ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴘᴏᴠ

𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳

♛♛♛

Time could be cruel when you wanted it to go by fast.

But when the time is most right, it will go by too fast, only then do you want it to go slow.

It never works out either way.

And much for Hazel, these past three weeks have been hell.

Life was much the same. Study, work, eat, sleep, repeat. Of course, there were mini engagements in between periods, for example, some of Hazel's sleepless nights where her parents were obnoxious and uncaring.

Another example was that some nights she would spend with her two new friends, well not very new now. Both Trace'aline and Gracie have been keeping Hazel company, going out for dinner or having a late-night shopping spree.

They even visited her at lunch, once.

Percy was someone she hasn't seen for a while. Probably since the day they had lunch. She was concerned, maybe he had gotten sick or maybe he'd gone on a vacation. She didn't know.

Only last night had Hazel eaten dinner with her favourite old couple, also known as the owners of her only very favourite chocolate shop.

But with all of these distractions, never once has Hazel not thought about Julius. Her best friend and hopeless crush.

It's been about exactly three weeks since she's seen him and he was due to be back anytime soon. After dropping her home that night, she made him promise to call or at least text her once.

He didn't.

Assuming he was too busy, she dusted it off only this once.

But she couldn't help to think if he had even thought of her then. If he hadn't texted then that meant her name hadn't crossed his mind when he raced through hers every damn second.

If that was the case, then she was going to force her stupid attraction down her throat and keep it locked away for good. She couldn't have false hopes when she already had enough to worry about.

Flowers of different kinds passed by her on her journey to wherever she was to go. Going for a walk meant travelling to the furthest place away from your home.

It was getting dark, the evening was struck. The pale pinks and purples, mixed with the pastel blue. The sun was down but still there to make the light stay just a smidgeon.

She sang under breath, her earphones blasting the steady music at a volume enough to make your eardrums burst.

Hazel never cared. As long as she couldn't hear the outside world was all that mattered, even the consequences of developing hearing aids.

A gentle breeze was at her arms and her legs. Bare underneath her clothes, her skin soaked with bumps from the cool air.

She came to a halt at the edge of the road, waiting for the cars to pass, and in the process, she took a look about at her surroundings. Her legs appeared to have carried her to the far end of the town square, which was famed for its more luxurious structures.

In front of her was a popular but what she'd like to call uptight, venue. It was a place for the rich and privileged, but also where multiple business meetings would be attended at.

Hazel wouldn't have crossed the street if it weren't for who she saw come out of that building, standing with lots of other men even one woman.

It was as if she were compelled, possessed even. Her eyes trained on his clad body in a white dress shirt with the first few buttons undone, low black dress pants on the torso of his body and the long coat draped over his shoulder as he lit a cigarette.

The path had become increasingly crowded as her steps were paused every two seconds to avoid colliding with someone. But she kept her gaze fixed on him so she wouldn't lose his vision.

Due to the man next to him speaking quietly into his ear, his head lifted from the ground, and those silver eyes met hers, and she gasped. The moment vanished as quickly as it came when a man walked directly in front of her view of him and collided with her, knocking the possession from her body.

He muttered an unfelt apology before running off behind her. Hazel stepped onto the edge of the curb on the tips of her toes, looking for him.

Did she imagine him? She frowned looking all around the area and not seeing a single male in sight that looked even like a replica of him.

Oh gosh, she was losing it now.

Her feet were aching from the tense position, so she dropped them right away, only to regret it after. She lost her balance, stumbling back onto the busy road, and just as a car speeding down the street was about to hit her, a strong hold on her arm yanked her off the road and back onto the curb.

In shock, Hazel screamed and covered her ears as the person held her tightly to their body.

"Jesus, Hazel." The deep growl reverberated through her, bouncing against their chest and radiating through her. But it wasn't that that drew her attention; it was the emotionless voice she was all too familiar with.

