Chapter 5
During the days Hazel was staying at home, Grover skipped school entirely.
He claimed that he didn't have any work at school, so he took a break and stayed home.
But Clarissa knew he was really doing it for Hazel.
Hazel suffered from depression. If Grover wasn't around, her symptoms would kick in.
These days, the two of them were practically glued together.
When Grover brushed his teeth, Hazel would be right there beside him, brushing hers alongside him.
When he ate, she'd practically be in his lap, like she could eat him up herself.
Grover even made a trip out to buy her new towels, toothbrushes, slippers, and clothes.
Within just a few days, Hazel's stuff was everywhere in the house.
Clarissa didn't bother with them at all during this time.
She was busy hunting for new clients and investors for her father's company, hoping it could stay afloat even after cutting ties with the Porter family.
She was out early and back late every day, avoiding Grover and Hazel as much as possible.
But one day, when Clarissa came home, she ended up running right into them.
Hazel was in the pool, rocking a sexy swimsuit and gliding through the water like a fish, totally carefree.
Grover was wearing swim trunks, showing off his sculpted V-line and toned abs.
He sat at the edge of the pool, smiling as he watched Hazel.
That gentle smile on his lips left Clarissa a little stunned.
Grover had always looked at Clarissa with that gentle gaze in the past.
But now, he was giving that same look to Hazel.
Suddenly, Hazel screamed from the pool.
She was flailing in the water, yelling, "Help! Professor, save me."
Grover instantly panicked, threw his towel aside, and dove right into the pool.
"Hazel, are you alright?" he shouted.
Hazel burst out laughing.
As soon as Grover jumped in, Hazel surfaced from the water and threw her arms around his waist.
"Scared you, didn't I? I was just messing with you!" she giggled.
"Don't joke like that. I was really worried!" Grover said.
Under the moonlight, the only sound was the gentle lapping of water in the pool.
Their eyes met, and an overwhelming rush of love surged between them. It was impossible to hide any longer.
Hazel gazed up at Grover, her eyes shimmering with water. "Professor, do you know how much I've missed you these past three years? I was so scared you'd forget me and so scared I'd never see you again."
"Silly girl, how could I ever forget you? There's no way I could ever forget you," Grover replied softly.
"Grover, do you still like me?" Hazel asked.
Hazel switched to a more intimate name for Grover, then leaned in and pressed her lips to his without a second thought.
Grover didn't resist this time.
In the pool, they kissed as if the world had faded away, completely lost in each other.
Clarissa stood a short distance away, quietly watching it all unfold, her heart numb, like all hope had faded.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed. It was a message from her childhood friend, Clive Hersey.
It read: [Heard you and Grover are getting divorced, and you're still out there hunting for investors for your dad's company. Marry me after the divorce. I'll give you one billion dollars as a gift.
[No matter how messed up your family's company is, I can bring it back from the dead.]
This wasn't the first time Clive had sent her something like this. He'd texted her three years ago too, but back then, Clarissa's heart belonged only to Grover.
Now, she didn't love Grover anymore.
She replied: [On the day I get divorced, come pick me up at the Porter family.]
Clive: [Seriously? You've finally come around?]
Clarissa: [So? You getting cold feet?]
Clive: [Cold feet? Please. I can't wait to take you from that place and give Grover a slap in the face.]
Clarissa: [I'll grant your wish then. See you in three days.]
After turning off her phone, Clarissa saw that Grover and Hazel were still at it.
She walked right over, grabbed a flashlight, and shone it straight at the two of them in the pool.
Grover was the first to react, instinctively pulling Hazel behind him to shield her.
"Clarissa?" Grover called out.
"If you want to make out, you don't have to hide out here. You'll catch a cold. Want me to call someone to help you out of there?" Clarissa said.