CHAPTER 19
744 Words
The Cold War Continues
(Hazel, Alexander, Raymond & Mia)
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Hazel’s POV
The past few days had been… unbearable.
Since that night — the accidental kiss — I’d barely seen Mr. Wilson.
Correction: Alexander.
He wasn’t just cold anymore.
He was pure ice.
Professional. Distant. Not a single unnecessary word.
No teasing. No lingering glances. No subtle smiles.
Just… silence.
And the worst part?
I couldn’t stop replaying everything in my head.
The way his lips had brushed mine.
The way he’d pulled away like it was a mistake.
The way I had stood there, dazed… wanting more.
I shook the thought away and forced myself back to focus on work.
Emails, documents, schedules. Keep moving.
A soft ding broke the silence.
A message. From Mia.
> Mia: “Guess who walked into the café again? 😏”
“Raymond. He asked to sit at my table — again.”
I smiled faintly.
At least someone’s story was still spinning in the right direction.
Mine?
A slow-burning, cold war where neither side dared raise the white flag.
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Alexander’s POV
Work was the only thing keeping me grounded.
Hazel barely looked at me now.
She followed my orders, kept to herself, typed with her usual grace… but her presence felt like glass.
Thin. Fragile. Breakable.
And worse?
I missed the warmth in her eyes.
Missed the way she used to glance at me with something other than hurt.
I told myself I was doing the right thing by keeping my distance.
That the kiss had been a mistake.
But if it was a mistake…
Why did I keep remembering how she felt in my arms?
Why did I keep staring at her door every night, half hoping she'd come out?
I ran a hand down my face.
This had to stop.
I had to shut her out.
Even if it killed me slowly.
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Raymond’s POV
The café had become familiar. Too familiar.
Every time I walked in, I told myself this would be the last time.
And every time, I lied.
Because she was there.
Mia.
Her sarcasm. Her messy bun. The way she called me out without blinking.
She was nothing like the women I dated.
She was real.
But I knew better now. I knew the truth.
She had a boyfriend — and she'd been with him for a year.
She wasn’t mine.
Never was.
Still, I found myself watching her as she moved behind the counter.
Pouring drinks, arguing with the espresso machine, humming off-key.
She was happy.
And I hated that I liked seeing her that way… even if it meant she’d never be mine.
The café was suddenly too loud, too bright.
I muttered a thank you, left a generous tip, and walked out.
I needed air.
And without thinking, I drove.
Not home.
To the only place that might make me feel less alone.
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Alexander’s Penthouse
I opened the door without a word.
Tie half undone. Shadows under his eyes.
We didn’t say much at first.
I walked in.
He poured two glasses of whiskey and slid one across the counter.
I caught it silently.
And just like that… we understood each other.
No words. Just two men
— both ruined by women who weren’t even trying.
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Hazel’s POV
It was almost midnight when I stepped out to get water.
The living room lights were dim. The city outside blinked through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
And then I saw them.
Raymond, sitting on the couch like he’d been there forever.
Alexander, standing by the window, drink in hand, looking more haunted than I’d ever seen him.
They didn’t notice me at first.
I started to turn, not wanting to intrude—
when his voice stopped me.
“Stay.”
That one word.
Soft. Quiet. Barely audible.
But it hit like thunder.
I froze.
Turned slowly.
Our eyes met.
For the first time in days, he didn’t look away.
No cold mask. No CEO armor. Just… Alexander.
Tired. Frustrated. Human.
Something cracked inside me.
And I realized:
This cold war wasn’t just between us.
It was inside him, too.
A war between what he wanted… and what he was too scared to take.
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To Be Continued…
Ready for Episode 20?
Will Alexander finally break?
Will Hazel walk away… or fight for them?
And what about Raymond and Mia — is fate done playing with them yet?
Comment ‘NEXT’ if you’re ready for things to explode
- Writer
