SHAWN rang the doorbell to Hazel’s apartment but after trying for the hundredth time, no one’s buzzing him in. He sighed. The poor girl must still be at work and taking overtime again.

He glanced at his wristwatch. It was already eleven. He wondered if she had already eaten yet.

He fished his phone from his pockets and dialed Hazel’s number. Her number was unattended.

Shawn finally decided to just go and visit Hazel at work. He got in his car and started the engine. When he reached the building where Hazel’s office is located, he wasn’t expecting to find her outside talking to the guy they met yesterday. It was Wesley, Christine’s cousin. And they looked like the two of them were about to go somewhere because she got inside the man’s car. They drove towards the opposite direction of where Hazel live.

Shawn’s forehead creased. She only met Wesley yesterday and she is already letting him take her somewhere. That girl...

And where is that Wesley planning to take Hazel at this time of night, anyway? Most of the good restaurants are already closed.

Before he knew it, Shawn started following them.

HAZEL took a very little sip on her martini and looked warily around the bar. Wesley was sitting beside her on the bar counter.

When Wesley asked her earlier if he could buy her a drink, she just automatically said yes. Even though she doesn’t really drink that much and doesn’t go to the bar often. She just doesn’t want him to misunderstand if she says no because he might think that she doesn’t want to go out with him and was just making excuses. Like she said, she wants to give Wesley a chance.

“You look a little uncomfortable, Hazel. Do you not like it here? We can go somewhere else,” Wesley said near her ear.

“Oh, no, no! This is fine.” She placed the martini on the counter. “I just am not used to going to the bar.”

Wesley looked apologetic. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. You should have told me. Do you want to go?”

Hazel aggressively shook her head. “No, really, I’m fine,” she replied, smiling. “You’re here, so it’s fine.”

Wesley smiled at her remark. He stared down at his drink. “Can I ask you something, Hazel?”

She looked at him and nodded. She picked up her martini again and took another sip.

“Do you like Shawn?”

Hazel almost spilled her drink in surprise because of what he said. She covers her mouth and grabbed a tissue from the counter.

Wesley gently rubbed her back. “Are you okay? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting the question. What makes you ask that?” Was she that transparent?

“I guess you two look very close. Even for someone who are best of friends,” he explained.

She shrugged. “Well, we were practically raised like siblings. We were always together ever since we were kids. So, naturally, Shawn became one of the important people in my life. Like, right now he’s the only person I can trust in the whole world. I don’t think there is anything that I can’t tell him.”

Well, except, maybe this one thing, she thought.

Wesley’s eyes looked poignant. “I see.”

Hazel smiled. “But you know, Shawn told me that he really like Christine, so, I think it’s nice that we are getting along well, too.”

He smiled back. “You’re right.”

They talked some more and Hazel found Wesley such a good conversationalist. She felt glad that she went out with him that night or he might have missed a chance to get to know the man better.

“Should I order one more for you?” Wesley asked.

“Later, maybe. I’ll just quickly to go to the restroom.”

“Okay.”

Hazel got off her chair and walked to the restroom.

SHAWN watched as Hazel leave the counter and walk towards the restroom. Wesley was left alone with his drink.

He approached him. He sat on the empty chair next to him. He turned to him with a surprised look when he heard him order a drink from the bartender.

“Shawn?” He asked.

Shawn glanced at the man. “Oh, hey. Wesley, right?” He clapped Wesley’s shoulder. “What a coincidence, huh? I didn’t know you drink here, too.”

“Yeah, I come here sometimes.”

Shawn nodded. “Hey, next round’s on me. What are you having?”

“It’s fine.” Wesley glanced at the direction towards the restroom. “Actually, I’m here with Hazel.”

“Oh?” Shawn’s eyes darted towards where the restrooms were, too. “I thought she’s still at work,” he said, pretending as if he wasn’t just following them all night.

Then, as if on cue, Hazel came out from the restrooms. She slowed down when she noticed him sitting next to her date.

Shawn drank from his whiskey and tried to ignore the questioning gaze that Hazel was boring between his forehead.

“Why...are you here?” She asked him as soon as she approached the counter. Her eyes moved from him to Wesley in a confused way.

“Hello to you, too,” he said, raising his glass. “I’m having a drink. I didn’t think it wasn’t obvious.”

“I can see that.” Hazel forced a smile. “But why are you here, though? You never go to this bar when you want to drink,” she said through her teeth.

Wesley looked very confused. Shawn turned to him, chuckled, and said, “Hazel didn’t know I come here sometimes.”

The atmosphere between the three of them suddenly became so painfully awkward that Hazel asked to talk to him outside, still through her fake smile. “Let me just have a quick word with you.”

“FIVE minutes to explain why you are here and why it looked like you were taking over my date.” Hazel’s hands were on her waist. They were standing next to his car in the parking lot outside the bar.

“I already told you, I’m here for a drink.”

Hazel crossed her arms this time. “We both know that that excuse was already disproved ten seconds ago. Were you actually following us?”

“No.” He insisted. Then, he sighed and threw his gaze at nothing in particular. “Alright, fine. Yes, I was.” Hazel immediately scoffed and threw her arms in the air, like she couldn’t believe what he just admitted. “But I had a good reason for doing so. You were with a stranger. And it’s God knows what time. I was just worried about you.”

“How did you even know where we are?”

“I went to your office to see you and ask if you already had dinner. But I saw you two outside your office tonight and I was worried when I saw you getting in his car, so I followed you. I was supposed to just watch how your date plays out. But I didn’t know why I changed my mind.”

Hazel exhaled. She would be lying if she says it didn’t sound sweet. How can she be mad if she knew that Shawn was just really concern about her safety.

Besides, all these years, Shawn has been playing the big brother role to her, looking after her, silently screening the guys she had ever gone out with, catching red flags before her brain could even warn her about them. It was thanks to him that she was able to avoid potentially disastrous relationship.

“Well, I understand that you just want to make sure I’m safe. And I’m so grateful for that. But I also want you to let me choose the people I want to spend my time with from time to time. In case it turns out outside my expectations then at least I’d learn myself a lesson.”

Plus, I really needed this to stop frequently thinking about you and the fact that you already have a girlfriend so now I’m back to the friend zone without even trying, she wanted to add but stopped herself.

Shawn looked at her eyes. “Okay. I’ll leave two alone tonight.”

Hazel’s eyes grew wide when Shawn pulled her into a hug. When he let go, he smiled so charmingly.

“Have fun, okay?” Then very quickly, he furrowed his brows. “But not too much fun.”

She just shook her head and waved a hand before returning inside the bar. When he wasn’t looking, she glanced at him over her shoulder and smiled.