Francisco's intense gaze locked onto Hazel, a silent challenge burning in his eyes. Hazel's heart raced with apprehension as she braced herself for his response to her words."Mongoose and snake can't be together," Hazel reiterated, her voice trembling with defiance. Francisco's reaction was immediate; he tightened his grip on her, his displeasure evident as he forced her to spin and forcefully seated her on his lap.Hazel's body tensed as she felt his cold touch on her shoulder, her skin prickling with discomfort. Her strap slipped from her shoulder, exposing more of her skin to his unwelcome advances. Francisco's hand descended slowly, his fingers entwining with hers in a suffocating grip.A chill ran down Hazel's spine as Francisco's nose rubbed against her neck, his hot breath sending a shiver down her spine."No, Hazel," he murmured, his voice a low growl that filled her with desire."If the snake is stronger than the Mongoose, then the mongoose will be the prey," Francisco's wor
"Sir!"Adam's voice cut through the air, drawing Alex's attention away from his thoughts. Alex turned to face Adam, his expression expectant as he noticed the paper in Adam's hands."What happened, Adam?" Alex inquired, his tone tinged with curiosity and a hint of concern."Sir, it's about the call. It was actually from Texas," Adam explained, his words causing Alex's brow to furrow in confusion."Texas?" Alex repeated, his mind racing with possibilities as he tried to make sense of the new information.Adam nodded in confirmation, his demeanor serious as he relayed the details."The person who was following spotted him last at the airport," Adam continued, his voice laced with urgency.Alex's features hardened as he absorbed the information, a sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach."But there was a lot of security, and he could not find out where Francisco left," Adam added, his words punctuated by a note of frustration."Also, he could not tell out his identity as we co
Hazel maintained her composure in the days that followed, carefully planning her next move while keeping a watchful eye on Francisco. Like a tigress waiting for her next prey, she bided her time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.Meanwhile, in a stall where Hazel had placed her last call to Alex, a sense of urgency hung heavy in the air as Robert and Adam arrived on the scene. Their presence drew the attention of a sweet-faced girl working in the shop."How can I help you?" the girl asked politely.Robert glanced around the store before focusing his gaze on the girl."Are you Petra?" he inquired, his voice laced with authority.The girl's expression shifted suddenly, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes as she shook her head."No," she replied quickly, her voice trembling slightly.Adam stepped forward, his tone urgent as he addressed the girl."We are the FBI, and it's urgent," he explained."Where is she?" Robert demanded, his voice firm as he sought answers.The girl hesitat
Hazel sat on the balcony, engrossed in a magazine, her thoughts filled with frustration at Francisco's behavior. Flipping through the pages, she stumbled upon a picture of Francisco and Emily together, igniting a surge of irritation within her.‘I can't believe how a man can be like this,’ she muttered to herself, her voice laced with disdain.‘I wish I could expose him in front of everyone.’Lost in her thoughts, she was startled when Francisco's voice broke the silence from behind her. He whispered, "What happened?"Hazel tensed, caught off guard by his sudden presence. She resisted the urge to turn around, keeping her gaze fixed on the magazine."Nothing," she replied curtly, her tone betraying her irritation."Just a magazine," she replied tersely, her frustration evident in her voice.Francisco moved closer, brushing her hair aside to rest his chin on her shoulder."What are you reading?" he inquired softly.Hazel sighed, her frustration building as Francisco continued to test he
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
Lily suddenly held Hazel’s hand, her voice calm but firm. “Calm down! Let me call him. But you have to finish your meal first,” she said before walking out of the room.Hazel sat back on the bed, irritation bubbling inside her. This is too much, she thought, clenching her fists.After a while, the door creaked open, and Max entered, his presence commanding the room. He glanced at the untouched meal on the table, his brows furrowing in displeasure. Though his temper flared, he reminded himself to stay composed—for Francisco’s sake.“You haven’t even touched your food,” Max said, his tone edged with restrained annoyance.“Exactly,” Hazel replied, crossing her arms defiantly. “I need to talk to Francisco!”Max sighed, running a hand through his hair as he tried to maintain his calm. “He’s not available right now, and I can’t reach him either. It could be a network issue.”Hazel narrowed her eyes. “Where is he?”“He went to his grandfather’s house,” Max answered after a pause.Hazel raise
Hazel noticed Lily downstairs and quickly descended the stairs. As soon as Lily saw her, she hurried over with a worried expression.“Ms. Hazel, you’re awake! You could have called me,” Lily said, her tone full of concern. “You must be hungry. Please, go back to your room. I’ll bring something for you to eat.”Hazel frowned, confused by the strange tension in Lily’s voice. Something felt off.“Wait a second,” Hazel said, stopping Lily with a hand. “First, tell me what’s going on here. Why is everyone acting so weird?” She glanced around at the house, now filled with bodyguards stationed at various points. “And why are there so many guards here?”Lily hesitated, fidgeting nervously. “Ms., Boss arranged all of this. They’re here for your safety. And I’m here to take care of anything you need.”“For my safety?” Hazel’s tone rose as her confusion turned to frustration. “Why do I need this? I don’t need any of it!” Her voice sharpened as she arched a brow, waiting for answers.Lily sighed
