ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴘᴏᴠ

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯

♛♛♛

Early the next morning, Hazel woke up at a time that she most definitely wouldn't wake up on her day off from school and work.

So, certainly, rising at 7 a.m. on a free Saturday morning was considered obscene. Her body, on the other hand, awoke on its own, and the continual reminder that she was heading out of town for the day with her current best friend and also current hopeless crush.

Hazel was a lot more jittery today. When she was out with friends, it took her a bit to warm up, and Julius was the only one who didn't make her uneasy. Today, though, was different.

Last night, a dream occurred to her, one that wasn't particularly familiar or had ever been conceded. Even thinking about it made her squirm. Everything was magnified and heated. The sounds, feelings, and sensations.

Never, ever, Trevor has Hazel had a wet dream.

Especially not one of him.

And now it made the whole morning encounter significantly awkward for her.

The dream wasn't at all bad not in the sense of actually becoming intimate but it was just her and him kissing, making out to be exact.

But wow, if she was being honest, it was a girls' dream to have dreamt of their crush kissing them.

Regardless, Hazel was going to do her best to function normally. It was the most she could do for herself, although she had no control over her cheeks turning beet red.

Hazel had brushed her teeth and completed her basic skincare routine. She'd changed into her normal attire, baggy jeans and an oversized shirt, and slipped into her pale pink ugg boots for the time being.

Julius' necklace was still on her neck, and she hadn't taken it off since he gave it to her. She rubbed moisturiser onto her hands before slipping many rings onto her fingers. The day, from what Hazel could tell, wasn't going to be all sunshine and heat; in fact, it was going to be quite the opposite.

Looking out her window, she noticed both her parents' cars pull out of the driveway and onto the street, interrupting her stream of thinking. That was her cue to go downstairs, knowing they'd left and she wouldn't have to engage with them.

Breakfast wasn't a daily thing. If she had time to eat she would, if she didn't then her stomach would have to wait until lunch.

Since Hazel doesn't eat it that often, she looked between the old looking banana or the large, raspberry muffin on the kitchen counter. Picking the banana up, she inspected it carefully and peeled it open.

Immediately she cringed at the rotten smell, but also at the brown/purple colour.

"You better not eat that." A deep voice had said from behind her, making her jump and drop the mouldy banana on the counter.

"Juls!" She said surprised looking behind him with her hand over her heart. "I didn't hear you come in," She grumbled, facing him startled.

Julius ignored her and moved up to her, stepping squarely in front of her, reaching an arm behind her waist, and grabbing the rotten banana by its peel.

He tossed it in the bin next to them and grabbed the raspberry muffin, sandwiching it between their bodies.

"You would've gotten food poisoning."

She huffed out a breath and shook her head, taking the muffin and absorbing a large bite.

"Ello' to woe too," She covered her mouth as she muffled the words that jumbled. He smirked lightly and stepped back.

"Ready?"

"Mhm, let me grab my purse."

Hazel dashed up the stairs, slammed her door open, and snatched up her brown tote bag. Running back down the steps, she tripped on the last but miraculously fell into Julius' arms, turning her bright crimson with shame.

"Sorry," She climbed up on her feet, still clutching his arms to keep from falling, and his own hands were tightly holding her waist.

"Clumsy," He rolled his eyes and wrapped his arm around her loosely while she got to her feet. Hazel takes the initiative and leads them out of the home, her cheeks still flushed.

Julius' sports car was parked out front, carelessly inhibiting all the other regular cars that cost a fraction of what his car did.

Hazel was unfazed by his wealth. She wasn't the type to adore or stay with someone simply because they were wealthy. His money was the least of what made her heart thump crazily for him.

He simply opened the door for her with his palm lingering on her lower back, and she slid in without any further mishaps.

Once the car was running, Julius raced down the street at his God forbidden speed Hazel was now accustomed to, though it still didn't mean she was fond of it.

