>> Hazel
I nervously looked at the handle as it began to turn slowly but then, all of a sudden the handle got back to its position.
Huh?
It felt like someone’s hand may have slipped.
I frowned as I sat in my position. That’s when the handle started turning again but once again it shot back up.
What in the-?
Then I heard a jump from the other side, the sound of a ‘hup’ and the handle going down properly for once.
I kept looking as the door began to open slowly while a kid was attached to it.
The scene was cute and funny at the same time and it made me relax and smile a bit.
As the door rotated inwards, Emilio turned his head towards me and let go of the handle he was hanging on to, neatly and nicely he landed on the floor since there wasn’t even much of a gap to begin with and smiled brightly.
“Mama!” He exclaimed brightly and came running to me in his adorable Winnie the Pooh onesie, “Is your booboo okay now?” He came and stood in front of me, staring at me with his big round mismatched eyes. I noticed he still had bed hair and probably ran here as soon as he woke up.
I didn’t know what to say or how to react to him. The boy was very cute, no doubt, but the whole reason I was here was because of this brat, because he thought I was his mother that beast Valek made me his prisoner.
“...” I just looked at him with mixed feelings.
“Mama?” He tried grabbing my jeans but I pulled myself away pretty harshly and he paused in shock, then looked at me again with confused eyes, “Mama what’s wron-” He extended his right hand to touch my knee but just before he came in contact with me I slapped his hand away on impulse.
My action shocked him and he held his right hand in his left and stepped back. Tears started dwelling in his eyes and he looked at me with so much hurt I started feeling guilty immediately but I didn’t say anything. I was still a little mad about the situation I was dragged into.
“Mama,” Emilio called, “You hwate me?” A tear slipped down his cheeks and he sniffled.
Looking at him melted my heart.
What am I doing?
Acting so harshly with an innocent kid who only wants a mom. I sighed, but I can’t be his mom. I have somewhere to be.
I slid down the bed and crouched in front of him, “No,” I said softly and wiped his wet cheek, “Of course, I don’t hate you.” I sighed, “But Emilio I am not your moth-”
“Young master!” A man’s voice interrupted my words and startled both of us. I turned to see Ren making his way in, “Young master please don’t run off without telling me.” He came and stood in front of Emilio with a worried and angry expression.
“But I wanted to see mommy.” He looked back at him with big wide puppy eyes and all the anger Ren had vanished in an instant.
“Young master…” He sighed, “Come here,” He opened his arms for him, “Let’s get you ready for breakfast.” Emilio took a step towards him then stopped and looked at me, “What about mama?” He asked Ren while keeping his eyes glued on me.
Ren stepped forwards and picked him up, “Miss Hazel,” He addressed me, “You will be joining the boss and young master for breakfast.”
“Excuse me?” I threw a disgusted look at him but he ignored it.
“Orders from the boss.” He then turned to leave, “The bathroom is right there,” He pointed at a door next to the window, “Please freshen up in fifteen minutes.” He then started to leave.
“What if I don’t want to?” I said and he stopped at the door frame.
“Miss Hazel, was yesterday not enough for you?” He half turned and glanced at me, “Do you really want the men to have their way with you?” He looked at me sideways but the look in his eye was very cold and intense, it sent a shiver down my spine and I gulped. Just the thought of yesterday made me nauseous and weak.
…
I clenched my fists and didn’t say anything anymore.
Emilio peeked at me from behind Ren’s shoulders, “Mama, not coming?”
“Of course, she’s coming.” Ren's intense glare immediately vanished and he turned to smile warmly at his young master.
“Yaaay!” Emilio exclaimed in pure joy while Ren started walking again.
“I hope you will be ready in fifteen miss Hazel.” He spoke in a normal voice and shut the door behind him.
***
Emilio and I sat on the table against each other next to the head seat while the maids put the food on it. Just as they finished Valek entered the room and quietly made his way to the head seat and sat down.
Two guards stood at the entrance of the room and one maid by the wall near the table to assist if anyone needed anything. All of them seemed quite good at their job and stood elegantly in their stances.
Only after Valek was seated he looked at me but his face wore no apparent emotions, I stared back yet we exchanged no words. His eyes gave me the same feeling I had felt before, like something so far away, distant and cold.
“Daddy?” Thankfully Emilio spoke and we both broke our weird staring contest and looked at him, “Ar you not gonna eat?”
