Francisco guided Hazel through the entrance of the business party. The tension between them was palpable, and their awkward silence persisted during the car ride. As they arrived, the flashing lights from the cameras caught Hazel off guard, prompting her to shield her face instinctively."This damn camera," Hazel muttered under her breath, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden onslaught of attention.Observing Hazel's distress, Francisco, despite their strained relationship, reached out and placed a reassuring hand on her head. His voice, calm and oddly comforting, resonated in her ear."You don't have to raise your head if you are uncomfortable with the lights."Hazel, engrossed in her own frustration, felt the unexpected touch. She slightly opened her eyes to find Francisco offering assistance.For a moment, Hazel hesitated, unsure of how to react to this unexpected support.Francisco guided Hazel into the hotel, maintaining a steady hold on her until they reached the elevator. Once
As Francisco's men answered the phone, and he prepared to issue the chilling order to kill Hazel's parents, his plans were abruptly interrupted by Hazel's entrance into the room.“Is everything okay?”Hazel stood before him, her demeanor calm despite the tension in the air. She wore a shawl draped over her shoulders, her nightdress a stark contrast to Francisco's imposing figure.“Leave us.”Francisco's voice was controlled, masking the storm brewing within him as he instructed Arthur to leave them alone. With a nod, Arthur swiftly exited the room, leaving Hazel and Francisco alone in the charged atmosphere.Hazel met Francisco's gaze steadily, her eyes reflecting a quiet resolve. In a voice devoid of any hint of the turmoil beneath the surface, she questioned, "What happened?"Francisco approached her, his hands clasped behind his back, a silent indication of his restraint. His voice was measured as he asked, "Where did you go?"Hazel's gaze drifted away as she replied, "It doesn't m
As they continued their slow walk through the hospital garden, Rafael's questions lingered in the air, a reflection of his lingering uncertainty.“When am I gonna discharge?” Rafael asked, his voice tinged with impatience.“Soon,” Peter reassured him, offering a comforting squeeze on his shoulder.“Just need to work hard.""You're still weak.”Rafael sighed, a sense of frustration evident in his voice.“Sometimes I feel like I'm missing something.”Peter cast a sympathetic glance at Rafael, recognizing the weight of Rafael's unspoken words. It was clear to Peter that Rafael was grappling with the absence of someone significant in his life – Hazel. But Rafael's memory struggles prevented him from fully grasping the puzzle of their relationship.As they walked, Peter resolved to help Rafael piece together the fragments of his memory, knowing that time was of the essence. Despite the doctor's assurances that Rafael would gradually regain his memories, Peter understood the urgency of Rafa
“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