Hazel opened her palm, playfully demanding, "Where is my wedding gift?"
"I gave you one, right? The draft for your father?"
"That's a favor, not a gift."
"My generous favor is your wedding gift. It's not every day I am being generous, you know."
Hazel could hardly conceal her amusement as she replied, "I didn't realize you were so cheap, Lucian."
Hazel was in Ranon's office, waiting for him as he was occupied with a meeting. Lucian had been waiting for her in the hope of joining their lunch so he could get a taste of her home-cooked lunch too.
Their banter continued until Valerie entered, carrying a few documents. She greeted Hazel cheerfully, but she couldn't stay because she needed to do a few correspondences.
An unfamiliar tension filled the room as Hazel sensed a formality between Lucian and Valerie; they exchanged no words or glances.
