CHAPTER FIVE

When we get to his car, he opens the passenger seat door for me and I get in. He walks over to the driver's seat and once he's seated shot gone, he ignites the car engine and drives out of the parking lot. We drive to the office in an uncomfortable silence.

If he tries talking to me I'll just jump out through the window.

Once at the office building, he parks in the driveway and I immediately step out of the car and walk into the building. I take the elevator to the nineteenth floor where our offices are located and when I get into my office, I meet Craig comfortably seated on my chair.

That nerves me a great deal.

"Hello Emerald" he greets with a cheerful smile.

That nerves me even more. Right now everything about these two brothers nerves me.

"The name is Hazel" I correct in a cold tone.

"You were fine with me calling you Emerald the other day"

Honestly, I'm not in the mood to argue with naughty last born right now. This guy is pissing me off.

"That was then" I snap

"Okay, so where's my brother?"

"He's on his way here"

"Wow, so you guys were out together?"

"Yes we were" I reply in a bored tune. This conversation is heading to where I do not like.

"Are you two dating now?"

I said it!

"What is wrong with both of you today?" I ask annoyed and he raises his brow in surprise. Just then Klaus walks in.

" Craig why are you here?"

"There's something I need to discuss with you"

"Let's go into my office then"

"After you" they both go into Klaus'office and heave out a sigh of relief as I slump on my chair.

Lunch sucked.

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"I told you he was gonna fall for you"

Wendy says grinning. I just filled her in on what happened during lunch today and she's totally hyped. She's just too much.

"He just had to ask me to be his girlfriend"

"Of course, that's what every normal man who is in love does, he tries to claim the woman he loves all to himself" she exagerates and  I scoff in disbelief

" I'm not a fan of all this love, relationship saga. You know that"

"Typical you, you're such a party pooper. This very repulsive attitude of yours isn't doing you any favours"

"Yes your honour, judge me more"

"I'm not, I'm just saying the truth. You need to relax. You're too tight"

" I love you too bestie" I gently pat her shoulder and leave for my bedroom. If any one thinks I'm going to that he'll hole called relationship with any any guy, then he or she has got it all wrong.

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The next day at work is an awkward one for me. Klaus does nothing but stare at me all day as we work in his office. Thank God there's so much work to do and that's keeping us very occupied. The last thing I want right now is a conversation about love and relationships.

                One week later

I can't take it anymore, I'm quitting this job. Klaus won't let me be. He's always ringing my phone and loading it with lots and lots of annoying love messages and the fact that he sends roses to me every morning just makes me want to commit suicide.

I've told him a million times that I'm not going to accept his proposal but it seems like he has no plans of backing out either.

He gets more persistent as the days go by and it frustrates the hell out of me.

I'm totally drained right now all thanks to Klaus.

So right now I'm at his office door, casually dressed in a pair of rugged jeans and a black T-shirt over it with my resignation letter in my hand. I can't wait to disappear from his life and get my peace of mind back.

I quietly knock the door and for some add reasons, my heart starts hammering in my chest. Weird.

"Come in"

"This is it" I whisper to myself as I open the door and walk in. When Klaus sees me he abruptly stands up from his office throne....sorry...I meant to say chair with the most confused expression on his face.

I almost laugh.

"Hazel what's going on, why aren't you properly dressed?" He asked confused

"Because there's no need for that"

" What's that supposed to mean?"

"Here's my resignation letter"  I put the paper on the table and he swiftly picks it up " I'm quitting"

"Why's that Hazel?" He asks confused.

"Because I'm not comfortable working here anymore. You keep bringing up the relationship issue and no matter how much I beg you to stop, you don't. I'm a grown up Klaus, I know what I want and do not want. No one makes choices for me or forces me into doing things I do not want to do. So I'm quitting this job because you have refused to give me the peace of mind I deserve."

"Hazel" he calls as he takes a few steps closer to me." It hasn't gotten to this, I'm sorry"

"I don't need your apology Klaus , all I need is for you to sign that resignation letter and officially fire me. I'm ready to go"

" I don't want to let you go"

" That's that very selfish attitude of yours. Not everything is about you or what you want. For the record, I don't care about what you want. I just want to go"

He takes out the letter from the envelope and tears into pieces.

