It was 5 p.m., and it was time to close the shop. All this time, Hazel's mind had been filled with thoughts of Enzo. Her mind kept replaying how Enzo had entered the shop and everything that had happened. Sometimes, her thoughts added extra details that hadn't actually occurred. It changed each time. At first, Hazel enjoyed it, but as her mind continued to wander, she began to feel anxious. Her thoughts wouldn't stop, especially when she thought about meeting him at the Crown Monarch Hotel.

Hazel had seen the hotel often since it was in the same area. It was located in a quieter part of town, surrounded by beautiful nature. There was a lake behind the hotel.

Hazel had never imagined she'd visit a place like that. As a middle-class girl, she considered it a luxury hotel. Hazel's parents weren't particularly wealthy, but they had everything they needed—nothing fancy or extravagant, but they were content.

It took Hazel around 10 minutes to walk home. Her house wasn't on the main road. From the main road, there was a side street. After walking about 10 meters, she had to turn left onto a small lane, and the first house on that lane was hers. Hazel lived in a small house by herself. Fortunately, it was a house her mother had inherited from her grandmother, so Hazel didn't have to pay rent. The house was small but cozy. It had a stone wall about 5 feet tall, with a little gate. The gate was a simple black metal one with vertical bars, standing at the entrance of a stony walkway. It wasn't directly in front of the door; it was a few feet to the right of it. The small garden surrounding the house was well-maintained, with blooming flowers adding a touch of color.

Hazel quickly took a shower and opened her cupboard to find a dress. Suddenly, she realized that if Enzo was staying at a luxury hotel, that must mean he was rich. She wondered if she even had a dress suitable for such a place. After a moment of hesitation, she chose her cute white frock, which looked both fancy and sweet. Honestly, it wasn't very expensive.

She then applied her usual makeup. As she got dressed, she couldn't help but wonder why Enzo would want to date someone like her. Once she was ready, she messaged her friends. She had already told Claudia about the situation, so both of them knew what was happening. Since her friends worked different jobs, they weren't all free at the same time, so she didn't call them. However, their replies made her feel better and gave her the encouragement she needed.

"Send a photo of you before you go," Dona messaged in their group chat.

Hazel took a photo of herself and shared it.

"You look cute," Claudia said.

"You look great," Dona added. Hazel felt happy, but at the same time, she felt nervous. Yet, there was a strong urge inside her to see the handsome guy again. She wondered if it was because he was good-looking, or if there was actually some kind of chemistry between them.

—----------------

Enzo was waiting at the outside bar of the hotel. It was around 6 p.m., and the surroundings were growing darker. He remembered inviting a girl to meet him, and he knew she would come. No girl had ever rejected him. He was the one who rejected girls. But there was something special about Hazel—she was his type. Normally, he didn't find many girls who fit his preferences, and when he did, it was rare. The reason was simple: the type of girls he liked didn't often go to the places he frequented.

As Enzo's car stopped near the bookshop The Cozy Quill, he spotted Hazel. For a split second, he felt like his mind had snapped back to the past. But he quickly pushed the thought away, making sure not to let it linger. He didn't want to dwell on the past. He wasn't living in it anymore. He got out of the car and walked into the bookshop. He took a good look at Hazel, and she looked perfect. The way she spoke, the way she looked at him, reminded him of only one person. Though they didn't look the same, despite having the same hair color, somehow, she gave off the same feeling and vibe. So, he asked her to meet him again. Enzo felt a bit uneasy, glancing at his watch from time to time.

Then Enzo saw her approaching, wearing a cute white frock. His heart started beating faster, and he forgot to breathe. She looked even more beautiful now. The surrounding nature added a romantic vibe to the scene, with a light breeze adding to the atmosphere.

"Hi!" Hazel greeted him with a smile that mixed both anxiety and genuine happiness, as if she were truly glad to see him.

Enzo leaned in, his eyes locking with Hazel's just before his lips met hers in a sudden, passionate kiss. The unexpected movement caused her to stumble back slightly, her heart racing as a surge of electric energy rushed through her. It was as if lightning sparked from every touch.

His thumb brushed softly against her jawline, sending a shiver down her spine. Hazel melted into the moment, savoring the warmth of his lips and the intoxicating scent of his cologne, which enveloped her. The kiss deepened, lingering longer than she had anticipated, leaving her breathless and blissfully dazed.

It was a kiss unlike any she had ever experienced, leaving her completely captivated, as if she were drunk on the sheer passion of it.