13 An Awkward Invitation and a Masked Memory 13 An Awkward Invitation and a Masked Memory Hazel's POV The clock showed . I stretched my arms above my head , feeling the satisfying pop in my spine after hours hunched over documents . My first week at Sterling Group had been a whirlwind of emotions - from the mortifying first meeting with Liam to his bizarre possessive comment yesterday . I still couldn't believe he'd called me Catherine in that commanding tone . A gentle knock interrupted my thoughts . Evelyn poked her head in , her elegant blonde hair perfectly in place despite the long day . " Ready to head out ? " she asked with a warm smile . I nodded , gathering my purse . " More than ready . This week has been … " " Eventful ? " Evelyn supplied with a knowing look . " That's putting it mildly ." As we stepped into the hallway , Damian appeared , his tall frame leaning casually against the wall , signature grin in place . " Ladies ! Perfect timing " He straightened up , adjusting his perfectly tailored suit jacket . " I was wondering if you'd join Liam and me for dinner . Nothing fancy - just a casual meal to celebrate your first week . Before I could respond , Evelyn placed a gentle hand on my arm . " I'm afraid we'll have to decline . Hazel and I already have plans ." I blinked in surprise . We didn't have plans , but Evelyn's firm tone left no room for argument . " Another time , perhaps , I added politely . Damian's face fell dramatically . " Come on ! It's Friday night . The boss is actually in a decent mood for once ." " I said they have plans . " The deep voice behind us made me jump . Liam stood in the doorway of his office , arms 20:40 1/7 13 An Awkward Invitation and a Masked Memory crossed over his broad chest , his violet - blue eyes darkening as he looked at us . " And what plans might those be ? " he asked , his tone deceptively casual . Evelyn smiled pleasantly . " Women's business , I'm afraid . " Liam's jaw tightened . " I see . And this women's business is more important than building professional relationships with your colleagues ? " The temperature in the hallway seemed to drop ten degrees . I glanced between Evelyn and Liam , confused by the sudden tension . " I'm sorry , Mr. Sterling . " I began , trying to smooth things over . " We could always reschedule our- " " No. " Liam cut me off sharply . " Don't change your important plans on my account , Ms. Vance . His emphasis on " important " dripped with sarcasm . What was his problem ? " We weren't , " Evelyn replied coolly . " Have a lovely evening , gentlemen ." Liam's eyes narrowed . " Make sure you're both well - rested for Monday . The Clairemont situation requires our full attention ." " Of course ," I said quickly . " I'll be prepared . " Will you ?" He stepped closer , lowering his voice . " Because right now , you seem more concerned with your personal affairs than the company's reputation ." I stiffened , anger flaring in my chest . " That's not fair . I've worked overtime every day this week . " " And yet you can't spare one evening for a professional dinner . " " Liam , " Damian interjected , placing a hand on his friend's shoulder , " Let it go , man . " Liam shrugged him off , his gaze still locked on mine . " Enjoy your evening , ladies . " Without another word , he turned and stalked back into his office , the door closing with a decisive click . Damian winced . " Sorry about that . He's been … tense lately . " " That's no excuse for rudeness , " Evelyn said firmly . " Come along , Hazel ." 20:40 2/7 13 An Awkward Invitation and a Masked Memory : In the elevator , I finally found my volce . " We don't actually have plans , do we ? " Evelyn's expression softened . " No , but I thought you might like to escape . the corporate atmosphere for a while . Was I wrong ? " I exhaled slowly . " No , you weren't wrong . Thank you . " " Besides , " she continued , " I'd love to meet that adorable son of yours ." My face lit up at the mention of Leo . " Really ? You'd want to come over ? " " I would . And perhaps I could meet this best friend of yours as well ? " " Chloe would love that ! " I grinned , already pulling out my phone to text her . " Fair warning though - she has no filter . " Two hours later , my small apartment buzzed with laughter . Chloe had arrived just minutes after Evelyn and I , bearing wine and takeout from our favorite Thai restaurant . " So then ," Chloe continued her story , wine sloshing dangerously in her glass , " Hazel walks in , covered head to toe in blue paint , and announces she's quitting art class ! " Evelyn laughed , the sound bright and youthful despite her years . " I can't imagine you not excelling at something , Hazel ." " Oh , believe me , I groaned , " art is definitely not my thing ." Leo tottered over from where he'd been playing with his blocks , climbing onto my lap . with a sleepy yawn . I smoothed his dark hair back , my heart swelling with love as he nestled against me . " Looks like someone's ready for bed , I murmured , kissing the top of his head . Evelyn watched us with a strange expression - almost wistful . " He's absolutely beautiful , Hazel . " " Thank you ." I beamed with pride . " Those eyes of his are truly remarkable , " she continued carefully . " So unusual . I nodded , stroking Leo's