𝐼 𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝒲𝒶𝓃𝓃𝒶 𝐿𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝐹𝑜𝓇𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 [p]

Jay scoffed, rolling his eyes and looking away from her. He felt deservant of an explanation. Surely Mimi had gotten one. It wasn't fair. He thought he was just as close to Hazel as Mimi was, if not more so. It irked him that she was being so closed off, so cold to him. "Yeah, I guess things do change." He snorted, not hiding his annoyance.

Jay glared back at her, balling his hands into fists. "What the hell is your problem?" He retorted, his irritation doubling with the fact that she was actually going to be fiery at him. He opened his mouth to say more, but was cut off by a voice making it's way towards them. He turned, caught off guard, towards the tall masculine figure that strolled their way.

"Is there a problem here?" Grayson Masarotto inquired coolly, one hand in the pocket of his black pants and the other one holding a crystalline shot glass. He wore black pants and a black shirt, complete with a pricey leather watch and a gray jacket.

"Who the hell are you?" Jay spewed, looking the newcomer up and down.

i love you lmfao

Jay's anger reached a boiling point when Hazel said the man's name. It was obvious that she knew him. "Who is this?" He asked Hazel when the male didn't respond to his question.

Grayson ignored the tan-skinned boy at Hazel's side, instead focusing his full attention on her. She stumbled, but he resisted the urge to extend a hand to steady her. "How much have you had to drink?" He asked her, his voice much softer than it had been prior that day.

Jay was getting frustrated. Neither Hazel nor the newcomer were acting like he was even there. "Hey, dude." He turned towards Grayson, folding his arms. "I'm talking to this chick. I was with her first, so get lost."

Grayson glanced over at Jay for the first time since his arrival, his chocolate optics void of emotion as they scanned the Asian man's face. "Well, see, I'd love to do that, buddy. But me and this 'chick' need to talk." He raised hand and jigged his index and middle fingers to signal the quotations around the term 'chick'.

Jay's jaw dropped in utter disbelief. Was Hazel really choosing this stranger over him? He felt a pang of hurt in his heart, quickly replaced by anger. "Fine then, go tramp off with whoever the hell this is." He snorted bitterly.

Grayson's coffee-hued orbs narrowed. "Listen, pal. I tried to be polite. If you go anywhere near this woman, touch her, hurt her, hell, even think about her." He spoke coolly, fingering the shot glass that lay in his palm. "I will make you wish you've never been born. Are we clear?"

Jay laughed. "You gonna' take me on or something, pretty boy?" To him, Grayson looked nothing more than a grown-up frat boy. He didn't how he knew Hazel, but he didn't like him.

Grayson gave a slight shrug, turning his pupils towards the empty glass in his hand, examining it. "I wasn't planning on it, but if it's a fight you want."

Grayson looked back towards Hazel as she latched onto him, immediately noticing the moisture gathering in her eyes.

"Who are you anyway?" Jay interrogated, jabbing a finger towards the male.

Grayson rolled his brown irises, looking bored with Jay's emotions. "I own this club, you fool. And if you don't get out of my face right now... I'll make it my own personal business to ensure that you're banned from every nightclub, strip club or bar within fifty miles from Midnight Ink. Do I make myself clear?"

Jay was quieted at last, although a grumpy expression remained plastered to his face as he scowled towards the man. "Ugh. Whatever." He grunted, breaking his stare from the man and turning away. He didn't know why he'd come in the first place. Or, why Hazel had invited him. He felt betrayed. He walked stiffly away, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Once Jay was out of sight, Grayson turned back towards Hazel, his brows kneading slightly in worry. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

Grayson followed her pupils down to her fingers that dug into his arm. She was quick to release her grip on him upon noticing She swore she was fine, but Grayson knew that that was a common fib that women told. "I can ban him if you like." He promised her. "Do you want to go back inside Midnight Ink?" He suggested, noticing a shiver ripple through her body. He spoke carefully, as if he were navigating shattered glass to converse with her. He kept his distance from her, one hand still staunchly in his pocket.

"No need to apologize, Hazel." He assured her, not looking at her as he spoke. Grayson strolled freely along the sidewalk, pausing at the entrance to look back at the girl. He remained emotionless. An unreadable man. "I have an office in here. But, if you'd feel more comfortable with other people around, I understand that, as well." He told her, giving her the option of where she wanted to go.

The millionaire gave a curt nod of his head and moved away from the main entryway, down to a door around the side. He jingled some keys out of his pocket and unlocked it, holding it open so Hazel could enter. The office was much more quaint than his area at the hotel, but still breathed an air of freshness and sophistication. "I'm here for a reason." He informed her once they'd entered the room. He placed his shot glass down on his desk, turning his full attention towards the brunette.

Grayson leaned back, stuffing both his hands in his pockets as his chocolate optics trailed over Hazel's form. "I don't usually go out of my way to pursue strange women. You're an exception, I assure you." He spoke. "Besides, I wasn't stalking you, I had a meeting in my office in this building earlier. We'll call it a happy coincidence." The tiniest of smiles tugged at the corners of his lips, threatening to put some emotion on his usually stony features. But, the simper was short-lived. He immediately returned to seriousness, his orbs darkening. "Hazel, I need to explain why I did what I did." He swallowed, lowering his gaze to the floor.