Later that night, Hazel cannot sleep. She strolled around the pool area, hoping to tire herself and fall asleep soon.
"Hazel? Why are you not in bed yet?"
Hazel made an abrupt turn when someone spoke behind her.
"How about you?" She returned the question instead of answering James.
"I can't sleep yet, so I'm thinking of smoking before I go to bed. But you're also here."
Hazel lowered her gaze to James' hand. He was holding a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.
"Okay. Then why aren't you smoking yet?" she queried, trying to be casual to hide the loud beating of her heart.
James didn't reply, but he only stared at her. Hazel figured out that James chose not to because she was around.
"Go ahead. You should not mind me." Hazel waves her right hand. She pursed her lips into an encouraging smile to show James that it was totally fine with her. It made her happy to see that James was considerate toward her.
"Is it really okay?"
"It's alright. My male cousins and older siblings are smoking. So, I'm used to it." Hazel urge James, at the same time explaining to him.
"Alright." James leaned on the balusters. He took out one stick of a known brand and lit it.
"I only smoke when something is bothering me," he added afterward. More likely, he is clarifying to Hazel.
"I noticed." Hazel nodded her head. She lowered her gaze and watched her toes. She felt awkward with the silence between them.
James is a typical comedic guy, but she always wondered why he was too serious around her, which made her nervous and speechless. Not so like her.
"Have you already thought about it?" After a long moment of silence, James tried to break the awkwardness between them.
James glanced at Hazel. But the girl is hiding behind the pot between them. He frowned. Jame had the urge to kick the damn flower pot that separated him from sitting closer to Hazel. But this pot is precious to the princess. So, he must keep his cool.
Hazel, on the other hand, was grateful for the flower pot in between them. She could hide from it. At the same time, she could peek at James, secretly stealing glances at him.
But then, out of the blue, James queried about the other night.
What actually happened the other night?
The other night, Hazel was in the kitchen washing the vegetables and cutting them into small sizes before putting them into the juicer machine.
"Miss Hazel, do you need our help?"
Hazel cast a glance at the two kitchen helpers behind her. She waved her hand and said, "It's alright. I will only make some vegetable juice so you both can take a rest now."
"Okay, Miss. Good night."
"Good night!" Hazel widened her smile as she dismissed the two helpers.
Hazel is not hungry. She was in the kitchen to make some juice out of vegetables to detoxify her body before she went to bed.
She has eaten too many carbs in the past few days because Gigi was craving Italian dishes such as lasagna, baked macaroni, and any dishes with tomato sauces.
"Here!" Hazel handed James the glass with vegetable juice but she almost spilled it out as she wasn't looking at him.
"Thanks." She heard James mutter before he drank his juice. Afterward, he commented. "It was good and healthy. Can you make me a glass of it again tomorrow?"
As James said that, Hazel unconsciously looked up at him, creasing her forehead, as confusion was written on her face.
"Tomorrow?" Hazel is more likely talking to herself.
"Yes." James smiled. He is actually noticing how Hazel would avoid meeting his eyes. Finally, she is staring back at him.
He knew she had no fever either, but he wanted her to meet his gaze when he stood close to her. However, she is too shy around him, which is not her character at all.
Hazel is a witty and bubbly woman. She is vocal, and it was something he liked about her.
"If you want me to repeat what I said, I want you to make me another vegetable juice tomorrow."
"Oh. Sure!" Wait, what? Did I just agree? No!
Hazel was not in herself at all when she replied to James. After she contemplated it, now she realized that something was not right.
"I..."
"No rejection!" James snapped, and Hazel wanted to protest.
'This guy is actually shameless! Why do I have to especially make him vegetable juice when he could make it himself?' Hazel grumbled inwardly as she began regretting it. She could not take it back either, so she scolded herself for not paying attention as her mind was scattered all over the place.
"Now, go to bed," said James. He was about to leave when Hazel grabbed his shirt. "You have something to say?"
"Ah, James..." Hazel was struggling to continue. She didn't know how to start or to end it. 'Gosh! How should I put it that I would not look stupid in front of him?'
"What's the matter? Why don't you tell me if you have something on your mind?"
Hazel was stunned that James actually had this side of him. Most of the time, James is a loud and comic guy. But every time she was with him alone. He is wearing a solemn look on his face.
"Erm, James... It was actually a kind of request. I hope you don't misunderstand me..."
"Okay. Spill it out then."
Hazel took a deep breath. Then she pursed her lips and smiled nervously.
"It's about your mom. Can you tell her to stop calling me daughter-in-law? We don't have a relationship, so can you explain that to her?"
"Why? Don't you like her?"
Hazel creased her forehead. 'Why is he asking me this? Am I not clear?' She didn't understand what James was thinking.
"Well, Doctor Manni is a sweet lady. But I am not your girlfriend. You should make her understand we're not in a relationship." Hazel is looking at James with anticipation. She was always embarrassed when the sweet doctor deliberately addressed her as a daughter-in-law. But James only remained silent for a long time now.
"What do you want, then?"
"Huh?" Hazel doesn't understand James. She felt like she was lost at the moment.
"What if I tell you I like you? Would you like to be my girlfriend? Would you like to try it out by having a relationship with a guy like me?"