59 Chapter 59: Its better this way

It was very late into the night but the people kept chugging up drinks. It seemed like Jinha and Usui were competing over their drinking ability.

Hazel frowned at the two idiots. She pulled Jinha's arm indicating him to stop but he looked at her and blew her a kiss.

"Dear... Don't worry... I can manage...Hic-up!" Jinha slurred on his words.

Hazel slapped her forehead and looked at Zeno and Hak who were chatting military affairs. She huffed in incredulity.

She looked at Liz who was trying to ignore the person next to her. She saw her fists clenched tight and figured she was this close to lose her patience. She pitied Zelal who was trying his best to talk to her.

Finally, after an hour Usui and Jinha slumped against each other and dozed off. Hazel gaped at them disbelievingly.

She slapped the table with both hands and stood up, "That's it... We are going back."

Suddenly they heard a low cry which attracted them towards Liz who dusted her hands and flashed them a grin before turning to leave.

Her eyes shifted to Zelal who was nursing his finger in pain. When he felt her gaze at him, he smiled awkwardly before he got up and followed Liz.

"Wait-"

Hazel couldn't finish her words as Zelal disappeared within moments.

'Who is going to take care of your brother?'

She sighed before turning to look at the other two men who vanished from their seats.

"Up you go. Damn! He's so heavy!"

She turned to look at Hak and Zeno who had their arms around Jinha. Zeno looked at her and Usui before nodding his head, "So we are leaving him to you."

"Wait - what?"

She was baffled at the turn of events so she stood there not knowing how to react. Frustrated, she turned towards the sleeping guy who was rubbing his face against the table.

Hazel looked around to find the restaurant slowly getting empty. She rubbed her forehead cursing her friends for leaving her alone.

She didn't want anything to do with him so she stood up to leave when she heard him calling out her name lovingly.

"Free-ya!"

His voice stopped her actions. Hazel turned back and saw Usui smiling in his sleep. His lips chanted her name so affectionately.

Sighing to her fate, she stepped towards him and grabbed him by his shoulder. She had her right arm wound around his waist while her left arm grabbed his hand and placed it across her shoulder. She lifted him but staggered a little in the process.

"Oh my God!! So heavy!"

Hazel exhaled angrily before making her way out of the restaurant.

...

Hazel dragged Usui as they walked towards the palace. She couldn't believe how heavy this guy was even though he looked lean.

'I'm going to stomp this guy to death.' She thought angrily as she made her way past the familiar alley.

Usui opened his eyes slightly and recognised the alley. He looked down at the girl who was struggling to carry him. Smiling gently, Usui pulled her closer to him and mumbled, "Freya."

Hazel froze when she felt her face hit his chest. Suddenly a hand lifted her chin up and she met with his gorgeous brown eyes. His dazy eyes stared down her with a sweet smile hanging on his lips.

Hazel's eyes widened when she saw his face move closer to her. His lips moved towards her ear and he whispered gently, "Freya, Let me protect you."

Hazel was shocked by his words. He leaned back and stared into her eyes deeply. Even though the figure before him was blurry, he could make out his woman's features.

He caressed her cheeks and smiled, "Can you give me a chance to protect you?"

Stunned Hazel didn't move her eyes away from his face. She didn't hear anything after he said, 'Let me protect you.'

Just why would he utter the same words?

Those words which once were full of doting love. But now, it caused her pain whenever she remembers.

Usui slowly leaned forward and pecked her cheek. Feeling something soft on her cheeks, Hazel touched the spot where he kissed her.

'What just happened?' She wondered.

She felt her body being pushed against the wall. She frowned and looked up to meet those brown eyes which were full of love.

'Wait.. why was this situation familiar to her? The place, the position. The only difference was that he was caressing her cheeks.

"I'm here... As long as I'm alive, nothing will happen to you."

He tucked the strand behind her ear before cupping her face. He leaned his forehead against hers and whispered, "Don't be hard on yourself. "

Hazel stood there shocked to her ends that she didn't make a sound or move away from his touch. She felt his breath on her skin and something soft touch her forehead.

"Why are you scared?" His words were like throwing cold water over her body, waking her up from her shock.

Right when his lips were about to touch hers, she shoved the guy away hardly.

Glaring at him, she asked furiously, "Do you take any woman as Freya now? Can't you even recognise the girl you love?"

Hearing her words, Usui woke up from his haze. He shook his head until his sight became clear. In front of him stood Hazel who had her arms around herself and her wet eyes glaring at him.

Immediately he apologized, " I'm sorry, my mind was a bit hazy -"

Ignoring his words, Hazel bore her eyes down at him and said, " So you would take any girl for Freya? Is that all she is for you? Do you think you are worthy of her, one who can't even recognise the right person?"

Hurt, pain flashed across his eyes the moment he heard her. The pain in his eyes was so overwhelming that it stung her heart.

Usui didn't know what happened, normally he used to be fine even if he was drunk. And, he wouldn't normally let a girl touch him in that state. But for some reason, he hugged her and even kissed her cheeks.

Looking at his miserable stance, Hazel didn't wait any longer before hurrying out of the alley. She didn't want to see the pain in his eyes.

She kept telling herself, 'It was better to cut it off from the bud than to let it blossom into a flower'

Suddenly she heard a lazy voice speak from the shadows, "Did you have to be so cruel?"

Hazel froze before she turned to Zeno who stood there calmly. Zeno raised his eyebrow at him to which she turned her head away, "It's better to stop it before it gets deep."

"You sure?"

Hazel nodded. Then he asked slowly, "Then why is your face flushed?"

Zeno looked calmly at the red-faced girl who was trying to be strong.

Hazel cupped her face and stuttered, "Fl-flushed? W-who? What nonsense are you spouting." 

Zeno stared at her before he turned his head from the direction she came. He nodded slightly and said, "Go back. I will bring him back."

Hazel looked at him before she nodded hesitantly. She mumbled a thank-you before he disappeared into the darkness.

'I'm sorry... I need to do this... This is better for both of us.'