“I'm seeing someone,” there was a long pause, the silence on the other end of the phone was deafening, she needed him to say something, anything at all. “I really didn't want to keep any secrets from you, I just met him, and I know you're going to tell me it's too early but he's been really good to me since I got back.”

Roderick listened intently, trying to catch any feeling of remorse in her voice, but it's Hazel. She never displays any form of emotions, especially not in front of people.

“Hello, can you hear me?” She knew he could hear her.

“When did you meet him?” Roderick muttered, gently leaning backwards on his executive chair, the room was becoming surprisingly hot.

“Two weeks ago, I met him at the gym.”

“Okay,” he sounded.

“Okay, Is that all you have to say?” Hazel knew Roderick too well, she knew he was mad at her.

“Are you mad at me?”

“Shouldn't I be?”

“No,” she blurted out, offended. “No, because you have no right to be upset. You're married and you expect me to be committed to you? I was gone for a minute and I came back to discover that I've already been replaced, and you expect me to be okay with that? You only see me as an escape from your reality.” She broke down, sobbing quietly.

Roderick had no words, he was hurting. Hazel is the only woman that completes him, she's brought the colors back in his typical monochrome life. He knew he wasn't going to let her go away from him the second time.

He had two options, let her go and be miserable or just be miserable because he knows things can never return to the way they used to be.

“I'm so sorry Hazel, but please don't punish me like this, you know I never consented to my marriage, but I had to, you know too well, nobody says no to Malcolm.”

“He sure is a hard nut to crack, I've missed him,” snickering, she rolled her eyes.

Roderick knew she didn't mean that. Malcolm is a difficult man and Hazel wasn't one of his favorites, but he would always put up with her for my sake. My mum on the other hand adored her.

Eleanor Chester, was a model in her prime and her career was at its peak, when she met my dad. They fell in love and they both moved back to Salt Lake City from New York to manage the company after Malcolm's accident.

Eleanor got along with Hazel and with time both ladies grew fond of each other. She felt really bad, when I broke the news about Hazel calling off our engagement. Malcolm didn't care much, I was an emotional wreck and he couldn't bear to see me lonely and sad. And like Santa, he gave me Allyson, even when that wasn't on my Christmas wish list.

Eleanor wasn't very keen about my marriage to Allyson. She didn't want no ‘Plain Jane’ in her words.

“Hazel I want you to always remember that I love you so much and what we had and have now, means the world to me. You're all that matters to me.” Roderick meant every single word he said.

“I don't believe you. If what we had meant that much to you, then leave your wife. You don't even want her, so just tell her,” Hazel sighed.

“I can't do that, not yet,” Roderick felt a pang of guilt. Allyson deserves better and he couldn't give her that.

“Why is that? You said you don't love her, so what's the problem? You're doing the both of you a favor for Christ sake Roderick.” She sounded frantic.

“Hazel you know this is not easy for me, you really need….”

“ It isn't easy for me either,” she interrupted . “You don't care about how I'm feeling, I really don't want to be caught up in a love triangle, and I understand your wife means a lot to you, afterall I'm nothing but the Ex who has refused to move on.” She muffled something under her breath but Roderick couldn't make out what she said.

Roderick couldn't bring himself to say a word, he was certain Hazel didn't have any problem with their arrangement until now. She wanted to pick up a fight with him, because she was seeing someone else. Hazel belongs to only him and he was going to do everything to keep it that way.

“Hazel I'm sorry.” He knew that was not the response she was expecting.

“Say no more Roderick, until you divorce your wife, I'll continue seeing Mike the hot bloke at the gym.” She hung up.

Roderick closed his eyes for a brief second, and balled his hands into a tight fist. Hazel has always been a self centered bitch, she called off their engagement and left town, without a proper explanation. When she got back, she acted oblivious of the fact that she hurt him. But still he can never be mad at her. All she had to do was roll her eyes at him and he'll slay dragons for her.

Mike the hot bloke at the gym.

Her words kept ringing in his ears. Whoever Mike is, he would be sorry.

He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

…………..

The soft music playing in the background, muffled laughter from the other diners, and the beautiful ambiance made the place feel magical.

L’Atelier is a new fine dining cuisine in Salt Lake and Allyson has never been here before. She was stunned when she stepped in. She was escorted to the table Liam reserved for the night. Everything feels so romantic.

“Ma'am would you like dessert?” The waitress asked politely, while clearing her table.

“No, I'll pass. Thank you.” She responded, looking down at her watch. It's almost three hours since she got here, in her beautiful red dress she wore specifically to tease Liam.

Allyson was furious. No call, no text from him.

Liam stood her up.