"Julius." She let out a shaky breath. He clenched his jaw and gripped her waist, twisting her around so that his back was to the road. She took a step back, startled, but kept her hands on his biceps, which she had been gripping onto for dear life.

"I'm sorry," She blushed, looking behind him at the road. "Thank you, as well." She rushed out and dragged a hand through her hair. He didn't respond, instead, his eyes dragged over her body, searching for injuries.

"You hurt?" He asked firmly, his hand still lingering on her waist and subtly rubbing his thumb up and down her hip. She gulped, only now feeling the scorching touch. "No. I'm okay, are you okay? You're not hurt are you?"

Hazel frantically searched his clothed self and then looked up to his face, any sign to indicate he was in pain. Instead, he did the opposite and let out a short, unbelievable chuckle that seemed more like a puff of air.

"Come here." He demanded, opening his arms and she grinned. Her arms wrapped lightly around his waist and her head was buried amongst his chest.

Breathing a sigh of amazement, she blinked at his biceps that were strained against the sleeves of his shirt.

"I can't believe I nearly died." She stared openly at the arm, suddenly missing the tattoos and scars on his skin. His hand on her lower back tightened the slightest and she felt him shake his head. "What were you even doing?"

She smiled. "Looking for you."

Another scoff was released as if he couldn't believe it. Hazel tightened her hold around him as his warmth radiated onto her. His body was like a blanket.

"You almost got hit by a car because you were looking for me." He turned her head away from his chest. The chill of his fingertips burned the skin under her chin, his intense eyes directly stared into hers.

A breathy laugh escaped her lips, her eyes moving carefully to his own lips and to his nose and then back to his eyes. "I guess I did."

The muscle in his jaw popped and his head dipped down slightly, enough for her to smell the caressing mint and cologne on him. "But you won't do it again, hm?" He traced the curve of her cheekbone, observant of his movements.

She swallowed and nodded. "I won't."

Humming in approval, he dipped his head to her ear, light brushes of his hair tickled her skin whilst his cool breath caressed her. "Good girl." He murmured, his lips skimming beneath her jaw and gently applying pressure before removing them, as well as his touch.

Standing straight, he moved himself and the overly stunned girl away from the crowded street and near the building.

"What are you doing out here?" He questioned, leaving Hazel in front of him as he propped a foot to the brick wall behind him and leaned against his.

"Why didn't you tell me you were back in town?" She propped a hand on her hip, needless to say, she wasn't too happy with him but was actually ecstatic to have him back all at the same time.

He stared at her intensely. The gaze was enough to have her squirm uncomfortably and all angry emotion was demolished under his intimidating, powerful self.

"I only got back. Just finished a meeting." He nodded above him to the building. Hazel's lips parted and her head nodded, but still, was not satisfied.

"I was just going for a walk. Lost track of time I guess." She said, replying to his question quietly. Looking anywhere but him.

"What's wrong?" He asked, leaning off the wall and shoving his hands inside his pockets. The wind slightly picked up for a moment, lightly brushing his hair down and opening his collar a touch.

"You didn't call." She stared at the tattoo under his collarbone. "Or text." Now, glancing to his eyes without hesitance.

The man exhaled a breath and looked to the side, his side portfolio perfectly memorising her and anyone around. "I'm new to this Hazel." He stated emotionlessly. "So, am I." She honestly said, reaching a step forward and his head snapped back down to her.

"It's okay." She smiled, crossing her hands behind her back. "You don't have to call or text me, I just wanted to know if you were okay."

Suddenly, Hazel was pulled to his chest. Abruptly, she looked up in shock and watched his silver eyes cloud. "I will next time." He whispered, hands wrapped around her wrists that lead to her hands resting on his clothed chest.

"Promise?" She smiled, lifting her pinky in front of his chest. He contemplated but lifted his much larger finger, looping it with hers. "Promise." He declared.

She smiled and pecked their looped fingers, casually unlooping them and stepping away from his hold. Little did she know what that careless kiss did to him.

