Just a Night

Chapter 8

I arrived at Jason’s office and knocked sharply on the door.

“Come in,” his voice called out from inside.

I pushed the door open and stood by the side, watching him. He was completely focused, typing away rapidly on his laptop, looking busy and serious. He glanced up briefly.

“You told me you were busy earlier. Why did you come here then if you have so much work to do?” I asked.

“Sit down,” Jason ordered calmly.

I pulled out a chair and sat, though my posture was stiff and angry. “That still doesn’t answer my question,” I replied sharply.

He stopped typing and just looked at me in silence for what felt like forever, his eyes studying my face closely.

“What?” I snapped, unable to bear his gaze any longer. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“You look pale,” he said softly, his expression shifting to concern. “Are you okay, Hazel?”

“Okay?” I let out a bitter, dry laugh. “I am far from okay. Your so-called fiancée makes my life a living hell every single day. She does absolutely nothing while I handle every bit of work, run errands, and do everything around here. I am tired, I am frustrated, and I am completely worn out. I only came here because I needed a moment to breathe.”

Jason shook his head slightly. “You complain a lot, you know.”

I stood up abruptly, my temper flaring up. “I complain a lot? Really? Your precious future wife insults me, disturbs me, and treats me like trash all the time — and you say I complain too much? If I’m not doing fine, it is entirely my own fault… for ever coming to your office in the first place.” I turned around angrily and walked toward the door, ready to leave.

Immediately, Jason stood up, dropped his laptop onto the desk, and hurried after me. He grabbed my hand firmly, stopping me in my tracks.

“Let me go!” I struggled, trying to pull my hand free. “Leave me alone, Jason!”

Instead of letting go, he pulled me closer, dragging me right in front of him until I was forced to look at him.

“What is wrong with you?” I demanded, glaring at him. “Just leave me alone!”

“Are you angry at me, Hazel?” he asked, ignoring my protests completely.

“Yes!” I shouted, my voice shaking with frustration. “Of course I am angry at you!”

“Why?” He looked genuinely confused, as if he couldn’t understand why I would be upset with him. “What exactly have I done to you?”

I pulled my hand away sharply and looked him straight in the eye, my voice shaking with frustration. “You called me over here, saying you wanted to check on me, yet the moment I arrived, you were completely focused on your work and barely even looked at me. And that’s not all — I told you clearly how your fiancée mistreats me, insults me, and makes my job unbearable every single day… and instead of listening or helping, you just brushed it off and said I complain too much.”

Jason’s expression softened instantly, and he reached out gently toward me. “Okay… alright, I get it. I’m truly sorry, Hazel. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Just leave me alone,” I muttered, turning my face away from him.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated softly, his tone full of regret.

“You are not,” I said firmly, refusing to believe him.

“I really am,” he insisted quietly.

I let out a long, tired sigh, feeling completely drained. “It’s fine now. I’m just exhausted. Can I please go home now?”

“But won’t you be bored staying at home all alone?” he asked, concerned.

“Then I will go over to Jessica’s place for a while,” I replied simply.

He nodded slowly, still looking at me with a soft, regretful gaze. “Alright then. But please, call me the moment you get home safely, okay? Let me know you arrived well.”

“Okay,” I answered quietly.

He stepped closer, gently brushed a strand of hair from my forehead, then leaned in and placed a soft, warm kiss on my cheek. “See you tomorrow then, Hazel.”

“Bye,” I whispered, unable to stop a small, involuntary smile from touching my lips. “Bye, Jason.”

Just as I turned to leave, the telephone on his desk rang loudly. Jason picked it up immediately.

“Hello?”

It was the receptionist’s voice, clear and urgent over the line. “Sir… your mother has just arrived at the building. She is right here, walking toward your office now.”

Jason turned to me quickly. “Okay, Mum is here.”

“Since she’s here, I guess I’ll just wait for her,” I said with a small smile. Then I quickly ran and hid right behind the large office door.

“What are you doing over there?” Jason asked, looking confused and amused.

“Nothing. Just stay quiet,” I whispered back.

