Just a Night

The door opened, and Hazel and Sandra walked straight into the room. Hazel collapsed onto the couch, completely worn out from the day. “I’m so tired,” Hazel said, looking around with a smile. “But how does my house look? It looks absolutely amazing, doesn’t it?” said Sandra. Hazel nodded, looking around too. “It’s not bad at all… really beautiful.” “Wait a minute… did you actually think I would be living in just some ordinary house?” Sandra asked with a teasing tone. “Of course I did,” Hazel replied casually. “You have always loved managing things, so I honestly thought you would be living in some sort of old, shabby place.” Sandra shook her head. “Well… I am not like that anymore. Things have changed.” Hazel looked at her with a knowing, sarcastic smile. “Oh, I know you… you haven’t changed that much.” “For real though… I have,” said Sandra. “All this talking is making me hungry,” Hazel said, changing the subject. “What do you have to eat here? Pizza? Burritos? Burgers?” Sandra interrupted her immediately. “Hey! Hold on — you are in my house now. Don’t start ordering things around, okay? No junk food anymore, got it?” “Okay okay… calm down,” Hazel laughed. “So whatever you’ve got here is fine by me.” “There’s nothing prepared here really… I’ll just order food for us both,” Sandra said. Hazel looked at her closely and sighed. “Wow Sandra… you really have changed. I honestly thought you would be the type to spend half your day cooking food that someone finishes eating in less than 20 minutes… but you are different now.” “I know right? That would be pure torture!” Sandra laughed out loud. “Big fraud, clear as day!” Hazel agreed, shaking her head. “So… what do you actually want to eat?” Sandra asked. Hazel thought for a moment. “Hmm… maybe pasta and meatballs.” “Okay, I’ll go with your choice then,” Sandra said with a smile. After they finished eating, Hazel threw off her outer clothes until she was left in just her shorts and singlet. She lay back comfortably on the couch, scrolling through her phone. “Oh my gosh! What is going on here?” Sandra exclaimed as she walked back into the room. “What is it now?” Hazel asked without looking up from her screen. “Why are your clothes scattered everywhere? Why is your luggage all over the place? And why on earth are you sleeping on my couch?” Sandra asked, confused and amused at the same time. “Oh come on sis… I am absolutely exhausted. I can’t be bothered to arrange all that right now. Besides, I am really comfortable here — this couch is spacious enough for me,” Hazel replied casually. “And what about your luggage?” Sandra pressed on. “You can help me arrange them properly in my room. There you go… love you!” Hazel said, blowing her a kiss. Sandra shook her head, smiling as she gathered Hazel’s things and arranged them neatly. “Hazel, you haven’t changed one bit,” she said fondly. The Next Morning Hazel woke up with a long yawn. “Oh my gosh…” she murmured, saying a short prayer before standing up slowly. She walked into her room. Aww… she helped me tidy everything up last night… I love her so much, she thought to herself. She brushed her teeth quickly, then ran to Sandra’s room and jumped right onto the bed. “Hey sis, good morning!” she beamed. “Hazel… I need to sleep… leave me alone,” Sandra mumbled, half-asleep. “It’s seven in the morning already! Aren’t you going to work? Why aren’t you dressed yet?” Hazel asked, shaking her gently. Sandra jumped up instantly, grabbed her phone, and screamed in panic. “SEVEN?!” She stared at the screen. “Oh my gosh! I am going to be late! Hazel, get off me right now!” “Be quiet!” Hazel laughed. “Freshen up quickly and meet me downstairs — I’ll make breakfast for both of us.” “Okay okay!” Sandra rushed straight to the bathroom. Hazel went to the kitchen and got to work. Soon enough, she served scrambled eggs, sausages, and hot tea on the table, waiting for her sister. Sandra came rushing downstairs, fully dressed and carrying her bag and scattered files with great pride. “What the heck… Sandra, who dressed you up?” Hazel asked, looking her up and down in amusement. “Myself!” Sandra replied confidently, striking a pose. Hazel shook her head. “You seriously need to go to a dressing school and learn how to style yourself properly.” “Hazel… I know you are a fashion designer and you deal with beauty and style,” Sandra said, rolling her eyes playfully. “But right now, I don’t need that kind of advice.” “Yes you actually do,” Hazel insisted. “Leave me alone… I just want to eat my food in peace,” Sandra said, sitting down at the table. “Go ahead and eat then,” Hazel said, pulling a chair close to her. She reached out and started styling Sandra’s hair, fixing it perfectly. “Stop touching me… I’m trying to eat, Hazel!” Sandra protested, laughing. “Did I ever tell you not to eat while I’m styling you?” Hazel teased, not stopping. “Arrgh… Hazel!” Sandra groaned, but she sat still and let her do it. Hazel arranged her