HAZEL
I gulped and my Adam's apple bobbed. What was Miranda trying to do? The same crazy girl who had dared to slap me earlier and confessed her hatred for me was now in my room, trying to seduce me. I did not need a soothsayer to tell me that she was up to no good. This was definitely a trap.But why was my heart beating so fast? I could not deny that she was beautiful. Her sparkling eyes shone as she walked toward me. She was 5'9" tall, and her slender legs which were exposed to my view made her seem graceful as she walked.Her radiant skin shone in the brightly lit room and a cascade of molten red hair fell down her shoulders. Her wasp waist called out to me, urging me to wrap my palms around it.She did not stop walking until she was standing in front of me. Her heart-shaped lips parted and her dazzling halo white teeth gleamed. She placed a hand on my chest and I spotted her beautifully varnished fingernails.She was nothing short of a seductress and unfortunately, I was caught in her trap. My breath quickened as what had not happened in over three years, suddenly happened; I got a boner.I did not know how long I stood there, staring at her. Everything about her attracted me at that point; her uniformly thick eyebrows, her dainty nose, sweeping eyelashes, and delicate ears. There was an air of innocence about her; something in the way she looked at me.I didn't know when I reached out my hand and brushed my thumb along her blossom-soft lower lip. She gasped in surprise and took a step back, and that was all I needed to come to my senses.I gritted my teeth, "Get out."I could see fear in her eyes. However, she refused to leave. She continued to stare at me until I walked toward the bed, picked up my shirt, opened the door, and walked out of my room.I wore back my shirt, took my car keys, and drove one of my cars out of the house. I called my closest friend, Tyler, and met him at his favorite club; Vagas."To what do I owe this honor?" Tyler teased the moment I sat down.I snorted, "Go to hell, Ty."He threw his head back and guffawed in delight, "But honestly speaking, we haven't hung out in months. You're always busy each time I call you and I've been so lonely.'I stared at him from the corner of my eyes, "Lonely huh? If I didn't know better, I'd have thought you were being truthful."He laughed again and added, "On a more serious note, I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your launch party. I learned it was exceptional.""Yeah, tell me about it," I replied as I downed the glass of wine I had just filled up. I refilled my glass, emptied it, and filled it up again."You seem to be drinking a lot tonight," Tyler observed. "What gives?"I sighed and my mind went back to Miranda; From the first time I had seen her at my dining table and mistook her for a beggar. I recalled when she came to my company and the way she had acted.I remembered my launch party, she had dressed up so sexily at that time that anyone could have mistaken her for a slut. She was so insolent and acted without thinking about the consequences; like when she slapped me.But tonight, she had looked really ravishing and I had been tempted beyond my expectations. Had she really wanted me to touch her in that way? But what was her endgame? She was so young, yet so devious.It was crazy that she had such an effect on me when I hated her so much."A penny for your thoughts?" Tyler's voice suddenly drew me out and I stared at him."You're zoning out on me, man. What's wrong with you? Did you fall in love or get your heart broken?" He asked with a grin."That's not funny," I replied. "I'm just going crazy.""Who's making you go crazy?" He asked"Miranda," I replied absentmindedly."Aha!" He exclaimed. "I knew it had to be a woman. How the mighty have fallen! Who would have thought that I would get to see the day when my best friend would be driven crazy by a woman?"I stared at him and shook my head, "It's not what you think, Ty."He raised his hands, "Okay, I'm not thinking anything then. Who is Miranda?""My wife," I replied.He spat out the drink in his mouth in surprise and some of it splashed onto the back of my right hand."Gross," I said and got up. I went to the washroom and washed my hands with soap before returning.Tyler still had a surprised look on his face as he asked, "You got married again?""Not something I asked for," I replied, downing another glass.Tyler nodded, "Okay, I'm all ears. Tell me from the beginning."HAZELI finally emptied my wine bottle and began, "You're no stranger to the fact that in the past two years, my mom has been hounding me to get married again. I swore I never would and she swore I would never live peacefully. She was at my place every single day of the week, crying, making a scene, and threatening to kill herself. When I couldn't take it anymore, I proposed that we both come to a compromise.She was the one who drafted the agreement and according to it, she would pick a wife for me and we would live together for a year. If after one year, I still wanted the wife, then everyone would be happy.However, if after one year, I wanted to spend the rest of my life alone, she would back off and let me be. She had a lawyer draft the agreement and we both signed it.She prepared the marriage document and I signed it too without caring who the bride was. This was because I had a plan. I intended to provide my so-called bride with luxury, however, during the one year of our mar
MIRANDA I had expected a different result. I thought Hazel would push me away the moment I placed my hand on his chest, after all, his hatred for me ran deep. I expected him to lose it and finally ask me to leave his house but he caressed my lips instead.I took a step back in fear. I was tempted to run out of his room and quickly wash my lips but my efforts would have been in vain. So, I held on a little longer. Even when he ordered me to get out, I refused. Who would have thought that he would walk out of his room, leaving me behind?The moment I heard him drive out, I picked up my jacket and left. I walked back to my room with my shoulders sagging in defeat. Why was nothing going my way?What was Hazel's breaking point? There had to be something legal I could do to make him send me away without giving away my intentions. But what if there was nothing? I recalled how he had told me earlier when he kidnapped me that he wanted me to live a miserable life. Did he plan to make good on