Two minutes later, Mrs. Volz — Jason’s mother — walked gracefully into the office. I stayed perfectly still right behind her, making absolutely no sound.

“Hey Mum, how are you doing?” Jason greeted her warmly.

“I am fine, my dear,” she replied, looking around curiously. “I heard that Hazel is here working in this company, so I went over to her office to say hello. But I didn’t see her there at all… and I didn’t see Kayla either. Where on earth are they both?”

Quietly, I stepped right up behind her, reached out, and gently placed both my hands over her eyes.

She froze for a second, then turned around slowly. “Hazel… is that you?”

“Bikaboo!” I laughed, pulling my hands away and grinning widely at her.

“Oh my darling girl!” she cried out happily, pulling me straight into a tight, warm hug. “I have missed you so, so much!”

“I missed you too, Mummy,” I replied softly, pouting my lips playfully like a little child.

She pulled back slightly, shaking her head with a loving smile. “You haven’t changed a bit. You still act like such a child.”

I looked at her seriously, though my eyes were still sparkling with joy. “To everyone else, yes… I have grown up and changed. But to you, Mummy… I will always be your little girl, your baby, forever and always.”

Mrs. Volz smiled warmly as she brought out a bag. “By the way, I got you some clothes. I bought them from all the different vacation trips I went to these past months.”

“Wow! Thank you so much, Mummy!” I beamed, taking the gifts happily.

“You’re very welcome, my darling,” she replied, patting my cheek lovingly.

Jason cleared his throat loudly, crossing his arms and pretending to look hurt. “It seems like I have been completely forgotten here.”

Mrs. Volz turned to him, laughing softly. “Oh dear, I am so sorry about that.”

“Don’t be unnecessarily jealous, Jason,” I teased him, giggling.

“Mum, listen to her! She is still talking and talking, trying to steal all your attention away from me,” Jason complained, sounding just like a little child.

Mrs. Volz shook her head, amused. “Oh my goodness, Jason… since when did you start talking like a baby too? Now look at me — I have two babies to take care of now.”

I laughed even harder, covering my mouth. “Mum!”

“Let me first discuss exactly why I came here today,” Mrs. Volz said seriously.

“Alright then, I’ll leave you two here to talk in private,” I said, turning to step away.

Mrs. Volz reached out gently and held my wrist, stopping me right there.

“No, Hazel,” she said firmly but kindly. “I want you to stay right here… with me. Whatever I have to say concerns you just as much as it concerns my son.”

“No Mum, I really need to go home now. Besides, Jessica is already waiting for me,” I insisted gently.

“Jessica can wait,” Mrs. Volz replied firmly, pulling out a chair and sitting down comfortably. “And you can just tell her I held you back for a while. Come, sit here.”

I hesitated for a moment, then sat down slowly. “So… what is it you want to tell me that I absolutely have to hear?”

She turned her attention fully toward Jason, her expression turning serious. “Jason, I came here specifically to talk about your engagement.”

My eyes widened in shock. “Engagement? Jason… and who exactly are you getting engaged to?”

“Jason and Kayla, of course,” Mrs. Volz answered like it was obvious.

“Wait a minute… you two aren’t officially engaged yet, right? Then why does she keep calling herself ‘my fiancée’, ‘babe’, ‘darling’ and all those names?” I asked, confused and annoyed.

Jason shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Because… I proposed to her privately during a dinner date. But Mum wants a big, grand celebration — something the whole city will see and talk about for ages.”

I rolled my eyes openly, unable to hide my disgust. “I honestly wonder what on earth you all see in that girl. She is nothing but deceptive, fake, and completely two-faced.”

“Hazel, don’t speak about Kayla like that,” Jason warned sharply. “She has done absolutely nothing to deserve your hatred or insults.”

“Well, I am sorry to inform you, but your precious Kayla is a snake, a chameleon, and a gold-digger!” I snapped back fiercely. “And I hate her with every single part of my being.”

Mrs. Volz looked between us, surprised. “What happened now? Hazel, why are you calling her such names? Tell us everything right now.”