Lucas continued, "And... he invites both of you. He wanted to apologize to Ms. Hazel in front of everyone."Francisco's jaw tightened at the mention of Hazel. The memory of Andrew's offense against her flared up in his mind, reigniting his anger. "Apologize?" Francisco echoed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "That scumbag thinks an apology will make up for what he did?"Lucas stepped closer, trying to maintain a calm demeanor."Boss, this might be an opportunity. Let him apologize publicly. It will humiliate him, and we can use it to our advantage. It shows that even someone like Andrew fears you and respects Ms. Hazel."Francisco leaned back in his chair, contemplating Lucas's words. He knew Lucas was right; a public apology from Andrew would be a powerful statement. It would reinforce his authority and protect Hazel's dignity. But the idea of cooperating with Andrew, even temporarily, left a bitter taste in his mouth."Okay, boss, tomorrow night. I will inform him then," Lucas said
Francisco blinked his eyes slowly, trying to steady himself as he walked into the room. "A... Umm... It's okay. You don't have to take permission every time from me. After all, it's your mansion too," he stammered, his voice uncharacteristically uncertain.Hazel glanced at him and offered a slight smile before returning to tidying her clothes. Francisco bit his lower lip, feeling a mix of nervousness and desire. He watched her, his mind racing. Why was he so hesitant? He had longed for Hazel to accept him, and now that she had, his emotions were a tangled mess.He tugged at his sleeves, his nerves getting the best of him. He couldn't understand why he felt this way. He wanted nothing more than to kiss Hazel deeply, to hold her close, but something was holding him back. As he looked at her back, he took a deep breath, his resolve hardening.Francisco tightened his jaw, his eyes fixed on Hazel. In a sudden burst of determination, he moved towards her swiftly, closing the distance betwee
Hazel finished her dinner before Francisco and retreated to the bedroom, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. She had resolved to share the room with Francisco, but the uncertainty of the night ahead filled her with nervous anticipation. Would she be able to sleep next to him? Would he even let her sleep?She took a deep breath and opened her closet, deciding to change into something more comfortable. She made up her mind to use the night as an opportunity to learn more about his childhood. If he tried to get intimate, she planned to stop him and steer the conversation towards something less daunting.Just as she finished changing, she heard the door creak open. Francisco stepped inside, his presence filling the room. Hazel tightened her lips with nervousness but forced a smile, saying, “I thought you wouldn't sleep now.”Francisco raised his brows, his tone calm as he asked, “Why? Don’t you want me to come now?”Hazel tried to smile with a sound, saying, “No, it’s not like that. It’s ju
Francisco's large palm moved slowly through Hazel's hair, their gazes locked, the room charged with anticipation. Hazel's heart raced, but she tried to steady herself, reminding herself she had to stay composed, to take the lead.She moved her head slightly on the pillow, her movements deliberate and alluring. "So, what if I don't give you permission?" she asked, her voice a mix of challenge and invitation.Francisco’s fingers continued to gently rub her scalp, his touch soothing yet electrifying. "Then I will only touch you," he replied, his voice deep and filled with longing.Hazel's eyes sparkled with mischief."What if I don't let you touch me either?"Francisco exhaled heavily, the sound a mixture of frustration and desire. "Then I will only watch you."A small smile played on Hazel's lips as she pressed them together, contemplating her next move. But Francisco's intense gaze caught her action, and he spoke out, "Don't do that.""Why?""It makes me hard," Francisco admitted, his
Next morning, Hazel opened her eyes slowly, yawning as she stretched. She was lying on Francisco’s chest, his arm cradling her head. As she shifted, she felt his palm resting on her belly. Hazel looked up at the ceiling, then turned to gaze at Francisco’s sleepy face.It was the first time she had seen him still asleep. He had really long lashes, and his expression was so serene, almost boyish. Hazel kept her eyes locked on him for a few minutes, a mixture of emotions churning inside her. She then slowly sat up on the bed, careful not to wake him. Francisco remained in deep sleep. Hazel couldn't tell if he was pretending or genuinely asleep.She glanced at the table where his phone lay. The urgency of the situation hit her — she needed access to his phone. Hazel turned back to Francisco, who still hadn't moved. She felt a surge of adrenaline as she inched closer to the phone, her hand trembling slightly. She reached out cautiously, her fingers just about to make contact with the phone
Francisco sat relaxed in his chair, legs crossed, touching his forehead as if pondering his next move. In front of him knelt a mid-aged man, hands and mouth bound, his eyes pleading and desperate. Max stood beside the man, his hands smeared with blood from the recent beating."He sneaked," Max muttered, loading his gun. "Francisco, he’s an informer, I guess."Francisco's eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing in them. Max raised his hand to slap the man again, but Francisco intervened."Stop!" he commanded, his voice calm but firm."Untie his mouth."Max complied, and the man gasped for air once his gag was removed."I didn’t do anything. I just sneaked here out of curiosity," he stammered."But, you saw a lot of things," Francisco remarked, his tone casual yet menacing."Yes, I agree I did. But I won’t tell anyone about it. I swear," the man pleaded, his voice trembling.Francisco sighed and rose to his feet."Though we didn't find anything from you, I don’t think we need to kill you,"