Exhaling a breath, her eyes flashed to his arm resting beside her. Slowly, her eyes trailed up the tattooed sleeve and towards his appearance.

Not having noticed before, Julius was dressed...casually.

And wow, he was even more gorgeous.

His body donned a casual black t-shirt as if it had been custom-made for him. A pair of loose black jeans and sneakers to match. He looked dreamy.

She raised her eyes again, examining his relaxed yet tight features. Jaw clenched, expressing its razor-sharp cut. His flawless golden skin glistened in the morning light, and his lips were rosy and smooth.

Then there were shades covering his eyes, but she knew the silver colour underneath was vibrant and gleaming.

"What do you plan on doing?" She asked, clearing her throat as it was the slightest touch hoarse.

As he came to a complete stop at the quick red light, he looked over at her, his fingers tightened on the gear. He placed the same hand to his jaw and massaged it thoroughly.

"I've got a meeting when we first arrive. After, I'm all yours."

Slowly, a smile broke out onto her lips. Those words appeared to ignite something inside her, for her veins began to pump and her heart began to thump, oblivious to the fact that she was falling in love.

"That sounds good," She smiled as she traced her clothed thigh. When he raced down the road, he nodded, leaning back and drumming his fingers mindlessly on the steering wheel.

In twenty minutes, the two had arrived at the train station. It didn't appear to be crowded, which was beneficial to them both.

They ascended the carpeted steps, which were only three in quantity. Julius led them down the long aisle, passing a few people who had already taken their seats. Julius came to a halt on the last row, where the landscape outside was visible through the arched shaped window.

"Do you mind if I take the window seat?"

With her gaze already set outside the window, the man in front of her knew her attention was taken. Nodding, he stepped aside and allowed her to slide into the booth.

Only a few seconds after the doors had closed, the train began to move. Julius sat across from her, his attention fixed on her only.

They passed through many meadows and fields as they travelled, thoroughly displaying their town's countryside. There was beauty in every detail. Weeds and dead grass grew among the wildflowers, yet there were also fields of blossoms and enormous green trees with birds flying above.

She sighed happily. Her back pressed gently against the leather behind her, eyes now fluttering closed with a smile spread across her lips.

Memories of her childhood came flooding back and she felt her whole body consume in a state of nostalgia.

"How many times have you been to the city?" She looked back over at him, happiness bubbling all throughout her veins.

He shrugged, tilting his head to one side as he observed her with his eyes. "Too many."

She giggled at his response and looked down at her shoes. "I've only been a few times when I was a lot younger."

Sighing, she shuffled her body closer to the window and continued to peer her eyes outside.

The views were surely enough to capture her whole attention the entire train ride, obliviously oblivious to the eyes that were on her for as well, most of the train ride.

As the train made it into the city, she couldn't have been more excited. Seeing so many tall buildings and advertisements, as well as the crowds. Despite the fact that Hazel disliked crowded areas, it was nevertheless fascinating to observe from the outside.

When the train began to slow down, she flashed back to reality, recalling just who she was with. Hazel's heart sunk when she realised she hadn't spoken for the entire thirty minutes.

Just as Julius glanced up from his phone, her eyes captured his. She smiled sheepishly while picking her bag up from the ground and placing it onto her lap.

"I'm sorry if I was being rude, I can get distracted easily."

He shook his head once, slipping his phone into his pocket while standing to his feet. "I didn't mind, Hazel." She smiled at his response, leisurely standing with him too.

The bag's straps remained draped over her shoulder, and the bag itself hung loosely close to her hip. Julius extended his hand for her to accept, and she did so after taking a significant breath.

They went along the train, passing others who were staying seated or simply picking up their belongings now.

The glass doors opened and both Julius and Hazel stepped off of the train. With their hands still locked, Julius lead them both away from the station and into the main square of the city.

There were so many sights to see, so many enormous things to take in, she was wholly consumed by it. Her limbs became jumbled once more, and she nearly fell to the ground when her foot hit a break in the ground.

