Chris And Hazel - Volume 1 Chapter 46 45

There you are! I was just about to call you’ Chris said putting his phone down on the table as he saw Hazel enter the house.

‘I ran late at Ava’s house. I will be ready in 20, we will leave for dinner after that’ Hazel answered walking towards the stairs, avoiding him. It was evident that she didn’t want to look at Chris.

‘Hazel…’ Chris was stopped as his phone rang.

He answered the phone after picking it up from the table.

‘Yes Steve?’ he said as he watched her rush upstairs.

‘Mr. Finch, we got the information you asked us for! Over the past three years, Grayson’s lifestyle didn’t change much. He hadn’t changed any of his working staff and didn’t start any new business. Last year he happened to sign a contract with the Richardson’s automobiles which was signed by Edward’s father Mr. George Richardson. Edwin is the one who till covers up all his shady involving Grayson. But recently he changed his lawyer, just a few months back. He had the previous lawyer for over fifteen years but for no valid reason, fired him and hired another guy who was just an assistant lawyer for the previous one’ the person informed as Chris listened carefully.

‘Ok continue to keep an eye on Edwin and try and find out why Grayson changed his legal lawyer in a hurry and send over the details’ Chris said and hung up the call before running up the stairs.

‘Hazel?’ he called out knocking on her door.

‘Yeah, come on in’ she answered on hearing his voice.

‘Trouble in friendship paradise?’ he asked as he entered the room. She was standing in front of the dressing table getting ready as he let himself in.

‘Yeah…I fought with Charlotte’ she responded her eyes still on the mirror.

Well the point was, she was still angry on Chris but at the same time couldn’t ignore him either.

‘It was about her boyfriend, wasn’t it?’ he asked guessing the only obvious explanation there has to be.

‘…Yeah!’ she answered sighing as she made her way towards him.

‘How about you invite her over for dinner with us?’ Chris suggested looking at her sullen face.

‘Really..? You don’t mind?’ she asked lightening up on hearing his idea.

‘Of course not, stupid! Plus how could I enjoy the dinner if you sit there sulking over the fight you had with you soul bestie’ he joked trying to brighten the atmosphere.

‘Thank you’ she said smiling lightly.

‘Anytime..! Now call her and ask whether she is free or not’ he told her glad that he could help her.

‘Okk and bottom line just because you helped me out here doesn’t mean that the things between us have been straightened out, ok?’ she said reminding him about the incident that afternoon.

‘Yeah…I get it’ he answered pressing his lips together. He was really hoping that she would let that go. He had no idea why she was angry on him. Was it because he didn’t propose? Well, he knew Hazel wasn’t that Childish but what was it? He just couldn’t guess anything.

“And I thought she forgot all about it” Chris thought to himself as he watched her trying to find her phone.

‘Hey…’ Hazel said as Charlotte answered her phone.

‘Haze..? Are you still mad?’ Charlotte asked as Hazel’s voice sounded distant.

‘…Charlotte…can you join us for dinner tonight… you know, if you are free?’ Hazel asked in a low voice.

Just from her tone Charlotte was able to understand how angry Hazel was.

‘Sure, just text me the details’ she said accepting the offer gladly as it seemed the only possible way to convince Hazel and the others.

Today, she reached Ed’s house by evening in order to help Ava unpack. As she entered she noticed Hazel sitting in the living room lost in her thoughts, she seemed to be recalling something and Ava was inside the room unpacking. Once Hazel noticed Charlotte both of them went in to help Ava. While they were still in the middle of the process, Hazel couldn’t ignore the elephant in the room and hence asked Charlotte right away whether it was true that she was in a relationship that they didn’t know about.

Charlotte couldn’t deny the obvious and Hazel was totally hurt when she saw Charlotte nod in acceptance. She couldn’t take in the fact that her best friend hid something like this from her. Hazel didn’t say a word more. Neither did she or Ava ask Charlotte anything about that nor did Charlotte feel the need to explain to them. It got late and Hazel left saying that she had to join Chris for dinner and waved Ava bye. Though Ava didn’t say much to Charlotte she felt bad too. Charlotte left the place and returned home guilt-ridden.

Charlotte felt guilty for having hid something this big from them but at the same time she couldn’t get herself to explain it to them. What will she say to them? That she was dating Ryan’s brother? And Ryan too didn’t have any idea about this? They were already together for more than a year now and all her attempts failed when she tried to talk about it to Hazel. When Ryan and Hazel were kinda going out they were about to tell them but it backfired when Hazel told Ryan she didn’t like him back.

‘Bye Haz…’ But within Charlotte could complete her sentence Hazel hung up.

‘She’s really angry this time!’ Charlotte said placing her phone down. She was thinking of ways she could make it up to them for having lied for a really long time but couldn’t think of any.

