As they drove back to Denmark Residence, Joshua made a promise to Hazel. He vowed that he would stay by her side until she felt like she was herself again. They both knew it was going to take some time to process everything that had happened.
A few days after the fire, Hazel was still recovering when a visitor stopped by to see her.
Hazel walked down the stairs slowly, in the living room, Susan was waiting for her. For a long time, Susan was not a welcomed guest at Denmark Residence, but after everything that had happened, Joshua realized it was not her fault.
"You are here to see me? What happened?" Hazel saw her and her expression became more complex.
Her relationship with Susan had been very strained, and even though it had been eased with the recent events, it was only because of their common enemy. The situation was definitely complex, Hazel was the reason that Susan's mother died, and Susan's mother was the reason why Hazel's parents were dead.
However, even with the complicated past they shared, when Hazel saw Susan, she didn't feel as much hate as she had before. She understood that none of it had to do with Susan and that Sunny even tried to kill her; Susan has nothing but an innocent victim.
"I..." Susan looked at Hazel and was speechless. She hadn't seen Hazel for some time, and she felt she was different.
The Hazel she knew before was smart, beautiful, with the vitality of her age. But now, her temperament was stable. It was like wine that has been cherished for a period of time, even from a distance, you are fascinated.
"Please sit." Hazel nodded to her and pointed to the chair.
Susan relaxed when she realized Hazel was not angry. She said, "I am only here today to say goodbye. I want to go back to country D."
"After settling back in, what do you plan to do?" Hazel asked casually.
As soon as she said the words, Hazel herself was stunned. Her relationship with Susan was not a close one, and there was no need to ask such questions, but she had asked. Hazel would not explain herself, and she hoped Susan would leave, thinking this was just an act of kindness toward her.
Susan seemed to be very surprised as well. She replied, "When I get back, I intend to marry Richard and live with him in peace. After all, the one person who really cared about me was him."
Hazel nodded in approval, that really did seem to be the best option for Susan.
"Hazel, thank you." Susan smiled and lowered her head. "I understand that you asked me casually about what I will do, but I really appreciate you. I know that people would only get close to me because of my identity. Actually, I don't think I have a sincere friend. You... asking that, let me think that I may not have failed so thoroughly."
Susan stood up and walked out of Denmark's Residence, not looking back.
Hazel sat on the sofa for a few minutes after Susan left, thinking about everything that had happened. She was glad everything was over, and everyone could move on with their lives.
After daydreaming for a few moments, Hazel snapped back to reality and realized that she had been so busy that her work had been neglected. She picked up her laptop and began looking through emails when she heard a warm voice say, "What are you so busy doing?"
Hazel looked up to see Joshua leaning on the edge of the sofa, smiling at her. She felt her heart beat faster as her cheeks got warmer. She wondered why Joshua felt the need to flirt with her while she was working.
"I..." she started to stammer, but before she could finish, Joshua walked over, bent down, and kissed her. The kiss became deeper and deeper, by the time Hazel tried to push him away, Joshua was already sitting on the sofa, and she was in his arms.
"You never did say, what are you busy working on?" He tucked her hair behind her ear and then whispered into it.
Hazel felt her ear get hotter. She quickly said, "I am busy dealing with Joshua-Hazel Pictures."
She picked up her notebook off the table and showed it to Joshua. "These are the recent advertising partners of Joshua-Hazel Pictures. There is a new script that the director accepted. After all, how can I be the boss if I don't manage anything? I won't be too irresponsible…."
Joshua looked at her with a smile. She was acting shy, and with her flushed face, she was clearly trying to change the topic. However, he was not going to let her.
Joshua leaned toward Hazel and softly kissed her cheek.
"Ah!" Hazel exclaimed. She turned to face him with a frown, not thinking that her position would only make it easier for him. Looking at her face, Joshua kissed her lips without hesitation.
"Oh..." Hazel struggled to push him away, but Joshua's hand passed through her hair and pulled her head closer. He finally pulled his lips away from hers when he knew she was breathless.
"What has happened to you?" Hazel looked at him with confusion. Joshua has seemed to be particularly enthusiastic.
"You are going to graduate soon," Joshua said in a deep, serious voice.
"I know." Hazel blinked, and she asked with anticipation. "Will you come to the graduation ceremony?"
It was only a few days until her graduation ceremony. She had a big surprise planned for Joshua, but she did not know that he also had a surprise for her.
"Of course," Joshua gently embraced her. "I would not miss one of the most important days of your life."
"Perfect! You must promise that you will be there, no matter what!" Hazel's excitement became even stronger.
"I promise!" Joshua said with a small smile on his lips.