“I will call you my bodyguard,” Hazel said, turning her gaze towards Francisco.Francisco chuckled at her remark.“Will they believe you?""Won't they think, How can you hire a handsome bodyguard for yourself?”Hazel's brows shot up in surprise."What?""Handsome and you? Who told you that you were handsome?"Francisco pressed his lips together, still holding her palm firmly."You did. You told me," he replied in his husky tone.Hazel squinted her eyes and furrowed her brows."He's unbelievable," she thought to herself as she rose to her feet."I am tired. Leave my hand," she ordered Francisco.Francisco kept his gaze locked on her for a moment before releasing her hand. Hazel stepped forward and left for another cabin.Francisco picked up a champagne glass and took it to his lips, noticing the imprint of Hazel's lipstick.Francisco, still seated, lifted the champagne glass to his lips, his mind drifting to Hazel's departing figure. His thoughts were a whirlwind of conflicting emotion
"She was kidnapped by some people. We got shot, and because of this, we needed her," Robert explained, the severity of the situation evident in his tone.Amid the unfolding chaos, Francisco turned to Hazel with a calm yet piercing look."Honey, will you please tell them the truth? You're an officer too; I know you know how to handle this situation."Hazel found herself caught between the pressure of revealing the truth and the fear of the consequences. The weight of Francisco's gaze bore down on her, and the room hung in suspense, awaiting her response.As the tension lingered in the air, Hazel stood her ground, her jaw clenched in determination. She knew revealing the truth could lead to dire consequences, and she needed to protect herself and her parents."Robert, Mr. Francisco saved me," Hazel stated firmly, her gaze unwavering.Robert's expression was slightly stern, but he still seemed skeptical."That's all I can help, because I don't know who they were," Hazel added, hoping to
Francisco reclined in the bathtub, enveloped in warm water and steam. The tranquility was shattered as the door creaked open, and Hazel tiptoed into the room. Francisco's eyes remained closed, his expression undisturbed by her presence."What?"“What now?” she questioned, her tone tinged with mild annoyance.Hazel bit her lip, grappling with her decision.Slowly, Francisco opened his eyes, starting from her feet and moving up. Hazel, wrapped in a towel, felt his gaze intensify as it traveled over her form. She clutched the edge of the towel, attempting to maintain her composure.With a husky invitation, Francisco broke the silence."Come join!" he extended his hand, his voice resonating in the steam-filled room.Hazel hesitated for a moment longer, her eyes flitting nervously between Francisco and the bathtub.Hazel hesitated, her eyes flickering between Francisco's outstretched hand and his intense gaze. Deciding not to accept his hand, she stepped forward and began to lower herself
Hazel stepped out of the steam-filled bathroom, her damp hair wrapped in a towel, and her body snugly encased in a bathrobe. She glanced over to the bed where Francisco lounged in his own bathrobe, a lazy smile playing on his lips. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at his expectant look.Ignoring his presence, she made her way to the vanity, settling onto the tool in front of the mirror. Francisco, undeterred by her silent treatment, reached for his phone, a mischievous glint in his eyes."Don't you wanna talk to your parents?" he teased, knowing well her penchant for ignoring him.Hazel shot him a pointed look, flipping on the hairdryer to drown out his words."You don't have to do me any favors," she retorted, her voice barely audible over the whir of the dryer.Francisco chuckled, the sound warm and melodic as he rose from the bed and sauntered over to her."How understanding are you?" he quipped, his tone laced with amusement.Hazel took a deep breath, her jaw clenching slightly
Francisco, amused by the assumption, raised his brows and let out a hearty laugh."Me? No, not at all," he responded, adding a hint of mystery to his words."You could say I'm a criminal, and her job is to catch me."Hazel's expression turned stern, a silent warning to Francisco not to play along with her mother's inquiry.Doris laughed at Francisco's response, finding his reaction amusing."What?""This is not a bad joke," she chuckled.Francisco, ever composed, tilted his head and, with a playful smile, he clarified, "Yes, Mom."Doris couldn't help but laugh at the unexpected revelation."This is not—" she began, but Francisco interrupted, "I am a business executive. I think your husband will know me."Hazel, sensing the conversation taking an unexpected turn, interjected, "Anyway, Mom, I will hang up the call. I am so tired, so I need to rest."Without waiting for her mother's response, Hazel swiftly ended the call, leaving a perplexed Doris at the other end. Hazel got up from the
"I told you to call him. I want to talk to him," Hazel reiterated, her impatience palpable.Without further delay, Lily dialed Francisco's number, but to Hazel's dismay, he didn't answer the call. Frustration simmered beneath the surface as she tightened her lips in annoyance.In a swift motion, Hazel ascended the stairs, her mind racing with questions and concerns."What is he planning?" she wondered, her thoughts swirling with unease as she retreated to her room.Hazel's reflection stared back at her from the mirror, her nerves palpable as she tried to decipher Francisco's intentions. The evening descended, and invited guests began to arrive, but Francisco was nowhere to be seen.Fueled by a growing sense of unease, Hazel paced back and forth in her room, her thoughts racing as she grappled with uncertainty. The anticipation weighed heavily on her, rendering her unable to stay still.Her nerves got the better of her as she hastily changed into a short dress, her hands trembling with
Hazel's eyes narrowed as she spotted Andrew, a familiar face amidst the crowd. His smile was polite, but there was a hint of mischief in his gaze as he approached her with a champagne glass in hand."Do you remember me?" Andrew asked, his voice smooth as he sipped from his glass.Hazel's gaze flickered around the room briefly before settling on Andrew. "Yes, Mr. Andrew," she replied curtly, her tone guarded.Andrew's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "So, finally he makes you his girl, right?" he remarked casually, taking another sip of his drink.Hazel's jaw tightened at his words, her discomfort evident. She tried to brush off his question, but Andrew was persistent, refusing to let her evade the conversation."Actually, no law could hold him like you did," Andrew continued, his tone conspiratorial as he leaned in closer. "And also, you were a beautiful lady, so Francisco could not let you go."Hazel's pulse quickened at Andrew's words, a mixture of unease and intrigu
Hazel's eyes flashed with defiance as she struggled against Francisco's tight grip, her frustration mounting as his words hung heavily in the air. She attempted to loosen his hold, but Francisco's grasp remained firm, his gaze intense as he addressed her."Why didn't you break his arm as well, Hazel?" Francisco's words were laced with a menacing undertone, sending a shiver down her spine.Hazel's jaw clenched at the implication of his words, her mind reeling with the weight of his expectations. She met his gaze with a steely resolve, refusing to be intimidated by his ominous demeanor.Meanwhile, Francisco turned his attention to Andrew, his expression inscrutable as he issued his command to Max."Take him to my guest room," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.Max's shock was palpable as he processed Francisco's directive. Andrew was one of their most influential business partners, and Francisco's decision to confront him in such a manner sent a ripple of apprehension th