"Come on, you have to tell me all about the places you visited." She grinned and held out her open hand. "Having the privilege to travel comes with its cons, such as me buggering you with ten million questions."

Rolling his eyes, he stepped beside her and took her hand.

♛♛♛

"Woah, Julius, you're pretty famous huh?" She giggled and rested her hands under her chin.

"Known." He affirmed tonelessly.

"Nuh-ah, you're one hundred per cent famous." She lifted her finger teasingly and swirled it around in the air. "You're just a famous multi-billionaire businessman." Grinning, she looked up at him from under her lashes and tilted her head.

"How come someone like you is best friends with someone like me?" She whispered, curiosity shimmering in her eyes.

He leaned forward on her desk chair, staring deeply into her warm eyes. "Someone like you?" He repeated. She hummed.

"Un-known."

He shook his head slowly. Reaching his hand forward and caressing her cheek. "It's better that way." He matched her quiet tone, absorbed in her everything. "Maybe you're right," She smiled gently, leaning into his touch.

"I have you now. So it doesn't matter."

He blinked, looking up at her. She did the same. Both pairs traped between each other, both unaware of the strong connection forming between them. Well, it was formed, it was just growing stronger.

Before anything else was said or done, a phone rang and recognising that it wasn't Hazel's overly obsessed ringtone, it was the simple boring one of Julius's.

Picking it up, he didn't remove his eyes from her as it was pressed against his ear. Hazel became distracted instantly, her fingers playing with the cross symbol indented on his arm. Her brows furrowed as she felt an actual dent behind it in the same shape.

What the heck?

Another scar. Just tattooed on top in its same shape.

"Give me an hour." He stated with a firmness that had Hazel feeling bad for the person on the other side hearing the demand. His tone was different from what he used with her, it was less caring and more...harsh.

The phone was tossed back into his pocket and he stood up, Hazel followed.

"You're leaving?" She questioned, coming in front of him.

He nodded once, running a heavy hand through his thick hair. Hazel rocked back on her heels and tucked her hands behind her back.

"Well—

"I'm going into the city tomorrow. You want to come?"

Surprised, Hazel couldn't help but stifle a smile. "Sure, I haven't been for years."

He nodded and tucked a hand into his pocket. "Do you have school?"

A giggle escaped her lips and she stepped closer with her hand over her mouth, Julius staring at her almost mesmerised by the sight.

"It's Saturday, Juls." She shook her head with amusement glinting in her eyes. He cleared his throat and nodded, looking up. "Right."

"I'll pick you up in the morning. Is nine okay?"

"Perfect." She grinned and looked down at his shoes.

"Could we maybe take the train? I know you would drive us there but I've always loved the train rides." She rambled, hopefully. "Whatever you want, Hazel." He said sincerely with his head lowered, looking at her through the small cracks of his lids.

Glancing up, she caught his eyes and blushed deeply. Lifting an arm, she pulled her shoulder up to her ears and shrugged.

"Goodbye hug?"

A muscle in his jaw moved and he nodded. This time, Julius bent down and wrapped his arms below her waist lightly, while little Hazel hugged her arms around his neck.

His scent lingered in her nose, the smell now comforting and everything all peaceful. His hugs were always heartwarming, always so secure and calm as if no harm could come her way.

That was probably why she clung onto him like a sloth every time he tried to make a move to pull away. But he never did, not fully. Always, he waited until she was ready.

Sighing silently, she moved away and sunk back down onto her feet. Hands lingering on his biceps clad in his black, long coat.

"Have a good night, Juls." She said, watching him step out of her bedroom doorway. He paused before he could take another step, he turned around slowly and stepped forward placing a hand behind her back and pressing his soft lips to her hair.

"Night, angel."

With those last words whispered in her hair, she watched him step down the stairs in long strides that were deemed to be tall and brooding, her heart pounded just a second more and that connection grew just a centimetre long.