The next day, a little after 11 a.m., Eddie stood at the arrival gate holding a large, garish sign. Hazel, wearing sunglasses and a mask, stood beside him, her face completely concealed.
After all, Eddie’s sign was the epitome of humiliation. It screamed, ‘Welcome Home, Lord Xander and Lady Sully, Rulers of the Kingdom of Awesome!’ in glittery neon pink, complete with a couple of misspelled words and stick figures holding hands under a
lopsided rainbow. To top it off, Eddie had drawn a crown on Xander’s head and a tiara on Sully’s-with an unfortunate
resemblance to a UFO.1
The sign was so colorful and childish it looked like something out of a kindergarten art project.
Its visibility was unparalleled. Xander and Sully spotted it from afar as soon as they exited. They also saw Hazel, who was trying to
act invisible beside it.
Eddie spotted them too and excitedly dragged Hazel toward them.
“Boss, hurry up! They’re here, but they’re walking in the opposite direction. Looks like they didn’t see us!”
Hazel sighed. They’d seen them all right-they were just pretending not to. Unlike her, they had no intention of sharing in the public humiliation.
S
Eddie darted forward and grabbed Xander’s hand. “Xander, it’s been over a year. Has your eyesight gotten worse? Or is my sign not noticeable enough?”
Sully snatched the sign from Eddie, folded it in half, and hid their names.
“You’re like a naked man grinding wheat-making a complete fool of yourself. I don’t care if you embarrass yourself, but can you
leave me out of it?”
After dealing with the sign, Sully rushed over and threw her arms around Hazel, spinning her in a big circle.
“My darling, I finally get to see you again! Why have you gotten so thin? Was that scumbag making you suffer? Don’t worry, I’m back this time just to deal with that trashy couple!”
Sully was dressed in a trench coat over a blue shirt and a sweater vest, paired with a pencil skirt, beret, and knee-high boots- radiating the charm of a stylish girl-next-door.
She was two centimeters taller than Hazel, and her shoes had a slight heel. When she hugged Hazel, it looked just like a big sister holding her little sister, exuding a perfect couple vibe.
“Oh, I’ve just been so busy with work lately, probably just exhausted. It’s perfect that you’re back-help me out a bit, will you? I can’t handle everything on my own.”
Hazel wrapped her arms around Sully’s waist, speaking in a sweet, almost coquettish tone that was entirely different from her usual demeanor.
A
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Eddie and Xander, long accustomed to their dynamic, didn’t find it strange at all.
“Of course, big sis has your back!”
“Alright, ladies, can we get in the car and continue this? After such a long flight, aren’t you hungry?”
Eddie had booked a restaurant that looked modest from the outside but was a place they used to frequent.
+25 BONUS
It wasn’t a large establishment but was consistently bustling with customers. Upon entering, there was only a front desk-no
dining hall. Meals were served exclusively in private rooms.
The rooms ranged from small ones for two people to larger ones that could accommodate up to six. The restaurant prided itself on
being small yet refined.
“I can’t believe this place hasn’t changed after all these years. I thought they’d have expanded by now,” Sully remarked, glancing
around at the familiar decor and furniture, much of which hadn’t been updated in three years.
The only difference was the view outside. What used to be an open grassy field had turned into a cluster of towering buildings.
“If they had expanded, it wouldn’t feel the same,” Xander said, sipping his tea while letting his gaze linger on Hazel.
Three years had passed, and she had gained a subtle allure, shedding the vivaciousness of her younger self. This matured version
of her was even more captivating, drawing people in before they even realized it.
“I’ve already ordered the dishes in advance, so they should be here soon. Sully, have a seat. It’s been so long-don’t you have
anything you want to share with the boss?”
If Eddie had known the entire conversation would revolve around Queen Corp’s future plans, he would never have brought it up.
Throughout the meal, he barely managed to squeeze in three sentences and was left silently finishing up everyone’s favorite
dishes.
On the day of Damon and Delilah’s wedding, Hazel and Xander were meticulously styled by Sully before stepping out.
Hazel wore a light-gray dress with matching earrings and necklace, her long hair draped over her shoulders. She also sported a
champagne-colored headband, looking absolutely stunning. From a distance, she resembled a university campus belle-youthful
and vibrant, yet exuding a maturity that only time could bring.
Xander donned a navy blue suit, accented with a carefully chosen watch and lapel pin designed by Sully. The outfit struck a balance
between formal and relaxed, making him look polished yet effortlessly chic.
The overall effect was elegant and refined, without appearing overly ostentatious.
After all, they were attending a wedding, and Hazel’s current status demanded understated sophistication to avoid any gossip.
“Hazel, you look absolutely beautiful today-just like the day we first met.”
In the van, Xander couldn’t take his eyes off Hazel, his admiration barely concealed.
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+25 BONUS
Hazel patted him on the shoulder in a brotherly manner. “You look great today too, bro. Thanks for having my back. I’m lucky it’s you-if it were Eddie, I’d be worried he couldn’t pull it off.”
Xander smiled but didn’t say a word.
When they arrived at the wedding venue, a crowd was gathered at the entrance. The moment Hazel stepped out of the car, she
attracted countless gazes.
Outside, a swarm of media reporters had been waiting, ready to pounce the second Hazel appeared. What they didn’t expect was
the strikingly handsome man accompanying her.
Before the reporters could even brush the hem of her dress, Xander raised his arm, blocking them at a distance.
“Ms. Queen, is this gentleman your boyfriend? There are rumors about Mr. Price’s infidelity—does this mean you were also seeing
someone else?”
“Not long ago, you were photographed with another man frequently. Is this the second boyfriend you’ve been with in just a few weeks? Could you clarify, Ms. Queen?”
***
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No Seat
+25 BONU
No Seat