Hazel looked at herself in the mirror, adjusting the sleek black gown that clung to her figure with a smooth, flattering silhouette. The ruffled sleeves and sweetheart neckline added a touch of elegance, while the skirt flowed into a soft mermaid shape, finishing with a full-length hem. The gown was stunning, but she couldn't help but notice that her closet was dominated by black dresses, a reflection of her current state of mind.She made a loose bun with her hair, leaving a few strands untied to frame her face. Taking a deep breath, she looked at herself critically.She sprayed a light aroma on her neck and wrists, the familiar scent calming her nerves. She glanced at the clock and noted that they were running late. Francisco, known for his punctuality, was not yet back, which worried her slightly.Her thoughts drifted to her father’s call. He mentioned a plan for next Friday.She knew what he was hinting at: she needed to get her hands on Francisco's phone to disable the surroundin
Francisco's hands moved with tender confidence as they traced the curve of Hazel's waist. Their eyes were locked in an intense gaze, each breath they took syncing with the other's. Hazel's fingers danced down Francisco's chest, pausing at his belt."It's bursting," she whispered, her voice a soft caress.Francisco's fingers continued their gentle exploration, his voice a husky murmur, "Shouldn't it?""Doesn't a gentleman have it?"Hazel looked at him; his side face was so sharp, as well the jaw-line. Slowly her gaze moved from her lips to his apple bone, then his nipples, slowly on his abs.Hazel tilted her head slightly, a playful smile tugging at her lips.With a playful tug on his belt, Hazel led Francisco into the bathroom. The Thai glass door slid shut behind them.Francisco's phone, abandoned on the dresser, vibrated incessantly.At Andrew's party, Max checked his watch for the umpteenth time, irritation etched on his face. Francisco had assured him he would be late, but over th
“Will you be able to handle everything?” Francisco asked, his voice low as he and Max walked through the quiet garden under the night sky.“Do I have any other option?” Max replied, glancing at him.They both fell silent for a moment, only the sound of their footsteps on the gravel breaking the stillness.“So, you’ve really decided to go through with this?” Max asked, sensing something heavy on Francisco’s mind.“Yes,” Francisco replied, exhaling a puff of smoke into the cool air.“I have to do whatever it takes to protect her... and the child.”Max looked at him with concern.“Francisco, I don’t know… is it really worth it? All of this?”Francisco took a deep breath, then threw the cigarette to the ground, crushing it beneath his shoe.“Max,” he said firmly, “for me, she is everything.""And soon, she’ll give me the best gift I could ever have.”Max looked around the still garden, the silence pressing in.“I’ll pray for you,” he muttered, then let out a soft laugh.“Pray? When we’re
James took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and muttered, “Yeah, everything I do irritates you, but when it comes to Francisco—everything he does is just perfect, right?”Lilith narrowed her eyes, her patience clearly thinning.“James, just shut up.”He smirked, not bothering to hide the satisfaction in her irritation. “Fine, I’ll stop. But let’s not forget—you lost him too.”Lilith’s expression darkened. Her jaw clenched, and for a moment, it looked like she might speak, but she chose silence. Her cold stare said enough.Dimitri let out an audible sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Alright, enough. Let’s stay on topic.”Andrew leaned forward, glancing around the table. “We all know this won’t be easy. Francisco may be reckless, but he’s done a lot—things that kept the balance. We need to decide—do we support this internal power shift, or not?”Dimitri raised a brow and turned to Michele, Kai’s son. “Speaking of balance, Michele... I heard about the recent attack on Francisco.”Mic
The next morning, when Hazel woke up, something felt different. She looked around the room, her brows knitting together in confusion. The walls, once cast in shadows and a cold ambiance, now glowed with soft, natural light. The curtains were lighter, fresh flowers adorned the corners, and the overall atmosphere felt warm—inviting.No longer did the room feel like a prison.Hazel propped herself up on one elbow. “What is this…?”Just then, Lily entered with a bright smile and a large bouquet of fresh flowers in her arms. “Good morning, ma’am.”Hazel blinked in surprise. “Good morning… but what’s going on?”“Sir instructed us to redecorate the room,” Lily replied, arranging the flowers in a vase by the window. “He said it should feel brighter for you.”Hazel raised an eyebrow. “Why?”Lily smiled softly. “Because the doctor said it would help improve your mood.”Hazel pressed her lips into a thin line and said nothing. She simply stood and made her way to the washroom. After freshen
Enemies surrounded Francisco from all sides. He had built his empire on blood, and now the ghosts of his past were closing in.On him.On her.On their unborn child.Hazel studied him for a moment longer before shifting her gaze back to the book in her lap.Francisco’s voice cut through the silence."I didn’t mean to shock you."Hazel didn’t look up. Her tone was flat."It’s nothing new for me."Francisco clasped his palms together, his fingers pressing against each other in thought. He wanted to keep talking to her, to break through the walls she had built around herself, but Hazel was determined to end the conversation before it even began.He blinked slowly, exhaling through his nose.As he watched her, something stirred inside him—an overwhelming craving. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to hold her close, to feel the warmth of her body against his.He had heard that pregnant women experienced mood swings, that they craved more affection even as they pushed people away.Was th
“So the deal is more important to you than your child?” Arthur asked, his voice gentle yet firm.Hazel fell silent.Her heart pounded faster, but she forced herself to ignore it.Then, Arthur spoke again.“Will you really be able to live without your child, ma’am?”Hazel’s fingers tightened around the book she was holding. She had only been thinking about her freedom, about escaping the monster who had taken everything from her. But she hadn’t once stopped considering the child.Would she really leave her baby with him?Would the child grow up to be like Francisco—a ruthless mafia king?A deep frown creased Hazel’s forehead.No. She didn’t want to think about that. That wasn’t her concern.She was only supposed to care about herself.That was the plan.That was the deal.That was it.Taking a deep breath, she spoke, her voice steady but cold.“Arthur.”Arthur’s eyes remained on her, waiting.“Do you know your boss is monitoring me?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. “Every second.
