- KILLIAN - Being away from her when she is just in my reach is one of the hardest thing yet. I groan. I can't even speak to her and haven't for hours. The wait is killing me!! I stare at my phone situated between both of my hands which rests on my thighs. I feel like flinging this object. I texted Hazel after every hour yet I've gotten no response. I don't even know how it's going in there and according to Natalie, I can't go in. My face hardens. I dare not go in. Natalie is one scary woman. Although she doesn't look it, she's old enough to birth two of me. She's one of the only ones of my mother's friends that I'm close to. She's like a second mother. When my parents died, she took the role as my foster parent. Not legally by law, but more like a favour. That didn't stop me from being Liam's sole parent and having servants, but Natalie took care of the books and the household catering till I was old enough to assume that role. It's one of the reasons I adore her.
- HAZEL - I never knew there were more to designs till today. Seeing this woman and these people work their ass off while putting things on me for me really amuses me. Knowing whatever outfit I decide on will be made today on such short notice really has me stunned. I can't even imagine how stressful this is for them and how expensive it will be. "I like this one. The material is soft on my skin, yet elegant." I say, swirling in the dress while looking at myself in the mirror. It's a crimson red lacey dress, like those the princess in the Victorian era wore. Just the not to pleasant and kind princesses. Natalie gives me a good look, sizing me from head to toe. "It is nice. But do you really want to be in an evil princess dress at a party? Movement surely won't be easy." Hmm. She does have a point. I don't even know what I want. "I'd love a dress. Maybe something less ballgown-y and more," I pause, trying to think of a word to use. What evil Disney villain can a middle a
- KILLIAN - The door leading to an enclosed, grand office closes. The lights are off and the curtains are shut close yet it's well ventilated and I can make view of the objects in this room. These walls are also sound proof so I'm sure Natalie wants to talk about something dire. Natalie stops me from walking inside further, leaving me standing at the door despite the comfort cushions in the office. "Она не знает." Those words meet me at the entrance. I see Natalie did exactly what I told her not to. I swallow. [ Translation: She doesn't know. ] "Пока нет, я не хочу показывать ей эту часть себя." I say. [ Translation: Not yet, I don't want to show her this part of me. ] A resounding slap lands across the plains of the side of my face. I feel the sting due to the hi on my face and I'm guessing this might leave a mark. "Ты хочешь сказать мне, что она бездельничает и ничего не знает о том, чем ты занимаешься в подземном мире?!" Natalie sounds furious, her voice r
- HAZEL - I step into the Uber, sitting down and making myself comfortable in the back seat. Killian is with me, standing outside, while leaning on the car's back seat door. "Are you sure you don't want me to drop you? Would be a pleasure to do so." Killian requests for the hundredth time tonight. I'm glad he's interested but no way will I let him take me there and risk being spotted by his side crushes and get bamboozled with questions. Although that would be kind of a brag but with Kate being in the picture and us sharing course mates? Not so much. "Again, you don't need to, it's a school girl hosting. Plus, the last thing I want is to interrupt your work and clog your space." I say to him, nicely. I did sound nice, right?... I hope so. The look on his face says 'I'm not complaining' but Killian sighs. "If you're so determined, sure. Just-" His hand brushes his silky hair backwards. "Send me your live update." "Obsessive much?" I tease. "Hazel!" He calls. Part o
- HAZEL - "Thank you." I say to the Uber driver once I step out of his car. I want to tell him not to go back to Killian but I'm not the one who booked the ride and Killian will be furious. My lips form a line and I wave gently. "Have a nice drive back." I say, looking inside the car through the window. The window is wound up. The driver flashes me a smile and mutters something. It was a 'goodbye miss'. He drives off. I turn around to face the mansion before me. This is an estate and apart from the lights on the street, no other lights are on. Not even from inside the buildings. This place looks awfully dark and it's awfully quiet as well. Did I get the venue wrong? I open my purse and bring the invitation out. I hold it open with two fingers while supporting it on my hand with my other fingers. I hold my phone in my other hand along with my purse and type the address on Google maps. Even Google leads me here. I stand outside in front of a building. I didn't give Ca
- KILLIAN - "Connect me to her, Natalie." I say over the screen. It's a video call. I can see her surroundings through the screen as well as what she's doing. She's typing something on the keyboards of a series of monitors. Natalie is a professional hacker. I learnt every trick from her and she's good at it. Makes me wonder why I haven't asked her to aid me find my birth parents' murderer yet. The reason finally hits me. Oh, yeah, she's not keen on the idea of revenge and she's very expensive. Being related doesn't mean free services. My eyes plaster to the screen. The reflection of the codes in her eyes are slightly visible. I smile. "Doing something else, mommy?" I tease, leaving an emphasis on the last word with a lowered tone. Natalie looks my way and sneers. "Call me that again and I swear I'll-" "Feed me some milk?" She frowns. "Do you want the video visuals or not?" She asks, annoyed. There's a pun behind the 'mommy' and the 'milk'. One I won't share
- HAZEL - I'm drunk. Ridiculously drunk yet I still have some sense of my environment and what the fuck I'm doing, which is a good thing. This party rocks! I still don't understand why outside this building looked gloomy and desolate but this part of the mansion is buzzing with energy and life. And the best part? I'm bonding with people. Right now, we're playing a game. One I've never played before and definitely sure it was invented for the sole purpose of this party but it's fun. At the back of the house is a pool coloured with red dye. The decor here is to die for. Everyone is putting on something witchy, or wizardy, or Frankensteiny or zombie-y with fake blood and props and all that. Our drinks are red. Even some mini jars are labelled to fit the theme. I don't know how Carol pulled this off, but I definitely would love to attend another party she hosts. Maybe, just maybe, I may host one someday. It's been ages since I've had my house buzzing with people. It's been
- HAZEL - If I didn't know any better, I would've said I saw Carol's eyes gleam with disturbing delight. Like she was satisfied by my pain. I want to say something but the sting worsens. I stifle a groan, trying to make the pain not so obvious. "How many bottles did you take?" "I don't know, three?" I croak, making a face. It feels like my intestines are twisting inside out while making painful knots in my belly. My whole inside feels like it's ripping apart into pieces and the pain is becoming indescribable. I gasp. Why is this happening to me? Low, heavy pants leave my mouth and I fall my body forward, darting my head away from Carol. "You had too much." She finally says. Like I was supposed to know that?! "Here, let me help." Carol holds her hand out to me. I feel like I'm dying and she's holding her hand out? Call a freaking medic if you want to fucking help me! I want to smack her hand away but I try to stay calm. "It happens sometimes. I've had my fair share