement and begin the party.

‘Warm evening to all of you who have taken the time from your schedules and came down here to share this wonderful day with us’ he greeted smiling over at the guests.

‘Today is one of the best days of my life, not only for me but for the whole Richardson’s’ he continued.

‘My son, Edward Richardson, will officially take over our family business’ he said looking over to Ed, who was standing to the side of the dais accompanied by his sister, Charlotte.

‘It certainly is a big day for all us’ he stopped as the guests applauded chatting among themselves.

Ed walked over to the stage as the crowd continued to applaud as he took the mic from his father.

‘First of all, I am thankful to everyone who made it here to this party’ he said smiling with gratitude towards the crowd as the media kept flashing their cameras at him trying to capture as much shots as possible.

He cleared his throat before talking up again;

‘I have been preparing for years to take over my family business and today is like a dream come true but the happy news here is…’he paused as he looked over the stage.

‘I will be taking over the company along with my sister, Charlotte Richardson’ he finished extending his hand over to Charlotte asking her to join him on stage.

The crowd gossiped among one another. It was unusual to them. Usually when any rich family had a son they would automatically make him the legal heir of the family businesses but what Ed said seemed to catch everyone off guard.

Ed already told his family about this. He was certain that if the family business was getting handed over to the heirs, it should either be both of them or none of them. His family was happy with this decision of Ed’s.

So was Chris, Hazel and Ava but the most surprised weren’t the media, guests or the relatives… It was Charlotte!

She had no idea about any of this. Was she able to handle her family business? She certainly did! But a sudden announcement like this was something she never would have imagined before.

She walked over to the stage as once again the crowd broke into applause welcoming her.

‘How was the surprise?’ Ed asked his eyes still on the guests.

‘Well the appropriate word is SHOCK’ she answered glaring at her brother.

Ed let out a small laugh looking at her.

Though they both didn’t show each other’s emotions outside, they were able to understand what the other one felt.

Most of them who didn’t know Ed and Charlotte would consider them distant for siblings. But they were just different…of course their relationship wasn’t normal. Like some siblings, they didn’t always fight to show their love nor did they openly show that they care for one other but when the time comes, Ed was always looking out for his little sister and Charlotte always managed to support her brother at all times, it’s just that both of them didn’t show it publically nor to each other.

Charlotte looked at her brother standing next to her; he was busy answering the question buzzing from the reporters. She knew Ed put a lot of thought before sharing the business with her but most importantly she knew he did because he believes in her and knows that she can handle it and that gave her a new confidence.

‘Once again it’s pleasure that you all joined us here today and most important of all I would like to state that though we are taking over our entire family business but we are still beginners and…’ he paused as his eyes searched through the crowd.

‘…We would love some advice from the experienced’ he finished as he found Chris among the other guests.

Chris nodded slowly at his friend displaying a professional smile.

As Ed completed his speech, he and his sister left the stage to go back to their respective places.

‘And now for the big event’ Ed’s dad started taking the stage again.

‘We all know that we aren’t only gathered here just for business purpose…today my son Ed is getting engaged’ he announced once again gathering the guest’s attention.

As he finished with his big revelation, the main door opened and there was Ava standing at the entrance wearing a glorious smile on her face.

Ava slowly made her way towards the dais, her eyes totally fixed on Ed who was completely awestruck by her appearance.

Ed walked over to the steps leading to the dais to help her up, her dress swept through the dais making her feel like a princess as she held onto Ed’s hand. Though the decorations, adorning the hall was simple it was designed with elegancy adding to the class of the Richardson’s.

‘Mr. Richardson is it really okay for your family to marry into a middle class family?’ a reporter standing near the dais questioned.

Once he stepped in, the others too flooded Ed with multiple questions regarding Ava’s status.

Ava’s fairy-tale dream came crashing down as she heard each of their questions. Her body shuddered to the continuous voices revolving around her. She looked around the crowd and spotted Hazel waving at her.

Hazel smiled at her positively mouthing the words that it was gonna be all right. Hazel knew that she could never get to Ava through the media crowd from where she was standing but by looking at Ava she knew that her friend wasn’t all right.

By looking at Hazel’s assuring smile, Ava’s heart calmed down a bit as she build up the courage to face the reporters.

‘What is Ed gonna do?’ Hazel asked worried over the couple’s helpless situation.

‘Don’t worry, Haze! He got this’ Chris guaranteed with a calm smile on his face.

‘How can you smile at a time like this?’ Hazel asked befuddled by Chris’ aura.

As Ava stepped out to answer one of the reporters, Ed stopped her;

He turned towards the reporters and spoke out;

‘Listen up! I am gonna tell this only once and I am gonna make myself clear. Your questions were why did I go for marrying someone who didn’t have a much wealth like we did? And yeah! Someone asked something… yeah got it! What standards she met to become my wife? Is that right?’ he asked looking over to the reporters his voice thundering through the hall. His commanding tone with calm face made Ava go back a few steps in fear.

‘The answer is pretty simple! I am glad to have met all the standards to be accepted by my only love and I am the one who is lucky here! And thanks to you all…I remembered something!’ he stopped as he turned to face Ava.

‘Ava…I never really thanked you properly for accepting me. I know I am a man with lot of flaws and yet a perfect girl like you decided to accept me and do the honours of being my wife and I am really thankful for that and…I love you and promise to always love you’ he finished as he looked into her eyes not wavering off even for a second.

Ava’s eyes overflowed with tears as she leaped into Ed’s arms filled with happiness.

As she pulled back from him, Ed signalled to the people standing near the stage to bring the rings.

‘Anymore questions?’ he asked turning towards the reporters who were all silenced from his reply.

As the rings were brought over, Ed and Ava took the rings in their hands and just as Ed was about to place the ring on her right hand, he stopped.

He searched through the crowd to find Chris and as he found both Chris and Hazel standing among the guests in a distance, he signalled them to join them on the dais.

The couple looked at each other not knowing what to do as the entire hall’s eyes were on them as Ed and Ava kept calling them up on the dais.

‘I guess the Richardson’s heir and Finch’s heir seem to be in good relationship’ a reporter whispered over to another who immediately jotted it down in his notepad.

Chris and Hazel had no choice but walk over to Ed and Ava.

As the couple exchanged rings the guests cheered lifting their glasses toasting to the new couple.

‘That was tiring!’ Hazel exclaimed as Chris unlocked his car in the parking lot.

‘Sure was! But I kinda feel sad’ he told opening the door for her.

Hazel gave him a puzzled look.

‘Soon Ed is gonna get married and his life will turn into living hell’ he said laughing.

‘Oh so you are meaning to say that if a person gets married his life will turn out to be hell?’ she asked glaring at him.

‘Yeah..! His life will totally be filled only with commitments’ he answered unaware that Hazel was heating up with anger next to him.

‘So you will feel the same way when we…’ she stopped as she realized the next words that were gonna come out of her mouth.

‘When we… what?’ he asked turning to look at her with a coy smile on his face.

‘Not…’ she stopped as Chris’ phone rang again.

‘Just a sec’ he said getting down from the car.

‘Mr. Finch?’ a voice called out as he received the call.

‘Yeah..?’

‘How long are we supposed to hold Edwin under custody?’ the person asked in a low voice.

‘Oh I totally forgot to inform you! Let him go!’ Chris answered calmly.

‘Mr. Finch, are you sure?’ the person asked confused by Chris’ order.

‘Yeah, let him go! In fact, just drop him home’ Chris said disconnecting the call.

‘Then why did he ask us to get hold of him in the first place?’ the person wondered as he ordered his men to release Edwin and take him home safely.