The expression on Valek’s face softened a bit, “Of course I am.” He answered nicely and smiled at him. His action left me quite surprised and shocked.
He smiled? Wow! He’s capable of smiling? “What do you want to eat?” He asked his son.
“Eggs!” Emilio pointed at the scrambled eggs in the middle of the table very enthusiastically and Valek reached out to get them for him.
This feels weird.
It looks like he actually acts like a father to Emilio and I don’t like this knowledge.
I picked up a toast and put it on my plate since that was the nearest to me and glanced at Valek again. He was putting some ketchup on his son’s plate while Emilio stared at it intensely.
“Stop!” Emilio raised both of his hands and Valek pulled the ketchup away.
As he placed the ketchup bottle on the table he glanced at me making me flinch. I was guilty of staring at him and he caught me even though I immediately looked down in response.
Shit…
I closed my eyes and sighed internally.
How did he know I was staring?
‘Tch’ I clicked my tongue softly so that no one else would hear it but there was no doubt I felt a bit embarrassed at getting caught.
Slowly I opened my eyes and started eating the toast. The rest of the breakfast was quiet and a little bit awkward as well.
Valek finished his food pretty fast and got up to leave.
“Emilio, I’m leaving.” I glanced at them to see why Valek was telling him that. Anyone could see he was leaving.
That’s when I saw Emilio get up and stand on the chair.
Hmm? What’s this? The action did confuse me but only momentarily because the next moment left me quite shocked.
Valek kissed Emilio’s head as a goodbye gesture and began to leave.
Wow. I frowned. I did not expect that but more than that, I did not expect Emilio’s next words.
“Daddy?” Emilio calling out to his father made Valek stop and look back, “Arn’t you going to kiss mommy goodbye?”
>>HazelWhat the hell kid!?? Why would you ask something like that??I screamed internally as I looked at Emilio who was looking at his father with sparkling eyes.I sighed.Well, who cares? Kids say stupid stuff.It’s not like Valek is going to really kiss me or even try at that.I turned my head to look at him.He knows I hate him and he probably hates me-“Of course I will kiss mommy.” Valek replied and looked at me.What?He passed me a smirk and then walked over to me while I panicked.What? What? What?? What the hell? What is he planning??Valek crossed the short distance and stood in front of me, his mischievous smile still plastered on his face, “Well then,” He moved his face closer to mine but I stepped back while glaring at him. “Don’t you dare.” I whispered to him and he let out a short snicker. “This is for Emilio.” He said and immediately after he grabbed my waist from behind and gave me a quick peck on the lips.He did it so fast I couldn’t even push him away. He kisse
>>Hazel A long sad sigh escaped my mouth as I stared at the ceiling of my room blankly. I was given a room near Emilio’s and I came back after putting the boy to sleep but couldn’t find any sleep myself. The room was perfect,, it was dark and the bed was soft too, just how I liked it but the environment was very different. The atmosphere was strange and even though I was mentally exhausted and tired I couldn’t fall asleep. I wanted to escape in the land of the unconscious very bad and I was getting angry at the fact that I couldn’t. So, I made a decision and sat up. Okay! I told myself Let’s do this. I stood up and walked out of the room to the first floor. The mansion was quiet, the lights had been dimmed so low I had to let my eyes adjust first before I started walking in the corridor. As I walked I thought about how strange it felt. It was such a nice and big place, during the day one wouldn’t feel anything weird because of the workers but at night, suddenly everything is
>>Hazel “Bingo.” Valek loosened his grip on my wrists, “That’s it. That’s the answer.” He let my wrists go and I instantly felt some relief there. He stepped back and folded his arms while I gently rubbed the reddened skin all the while I kept my eyes on him. “Tell me why you’re doing this?” I asked him again. “Because I’m a sadist.” He smirked knowing far too well his answer was going to annoy me. “Don’t use my words against me.” I gritted my teeth in anger. He was enjoying this. I just called him a sadist out of spite but now he’s having fun using the same word against me, “Tell me why?” “Because I’m a sadist?” “Arrgghh!” I groaned in anger, “ You might actually be one with how much you’re annoying me.” “So, now you’re saying I’m not one?” I didn’t answer him. I didn’t want to play along with his stupid game anymore. I just glared back at him but of course my glare had no effect on him. Compared to how intense his gaze is, nothing else can compete. But, that doesn’t me