soft cheek . " They fascinated me from the moment he was born . The doctor said it's an extremely rare genetic trait . " 20:40 3/7 13 An Awkward Invitation and a Masked Memory " Mmhmm , " Chloe agreed , refilling her wine . " I've literally never seen anyone else with that color except- " " My new boss , " I finished , sighing . " I mentioned it to Evelyn carlier . Leo yawned again , his little eyelids drooping . " I should put him to bed , " I said , standing carefully . " I'll be right back ." In Leo's room , I changed him into pajamas and tucked him into his toddler bed , humming softly as he drifted off to sleep . I stood watching him for a moment , overwhelmed as always by how much I loved this little person who had completely changed my life . When I returned to the living room , Chloe was showing Evelyn pictures on her phone , both women laughing quietly . " He's down for the count , " I announced , grabbing my wine glass . Chloe put her phone away , her expression turning serious . " So , Evelyn , Hazel tells me your boss is a total dreamboat with anger issues . " I choked on my wine . " Chloe ! " " What ? " She shrugged innocently . " That's what you said ." Evelyn chuckled . " Liam can be … intense . But he's a good man underneath it all . " " Underneath what ? " I muttered . " A mountain of arrogance and mood swings ? " " He's been through a lot , " Evelyn said softly . " The helicopter crash that killed his parents changed him ." The room fell silent for a moment . I hadn't known the details of their deaths , only that it had happened around three years ago . Evelyn traced the rim of her wine glass thoughtfully . " That's actually when I decided to retire . After the accident , Liam threw himself into work . Never took time off , rarely slept . I think it was his way of avoiding the grief ." " That's awful , " I said quietly , feeling a pang of sympathy despite myself . " Yes ," Evelyn agreed . " But that's enough about work . Tell me more about you , Hazel . Or should I call you Catherine ? " 20:40 4/7 13 An Awkward Invitation and a Masked Memory 1 stiffened slightly . " Hazel is fine . Catherine is … In the past . Chloe raised an eyebrow . " Except your new boss called you Catherine yesterday . " " Wait , what ? " I spluttered . " How did you- " " You texted me , remember ?" Chloe grinned . " Something about him claiming exclusive rights to your behind ? " Evelyn laughed as my face flamed red . " It wasn't exactly like that ," I protested weakly . " It was exactly like that , " Evelyn confirmed , eyes twinkling . " Poor Damian nearly fell out of his chair . Chloe leaned forward eagerly . " So what's the deal ? Why did he call you Catherine ? " birth name . " I shook my head , genuinely confused . " I have no idea . I never told him my " Curious ," Evelyn murmured , studying me intently . After a pause , she asked , " What about Leo's father ? Is he in the picture ? " The abrupt change of subject caught me off guard . I shot a nervous glance at Chloe , who nodded encouragingly . " No ," I admitted quietly . " He's not " May I ask why ? " Evelyn's voice was gentle , free of judgment . I took a deep breath , then a large sip of wine for courage . " Because I don't know who he is . " Evelyn's eyebrows rose slightly , but she waited for me to continue . " It was just one night , I explained , staring into my wine glass . " Three years ago , at the Harbor City Annual Masquerade Ball . I was trying to escape … something painful . He was wearing a mask , I was wearing a mask . " " So you never saw his face ? " Evelyn asked carefully . " Just his eyes , " I whispered , the memory washing over me . " The most incredible violet - blue eyes I'd ever seen ." Chloe reached over and squeezed my hand supportively . " We connected instantly , I continued , lost in the memory . " We danced for hours , 20:40 157 . 13 An Awkward Invitation and a Masked Memory barely speaking , Just … feeling . Then we ended up in his hotel room . It was incredible , passionate … perfect ." My cheeks flushed at the admission . " When I woke up the next morning , he was gone . No note , no name , nothing ." " And a few weeks later , she found out she was pregnant , " Chloe added softly . Evelyn's face had gone completely still , her eyes wide with what looked like shock . " I'm sorry if that makes you think less of me , " I said quietly . Evelyn quickly shook her head . " No , no , of course not . I'm just … surprised ." " Surprised that our Hazel had a wild night ? " Chloe teased , trying to lighten the mood . " No , " Evelyn said slowly , her gaze moving between me and the hallway where Leo's room was . " Just surprised by … coincidences . " " What do you mean ? " I asked , confused by her strange reaction . Evelyn hesitated , then smiled warmly . " Nothing important . Just thinking about how life . works out sometimes . " She changed the subject then , asking about my move to Haven Harbor , but I couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had just happened . The way Evelyn had looked when I mentioned the masked ball and those distinctive violet - blue eyes … A chill ran down my spine as a crazy thought fo A chill ran down my spine as a crazy thought formed in my mind . But no - it couldn't be possible . Could it ? 14 The Scars He Carrins