Chapter 30
**
Ethan
The doubt that Hazel must have caused the wardrobe malfunction, was the only thing running in my mind during our car ride back home. But before I jump to any conclusions, I knew I have to talk to her first.
The car came to halt in front of Scarlett's building. I asked the driver to wait while I drop Scarlett to her apartment.
The walk to her apartment was silent apart from the click of her heels. I could see that Scarlett was a little shaken from the mishap that just happened, by how her hands trembled a little. There were hundreds of scenarios running through her mind as her eyes would shift from one place to other. She needed to relax and not overthink this situation. Nothing has happened and thinking about what would have happened will only stress her further which wasn't needed.
Before Scarlett could pull out her keys, I stopped her by placing a hand on her arm to turn her to face me. She gave me a confuse look but stopped her action.
"Are you okay, Scarlett?" I asked, softly.
She sighed and slumped her shoulder. "I can't stop thinking about what would have happened if we were a second late from covering up. My breast would be on magazines, newspapers and TV's. The thought makes me want to puke all the delicious food I had."
"But nothing did happen. You will only cause harm to yourself if you don't stop thinking about what if's. There are so many possibilities that can't be changed or forced into action. I will find out how did this happened." I assured her.
"But Ethan, what if–" I did not let her complete her sentence as I grabbed the suit collar slightly and pulled her in a slow kiss.
Within few seconds, I pulled away and looked into her eyes. "No what if's, love. Even if you were exposed and on magazines, I would've called every media company to stop them from publishing it. No leaks including."
She breathes out slowly and nods her in understanding. I cup the back of her neck and lean her forward against me to rest her forehead with mine to calm her down. I watch her close her eyes and take a deep shaky breath before releasing it. Slowly, her distress face turns into a content one.
"Do you want me to stay over?" I asked her softly.
A small and almost teasing smile takes a place on her lips with mischievous glint in her eyes. "Why? Did you plan otherwise? I thought you promised a great night after party."
I chuckled. "If that's what you wish for, love."
I informed my driver to go back home without me as I would be staying the night here. Next, I asked Scarlett about Lizzy and she told me that she won't be here until late at night and since we would be in her room, Lizzy won't get disturbed.
"If you don't scream that is. Though, I plan on making you scream my name the whole night." I teased her with my lips grazing her jaws.
"Who knows. It could be the other way around." Scarlett muttered with a smirk as she grabbed me through my pants.
"Oh!" I exclaimed at her sudden action, but didn't remove her hand from my bulging pants. "If that's how you want to play."
She chuckled and soon we found ourselves moaning and grunting as we rolled around in between the sheets with our naked body joined together as one. Instead of taking things fast and rough, I took a much slower and calmer pace with her to make her feel safe and her body protected.
The more I touch her, the more my feelings for her grew. The urge to protect her all time came with a powerful feeling of possession and obsession. I was underestimating the depth of my feelings for her. For the first time, I realised that maybe Scarlett was right. Maybe, entering into an agreement of Friends With Benefits would take a nasty turn which would ruin everything.
**
A loud bang resonated through the shop as I slammed the box filled dress on the coffee table of the boutique.
Startled, Hazel's assistant rushed my way as Hazel was busy with a client. I didn't miss the slight irritation on her face as she glanced at me, trying to compose her expression.
"Excuse me, Sir. You can't come in and slam things on the table." Her assistant blabbered. "Can I help you with something?"
I tore my eyes away from Hazel and eyed the sweating assistant woman who was staring at me with her big round eyes. "I'm here to talk to your boss."
"Ms. Davis is currently busy. I can assist you for her." The assistant, whose name was unknown to me spoke.
This could be a perfect chance to ask about the altered gown. Hazel could deny my claims, but maybe her assistant could spill the truth if threatened a little.
So I turned towards her and gave her my full attention which seems to startle her as she gulped and nervously eyed Hazel, who kept on flickering her eyes at us while talking to her client.
"You can surely help me. Two days ago, my companion came to take a dress from Ms. Hazel Davis and was promised that the dress was well altered and there was no need to worry about anything. But, apparently, the dress looked like it was purposely altered to be broken during the event to humiliate my friend."
"W-What? That's not possible." She stuttered and asked for the permission to check the gown. I gestured for her to continue while I glare at Hazel. A gasp escaped her mouth. I snapped my head in her direction and watch her face pale. Bingo.
"So you do know about this." I stated. I felt my blood boil when the assistant stuttered again, her hands shaking and her face sweating profusely.
Ignoring her, I marched towards Hazel. I grabbed her arm and roughly turned her to me, cutting her conversation with her client. "Ethan!"
