"No way!" Hazel nearly dropped her drink, staring at Aurora in disbelief. "Greyson? The guy you made everyone bully in high school is now your boss?"
Aurora nodded slowly, taking a sip of her water. "Yes. He is."
Hazel leaned in closer, her eyes wide with shock. "That's a hard pill to swallow. Didn't he say he wasn't going to university? How the hell did he end up running a whole accounting firm? Like—successfully?"
Aurora shrugged and looked down at her glass, watching the condensation slowly drip to the table. "That's what I want to know too. How does someone go from having no college education to owning and operating a legitimate, respected firm? And in just four years?"
Before Hazel could respond, the waiter approached their table with a tray. "Here you go, ladies," he said, placing their drinks in front of them. "Alcohol for you," he said, handing Hazel her cocktail, "and a glass of water for you, beautiful," he added, winking at Aurora. "Let me know if you need anything else."
Aurora watched him walk away and made a face. "That guy is a weirdo."
Hazel chuckled, stirring her drink with her straw. "Oh come on, I think he really likes you."
"Hazel, he's a stranger. That's not flirting, that's just being uncomfortable," Aurora said flatly, taking another sip. "Anyway, back to Greyson. It's just… strange."
"What is?" Hazel asked, raising a brow.
"Why he hired me. After everything I did to him in high school, it just doesn't make sense."
Hazel tilted her head, now serious. "You don't think he's trying to get back at you? Like, what if he plans to make your life hell just to get revenge? I mean… it wouldn't be far-fetched."
"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure," Aurora admitted. "He did say he's put the past behind him, and that he wouldn't treat me unfairly because of our history. He even said he respects my qualifications."
Hazel's expression tightened with concern. "I don't know, girl. I just have a bad feeling about this. My gut's telling me not to trust it. Maybe you should look for another job, somewhere else."
"I can't," Aurora said, her tone suddenly heavier. "Hazel, I've been rejected twice already—for not having enough experience in the field. And now, I finally get a shot at my dream job as an accountant, and I'm supposed to walk away from it?"
"I mean, if your boss is out for blood—"
"I don't know if I'll ever get an opportunity like this again," Aurora interrupted. "My family needs me. My dad spent everything to help me get through school. I can't let that go to waste. I need to prove that his investment wasn't in vain… that his little girl made something of herself. I want to help them live better. Even if Greyson plans to make my life a living nightmare, I'll still work for him."
Hazel let out a slow exhale and nodded reluctantly. "Okay. I hear you. You've got your reasons. But just remember who we're talking about—Greyson. The guy we emotionally wrecked in high school. If it were me, revenge would be the only reason I'd hire someone like that."
Aurora sighed. "You're not wrong. Honestly, applying for that job was probably the dumbest thing I've done since prom night."
Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Wait, are you saying you knew Greyson ran the firm before you applied?"
Aurora shook her head. "No! That's the thing—I didn't know. I only found out when he walked into the interview room. At that point, I was already locked in. I couldn't back out."
Hazel groaned, slumping back in her seat. "Damn, girl. That's like walking into a lion's den blindfolded."
"I know. But I can't let fear decide for me. I need this job. I just have to hope Greyson meant what he said and really has moved on."
Hazel took another sip from her drink, then leaned forward again with a different kind of curiosity in her eyes. "Okay, serious question."
"What now?" Aurora asked warily.
"How does Greyson look now? Is he a total hottie, or what? I mean… did he get a glow-up from that awkward geek with oversized glasses and secondhand clothes?"
Aurora chuckled under her breath. "Yes. He did. Honestly, I didn't even recognize him at first. But then he spoke, and I caught a glimpse of his face properly. It was definitely him."
"That's not an answer," Hazel said with a grin. "Describe him."
Aurora rolled her eyes but smiled. "He's grown taller. A lot taller. He's well-groomed now. Neatly cut hair, clean shave. His clothes looked expensive—tailored suits, polished shoes. He carries himself with confidence. Like… he knows he belongs in that world now."
"Go on," Hazel urged.
Aurora smirked. "Fine. He's handsome, okay? And those grey eyes we used to make fun of? Now they're kind of hypnotic. They're part of his whole image—mysterious, commanding."
"Wow." Hazel blinked. "If you of all people are talking him up like this, then he must be a damn supermodel now. I wonder if he's single…"
Aurora raised a brow. "You're the one who just told me not to take the job because you're convinced he's out for revenge. And now you're wondering if he's single so you can date him? That's ironic, Hazel."
Hazel shrugged playfully. "What can I say? I like successful men."
"Let's not forget you helped bully him too," Aurora pointed out. "I doubt he'd forget that anytime soon, much less date someone who once told him he looked like a 'washed-out vampire.'"
Hazel winced. "Okay, fair point. But still… if I had a man with a high-paying job, I wouldn't be this stressed out trying to find work."
Aurora stood and grabbed her bag. "You should be careful not to build a habit of depending on people. That's how they start taking advantage of you."
Hazel looked up at her. "Where you going?"
"I have to restock groceries. I used up everything I had the other day. It was great catching up with you though."
"We definitely need to do this again," Hazel said with a soft smile as she stood too. "Take care, Aurora."
"You too," Aurora replied as she gave her a wave and walked out into the evening air, her thoughts heavier than before.