COMMENT
Chapter 94
RAVEL
THREE YEARS AGO
As the one-week countdown to my first wedding anniversary with Hazel begins, anticipation courses through me. I find myself eagerly awaiting the moment when I can present her with the meticulously prepared gifts I’ve gathered for her. What makes this occasion even more special is the fact that her birthday is just a few days after our anniversary, turning this into a delightful dual celebration.
Walking into the luxurious penthouse, I trailed behind the real estate agent, taking in the grandeur of the place. “This is truly impressive,” I remarked, personally admiring the elegant furniture and tasteful decor that adorned the penthouse. Yet, I couldn’t help but remind myself that this space wasn’t for me; I was acquiring it solely for Hazel. I envisioned her redesigning this penthouse to reflect her unique style. With conviction, I turned to the agent and declared, “I’ll take this,” a decision that seemed to fill the agent with contagious excitement as we moved forward to seal the deal.
“I know you would,” she exclaimed, smiling joyously. “This is one of the most sought-after houses in the area, Southwark, and I assure you that you’ll enjoy all the benefits that…”
Mr.
I didn’t let her finish and interjected, “Can I sign the documents, please? If you don’t mind, I have other matters that require my attention.” She nodded understandingly and swiftly produced the necessary documents. With purpose, I signed the papers and handed her the signed check. “Once the requested changes to the lighting are made, please forward the keys to my office address.”
“Yes, sir.”
With no further business to attend to, I exited the penthouse, making my way toward my awaiting car. Raymond held the door open for me, and after circling the car, he took his place in the driver’s seat. As we pulled away, he asked, “Do you like this one?”
-I nodded thoughtfully. “I do think Hazel will appreciate it, although she’ll certainly want to put her personal touch on the
interior decorations.” Knowing Hazel’s passion for art, I couldn’t help but notice the absence of any artwork in the house. I’ve decided to let her select artwork for the place on her own; it’ll be a canvas for her creativity.
“I am glad you found something.” He muttered. Raymond’s response caught me off guard, and I lifted my head to study his expression. “What?” he blurted out defensively.
“Why do you sound like you’re tired of this house-hunting journey?” I asked, genuinely curious.
He let out a small scoff. “Well, that’s because I am,” he deadpanned. “It’s past ten in the evening, and we’ve been at this since morning.”
I shot him a stern look. “You might be the only employee I know who openly complains to his boss about being tired of his job,” I remarked, a hint of amusement in my voice. Raymond chuckled in response.
As we continued our journey, my phone chimed in my pocket, prompting me to pull it out and check the message. My brows furrowed in frustration as I realized it was yet another strange message from the same unknown sender.
Raymond, noticing my concern in the rear-view mirror, inquired, “What’s wrong? Is everything okay?”
My frown deepened. “I’ve been receiving these bizarre messages from the same person for a while now,” I muttered, my irritation growing. “I’ve tried calling the number countless times, but it’s always unavailable.”
Raymond’s expression mirrored my concern. “What do the messages say?” he asked.
“The wa nker behind these messages is persistently urging me to divorce my wife,” I responded with growing frustration, “and what makes this message stand out is its threatening tone.” I tapped on the message to read it aloud for Raymond, my voice tinged with unease. “It states, “You have a mere two weeks to present divorce papers to Hazel, or else she will end up getting hurt. The sheer audacity of this threat is deeply unsettling”
Raymond’s concern was palpable as he spoke. “This is a matter of utmost seriousness, sir. I’ll promptly have our team launch an investigation. Rest assured, we’ll track down this person before they have any opportunity to harm Hazel.”
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on me. These messages had never before contained threats directed at Hazel. “I insist we immediately enhance her security measures,” I instructed firmly. “We simply cannot afford to take any chances, especially when it concerns Hazel’s safety.”
“I’ll take swift action on that, boss,” Raymond affirmed, his unwavering focus now squarely on ensuring Hazel’s well-being and security.
The car came to a smooth stop outside our porch, and I reached for my briefcase. “Make sure you keep this from Hazel,” I advised Raymond, my tone laced with concern. Hazel had a knack for worrying unnecessarily, and I didn’t want her to be unduly alarmed. With that, I opened the car door, stepped out, and made my way into the house.
As I entered our home, my first priority was to find Hazel. It didn’t take long, and I discovered her in the dining room, engrossed in a game of Scrabble with one of our domestic staffs, June. She looked up with a beaming smile when she spotted me walking in, her focused expression giving way to warmth.
“Hello, husband,” she greeted, setting aside the Scrabble board to envelop me in a hug. Leaning down, I pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, savoring the familiar comfort of being in my wife’s embrace. Finally pulling away, I smiled down at her. “You seem quite busy,” I observed, noting the sca ttered tiles on the table.
Hazel’s grin was infectious, and she proudly declared, “Yep, and I’m winning against June.” Instinctively, I glanced up at June, only to find her staring at us intently.
“How about you go ahead and take a shower while I get dinner ready?” Hazel suggested, her tone warm and inviting.
I nodded and planted another quick kiss on her lips before making my way out of the dining room. I took my time in the shower, using the opportunity to trim my beard. When I eventually emerged from the bathroom, clad in nothing but a towel wrapped around my waist, I heard a knock at the bedroom door. “Come in!” I called out.
The door swung open, and June entered. I had expected her to simply state her reason for being in my bedroom, but she surprised me by taking her time to appraise me, her eyes slowly traversing my body. Irritated, I finally snapped, “What do you want?” My sharp tone
conveyed that her behavior was unacceptable.
June cleared her throat and quickly averted her gaze, a hint of embarrassment evident in her demeanor. “Ma’am asked me to call you down for dinner,” she informed me, her voice slightly shaky.
I couldn’t help but wonder why Hazel had sent June to fetch me. “Where is she?” I inquired.
“She went to find Mr. Raymond and invite him to join you both for dinner,” June replied.
I nodded in acknowledgment. “I’ll be downstairs shortly.” She began to turn and walk away, but I halted her with a firm tone. “June,” she stopped in her tracks, “you are not allowed into my bedroom anymore.” My message was clear, and I wanted to ensure there was no misunderstanding about her boundaries.
Her eyes widened slightly in acknowledgment, and she nodded before gracefully exiting the room. After changing into more appropriate yet comfortable attire, I made my way downstairs to join the others for dinner.
To my surprise, I found Eleanor already seated in the dining room, accompanied by Raymond and Hazel. She greeted me with a mischievous grin. “Hello, bluey.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her playful teasing as I took a seat next to Hazel. “How many times have I told you to stop calling me that?” I retorted, my tone carrying a blend of amusement and mild exasperation. Our interactions, filled with familiar banter, always brought a sense of warmth to my life.
Eleanor scoffed, her playful demeanor unwavering. “I know deep down, you like it when I call you Bluely,” she teased before beginning to plate her dinner and assisting Raymond. Her curiosity then got the better of her. “It’s your wedding anniversary soon, so what are you guys planning?”
Chapter 94
Raymond, clearly uninterested in discussing the matter, shook his head and replied with his mouth full, “How about you mind your business?”
Eleanor, undeterred, shot back, “I’m sure the couple isn’t complaining.”
I couldn’t help but glare at her. “Actually, I am. Butt out of my marriage business.”
She shrugged, seemingly unfazed by my irritation. “Well, if you two are throwing a party, don’t forget to send me an invite.”
I corrected her with a smile, “We’re not throwing a party.” I’m taking my wife to Greece for the whole week.
The excitement of the impending anniversary trip is something I am really looking forward to.
色
SEND GIFT