In the intimate confines of the backyard, Francisco's words hung heavy in the air as he locked his gaze onto Lilith. "He told me to marry you," he admitted, his tone devoid of evasion.Lilith, caught off guard, felt a sudden rush of heat in her cheeks. The straightforward revelation left her momentarily speechless, her lips pressed together in a futile attempt to conceal her emotions. The playfulness that had characterized their interaction took a sharp turn into unfamiliar territory."Really?" Lilith stammered, her voice betraying a mixture of surprise and vulnerability.Francisco, seemingly indifferent to the weight of his admission, calmly wiped his lips with a tissue. Without hesitation, he uttered a revelation that shattered the delicate facade of their dance. "But I said no."Lilith, eyes widened, stared at him in disbelief. The room, once charged with a subtle tension. "What did you mean?" Lilith questioned, her voice trembling with a mix of confusion and disbelief.Franc
As the night unfolded, Liam orchestrated the distribution of illicit substances to a diverse group of individuals — mid-age, young adults, and teenagers alike. Boxes of drugs changed hands, and Liam, cautious and calculated, emphasized the need to expand their influence on college students."It's all for now," Liam declared, handing over packets to his associates.Their leader reassured him, "Don't worry, boss. Everything will be on time."Liam, aware of the heightened risks in their latest venture, cautioned, "But be careful. It is riskier than the previous ones."In a ritualistic exchange, a bundle of dollars sealed their illicit deal.Meanwhile, Francisco returned home in the late hours of the night. The mansion, usually a sanctuary of opulence and intrigue, welcomed him in its silent halls. As he entered, his discerning gaze scanned the surroundings, but there was no sign of Hazel.Considering the late hour, Francisco assumed Hazel had retired for the night.As Francisco made his
Hazel's eyes darted around Francisco's room, contemplating the best way to search for the drive she believed he had safely tucked away. The closet seemed like a logical place.His room exuded an air of security, adding to Hazel's conviction that the drive must be stored somewhere well-protected. A dilemma lingered in her mind — should she risk opening the closet? The potential reward battled with the fear of invading Francisco's privacy.Frustrated by the lack of alternatives, Hazel pressed her lips together, determined to find a solution. Her gaze shifted to his table where the laptop and phone sat, tempting her with the possibility of uncovering the elusive drive. She took a deep breath, silently imploring divine intervention.‘God, help me.’‘I want to search his room by hook or by crook.’With a resolve bordering on audacity, Hazel approached the table, fingers trembling as she considered her next move.‘Just a quick look.’She muttered to herself, eyes darting between the laptop
The next day, Hazel awoke to find Francisco absent from bed. It struck her that, once again, she had fallen asleep beside him. Hastily fixing her disheveled dress, she scanned the room, catching the distant sounds emanating from the washroom.‘He must be taking a shower.’A sense of urgency gripped Hazel. ‘I need to do something right now so that he doesn’t suspect me.’She thought. Taking a deep breath, she moved toward the closet, her mind racing.Without a second thought, Hazel opened the closet. She positioned herself strategically, ensuring her actions wouldn't be caught on camera. Swift and decisive, she began her search, digging through drawers and gliding her hands under clothes. Time seemed to compress as Hazel worked with remarkable speed, leaving everything seemingly undisturbed.Her keen instincts guided her, and she executed each move with precision. Every drawer, every crevice was explored in a calculated manner. Hazel left no trace of her intrusion, orchestrating the s
Five days passed, and the dynamics between Hazel and Francisco underwent subtle shifts, bringing them closer. Yet, Hazel maintained a careful boundary, navigating the newfound closeness with a cautious demeanor. During this time, Francisco's restrictions prevented her from going to the office or accompanying him outside.Hazel cooked for him every day, and she seized every opportunity to discreetly explore Francisco's mansion. Despite her knowledge of the security code, she hesitated to venture into his room, wary of surveillance cameras that could potentially betray her actions.On the night Francisco prepared to depart for Georgia, Hazel knew this was her last chance. Determined and with a strategic plan in mind, she took a deep breath.I hope you guys have been there already.Rafael, I hope you are doing well.As the night unfolded, Hazel prepared a spicy meal for Francisco, knowing it would be their last dinner together. Francisco, engrossed in a phone conversation, continued his
Hazel and Francisco settled beside each other as she served him the Spanish dish she had prepared.In his regular way, Francisco extended the first bite toward Hazel, expecting her to taste it before he began eating. However, Hazel deviated from the norm.Instead of accepting the bite, she held his hand and spoke with a touch of vulnerability, "I want you to take the first bite.”“Because I don't know when you are going to return, sir. So, first you eat, then I will."Francisco, touched by her words, smiled and reached out to trace her face. His fingers delicately moved across her cheek, prompting Hazel to lower her gaze momentarily.When he demanded, "Look at me," Hazel met his gaze, finding herself captivated by the intensity in his eyes.With a hint of playful teasing, Francisco added, "I hope you won't poison me."The unexpected comment injected a mix of tension and humor into the moment, causing Hazel's heart to quicken in response.Hazel, despite the nerves that churned within h
Hazel, armed with the obtained pen drive, swiftly unlocked the door and stepped out of Francisco's mansion. Her eyes quickly scanned the surroundings, noting the presence of bodyguards both at the entrance and near the main gate. As the designated personal assistant to Francisco, she encountered no interference while leaving the mansion.Navigating her way toward the gate, Hazel's progress was halted by vigilant guards. Their inquisitive gazes fixed upon her as one of them questioned, "Ms., where are you going?"With a confident yet purposeful demeanor, Hazel responded, "I am going out for official work.""I'll be back in one hour."The guards exchanged glances, seemingly uncertain about the abrupt departure.Sensing potential scrutiny, Hazel offered an explanation, "Mr. Francisco can't go right now. I need to handle this on his behalf. He's resting as he has a flight."The guards, though still cautious, seemed to accept Hazel's explanation. However, one of them raised another concern
The taxi came to a sudden halt in front of a nondescript building. In the dimly lit surroundings, it appeared uninhabited. Hazel swiftly exited the taxi and entered the building. Its interior was equally dim, suggesting an absence of occupants.She approached a specific door, knocked cautiously, and after a brief pause, it creaked open. A familiar face greeted her."Hazel!""Robert," she responded in hushed tones, a subtle smile playing on her lips. Her eyes gleamed with the satisfaction of a mission well-executed."I think I found it."Robert, Ken, and Peter were gathered in the room, their eyes fixated on a laptop. Startled by Hazel's unexpected entrance, they exchanged tense glances.“Really!”"Hazel, you didn't give us any message," Ken remarked, his voice carrying an air of concern.Hazel took a deep breath, retrieving the critical pen drive from her possession. Displaying it to her comrades, she announced, "I found it."The room filled with a palpable sense of accomplishment and
“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