MIRANDA "Does Hazel know that I am the one out here?" I wondered as I knocked on his door again.This time, the door was opened by him. He had on a white singlet and black sweatpants. He had washed off the blood from his hand but his wounds were still fresh, and without saying a word to me, he left the door open and walked back inside."Was that a go-ahead for me to proceed inside?" I didn't want to go into his room and would have preferred to talk to him outside.Nevertheless, I went in while holding the first aid box. The smell of alcohol filled the room and I realized he had been drinking. More than three empty bottles of wine were on the floor beside his bed where he sat, making me wonder if he had drank all of them alone."Say what you want and get lost," he snapped."So he knew I was the one," I thought.I picked up the chair by his table and pulled it toward the bed. Sitting in front of him, I showed him the first aid box. However, he turned his back on me.For some reason, thi

MIRANDAHearing Hazel's words, I sat down and waited for him to speak."Last night....last night, that wasn't me, it was the alcohol," he began."So you remember?" I asked."Bits and pieces," he replied. "Listen, even though I have a cabinet full of wine, I seldom drink.""Why would you have a cabinet full of wine then?" I mumbled.He observed me for a while and continued, "Anyways, I was upset last night because of Shayla. I had a little too much to drink and lost my wits.It wouldn't have been bad if you didn't come into my room. I planned to go to bed right after."I nodded, "Wow! So it's my fault that you almost took advantage of me?""Took advantage of you?" He seemed surprised. "Did I really go that far?"I scoffed, "What then do you remember?""I remember telling you to get lost when you knocked on my door. You should have just left then. I remember what you said about Princess hating me if Shayla died.I also...I also remember pinning you against the wall and telling you that

MIRANDA"Miranda is innocent," I suddenly heard Melody say from beside me. "Her face has been photoshopped into this video. It has nothing to do with her.This is the handiwork of someone who is jealous of Miranda."I turned and smiled at Melody. Even though it didn't change anything, hearing someone who barely knew me vouching for me, meant a lot.A guy suddenly emerged from the crowd and forcefully held Melody's hand. From the way he shared a striking resemblance with her, I easily figured out that he was her brother."Get away from her," he said pulling Melody who refused to go with him. "What do you think you are doing?"Despite her struggle, she was no match for her brother who kept pulling her until I was standing alone.I suddenly felt like the whole world was against me. Out of respect for the lecturers present, I held myself back from saying anything and waited for them to handle the issue."You do know that someone like you is a bad influence on other students, right?" The qu

HAZELThe moments I shared with Miranda last night were still fresh in my mind. I didn't want to admit it but I had been thinking about her lately, which was bad for my peace of mind.I had almost lost control last night and couldn't be more grateful for Miranda's firm decision to reject my advances. I may have blamed it on the alcohol but I knew it was more than that. She was making me experience emotions I was not willing to feel.This was exactly the reason why I had quickly gotten the contract ready. I had to keep Miranda at arm's length before anything intimate happened between us.She was much younger and a little naive too. The last thing I needed was someone clinging onto me in the name of a wife. I was done with women.After leaving for work, I got a call from my mom asking me to meet her at Shayla's hospital ward because we had to talk. I knew where that conversation was going and interestingly, I was ready for it.When I arrived, my mom was seated by Shayla's bedside and th

MIRANDAHis wife??I was shocked at the actions of the man beside me. Was he the same Hazel I knew? He was someone who only went the extra mile for me if his mum pushed him to. I just got through to Mel not too long ago, so, I knew his mum wasn't aware of my predicament. Why was Hazel going through the trouble for me when he had already made it clear that he wanted me out of his way until our contract came to an end?Mrs. Heidi kept staring at him like she had seen a ghost as her face became as white as a sheet. Seeing the surprised and envious stares of everyone present, I found myself feeling proud that Hazel was showing me off as his wife, even though it wasn't real."Why are you quiet? Cat got your tongue?" Hazel asked Heidi. No one said a word to him because they knew how ruthless he could be. Being the richest man in the country, he was so highly connected that he could make any one of them disappear with a snap of his fingers.Seeing him wield his power was just too satisfying