His brows crease in apparent concern as they caught the glimmer of tears swimming within my stare. I wasn't resilient enough to suppress the heartache of the past seven days. It took over me tenfold in his presence.He inches forward. "Hazel, wh-"Suddenly all of the lights switch on, impeding him mid-sentence. The entirety of the kitchen and connected lounge is illuminated."What's going on here?" I recognize none other than Rachael's miffed voice.She stands in her sleeping robes on the stairwell of the kitchen lounge. Confounded, her eyes flit between Vladimir and me.But she's not the only other presence besides the two of us here. My alarmed eyes catch sight of Katie and Bev. The lights had exposed them hiding behind one of the couches in the lounge. Guilt-ridden, they were smiling sheepishly at me.Within those awkward seconds, it dawns on me that this setup was construed by the two of them. With Rachael and I being unaware, they knew all along when Vladimir would be returning h
After such a forbidden deed, would events always unravel in contrition like this? Can guilt be any more bitter than before? Will I ever learn from past mistakes?No, since when did you develop into such a weak mess?My head had been bowed under the clouds of shame drifting around the atmosphere of the jeep ride back. Five minutes had passed since Dimitri Molotov's intrusive phone call, disrupting the forbidden tryst I was involved with Vladimir in the back seat.Awkwardness never felt so constricting before to me as it did now. Yet Vladimir appears unaffected by it as if there is nothing awkward in regard to the physical exchange between us.Instead, his visage indicates a serenity that I don't remember witnessing ever before. As if he's repleted of a satisfied contentment that he lacked previously. It was increasingly evident, that he is very pleased with no regrets.His eyes had intensely remained locked on my face while he helped me get dressed in the back seat. Suffusing my blush
My heartbeat thundered within my ears while my eyes brimmed with scathing moisture. The air around me continuously grew thin as my lungs burned with each breath I took. My legs refused to falter, I ran through the winding corridors of the hospital along with Rachael and Katie. The hijab on my head nearly slipped off. Yet my mind was only preoccupied with him."Doctor!!!" Rachael cries out as she grabs ahold of a man in a lab coat, strolling out of the Intensive Care Unit. "Please! We can't wait anymore, we demand to see Vladimir!!""Ma'am, neither you nor your sister's blood test is a correct match for your brother. We can not allow you to see him as of yet." The doctor's expression embittered as he shuffles through the papers on his clipboard. "We've discovered he's a rare blood type.""He's lost a great amount of blood!" One other doctor rushes out in front of us. "Whoever else is related to him, must get tested for the transfusion! RHnull type blood is rare and we don't have it in
Sheer dread grips my heart in a strangling hold. Gradually, I raise my head from Vladimir's chest. His garments were soaked with my tears.My eyes meet with none other than Ivan Molotov's.He merely emits a sinister cackle, halting his applause. Eyes full of undiluted malice, regard me from across the room.In his gloved hands, he holds a closed syringe. Ever so slowly, he approaches ne arer. From his other hand, he drops a pile of slashed cords that were attached to Vladimir's body. My eyes trace them back toward the hospital machinery, now nonfunctional."Wh-What are you doing?!" Immediately, I vault from my seat. I nearly stumble, my footsteps retreating backward. My voice lets out in fearful disbelief. "Wh-What do you mean?"He sighs, shaking his head in seemingly mock guilt. "I'm afraid I have no choice but to also end you along Vladimir.""What?!" My eyes widen in terror as I look from his face to the syringe gripped in his palm. "Why?! What are you talking about?!""Shhh." He
Six Years LaterHazel POV:In a vast Santorini sky, the sun's rays beam down upon a joyful occasion. The balmy breeze was laden with the scent of wildflowers. A gentle melody of an orchestra intermingles with sophisticated murmurs of the stylishly garbed guests, seated at tables adorned by sumptuous feasts.It is the wedding day of Serge and Katie.On a raised platform, the well-dressed groom eagerly awaits his bride to walk down the aisle. Next to him stood Bilal and the ever-reserved appearing Grigori and Huxley.As bridesmaids, Rachael, Rebecca, Bev, Arielle, and I, stood on the right of the altar's platform. The five of us, assembled in similarly lavish magenta-hued bridesmaid gowns. Except for the hijab on my head."I had always thought Aunt Katie and uncle Serge would make a great couple." Arielle's remark's fond to the rest of us. "Finally today they are getting married!""It took them long enough!" Bev snorts next to me, shaking her head. "Katie really shįt tested Serge every s
WARNING: This is not a cliche Mafia Multibillionaire romance, there is a lot of dark angst involved and slow burn. ______HAZEL -I became engulfed in the darkness of a cruel world for the past four months. Since my mother was snatched away from us in a terrible car collision. Having no place to go, my elder married sister Leila refused to bear responsibility for me and our eleven-year-old little brother Bilal. She herself was married to a selfish imam who dissuaded her from sheltering us at their home.My mother was my comfort and shield, composed of truly devotional motherly traits which were stripped away from us. Leaving Bilal and me unprotected and vulnerable. Fast forward four months since her passing on to the next life, Bilal and I are dwelling now with our estranged father whom we refer to as baba, including his nightmarish second wife and their three kids.Baba and his wife, Naheed are already planning to marry me off to a total stranger. My groom-to-be is the son of Naheed'
"Sorry you're not familiar" I shook my head in rapid decline. Upon hearing this, his smile nearly vanishes for a split."I work as a fashion editor for Aussie Fab magazine, I have my own clothing line for tweens and teens." He provides a quick introduction."Oh, um.." I search for the words to respond with, uncomprehending why he'd approach me.Without wasting another second, he elaborates why. "The reason I asked you for your age is that one of the girls I hired for my brief fashion show before the pageant begins, has bailed out on me today! So I am wondering if you could fill in the gap?"What?!I stare at him in unmasked alarm. Does he not see the simple hijab on my head indicating clearly that I'm a Muslim girl? Has he not noticed my overall modest yet plain attire of mine? I don't even look remotely fashionable."My name is Hazel.." I laugh nervously, indicating the obvious as I touch my hijab. "Eighteen and a Muslim!""Yes, it's one of the reasons why I'm asking you" He beams, co
HAZEL -From my vantage, I could sense that something seems out of order. I wish to halt that man from taking her away but it could just be her father. My family always made it clear to stay out of people's businesses on the streets. So I just watch as they exit the gymnasium."Arielle!?"Within a few seconds, the two girls Katie and Bev rush out of their cubicle. They look around frantically. "Arielle!"Where are you?!"Uh oh, My suspicions proved right! Bev approaches me. "Hey excuse me? Have you seen a little red-haired girl about seven years old, this height with a black frock?" Her voice trembling and her eyes wild with concern."Oh my God, Rachael will kill me," Katie shouts over as she worriedly scans the crowd. "Where the hell is that brat?!""I saw that little girl! A man dressed in a black suit with shades was taking her away through those exits." I point quickly toward the exits and without a second thought -start rushing toward them hurriedly along with the two girls in tow