Unique Aura

Hazel sat at a small yet beautiful cafe. She was watching Janice, who was busy preparing the orders of the customer. She was alone because Marcus wanted to give her some private time with her old friend. So he will be coming later.

After serving many customers, Janice finally closed the cafe to have a chat with her new friend; though it was only 3 in the evening.

"I'm sorry. We always have more customers than usual at weekend. Are you bored?" Janice asked Hazel as she handed her a cup of coffee.

"It's okay. If you are busy, that means the business is doing well. So it's a good thing. Marcus has some business, so he will come later." Hazel eyes swept around the cafe. Janice had always dreamed of owning a beautiful cafe since she was a child; so she's happy that her friend's dream has come true.

As she took a glimpse of the cafe, her eyes landed on the familiar photo that was placed on the waiting table. She stared for a while without realizing it.

Janice soon understood that she was staring at the photo. "It's a photo with my only friends." She said with a low voice. Her smile was gone and her eyes glued to the floor.

"Did something happen to them?" Hazel eyes never left the photo. It brings back the memories of the time when she was a happy and naive woman.

The persons in the photo were Janice, Xander and Hazel, who was Annie by that time. They looked so happy with their arms bracing each other. They smiled brightly as if they don't have any worries in this world.

"She was Annie, my best friend from the orphanage and her fiance, Xander, who was also from the orphanage. She disappeared six years ago. Since then we didn't hear anything from her; so Xander registered her as dead after one year" said Janice. Her voice was brittle as if she was about to cry.

She remembered very clearly, how much she waited for her friend to return. All those sleepless nights and tears; but now after six years, all her hopes were long gone. She accepted her friend's death and tried to live her life to the fullest, for the sake of her friend.

"Then what about her fiance?" Hazel asked in an instant. She wanted to know how Xander put up an act like an innocent person.

"At the beginning, he refused to admit Annie's death. They depend on each other so much; so at that time, he was such a mess. He searched for her everywhere and he was like a living corpse. But he move on after years. Now he's living happily with his wife and I'm happy for him."

Hazel clenched her fist so hard. She was boiling with anger on the inside. That trash! How dare he act like a pitiful man who lose his fiancee! He should be an actor rather than a businessman. What?! He searched for her everywhere? He was the one who pushed her off the cliff!

She tried so hard not to show her emotions. She pursed her lips and tried her best to put on a normal face. She's always good at hiding her emotions. She practiced a lot to portray herself as a confident woman who never showed her emotions. She believed that it is a must for a business tycoon like her.

Hazel holds Janice hand. "I'm sorry. It must be so hard for you." She reassurred her.

Janice forced a smile and said, "I'm okay. Though it was hard at the beginning, I can move on with the help of those children at the orphanage."

"I assume you are quite rich. You even make a donation to the orphanage. What do you do?" Janice added, trying to change the topic and the solemn aura. Besides she had a new friend but she only knows her name. But the latter already knew so much about her. So she feels clumsy.

"My family owns a business. Me and my brother work there." Hazel knew that articles about her will soon surface around the city; but she wanted to hide her identity as long as she could. She knew Janice well. She never felt comfortable to be associated with people of high status. She was afraid that she would scare her away.

--- --- --- --- ---

Marcus and Aiden reached the cafe almost at the same time. Both dressed in a casual comfortable wear - with a t-shirt and a trouser. But they still look so handsome and attractive. Seeing both of them in a single place will be quite a sight!

"Hi! Sorry for being late." Marcus greeted the two ladies.

Janice instantly blush as she saw the charming man approaching them, with Aiden following him behind. Though she already know how handsome Marcus was, she was still astonished at the sight of him.

Hazel's face completely changed as her gaze landed on Aiden. He always has an unique aura around him, which she finds it really strange. She immediately frowned.

Janice don't failed to notice the changed in Hazel's reaction. It was the first time she saw someone frowned at Aiden. She was surprised but at the same time, she was curious. What's going on between them?

The fact that Aiden likes Hazel, didn't cross her mind even once. Aiden was popular among girls. He caught the attention of many female celebrities but he never date any of them. So there's no way he would like the woman he only met once. But that's just her opinion.

"I'm sorry for being late. I met my Chief Editor friend to talk about some work; so I can't make it on time." Aiden explained himself. His eyes never leave Hazel. But the latter sit still like she didnt care a bit about him.

"Oh! Aiden, I heard that your new book is doing really well again. I also read it and I really enjoyed. You're a true genius!" Janice happily exclaimed.

Aiden smiled as a response and shifted his eyes again to Hazel. "Hi! Nice to meet you again, Ms. Lim." He greeted her with a silvery voice and a warm smile.....