"I'm paying you for it, seventy dollars an hour!" Rachael beams and with persuasive ease she continues. "The food, travel, vacation, etc expenses are on me since we would be traveling everywhere together anyway."" w-what ?!" I sputter in astonishment. "Miss Rachael you're being more than generous, I-I can't accept that you pay for the rest of my expenses. If that is to be the case then I might as well be a nanny without the seventy-an-hour charge!""Refer to me as Rachael, and please I insist you accept some money for your work...My children are not easy to deal with, so many nannies have quit-" Her voice cracks.My Curiosity getting the best of me, I ask. "How exactly do they behave around others besides me and umm.. your brother ?"She leans in very close to me with a concerned expression and whispers "It's terrifying, I can't describe right now in their presence. Trust me on my words, they aren't easy to deal with. As much as I love them more than my own life, they drive me insane!
HAZEL -A sudden dread creeps goosebumps upon my skin. I'm unable to avert my gaze away from his aristocratic visage.My feet have rooted themselves to the spot as if my shoes were nailed in with a hammer, refusing to allow me a quick escape."You dare defy me?" His frigid tone furls around my neck "Blatant negligence of my warning.."It feels as if his voice alone is enough to choke me.With difficulty, I swallow the lump forming in my throat. Noticing my throat bob in a frightened gulp, his eyes glimmer dangerously and he takes a menacing step down closer.Unknowingly my feet decide to obey me, finally taking slow steps down backward while my hand grips the banister rail.But he only moves along. Following me, looming above closer, forebodingly."Warning?" The shrill sound of Rachael's voice pierces the suddenly suffocating atmosphere.His attention snaps towards her behind me. Gradually, his lips press into a thin line of agitation.I tear my gaze away from him cautiously to peer be
Rachael whirls around in rage. "You dare threaten to snatch my children from me!?"There is a very brief glint of amusement in Vladimir's eyes as he merely shrugs his broad shoulders. A slight knowing smirk almost tugs at the corner of his lips before it vanishes in less than a fraction of a second.He cups her chin with his free hand and gravely looks her in the eyes before answering firmly yet softly "I'd never dare threaten my older sister. Consider it a heartfelt warning since those children are one of the dearests to my heart."With that, he leans down and plants a soft kiss on her forehead. Rachael's lips set into a thin line as she stares at him with a mixture of helplessness, exasperation, and anger."Uncle Vladddy!!! I'm so happy we are going to the theme park!!"I whirl around to spot Arielle dashing down the steps excitedly, behind her an austere-looking Huxley carrying Charlie in one arm.As soon as Huxley's eyes land on mine, he sets Charlie down on to his feet and promptl
She raises a confused brow and I explain to her. "Oh! MashaAllah is Arabic for God has willed it, and we say that so God protects the person from the evil eye.""Oh, thank you" she offers a wistful smile and her gaze adjusts to the portrait. "God wills it huh? Well, God willed my parents to depart this world..."Momentarily, I stare at her dumbfounded before what she says registers in my brain. "Oh my God, you mean they have passed away?"She nods slowly. "Not long after this picture was taken.""I'm truly sorry for your loss." I apologize earnestly. Before I could prevent myself, I ask. "What happened to them?"Her throat bobs as she gulps, and a melancholic glint appears in her eyes. She adjusts her gaze on me, that wistful smile lingering on her face, and answers. "Don't mind dear, but I prefer we not discuss that.""I'm so sorry!" I face-palm myself. "That was so very rude of me.""No need to apologize, you did no wrong in asking." She reaches out and gives my upper arm a gentle re
HAZEL -The third photo is of him in his early twenties surfing a giant menacing wave in the ocean on his silver He's dressed in a sleek silver surf garb-eyes narrowed in a very focused expression.The fourth photo is a collage of three pictures, in which the first one shows him clad in carpenter clothes, hammering a large nail onto wooden planks.The second shows what appears to be a half-complete frame of a manor with dozens of men on ladders working. The last of the collage photo is of the grand manor fully completed with him and the men standing in front of it, facing the camera.He's got his toned, sturdy arms crossed over his broad chest. There is a streak of soot on his cheeks, a stubble sweeps his chiseled jaw. while a triumphant ghost of a smirk plays at his otherwise austere facial expression.His eyes gleam in smugness and all I can think is how rawly masculine and commanding he appears."That's the family manor! He's designed it, overlooked it, and built it along the crew h
"But baba, I explained to you what happened! What they were doing to me!" I protest for the third time.Of course, I didn't reveal to him every detail Mister Mirza had unveiled to me. Such as Naheed wanting to have me ruthlessly murdered by Imran's gang friends, or that Imran and his mother Razia Mirza diabolically schemed to murder Mister Mirza for his wealth and frame me for it.Mister Mirza had specifically had me promise not to disclose this information. Except, the only excuse I was permitted to make was the fact that Imran did nothing to prevent his friend Yasir from trying to sexually assault me."Where are you!?" Baba barks. "Are you living with men?""I can't tell you where I am, but I'm safe and no I'm not living with men." I groan with frustration.Why can't he ask about my safety?Why can't he show gratitude that I'm alive?"Return at once to your husband, young lady! Members of the Muslim community here know of what you've done! I'm ashamed to be seen at work, my customers
HAZEL-"No! Please stop!" My begs escape with stuttering sobs. I am continuously pummelled violently against the wall. "Please Imran stop! P-please"My body is no longer able to move on my command, I am far too bruised to defend myself from the merciless blows aimed at me.Fresh blood gushes from my nose and lips. The red initiates with trickle flow and drips.I shriek as my hair begins to soak with blood spilling forth from my torn scalp.My mind is reeling from the onslaught of agony coursing through my veins."Fūckin shut that mouth you ugly bitch," He grunts and yanks my hair back, dragging me by it up the stairs.I scream out for anyone to save me, and spot the laughing face of my mother-in-law, Razia Mirza."Into the closet with such worthless filth.' She cackles, her eyes flare with joy." "That's my boy, you make your mother proud." 'No please don't do this," I sob through my blurred vision. My chipped tremulous hands grasp his sleeves. "Please don't lock me in the dark, please
HAZEL -Throughout breakfast, Rachael equips me with details of the schedule and things I'd need to take care of Charlie while she's away at work."I'll return home briefly in the afternoon to drop off Arielle from school." She explains as her chauffeur, David holds open the limo door for her. "Nora the chef will arrive in the afternoon to prepare lunch, so no need to tire yourself in the kitchen dear, just relax and keep a watch on Charlie.""Sure no problem" I assure her while rocking Charlie in my arms."Oh and before I leave..." Rachael trails off as a reminder dawns on her expression. She reaches into her purse, fishes out an iPhone, and holds it to me. "Here take this, your own phone. My Number and all the immediate family contact numbers are fixed into it, that's yours to keep."I stare at her in alarm, shaking my head in denial. "No...I can't accept such an expensive gift. I could use the home phone?""Please, don't argue with me over this." She persists, her tone shifting ster