Julius grasped her in time, his jaw straining as he shook his head amusedly at her. As he straightened her back to her feet, he muttered into her hair, "I might as well carry you."

She looped her arm around his instead of his hand, an embarrassed smile on her face. "I think this is safer." She muttered as she moved closer to him to avoid an approaching man.

When she looked back up at him, she caught sight of the slight twitch of his lips before they remained back into a straight line. His arm tightened around hers and they began walking again.

As they progressed, it appeared that the crowded paths became less crowded. Hazel's gaze darted from store to store, building to building, but she didn't linger on any of them for any more than ten seconds.

Once Julius stopped walking to open a door, she had finally lured her eyes away from their surroundings.

In front of her stood another tall building. A fancy one by the looks of it.

As they strolled through the sliding doors, a fairly massive man in a pressed suit lowered his head down and did not glance up at the two who entered through.

Her attention followed the velvety red carpet's line of length and noted how it came to a halt just outside the golden elevator's metres ahead. Her mouth fell open as she realised how expensive and elegant it was, and all the well-dressed people inside made her feel uneasy about the lack of her own attire.

Catching her off guard, Julius swapped her arm for her hand, walking them both to the reception.

He, too, was underdressed, she realised. He did manage to look effortlessly handsome in everything, so she was sure it was a problem for him.

Behind the counter stood a woman. Blonde hair tight in a bun at the top of her head, bright red lipstick stained on her big lips, and makeup was so professionally done Hazel could only wish she had skills as good as her.

The woman blankly gazed up from her computer screen when she heard someone approaching, but her stare quickly changed to shock, and she abruptly stood. She smiled up at them, dusting down her pencil skirt and flattening her blouse.

The woman's demeanour appeared to go from bored to extremely anxious. She gave him a smile and spoke with her hand behind her back.

"What can I do for you, Mr Santo?"

And her voice was husky. A feminine husky that was.

Hazel quickly became distracted by the bowl of chocolates sitting behind the counter.

Oh, how she'd kill to have chocolate right now.

"Let them know I'm on my way." His voice was powerful and strong, leaving your legs to shake with fear.

The woman hurriedly nodded and took the receptionist's telephone, her manicured nails quickly clicking the digits on the pad.

Hazel's voice spoke up and brought the woman and the man to a halt before she could dial or Julius could guide them away.

"Um, sorry to bother you. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind me taking one of your chocolates?" She mumbled and pointed a finger at the bowl beside her desk.

The lady stared at her, her brows raised, the phone paused midway in the air, aiming to her ear.

The woman then looked at Julius, her mouth forming an O as she struggled to come up with a response.

Julius extended his arm over the counter, picked up the bowl of chocolates, and placed it in front of Hazel, rolling his silver eyes at the woman.

"Take as much as you want." He said, his gaze fixed on her. Hazel flushed, as she always does, and began selecting three options.

One caramel, one milk chocolate, and one strawberry.

With utter happiness, she nodded at him to imply she was done, and he passed the bowl back over the counter.

"Thank you!" She smiled at the female who was watching them with shock.

But after one look from Julius, she lowered her gaze and resumed her focus on the phone call she was supposed to make.

He escorted her to the golden elevators with his hand still in hers, while she debated which chocolate to eat first.

She drifted back to the front of the elevator after hearing a low pitched noise. The elevator was darkly ornamented on the inside. The walls were oak brown, the numbers were black, and when he pressed the number 12 button, it lit up in silver.

Smiling, Hazel released her hand from his and began unwrapping the strawberry-filled chocolate.

"Did you want one?" Hazel shifted her gaze to him, her hand halfway inside her tote bag, waiting for his response before dropping the remaining two chocolates inside.

With a shake of his head, a few strands of his hair fell into his eye.

Hazel had a weird urge to reach her hand out and...