The nerve of this guy.

"This is bullshit, I'm not gonna fire you Hazel. You can take that to the bank"

"Suit yourself then"

I quietly walk out of the office and I'm grateful that he doesn't try to stop me.

To be honest a part of me wants to stay but I can't. I need to do this. I can't let my guard down.

************************************

So it's past nine pm and Wendy and I are watching "SpongeBob SquarePants" on boomerang. It's our favorite cartoon and we can't miss a single episode of it. I'm not concentrating on the cartoon though, I'm still thinking of how to tell Wendy that I quit my job. She's gonna freak out and judge me squarely. I wish didn't have to say or I could tell a lie about it but hey, that's my best friend we're talking about. She sees right through me, so I cannot lie to her. She'll know instantly that I'm hiding something.

"Hazel" a loud call snaps me out my silly thoughts. When I turn to look at her, she's giving me the "you - better - tell - me - what's - going - on" look.

"What?"

"Spill" she says sternly

I told you she sees right through me.

" Ugh... it's crazy" I lament

" Had a fight with Mr Romantic again?"

"Mr Romantic" is what Wendy calls Klaus. That's his official nick name for him and I had to concur with her.

Not that I have a choice though.

"Worse than that"

"Oh my" she exclaims as she scoots closer to me " Did you two have sex again?"

I roll my eyes hard, she's always thinking the impossible.

"No we didn't"

"Oh my God you're making me have a panic  attack, just tell me what happened already!" She urges impatiently.

"Promise you won't throw a tantrum"

"Nah, I'm not doing that shit. Tell me and if it's bad I will do whatever I want to do"

Typical Wendy.

" I quit my job" I announce and she chokes on her drink. That is not a good sign. Wendy is going to chop my head off.

"You"

Coughs

"Did"

Coughs

"What?"

Coughs

"Wendy calm down" I caution.

"Don't tell me to calm down. Why on Earth would you quit such a job?"

"My boss is an ass, he won't give me space" I defend and she shakes her head in total disbelief.

"So you just had to quit?"

" I need me my comfort and peace of mind"

"Aren't you just the smartest girl in the world?"

There's sarcasm drooling from that statement of hers.

"Why?, Thank you" I reply sarcastically

"Seriously Hazel you didn't have to do that. Comfort and peace of mind won't pay your bills."

"But they're gonna keep me alive and happy. That's the most important thing"

"Bestie" she calls calmly as she holds my hands. "Trust me I hate what Mr Romantic is doing to you, he's being very pushy with this relationship issue against your will and trust me I I'll kneel his crotch if I happen to lay my hands on him, but you need that job"

"I'll find another one, trust me Wendy I'll get through this"

"You sure?"

"I've never been so sure"

"I'll ask Kacey if there could be an opening when I get to the office tomorrow"

"I'd very much appreciate that, thanks  a lot babe"

"There's nothing you can do without me" She teases and we both burst into laughter.

" I know, right?, I'm stuck with you"

"I love you Hazel, I love you very much. Never forget that"

And I know she means every word she just said. She's God sent in my life

"I love you more you little munchkin"

"Are you ready kids!" She suddenly sings and I know where she's coming from so I respond

"Aye Aye Captain!"

"Ooohh...who lives in a pineapple under the sea!"

" Sponge Bob Square Pants!"

We both continue to sing and laugh. Our friendship starts at forever and ends at never. I love you bestie.

************************************

The next day by noon I'm in my bedroom searching for jobs using my laptop. Klaus has been ringing my cell phone all day and I keep sending his calls to voicemail. I'm not ready for his charade right now.

I want nothing to do with him.

The door bell rings and I sluggishly go to open it hoping it's not Blake. I'm already sour enough for five. Seeing his cheating ass will just worsen my mood.

Once I get to the door, I open it without checking and the moment I see the person, I unconsciously close the door at his face and breath out heavily before I open it again.

He flashes me his Million dollar smile and greets.

"Hello Hazel"

I die five times in a second.