‘Whoa! You are really angry this time’ Chris commented as he saw Hazel throw her phone on the bed.

‘I still can’t believe she hid it from me’ Hazel said still not ready to take in the fact that Charlotte was in a secret relationship.

‘What do you know about this guy?’ she asked turning to face Chris who was still trying to figure out the reason why she was mad at him.

‘Not much..! When my men followed Charlotte, they happened to find out that she had been going out with a guy often and he happened to be her colleague, that’s it!’ he answered recalling the information he got.

‘Ok…did you check in with Ava and Ed? Are they free?’ she asked her mind still occupied with the whole Charlotte thing.

‘Just a minute’ he said dialing Ed.

‘Hey Chris..!’ Ed answered receiving the call.

‘Ed, are you free?’

‘Not really! I promised Ava that I will take her out for dinner tonight’ Ed answered as he looked up at Ava who was waiting for him outside their car.

‘Great! We are going too. How about you guys join us?’ Chris offered on hearing his reply.

‘I mean only if you guys don’t mind’ he added as Ed was silent on hearing his offer.

‘Idiot..! Where did you learn to talk like this? Of course we’ll be there! Text me the details’ he answered chuckling a little on hearing Chris talk formally.

‘They are coming’ Chris said looking at Hazel.

‘Cool! Let’s go and yeah what about the kids?’ she asked suddenly remembering that they will have to be alone at home if they leave now.

‘I asked mom to watch them till we return’ he answered her as he grabbed the car keys from the living room.

‘Hazel?’ Chris called out as they were on their way to the restaurant.

‘Yeah..?’ she asked looking out of the window.

‘This might make you angrier but I really need to know this. So please listen patiently’ he said trying to diffuse the situation but when there was no reply form her side he was certain that a storm was brewing inside her.

‘Why are you angry on me?’ he asked building up the courage.

‘…I thought you will understand’ she replied looking at him.

‘How am I supposed to understand if you don’t tell me?’ he questioned frowning a little at her willful answer.

‘The same way you want me to understand the things you don’t tell me but expect me to’ she answered holding a sarcastic smile on her face.

‘So that’s the reason’ he said finally understanding why his love was angry on him.

‘Are you laughing?’ she asked stunned by his reaction towards it.

‘Haze, you are being childish here!’ he said stopping the car nearby.

‘That’s ok! I am okay with acting like this if it means that you will start explaining things’ she said unyielding to his words.

‘Fine, listen then! There is only one reason why I don’t bother explaining things to you and expect you to understand’ he said turning to face her side.

‘Why..?’ she asked filled with curiosity but managed to exhibit a calm face.

‘That’s because you UNDERSTAND!’ he explained.

‘That’s it?’ she asked fighting back a smile.

“Well he does have a point! And this guy always knows the right thing to say” she told herself as he looked at her.

‘Well…what if I presume wrongly?’ she asked still not wanting to give in.

‘If you didn’t understand properly then nothing would have worked out between us Haze and you know that! The only reason our relationship worked out was because you always understood my silence better than anyone. Remember the conversation we had years ago? I had never had a confusing conversation with anyone in my entire life. After going home, I was sure that I messed things up and that probably would be our last meet but it wasn’t. You got the point that I would be back for you…I mean who gets that? Whenever I do something you always know the reason I do that and even if you don’t you TRUST ME! So now stop messing with your mind and relax, ok?’ he said trying to help her relax and hoping to be forgiven too.

‘…I am sorry! It’s just that I was thinking too much I guess!’ she answered apologizing after listening to his explanation. Though Chris was considerate and didn’t blame her here, she kinda felt that she failed him as she didn’t understand such an obvious fact and fought with him over such a silly thing.

‘I know you have been thinking about Grayson and that’s the reason why you keep troubling yourself. Trust me! He’s not something you should worry about, and it’s no big deal’ he said comforting her.

She nodded at him finally having cleared her mind after he mentioned Grayson.

‘It’s taking ages. When will they come here?’ Hazel asked as she looked up at the time on her mobile’s screen sitting at the restaurant.

‘Haze, relax! It’s just been ten minutes since we have been here and you have already looked at the time four times’ Chris said looking at her bothered face.

Within Hazel could respond, Ed and Ava walked in.

‘We are here!’ Ava announced as she and Ed reached the table.

‘Finally..! We have been waiting for a long time’ Hazel cried out delighted to see them.

‘Really..?’ Ed asked on hearing her whine.

‘Not really..!’ Chris whispered as he sat next to him.

‘So what’s the occasion?’ Ed asked breaking the silence once they have settled in.

‘We are waiting for you little sis’ Chris answered pointing out to the serious expression in both Ava’s and Hazel’s face.