>>HazelWhat is wrong with him?I know I broke a deal but it was unreasonable to begin with. I was forced into something at gunpoint, of course I’d break the deal and run away at any chance I get but I guess Valek doesn’t understand that.I guess he’s too thick skinned to understand anything!He only wants me to do everything he says.I sighed and looked at myself in the dressing table mirror in my room.I look like shit.I stared at myself in the mirror and shook my head with sadness.I’ve been wearing the same clothes for four days now… My shoulders slumped in disappointment.Well, I was mugged four days ago so it’s a given.Maybe I can talk about getting some new clothes?I stared at the mirror blankly. I think he will agree to that. I mean, I think he's not as cruel as I thought he was.I cleared my throat.Why do I think that?Because~, Yesterday night he acted a little weird.He was a bit soft? I practically asked myself the question.I shook my head as I bit my lower lip softly
>>HazelBreakfast was quite awkward.I entered the dining hall after calming myself and Emilio came running to me in happiness the moment I made my entry. Seeing him and his liveliness made me relax a bit more and I was able to sit down in my seat calmly but when Valek entered the room it got me tense all over again. I didn’t say a word when he came in, heck! I didn’t even look at him. It felt so awkward but I pretended I was fine and began to eat normally.I was expecting Valek to behave like me too and not talk or even make an attempt at that but while we ate he suddenly spoke, “Oh!” He looked at me, “Hazel,” He called out my name and I flinched with the toast in my hand that I was about to eat but thankfully I didn’t drop it. If I had, that would have given my internal nervousness away, “You wanted to say something to me this morning?”Wow. Asking me in front of everyone so that I have to answer. He sure loves being a jerk.I sighed.Well, it is a necessary thing so I guess it’s
>>Hazel As we entered the mall my eyes landed on the big sign behind the main reception, ‘Xander Corp.’ This isn’t their main building but even this one is quite grand. I took a deep breath as we made our way towards the shopping area. Ren stayed with us while the rest of the men blended into the crowd but I was sure that even then they’d be close by at all cost. It was easy to blend in in an area like this. Malls usually have a lot of people so it’s fairly easy. Surprisingly Emilio didn’t talk to me much, instead he remained a bit distant and shopped quietly. It was a bit weird, I thought he’d be all jumpy since he was so excited at the breakfast table. He didn’t even buy much, just a jacket he found cute. All the rest of the clothes were mine and I’ll be very frank. I bought a lot because I wanted to use Valek’s extra money but at the same time I was expecting to be stopped but Ren didn’t even bat an eye. He quietly just paid for everything I decided I wanted to buy even thoug
>>HazelWe reached home around five in the evening and I saw Emilio quietly leave the car and walk inside, during the whole ride I couldn’t bring myself to talk to him. The primary reason was because Ren was there too. I felt really bad the whole time but since Emilio had already gone through the effort of saving me from his bodyguard I didn’t want to ruin it.But still, I felt like I really should apologize to him so I started following behind him when Ren stopped me by blocking my path.“Miss Hazel,” He talked to me calmly, “It would be best if you don’t disturb the young master for now.” He stood in front of me like a huge pillar.“What? I’m not disturbing him. I just wanna talk.” I folded my arms in retaliation.Ren stood unfazed, “The young master’s tutor will be taking his classes now.” He adjusted his glasses with his index finger.“What? It’s evening. What classes?” I was genuinely astonished.“The classes he didn’t take in the morning.” Ren’s tone remained the same.I stood t
>>HazelHeart beat spiking.Breathing raggedVision having trouble focusing yet focusing a bit too well and the brain’s ability to not think straight at the moment.This is the combination that sets the mood for something that you might regret later. That later can be a few months later or right the next morning but when you are in ‘that’ moment, you are too high on the atmosphere that escaping just doesn’t seem like an option and the thought about regret doesn’t really flows in most of the time.I looked at Valek with wavering eyes while his gaze was set on me too, just that the look in his eyes was unswerving.He was waiting for an answer while my mind wasn’t functioning.I felt his hand slide under the belt on my pants and the sudden realization sent a shock down my whole body. I regained some of my logical senses and yet still I did something very stupid.But well, doing stupid stuff is my forte so who cares?I backed my head a bit and then brought it ahead with full force and co