Kai groaned, blood pooling beneath him. Max and Lucas stood by, their faces emotionless as they watched Francisco’s wrath unfold. Neither of them spoke—they knew better.Francisco sat in a chair, his cold gaze fixed on Kai. There was no hint of mercy, no sign of hesitation. He seemed to relish the sight before him, his lips curving into a grim line.“It’s better if you just stay silent,” Francisco muttered, his tone low and menacing.He rose from the chair, gun in hand, and knelt down in front of Kai. Gripping Kai’s neck tightly, Francisco forced him to meet his unrelenting stare.“You dared to touch her?” Francisco growled, his voice filled with venom.He pressed the gun against Kai’s forehead. “You looked at her with these eyes?” Francisco whispered, shifting the barrel to one of Kai’s eyes.“There’s no forgiveness for you,” he murmured, repeating the phrase like a mantra.Without warning, Francisco pulled the trigger. The gunshot echoed through the room, and blood splattered across
Hazel, her mind clouded and her body trembling, suddenly clasped Francisco’s collar and pulled him down into a kiss. Her movements were fevered, desperate, and without hesitation. Francisco stiffened at first, his hands instinctively going to her arms as if to push her away.“Hazel,” he murmured against her lips, trying to steady her. But she didn’t stop, her kisses becoming more insistent.For a moment, Francisco battled with himself. He knew she wasn’t in her right mind—her behavior erratic and fueled by whatever drugs that fucking Kai had forced upon her. She was vulnerable, and he should protect her, not exploit the situation.But then his heart whispered louder than his mind. This was his chance—a chance to have what he’d long desired but could never ask for. He wanted Hazel, all of her. A family with her. A future where she wouldn’t leave him, bound not just by love but by something unbreakable.He hesitated only for a heartbeat more before he gave in. His hands slid to her wais
It had been hours, the room pulsed with dim red and blue lights, an eerie ambiance that cloaked its sinister purpose. The heavy scent of leather, sweat, and stale perfume filled the air. On the floor, Hazel knelt, bound and blindfolded. Her wrists were shackled with cold steel chains, the metal biting into her skin as she trembled.She was clad in tight lace lingerie, her body exposed and vulnerable.Her breaths came in short, ragged gasps, her head drooping as if the strength to resist had long since left her. The collar around her neck tugged slightly as the man looming over her adjusted the leash. Hazel whimpered softly, her voice breaking the unsettling silence.She whimpered as the sting of the whip bit into her back again.“Um…” Her voice was faint, a mixture of pain and helplessness.The man, his face hidden behind an eye mask, grinned maliciously. His big belly heaved as he leaned closer, his hand brushing against her thigh. “How does it feel to play, darling?” he hissed, his
Max nodded, his gaze steady despite the weight of the situation. Ignoring Dimitri’s sly remarks, he turned his attention to Francisco. “Francisco,” he said firmly, signaling discreetly for him to step aside.Francisco’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly, scanning Max’s expression. Something wasn’t right.Dimitri, ever the provocateur, interrupted with a smirk. “What’s this? Is everything alright, Max?”Max forced a tight smile, keeping his tone neutral. “Yes. It’s a personal matter.”Dimitri raised an eyebrow, feigning concern. “Ah, I see. For a moment, I thought my important guests weren’t being looked after properly.”Max’s lips curved into a quick, thin smile. “It’s your party, Dimitri. There’s no way it could flop.”Before Dimitri could respond, Max turned back to Francisco, his urgency thinly veiled. “Francisco, we need you. Right now.”Francisco’s piercing gaze lingered on Max for a moment, searching for answers in his eyes. Sensing the gravity of the situation, he rose from his se
Francisco’s jaw clenched as his phone buzzed again, Arthur’s name flashing on the screen. He let out a slow, deliberate breath, trying to mask the turmoil building within. The room was silent except for the faint rustle of papers and the occasional clink of glasses.Dimitri leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement as he lightly touched his lips with his thumb. He observed Francisco with a predatory curiosity, savoring the rare moment of tension in the usually unflappable man.“What happened, Francisco?” Dimitri finally broke the silence, his voice calm but laden with intrigue.Francisco’s gaze flicked at him, sharp but unreadable. Before he could respond, James interjected with a smirk, “You’re not the old Francisco anymore, are you?”Dimitri chuckled softly. “Perhaps Hazel is responsible for that change.”The room’s atmosphere shifted, charged with unspoken truths. Francisco rubbed his forehead, his frustration evident, but he didn’t rise to their bait. Instea
Hazel swayed unsteadily as the girl held her arm firmly. “Are you okay?” the girl asked, her voice soft but laced with concern.Hazel pressed her lips together, nodding weakly. “Yes… I’m fine,” she muttered, but her words lacked conviction. She tried to focus her vision, but everything was still blurry. Her head throbbed, and her body felt uncomfortably warm.“I don’t know… I’m just—” Hazel murmured, glancing at the girl who was helping her. She couldn’t make out her face clearly in the haze of her drugged state, but her touch felt steady.“You’ll be fine,” the girl said soothingly. “Let’s get you out of this dress. It’s too tight—it’s not helping.”Hazel didn’t respond. She felt aware enough to understand the situation but too disoriented to resist or make decisions. Her mind spun with the realization that she must have been drugged, and the heat coursing through her body only confirmed her suspicion.The girl carefully worked to change Hazel’s dress. Hazel felt a cool breeze agai
Hazel sat on the barstool, her frustration palpable as she tapped her nails lightly on the counter. Her voice was low but sharp as she asked the bartender for a drink, not caring what it was. She couldn’t suppress the anger and despair bubbling inside her. Francisco had taken everything—her freedom, her choices, her dignity—and left her trapped in a life she never wanted.The glass of beer arrived, and Hazel absently twirled her finger along its rim. Her thoughts spiraled as she stared into the amber liquid. Once, she had stood tall as a detective, a servant of justice. Now, she was no better than a prisoner, bound to a man whose world revolved around power and crime.She finished the drink in one swift gulp, the bitterness burning her throat. "Another, pig," she muttered, her words dripping with venom. The bartender narrowed his eyes but complied, sliding another glass toward her with a wary glance.As she lifted the second drink to her lips, a familiar voice interrupted her."Ma’am,