‘Oh really..? Char is coming?’ Ed asked surprised.

‘Yeah..! Charlotte is coming!’ Hazel answered looking at him her face blank as a cloudless sky.

‘Oh boy..! Charlotte?! What did she do now?’ Ed asked concerned as he turned to look at Chris.

‘You sis got a boyfriend’ Chris answered enlightening him.

‘WHAT?’ he screamed on hearing the news. The people sitting in the nearby tables turned to look at their table hearing the sudden commotion.

‘Did she tell you guys?’ Ed asked in a low voice trying to not grab any more attention.

‘Nope’ Ava answered rolling her eyes annoyed.

‘Let that brat come’ Ed said fuming with rage. He certainly didn’t expect to hear such news. He did know eventually there will come a day like this where he’ll have to meet Charlotte’s boyfriend but right now? It wasn’t what he expected and moreover it was a Secret one too!

‘Sorry I am late’ Charlotte said reaching their table.

As she reached she could see feel the heated gazes of the three seated in the table. Right away she knew except Chris everyone else didn’t take the news too well.

‘Look guys I know you all are really angry with me but please let me explain, ok?’ she asked pleading for a chance to explain.

‘You got thirty seconds, explain yourself!’ Ed said glaring at her.

‘The reason why I didn’t tell you guys…’ she stopped as her phone rang.

‘Not a good time so…’ she whispered to the person on the other line as she answered the call.

But within she could finish her sentence she felt a familiar silhouette standing behind her.

‘Oh god..!’ she told herself closing her eyes tightly, afraid of the consequences that are gonna unfold in a few minutes.

‘Hey everyone..! I am Charlotte’s boyfriend, William Anderson!’ a guy introduced walking past Charlotte to face the others seated in the table.

‘What part of “Not a good time” did you not understand?’ Charlotte asked closing in to William.

‘I was already here when I called you’ he answered throwing her a deprecatory smile.

‘Guys, this is William! My boyfriend’ she introduced turning to face everyone.

‘Anderson?’ Hazel questioned growing suspicious as he seemed familiar too.

‘…He’s Ryan’s older brother’ Charlotte answered clearing their suspicions.

‘No wonder he looks familiar’ Ava commented as she looked at William.

‘Charlotte…I kinda feel uncomfortable the way everyone is looking at me’ William said leaning towards Charlotte as he smiled nervously at everyone.

‘They aren’t looking…they are staring at you and get used to it because it will constant till we leave’ she answered still trying to find the right way to explain things to everyone.

‘We can explain’ William said looking over at everyone before they could misunderstand further.

‘Sit! We can order dinner first and then listen to your explanation’ Hazel said calming down a little.

William and Charlotte sat beside them and once the order was given all the four turned towards them waiting for an explanation.

‘Chris…your phone has been buzzing like crazy’ Ed said looking over at his phone.

‘It’s just some details I asked Steve to send over. I will have a look at it later’ Chris answered as he put his phone in silent mode.

‘See guys, previously I had no idea that William was Ryan’s brother in fact I didn’t even know that Ryan had an older brother. They studied in different universities. Remember the company I worked for? He was working there as a part-time consultant’ she paused to look at everyone’s expression but she was quite relieved to see that they were listening deeply.

‘It was hard to make her fall in love with me. To be honest, it was very hard to get her to accept me as a friend yet alone boyfriend’ William continued as Charlotte paused.

‘That sounds like Charlotte’ Ava commented letting out a chuckle.

‘But why didn’t you tell us someone was pursuing you?’ Hazel asked interrupting before they could go on.

‘I didn’t know he was trying to pursue me either. We had to attend certain business meetings and once in a while some friendly dinners but he was so sneaky and I didn’t know when I fell in love and in fact the way I accepted him…trust me guys, you don’t wanna know!’ she explained warning them about her unique love story.

‘…Why didn’t you tell us after that?’ Ed asked finally breaking his silence.

‘Well…William quit his job in my company in a few days after we became official and went overseas regarding his new job and once he returned we wanted to tell you guys but that was when both Chris and Ryan came into the picture’ Charlotte answered looking over at Chris.

Chris almost choked on his drink when he heard her mention Ryan.

‘We thought you and Ryan would get together as Chris was married and planned to tell you guys once you became official. We were actually very certain that things would work out between you both as you guys clicked so well’ Charlotte continued looking at Hazel.

Hazel sneaked a peek at Chris and knew right away from his darkened expression that he was upset to hear Charlotte say something like that.

‘And after all that we just couldn’t get ourselves to tell you’ Charlotte finished throwing an apologetic look at everyone.

‘Whatever the reason was you shouldn’t have hidden anything from us Char’ Hazel said after thinking for a while.

‘That’s it, she’s forgiven’ Ava murmured smiling as she heard Hazel.