She gasped as she realised her hand had already made its way up to his forehead and brushed away the dark strands.

Snapping her hand back to her side, she turned into a goddamned tomato and inhaled shakily through her nose.

"Sorry," She puffed her cheeks and threw the chocolate into her mouth that had been waiting for her in the wrapper.

A low, dark sound fell from the man's luscious lips. Her eyes shot to him as his shoulders shook at least twice from the chuckle that left those lips.

As the faintest trace of a curve appeared on his lips, his lowered head rose and his glance lowered on her, amusement shining in his eyes.

Swallowing the chocolate down, the same elevator sound rang again as the door slides open and his eyes had only peeled away then.

Hazel felt her heart pound in her chest as his hand touched the small of her back, and his lips found her ear before he could walk them out.

"You amaze me, angel." He whispered. Her neck was touched by his cool breath, and then she was walking again.

It felt as though she'd collapse, she didn't though.

Her legs were jello, pure mush. As was her heart. It melted and turned into a mushy substance that could only be described as putty.

As her head was so caught up in, well, her head. She finally took a look around the room they had entered in.

It was empty of people, but the room itself was like an office. A dark one.

The room consisted of a desk, midnight black, and a fun spinning chair to match with it. A black leather couch was in the corner of the room, a television in front of it.

"Hazel." He called, her head turned slowly away from the couch, now facing him. Curiously, she tilted her head up and nodded. "Yes, Juls?"

A muscle in his jaw tensed and he had looked away, gesturing to something on the desk.

"There's the remote for the TV if you want to watch anything, also some paper and pens in the drawer." He runs a hand through his dark locks and looked outside once and back to her again.

"I won't be long in there. Call if you need anything." With his voice emotionless, he sounded completely stern and serious. Hazel nodded, already thinking of ways to make the next 30 minutes fun.

"Hazel." He called again, she looked back up at him and was surprised when his hand reached her face, gently.

One hand cupped her cheek, his eyes stared right into hers, and her heart pounded.

"Don't open the door for anyone."

Hazel found herself slowly nodding again. Obeying his request.

"Words," He mumbled, tracing his thumb over her flushed cheek.

"I won't open the door for anyone." She responded in a soft voice and he nodded solemnly.

Julius walked away, gathering papers from his desk, while Hazel strolled over to the leather couch, giggling as she sank into it.

Julius' gaze flickered to her, and when he heard the noise, his eyes lowered and his muscles stiffened.

He strolled back over to her, the remote in his hand, which he passed to her.

She gave him a warm look as she sank deeper into the couch.

"Good luck!" She offered him a beaming smile to where he only responded with a blank look. Hazel was used to it, she didn't even mind either. She realised it was just his way of expressing himself.

Much to her surprise, before he exited, he looked over his shoulder and gave her a wink that made her swoon.

Following the sound of the door locking, the door clicked shut. Hazel exhaled and relaxed on the couch, turning on the television.

Hazel flipped through the apps, until landing on Netflix. She grinned and sat up, immediately hitting the 'OK' button.

Maybe she could finish watching Emily in Paris.

One account showed up on the screen, under the name Julius Santo. She tapped onto it and wasn't surprised when she found it hadn't been used, Hazel then decided to make her own account.

He might not want Emily in Paris on his 'continued watching' or his list.

Therefore, she created a new profile with her name and added the profile photo of Boss Baby, whom she adored.

She hoped he wouldn't mind.

Hazel put her head on the cushion and curled her legs up to her chest, picking up where she left off.

♛♛♛

"So, how did your meeting go?" Hazel walked beside him, her feet speeding up a little faster to keep up with his strides.

He shrugged carelessly, void of emotion. "Hate them." He mumbled under his breath and the girl had just heard them fall from his lips.

She let out a small giggle and strode alongside him, matching his pace.

"I would too. I bet it's boring. Sitting in a chair, talking business," Shuddering, Hazel shook her head whilst a small smirk broke onto Julius.