files neatly beside her, then helped her adjust her earrings and necklace so they sat just right. “Okay… I’m okay now,” Sandra said, standing up to check herself. “Wait a minute…” Hazel pulled her back slightly, adjusting her skirt and shirt to sit perfectly straight. She even touched up her makeup a little. “There… all done. Now you look perfect." Sandra looked at herself in the mirror, admiring her reflection. “I dressed up well, don’t you think?” “You… dressed up well?” Hazel teased with a laugh. Sandra picked up her bag. “See you later!” “You didn’t even give me a hug or some money… you can’t expect me to stay here waiting for you the whole day!” Hazel called out. Sandra laughed, gave her some money, and hugged her tight. “Bye now!” “Bye, thank you!” Hazel said, locking the door behind her. “Now… I’m in charge here,” she said to herself, sitting down to finish her breakfast. Around five or six in the evening… “Sandra won’t be back until late,” Hazel thought aloud. “Let me order some food.” She ordered fried rice with chicken and relaxed while waiting. A little while later, there was a knock on the door. “I’m coming!” Hazel hurried over and opened it. She saw a stranger standing there. “Hi… hello?” “Hello,” the woman replied with a warm smile. “And you are…?” Hazel asked politely. “Jessica. Sandra’s friend.” “Oh! Okay… come in please,” Hazel stepped aside to let her enter. Jessica looked at her curiously. “And I guess you are Hazel… her younger sister?" “Yes, I am,” Hazel replied with a warm smile. “You look even more beautiful in real life than I imagined,” Jessica said sincerely. Hazel beamed. “Thank you… that’s so sweet of you.” “Oh my… and look at those lovely dimples when you smile!” Jessica added. “Is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?” Hazel teased playfully. “Definitely a compliment! You have such a pretty smile,” Jessica laughed. “Thank you… you have a lovely smile too,” Hazel said. “Now, let me properly introduce myself — I’m Hazel Allen. I come from Nigeria, Africa. I used to stay with my elder brother back home, though Sandra here is like my best friend. I was working there too, but I decided to come visit Sandra right after I finished my studies here in New York. I could stay in the US permanently, but home will always be special to me.” Jessica nodded, listening closely. “I’m Jessica Volz. My family owns the most famous and influential business group in this entire city. People always assume I’m proud or arrogant just because of my family’s name… but I’m really not like that at all. I always hoped people would see that I’m different from my brother, that I have my own personality… but they never do. So ever since then, I stopped caring much about what people think or say anymore.” Hazel nodded thoughtfully. “And what is the name of your family’s company?” “Volz Company,” Jessica replied simply. “Hmm… I know that name quite well. My parents actually work with your company back in Nigeria,” Hazel said. Jessica paused, looking surprised. “Wait… are you Mr. Allen’s daughter?” “Yes! We are all his children. Sandra and I are his daughters,” Hazel answered. “How is that possible?” Jessica wondered aloud. “Given everything you’ve said… your brother is the CEO of the company, isn’t he?” Hazel pointed out. “Yes, he is the acting chairman right now,” Jessica confirmed. “So… what did you study in school?” Jessica asked curiously. “Art. I am a fashion designer. I deal with beauty, style, art, and all kinds of creative work,” Hazel explained. Jessica nodded in understanding. “Wow… that’s lovely. I work with my brother too, actually. I’m the Assistant CEO.” “Nice… I honestly really like your character,” Hazel said sincerely. Jessica looked at her closely with a soft smile. “You carry yourself with such grace and confidence… yet you are so humble and down-to-earth, nothing like the proud, arrogant people from rich families.” Just then, someone knocked on the door. Hazel went to open it. “Sandra! Welcome back!” “Thank you… oh my gosh! Jessica! What are you doing here? Sorry… I mean… Miss Jessica,” Sandra said, looking surprised. “Sandra… I have always warned you to drop all these formalities. We are practically family now,” Jessica said gently. “I’m sorry… I’m just really surprised to see you here,” Sandra apologized. “It’s completely okay,” Jessica reassured her. Sandra turned to Hazel quickly, looking worried. “Hope my sister here hasn’t caused any trouble or said anything wrong?” “Hazel?” Jessica looked at Hazel and smiled warmly. “No… she hasn’t caused any trouble at all. She is actually quite interesting to talk to… very smart and funny too.” Hazel just smiled shyly. “So… I guess you are here for something important?” Sandra asked carefully. Jessica looked at Sandra with a meaningful expression. Sandra immediately signaled Hazel with her eyes, silently asking her to leave them alone for a moment. “I will excuse you both,” Hazel said quietly, and walked away to her room.