Chapter 26 :A Night to Remember

The game of Truth or Dare continued, the room still lively despite the occasional tension that flickered between certain players. The bottle spun again, slowing before stopping between Hazel and Amanda.

Amanda smirked and crossed her legs elegantly. "Truth," she said confidently.

Hazel leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharp. "The position you are in now, in the movie industry… is it by your hard work or by your body?"

The room went silent. Even the faint sound of the wind outside seemed to pause as everyone's attention locked onto Amanda.

Amanda's expression remained unreadable, but Hazel noticed the slight flicker in her eyes before she quickly composed herself. With a poised smile, Amanda responded, "Through my hard work, of course."

A chorus of impressed murmurs followed.

"Wow!" someone whispered.

"Impressive," another added.

The group clapped, but Hazel did not join them. She simply watched Amanda with an unreadable expression, knowing the truth but choosing to let it slide—for now.

The bottle spun again, and this time, it landed on Hazel.

Ezekiel grinned. "Truth or Dare?"

Hazel sighed, knowing she had no escape. "Truth."

Ezekiel's smirk widened. "If you had to choose between success and love, which one would you pick?"

Hazel hesitated. Her mind flashed to everything she had worked for and the sacrifices she had made, but also to the fleeting warmth she sometimes felt when she was around Zamiel.

She could not answer. Instead, she grabbed the glass of alcohol and took a full sip, earning a round of teasing laughter from her friends.

"You are no fun," Jason chuckled.

"Too difficult of a question, huh?" Jasmine teased.

The bottle spun again, and to Hazel's dismay, Amanda got to ask her a question. Amanda's lips curled into a wicked smile.

"Alright, Hazel," she said, swirling her wine glass. "Are you still a virgin?"

The room went dead silent. Hazel felt her heart slam against her chest, her mind racing. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could answer, Amanda smirked and cut in.

"Actually, how could you even be a virgin after disappearing in the house for seven years?" Amanda added mockingly, taking a slow sip of her wine.

A collective gasp rippled through the group.

Jasmine, who had been sitting quietly until now, slammed her hand against the table. "Amanda, watch your words!" she snapped, rolling her eyes at Amanda in frustration.

The room tensed, eyes darting between the two girls. But before Amanda could respond, a calm but firm voice broke the silence.

"Amanda."

Everyone turned toward Zamiel, who had been quietly observing the exchange.

Amanda's eyes lit up slightly, thrilled that Zamiel had finally noticed her. Her goal for the night had been to get closer to him, just as her mother had advised.

But her excitement was short-lived.

"I agree with Jasmine," Zamiel said coolly. "You should watch your words. Hazel might later end up being your boss."

Amanda's face fell. The confidence she had been radiating all night wavered as she felt the sting of his words. She had expected Zamiel to defend her, not put her in her place.

With the tension still hanging in the air, Ezekiel clapped his hands. "Alright, moving on! Let's finish this game before we all start throwing punches."

The group laughed, the atmosphere shifting back to something lighter. The game continued until late into the night, but Hazel—who had already been drinking more than usual—eventually got drunk.

She was laughing more than usual, swaying slightly, and even poking at Zamiel's cheek at one point.

"You are too serious," she slurred playfully, making everyone burst into laughter.

Zamiel simply sighed, but there was a small, amused smile on his lips.

By the end of the night, Amanda's manager arrived to pick her up, while Zamiel was the one who ended up driving Hazel home.

Jason drove Jasmine home, making sure she got inside safely before leaving.

The Next Morning

A sharp ray of sunlight streamed through Hazel's window, making her groan as she woke up late. Her head pounded, and her body felt sluggish as she checked the time.

"Oh no!" she gasped, immediately rushing to get ready for work.

She barely remembered the events of last night, but something about Zamiel felt oddly familiar in her hazy memories. Still, she had no time to think—she needed to get to work.

Rushing into the office, Hazel adjusted her blazer and smoothed her hair as she stepped out of the elevator.

But just as she entered the lobby, she froze.

There, stepping out of his sleek black car, was Zamiel.

And just like that, everything from last night came rushing back.

Her teasing, her playful poking, the way she had giggled like a fool, and—

"Oh no… I am dead." she muttered under her breath.

Would Zamiel bring it up? Would he tease her?

Or worse—did he remember something she did that she did not?

Hazel swallowed nervously as Zamiel approached, his expression unreadable.