MIRANDA"Didn't Hazel tell you that he was married before?" Shayla asked and I shook my head. I couldn't care less what Hazel's history was. I just wanted out. Perhaps if I found out why he and Shayla were divorced, it would help my plans.I smiled, "I'm so sorry for keeping you guys out here. Your daughter looks so beautiful and you are both welcome."She smiled back, "Thank you," and walked in with her daughter who I really found adorable.I reached out my hand to stroke the little girl's hair but she pushed it away and cried, "Don't touch me!""Grumpy like your father, huh?" I thought. "What a shame.""I still think Princess is adorable," I told Shayla as I went back inside with her.""I should be leaving. I have no intention of bumping into Hazel," Shayla said as she handed Princess over to a nanny I had never really paid attention to.She was about to leave when I said, "Hold on, Shayla. To be honest with you, I was forced into this marriage and I would do anything to get out. I'v
MIRANDA I knew I was outnumbered but there was no way in hell I was kneeling for anyone. I began looking around for a possible escape route since the only plan I could come up with at this point was running away.However, there were too many students surrounding me and no way for me to escape."I think she needs a little encouragement," Ashlynn walked up to me and raised her hand to slap me. However, I caught her hand and flung it, pushing her away in the process.As she staggered backward, Jake angrily raised his hand to also slap me but someone suddenly came in between us and caught his hand."How dare you?" Mel asked and punched Jake's stomach.He took a step back as he groaned in pain. I did not miss the surprised gasps of everyone around."Deal with the both of them," Jake ordered and all his minions swarmed at us."Run away right now," Mel instructed me as she put herself between me and the boys and began to fight them. Some were beaten to the ground with just a punch and others
MIRANDA In all honesty, I was surprised that Hazel showed up and that too, so quickly. I had thought that Mel and I would at least spend a night in jail, considering how much Ashlynn's father boasted.With Hazel's presence, however, the man suddenly became meek, and for a moment, there was pin-drop silence as Hazel's gaze remained on me.His gaze boldly lingered on me until I became uncomfortable and let go of him. I had expected him to be irritated but I had no idea what was running through his mind because his expression was different.Mel suddenly ran to him and said, "Mr. Duke, they all ganged up on Miranda just because she stood her ground. They planned to beat her to a pulp but I stood by her side and we both fought against eight people.It was clearly a lopsided fight, however, because their father is a wealthy man, he asked us to kneel and apologize to them otherwise he would send us to jail for the rest of our lives."Hazel took in the scene as he stared at the other party.
MIRANDAI turned my attention to Mel who had parked not too far from where Hazel and I had been at each other before he zoomed off.She had remained in the car watching us and at this point, I figured she had already realized that Hazel and I weren't a happy couple.I walked toward the car and got inside."Where do you want to go?" She asked."The hospital," I replied."Why? Are you in any pain?" She inquired.I shook my head, "No, Mel but you seem to be. Let's have a doctor look at your bruises first.""No, I'm fine," she immediately objected."I insist," I stubbornly replied."Please understand," she told me. "I'm really fine and don't need a doctor. Do you want me to take you home?""No," I replied. "I can't leave...I need to see what that Ashlynn is up to now.""Okay, I'll take you back, then," she told me.She drove me back to school and when we both got out of the car, she said, "You can go back to class now. I'll be hanging around."I pulled her in for a hug and said, "Thank yo
MIRANDAAfter speaking to my brother, my spirits became very low but I didn't want to cry. I just wanted to go back home, stand in front of Collins, and ask him to tell me to my face that he did not love me anymore.I laid on my bed sadly until Mel came in with the packs of chocolates I had asked her to buy. I thanked her and took the chocolates to Princess who was over the moon when she received them.I wasn't in a good mood so I let her be while she enjoyed the chocolate and went back to my room. After lying on my bed for a while, I decided to once again pay Hazel a visit at his company.Lying in bed and feeling sorry for myself wasn't going to help me achieve what I wanted. I freshened up and wore a short designer gown that hugged my body and highlighted my curves.The last thing I wanted was for anyone in Hazel's company to look down on me again. I carried a designer bag and styled my hair, making myself look beautiful. I didn't bother with makeup because my mood wasn't good.Afte
MIRANDA I could not believe what was happening. I pushed Hazel with all the strength I could muster and snapped, "How dare you?"I wiped my lips with my arm as I shot daggers at him.He folded his arms and chuckled, "Cut out the act, Miranda. Isn't this what you wanted?"I stared down at him as my heart raced faster than it had ever done before, "How the hell did that sick brain of yours come up with such a ridiculous conclusion?""Am I wrong then?" He seemed really confident as he spoke and it made me wonder if I had indeed given him such an impression. Yes, I did a few crazy things but I told him afterward how much I hated him."Didn't my mom put you up to this?" He asked."Your mom?" Was he about to blame his mom for his stupidity?"Okay tell me, what exactly do you want from me?" He asked, the same smile from earlier playing at his lips.I wanted to tell him that I wanted to leave but I knew he would bring up my family's debt. How else could I let him know that I wanted him to se