Hazel reached the stage, and Gerald took her hand. He kissed her softly on the lips, and whispered in her ear. "You are looking really beautiful, Hazel. I'm so happy you're here." "Thank you so much, Gerald. I'm happy too." He smiled and turned to face the crowd. He cleared his throat and spoke into the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to our engagement party. I'm sure you all know who this lovely lady is. She is Hazel, my fiancée, and the love of my life." The crowd clapped politely, but some of them looked skeptical or disapproving. They knew about Hazel's problem with stealing things, and they didn't think she was good enough for Gerald. Who were they to complain about this? They just had to remain quiet and watch what happened. Gerald ignored them and continued. "I met Hazel two years ago, at an event. The Silversteins event to be precise. She was working as a volunteer there, and I was impressed by her kindness and generos

Gerald drove away from the hall, feeling numb and empty. He didn't know where he was going, or what he was doing. He just wanted to get away from everything and everyone. He drove for a long time, until he reached a park. He parked his car and got out. He walked around the park, trying to clear his mind. He thought about Hazel, and everything that had happened. He thought about their relationship, and their future. He still loved her, but he also felt hurt by her. He wanted to forgive her, but he also wanted to forget about everything that she had done. He didn't know what to do or say. He didn't know how to feel or think. He felt lost and confused. He sat down on a bench and looked at the sky. He wished he could find an answer. He wished he could find a way. He closed his eyes and sighed, not noticing the woman who was sitting next to him at the other side. He didn't notice that it was Hazel. Hazel had followed Gerald from the hall, hoping to talk to him. She ha

Gerald looked at Mr. Jones with shock and disbelief. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. He couldn't believe that he was being asked to choose between Hazel and the company. He looked at the other board members, hoping to see some support or sympathy. But he saw none. They all looked at him with the same expression as Mr. Jones: seriousness and concern, firmness and expectation, finality and challenge. They all wanted him to choose. They all wanted him to choose the company. He felt angry and hurt by their ultimatum. He felt confused and abandoned by them. He thought about the company, and everything that it meant to him. He thought about his career, and everything that he had achieved. He thought about his legacy, and everything that he had built. He loved the company, and he was proud of it. This was something his father left for him, he couldn't just let go of it like that. But he also thought about Hazel, and everything that she meant to him. He

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Mrs. Fraser got up and opened the door. She saw a woman standing outside. She was in her thirties. She wore a black suit and a red scarf. She smiled warmly and greeted her. She was Annie. "Hello, Mom! Hello, Gerald! Hello... Ha - zel!" She said, drawling the last name she called. She hugged Mrs. Fraser first and kissed her on the cheek. She hugged Gerald next and kissed him on the cheek too. She glanced at Hazel whom wasn't even wanting her to come close to her. She hurried to Hazel and hugged her, placing a kiss on her cheek too. She walked into the living room and sat down next to Gerald who was definitely still resenting what happened the last time. He didn't want to show it in front of their mother, so he kept quiet and act like everything was fine between him and his sister. She smiled and spoke in a friendly and cheerful voice. "I'm so happy to see you all. I'm so happy to be here." She looked at Gerald and Hazel with f

Gerald looked around, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of Hazel. She couldn't have gone really far, he told himself as he ran around. He still couldn't believe that his parents did that to his fiancee. Why would his mother whom he trusted with his life betray him. He knew Hazel didn't steal anything. Even he couldn't explain why he was so sure of that, perhaps it was because he was genuinely intuitive. His mother and his sister, lied against his fiancee. They told him that she stole a jewelry and ran away but he didn't believe them because he knew it wasn't true. "Hazel!" He hollered, getting down from his car. "Where are you? Please come out here, I promise everything will be fine." There was no response. He had gone everywhere possible he thought she could be. She wasn't in the new house, not in the old house. And she had no friend she could have hit by. So where could she be? He thrusted his hand into his pocket and brought out his phone. He dialed her number several times