An Unexpected Appointment

Hazel's POV

"Sebastian Sinclair speaking."

His deep voice caught me off guard. I'd been so prepared to leave a voicemail that I stumbled over my words.

"Hello? Sebastian, it's Hazel. Hazel Shaw."

Why had I added my last name? Of course he knew who I was. I cringed at my awkwardness.

"Hazel," he said, his tone warming instantly. "This is a pleasant surprise."

I fidgeted with a pencil on my desk, suddenly nervous. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

"Not at all. I was just reviewing some contracts." There was a rustling of papers on his end. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, everything's fine." I took a deep breath. "I'm calling about the debt I owe you."

"The debt?" He sounded genuinely confused.

"The ten million you gave me to deal with my father's bankruptcy." I straightened my back, strengthening my resolve. "I can repay a large portion of it now."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "I see. I wasn't expecting this call so soon."