Hazel rarely drank.
But tonight?
She was one glass of red wine away from turning into a tragic drama heroine with runny mascara and bad decisions.
She slumped against the balcony railing of Adrian's penthouse, a half-full wine glass in one hand and a very dramatic frown on her face.
"I'm trying, okay?" she muttered to the stars. "I smile at the staff. I don't throw shoes. I only insulted ONE person this week and it was accidental."
She sniffled.
"I ate the tiny fancy eggs. I learned which fork to use. I even folded the napkin into a freaking ROSE."
She hiccuped.
"…But she still hates me."
Behind her, the sliding glass door creaked open.
She turned her head.
Adrian.
He stood there in his usual all-black suit, a silent shadow against the city lights.
She gave him a crooked grin. "Heyyy, look who's here. Mr. Iceberg."
He said nothing.
She waved her wine glass at him.
"Don't worry, I'm not jumping," she said. "Unless it'll make your mom like me more."
He flinched.
She noticed.
"…Too soon?" she mumbled, then laughed softly.
But her laughter faded.
Her shoulders trembled.
And without thinking—
She stepped forward.
And hugged him.
Arms wrapped around his torso. Face buried in his chest. The scent of his cologne. The warmth of his body.
She didn't even care that she was half-sobbing now.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I know I'm not the real Erin. I'm just a borrowed soul in her life. But I swear—I'm trying to be better. For her. For you. For everything."
Adrian stood completely still.
Like a statue carved from stone and confusion.
She held tighter.
"I just want to be loved," she mumbled. "Even a little."
A pause.
Then—
His hand moved.
Hesitantly.
Slowly.
He placed it on her back.
Just once.
A single pat.
The most awkward, gentle, careful pat in the history of pats.
She giggled through her tears. "Wow. That was the stiffest hug return I've ever gotten."
He didn't respond.
But he didn't pull away either.
And somehow, that was enough.
⸻
Later that night, Hazel lay in bed, still dressed in her wrinkled evening dress, wine glass long forgotten on the balcony table.
She stared at the ceiling.
"I hugged him," she whispered.
Then covered her face with both hands.
"I hugged the CEO. I am so going to HR."
But her lips curved into a smile.
And far across the hall, in his own room, Adrian stood by the window, staring at the city with his hand still slightly clenched.
He hadn't written a letter tonight.
Because for once…
Words had already happened.