Saying that, she sat down and flashed her overly sweet smile at Hazel.
Hazel was utterly dumbstruck by her as she stared at her, mouth agape. She shouldn't have been surprised, since Hannah was always full of action, really.
Hazel sighed exasperatedly and mindlessly tapped on her keyboard.
"Hazel, you are single now, is that true? That means I can pursue you," a young man sitting across from Hazel asked cheerily. He was one of Hazel's suitors, and his name was Michael. He was a year older than Hazel and greatly admired her.
Not only was she attractive, but she was also polite and hardworking, earning the respect of the men in the office.
Hazel cleared her throat and said politely. "Single, but I'm not ready for another relationship again."
She wasn't ready to consider any man right now. She didn't even think she would ever heal from Gavin's betrayal. The wound was bone-deep.
"Yes!" Michael's face lit up with her confirmation, his eyes shining brightly as he choose to hear what he wants. "From now on, I will totally pursue you."
Hazel just smiled and said nothing. After finishing work at 5 PM, they drove to a karaoke bar downtown. This was purely Hannah's idea, as she wanted to prevent Hazel from dwelling too much on the shitty things that has happened to her today.
Hannah knew someone there, and they had already booked a private room in advance. Alcohol and snacks were also served.
Hazel decided to sink into her sorrow. As they say, drinking erases sorrow, and tomorrow was the weekend where she would have the chance to sleep in even if she drank, which made everything perfect.
She ordered a strong booze; after all, she was a bit of a good drinker.
The first person to go on stage was the cheerful Michael, and he chose to sing a popular song. During the entire time, his eyes were on Hazel.
Hazel didn't notice, as she was busy drinking, but Hannah did, and her eyes lit up, thinking that she might be able to hook them up.
Two other colleagues went on stage before Michael invited Hazel.
Hannah quickly pushed her up. "Hazie, you have got the voice. I am sure their mouths will hang open once they hear you sing," she cheered her on.
"I don't want to sing," Hazel mumbled, sitting back down.
"Hazie-Bear, please, go on the stage and sing for me, okay?" Hannah twinkled her eyes, acting cute with her.
"Go yourself," Hazel was a bit adamant, but would Hannah yield?
She pouted and stood up. "Fine, I will have the mic to myself."
Hearing that, Hazel hurriedly stood up and snatched it from her with an almost flattering smile.
"Good girl, let me go instead."
Hannah's lips curled up with a cunning smile as she blinked. "I thought you didn't want to."
"I want to, I want to," Hazel said quickly and walked up to the stage.
Hannah was tone-deaf, and she was the worst singer Hazel had ever come across. In fact, a guy she dated back in high school broke up with her because his ex challenged them to a duet, and Hannah complied. In the end, she nearly made everyone cover their ears.
The song Hazel picked was by the latest female singer, Arielle Thorne. It was quite an emotional song but a happy song about a high school crush.
"Guys, my friend's voice is heavenly. You wouldn't want to miss it," Hannah said excitedly while clapping her hands, her eyes fixed on the stage.
She remembered how Hazel had slapped one of her ex-boyfriend's faces after he had broken up with her and even insulted her because his ex sang better.
It was the best revenge ever in her life.
As the beat started, so did Hazel's voice.
~~~~~~~~~
♪Back then I was feeling lonely,
You looked through the window and waved at me,
At first, I thought it was me until I realized it was a guy behind,
I was embarrassed, but you saved me by waving both hands,
You gave me a smile, oh baby, you are such a gentleman, and so, that's how I fell...
~~~~~~~~~
Somehow, even though it was a love song, the audience found themselves shedding tears. It was weird, but the way Hazel sang it gave it a completely different feel, although it was the same song. And the more she continued, the more their tears fell.
"Why is there sand in my eyes?" Hannah muttered, rubbing her moist eyes as Hazel's voice rose.
~~~~~~~~~
♪And that's how I know you,
No one is perfect, I thought until I met you,
And you showed me what love is...
Coming closer to you, my heart ba-dum ba-dum...
I will give it to you, darling, can I call you that...that.....
~~~~~~~~~
What Hazel didn't know was that her voice was being heard by someone in the room next door, and it was a familiar stranger.