Francisco and Hazel arrived at the mansion after the dangerous chaos. The ride had been silent, but the weight of what had happened lingered between them like an unspoken storm.Hazel’s face was gloomy, her expression distant. She wasn’t naive—she knew this was only the beginning.There would be more.More blood. More danger.More reasons to fear for the life growing inside her.Her hand instinctively rested on her belly.At first, she didn’t care much about the child. The idea of carrying Francisco’s baby had been unbearable. But now, an unfamiliar feeling twisted inside her—something more than just obligation. A strange, indefinable bond.Francisco, watching her closely, noticed the way her fingers pressed lightly against her stomach. He didn’t say anything, but he understood.She was shaken.She hadn’t expected an attack so soon.He clenched his jaw. From now on, he had to be more careful.Whatever he had been before—ruthless, reckless, untouchable—it didn’t matter anymore. Now, he
Francisco glanced at his bodyguard, his tone sharp and commanding.“Take her from here. I’ll handle this.”The bodyguard hesitated, his grip tightening on his weapon.“Boss, it’s too risky. How can I leave you alone?”Francisco’s gaze snapped at him, cold and unwavering.“Do you need me to shoot you right now?”That was enough.The bodyguard stiffened, lowering his head in obedience.“Understood.”He turned toward Hazel.“Ma’am.”But Hazel wasn’t moving.Her eyes were locked on Francisco as he fired at the advancing enemies, drawing their attention toward himself.Each shot echoed with deadly precision, but Hazel saw it clearly—he was outnumbered, and he was bleeding.Still, he didn’t hesitate.Didn’t falter.The bodyguard reached for her arm, his grip firm, almost forceful.“We need to move.”Hazel barely registered his words. She was staring at Francisco, unwilling to leave.As they shifted to retreat, a sudden bullet shattered the glass near them with a sharp crack.Hazel ducked in
Max’s phone rang as he worked through a stack of files. Without thinking, he glanced at the screen.Diana.He hesitated, a flicker of agitation crossing his face. For a moment, he considered ignoring it.But he couldn’t.With a sigh, he answered."Yes?"There was silence at the other end. Then, after a brief pause, Diana’s voice came through, quieter than usual."Francisco came here.""I know," Max replied flatly, his tone robotic.Diana took a deep breath, trying to steady herself."Max… I’m not feeling good about this. Francisco… he’s messing everything up. I don’t know what to do."Max slowly set the file down, his jaw tightening. He knew exactly what she meant.But he also knew there was no turning Francisco back now.A faint, bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips.Sarcastic.Resigned.Francisco loved Hazel so much. So much that, if anyone stood in his way, Francisco wouldn’t hesitate to ruin everything.And the dangerous part? People wanted that kind of devotion."Diana,"
"Hazel."Francisco gently guided her to sit beside him, closer than before. He didn’t wait for her response."Our baby will play like them, right?" His voice was soft, almost hopeful.Hazel remained silent.Then, suddenly, she felt a touch on her belly.She froze.Francisco's large palm traced over her stomach, slow and deliberate. Her heartbeat quickened."I wonder how much he or she has developed inside you," he murmured. His words echoed in her mind, stirring something deep within her.When Hazel first learned she was pregnant, her immediate thought was to end it. She didn’t want to carry the child of a man who had turned her life into a nightmare. A mafia king—a ruthless, heartless man.And yet… she couldn’t.Francisco was right. Their child would play one day.She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and slowly raised her eyes.The moment she did, she met his gaze.Francisco was leaning in closer, watching her intently.A wave of discomfort washed over her. She didn’t wan