‘I know guys! I am really sorry, I will make it up to you guys but please don’t be angry on me any more’ she begged as guilt washed over her face.

‘We are still a little hurt you kept it away from us but we aren’t angry anymore’ Ava replied feeling bad as she looked at Charlotte’s distressed face.

‘Ed I am really sorry! I didn’t mean anything from this. You have been really quiet and I know you are still angry with me for keeping it from you’ Charlotte said looking at her brother who was sitting there quietly observing everything.

‘Let’s talk later Charlotte!’ he said unwilling to talk further.

“Shoot! He’s never forgiving me” Charlotte confirmed as she looked at her brother’s clouded face.

‘Guys calm down! I don’t think Charlotte meant to keep it away from us. She just didn’t find the right time. And if you guys really think that she wanted to keep it as a secret then why do you think she came clean now? If she really wanted to keep us in the dark she could’ve easily denied and let the problem go but she didn’t so just forgive her this time. And I know you all aren’t angry on her too so quit acting and talk to her!’ Chris spoke up as there was quiet awkward atmosphere revolving around them once Ed finished.

‘Fine let’s put this behind for now and enjoy the dinner’ Hazel spoke up after listening to Chris as she smiled at Charlotte letting her know that she was forgiven.

‘Finally..! I thought it was going to take ages!’ William exclaimed sighing a heave of relief.

‘Yeah me too..!’ Charlotte replied contentedly.

‘It was nice meeting you Mr. Anderson’ Chris said standing in the parking lot with William while the others were still on the way.

‘You too Mr. Finch..! It was a pleasure!’ William replied smiling back at him.

‘And thank you for joining us for dinner’ Chris said as Hazel walked over to join their conversation.

‘No I should thank you…you know for helping us out earlier’ William answered smiling gratefully at him.

‘You are part of our circle now so don’t mention it’ Chris replied on hearing his polite reply.

‘And thank you Ms. White for understanding’ he said turning to face Hazel.

‘That’s ok Mr. Anderson! Let’s just put the past behind us’ she answered smiling at him.

‘Ready to go..?’ Ed asked walking over to them as Ava and Charlotte followed him.

‘Yeah’ Chris nodded at him.

‘Come on Charlotte I will drop you’ William said looking over at Charlotte who was standing next to Ava.

Charlotte nodded faintly as she looked at Ed’s reaction before nodding at him.

‘Charlotte, go ahead and wait in his car. I have something to tell William’ Ed said as William and Charlotte was about to walk away.

“I have a bad feeling about this” the girls thought at the same time looking at Ed’s expression.

The girls left to their respective cars leaving the guys behind hoping for things to ease up.

‘Don’t worry Mr. Richardson I won’t hurt your sister. I promise!’ William said within Ed could speak up.

‘I know! My sister is not dumb. She won’t fall for someone who isn’t worthy. I trust her decision and if you have any stupid ideas quit it right here’ Ed replied in a calm voice but with a murderous look.

‘I won’t find a girl, like Charlotte and I am not a fool to let her go either so, don’t worry Mr. Richardson!’ he assured smiling confidently at Ed.

‘I hope so too! Drive safe!’ Ed said turning away from him to look at Chris.

‘Good night Mr. Finch and Mr. Richardson’ he said waving them goodbye.

‘He’s a good guy Ed’ Chris said as they made their way back to their car.

‘I know but I have to perform my duty as an older brother’ Ed replied laughing.

‘Ok…ok I get it! Good night Ed’ Chris said laughing at him as he bid him goodbye.

‘Yeah Bye..!’ Ed waved back leaving.

Chris took out his phone and saw that he had missed many calls from Steve. Just as he was about to call him back he received a call from Steve.

‘Steve? Is everything ok?’ Chris asked answering the call.

‘Mr. Finch, we found the reason why Grayson hired a new lawyer. Recently he got in trouble as one of his customers reported against his company’s product. All evidences were against him and people were sure to sue his company but it was this lawyer who turned the case around and won Grayson’s case. The biggest turning point was that he proved all the evidences in the customer’s side were false and put that guy behind bars proving Grayson was not guilty. Since he was very talented and stuff Grayson promoted him and fired his previous lawyer’ Steve expounded.

‘So…we have to watch out for him in case we attack Grayson legally?’ Chris asked growing serious on hearing him explain.

‘Yes! I am afraid so’ came his reply.

‘Fine, have his details sent over, I will have a look at it’ Chris said as he knew things weren’t as easy as he thought it would be.

‘I already did Mr. Finch’ he answered and when Chris said he will have a look and reach him back, hung up the call.

Chris opened the file that was sent over to go through the details;

He froze at the sight of the lawyer’s name.

‘William Anderson? Oh crap!’