CHAPTER 23
757 Words
"No More Running"
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Hazel’s POV
Morning — Alexander’s Penthouse
The soft morning sun spilled through the penthouse windows, painting the walls in shades of golden amber. It was the kind of light that made everything feel unreal—too perfect. And yet, last night was real. Every single second of it.
His voice.
His confession.
His arms wrapped around me like I was something he couldn't afford to lose.
I'm falling for you, Hazel...
The words repeated over and over in my mind, and each time, they made my heart dance in my chest. I stretched lazily beneath the duvet, a giddy smile tugging at my lips.
How was I supposed to act normal after that?
I threw on a soft robe over my tank top and shorts, then padded barefoot toward the stairs. I needed coffee. Badly. Maybe it would help ground me back to earth.
But fate, as always, had other plans.
My foot slipped on the last step.
"Ah!"
I stumbled forward, heart leaping—and instead of meeting the hard floor, I fell straight into something firm, warm, and steady.
Alexander.
His arms caught me like it was instinct. His grip was strong, protective, and for one dizzying second, we were face to face.
Our eyes locked.
His breath hitched.
Then—he kissed me.
No hesitation. No holding back.
This kiss wasn’t soft or hesitant like the ones before.
It was deep. Possessive. Hungry.
Like he’d been waiting.
His hands tightened at my waist as I responded, my arms wrapping around his shoulders like they belonged there.
And maybe they did.
But just as the world began to disappear—
"Well, this is new."
Raymond's voice broke the spell.
I jumped back like I’d been burned, my cheeks exploding with heat. Alexander didn't move right away, his hand still loosely at my waist, as if reluctant to let go.
I could barely meet Raymond’s smug, amused gaze.
"I—I’m sorry!" I squeaked and fled up the stairs, heart pounding in my chest.
So much for coffee.
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Alexander’s POV
Raymond leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, smugness dripping from every inch of him.
"So, that’s how you start your mornings now?"
I rolled my eyes, adjusting my shirt and grabbing my jacket.
"It was nothing."
"Nothing?" he echoed, raising a brow. "Dude, I just watched you make out with your assistant on the stairs."
"She tripped."
"Into your mouth? Sure."
I walked past him toward the elevator.
He followed, still grinning. "You know what this means, right? You’re officially off the market."
I didn't reply. But even I couldn't deny the heat that still lingered on my lips. Or the way her scent was now imprinted in my lungs.
Maybe I was off the market.
And maybe I didn’t mind.
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Later — Coffee Shop
Raymond’s POV
I walked into Gold.A expecting to see her.
Mia.
The girl with sass and spark and the ability to drive me crazy in all the best and worst ways.
But instead, a different barista greeted me.
"Hey, where’s Mia?" I asked.
She didn’t even look up. "Oh, she quit. Yesterday. Said she needed a fresh start or something."
My heart stilled.
Quit? Just like that?
No message. No warning. Not even a goodbye.
I turned around and walked out.
Empty-handed.
Empty-hearted.
---
Back at the Penthouse
Evening
Hazel’s POV
I paced in the living room, nerves coiling in my stomach like tightly wound wire. I had to do this. I wanted to do this.
No more hiding.
No more pretending like last night hadn’t cracked something wide open inside me.
The door creaked open.
Alexander stepped in, tall and composed, but the moment he saw me standing there, he froze.
I sucked in a breath.
"I didn’t want to run anymore," I said, voice barely above a whisper.
He didn’t speak right away. Just stared at me, like he was trying to read every emotion I wasn’t saying.
Finally, he stepped closer.
"Do you mean it?" he asked. "You’re not going to pretend anymore?"
I nodded. "I want this. You. If you still want me."
Two strides.
That’s all it took before he was right in front of me, his hands cradling my face with a gentleness that made me ache.
"I’ve been waiting for you to say that," he whispered.
And then he kissed me.
Slow.
Sure.
Certain.
This kiss didn’t steal breath. It gave it.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt whole.
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TO BE CONTINUED…
- Writer