"Why the bloody hell did you do it?" I asked through my gritted teeth. It was clear as a day that Hazel was the one to make some unwanted changes.
"Let me go and we can talk?" She said in a calm tone. I let her go and waited impatiently as she talked to her client and they left.
Once they left her boutique she turned to me with a glare. "This is my workplace. Don't you dare come and create a ruckus again."
"I won't if you bloody tell me why did you purposely jeopardize Scarlett's dress?" I said through my clench teeth.
"I have done no such things that you accuse me of. I have not altered Scarlett's dress. She is my friend too. Would you first tell me what happened?" She asked in exasperation.
"You want to play it that way, fine! I'll tell you. Scarlett's dress broke and almost exposed her upper chest to the world."
Hazel furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "That's not possible. None of my dress has ever malfunctioned."
"Exactly! But this did so it clearly states that this was done on purpose!" I exclaimed angrily.
"No, Ethan. You blame me for this, but I have nothing to do with it." She defended.
"If it's not you, then who?" I asked, because I was having a hard time in believing that. I saw the first interaction between Hazel and Scarlett, and it looked as if Hazel does not like Scarlett and she also has been spitting nonsense about my feelings to Scarlett and almost made us fight on her moving to London.
"I don't know. I didn't even alter-" She suddenly stopped speaking and turned her attention to someone else. I followed her line of vision and stopped on the sweating assistant. "May," Hazel began, her tone taking a nasty turn. "Do you know what he is talking about?"
"N-No." The assistant stuttered.
"I am going to ask you one last time. Do you know what he is talking about?" Hazel said in a hard voice.
"I...uh..." She stammered, gulping.
"She knows because she did it herself. You gave her to alter and she purposely loosened the hook." I stated, glaring at the woman. "Why?"
"I was asked to." She blurted and then paled, realising what she said.
"What?" Hazel asked, her jaws clenched.
"A woman was luring outside the boutique when Miss Scarlett was present. She called me out when you gave this dress to me for alteration and were checking other dresses. She p-paid me to do that." She confessed.
"And you purposely damaged a dress and that too for money?" Hazel burst as she yelled loudly, causing the woman to flinch.
"I-I'm sorry." She said and made a dash for the door. I was alert and on my feet to run after her, but she did not reach that far as she collided with someone at the door.
My eyes met with Scarlett, who from the looks seems like she heard everything. "Who asked you to do this? What was the woman's name?"
"I don't know. She just handed me a bunch of cash and left." May informed, looking down in shame.
"I'm going to cancel your intern application with me and have a talk with your college dean." Hazel said, her voice hard and emotionless. "I'll deal with you later." She then turned to Scarlett and gave her an apologetic look. "I am so sorry, Scarlett. She is my responsibility and so her mistake is my mistake."
"It's not your fault." Scarlett assured her.
"Someone did this on purpose and we have find out who did." I spoke, looking at the both of them.
"I agree with him." Hazel said, pointing at me. "Could it be Lizzy?"
I watch Scarlett give a warning look to Hazel, who raised her hand in surrender. "It is not Lizz-"
"Yes!" The assistant, May exclaimed. "I remember. I heard her talking over the phone with someone and she said her name was Lizzy."
"That's impossible. Lizzy would never do that." Scarlett countered, almost immediately.
"Maybe she could." Hazel muttered.
"No!" She exclaimed in disbelief. "It's not her. I refuse to believe it."
"Scarlett-" I began, but she shook her head and raised her hand.
"No, Ethan." She stated firmly and turned to leave the shop.
I turned to Hazel and apologised for accusing her earlier. "I'm sorry I accused you without knowing the facts."
"That's okay. I forgive you, but I'll warn you. Lizzy is sharp. She isn't as dumb as she pretends to be so be careful of her." Hazel warned.
I nodded and left to follow Scarlett. I looked around the street and found her standing aloof in the middle, staring at something in her hand.
I ran towards her and caught her arm. She stood frozen in her place, staring blankly at something. "Scarlett?"
"I got a message." She spoke, lowly.
"Who is it?" I asked, gazing at the phone in her hand and at her face.
"I-I don't know."
I carefully took the phone from her hand and read the message.
This is just the beginning. There is a lot worst to come. Beware.
**
Hello!
I know I'm late with the update, but I've been very busy this past ten days. I hope you guys understand. This chapter isn't a long one, but hopefully the next is.
Can you guess who the person behind the message is? Would Scarlett believe Hazel and Ethan that if it's actually Lizzy or just a backup cover for Hazel?
Let me know your thoughts. Until then.
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