The next morning, Hazel woke up to find herself nestled securely in Francisco's arms. Both of them were naked, their bodies intertwined from a night of intense passion. Hazel glanced at Francisco's face; he was sleeping peacefully, his usual stern expression softened in slumber.Propping herself up on one elbow, Hazel's eyes darted to the table where Francisco's phone lay. She knew it had locked automatically, and any attempt to unlock it would require Francisco's fingerprint. Trying to open it now might wake him, and that was a risk she couldn’t afford.Carefully, Hazel slipped out of bed, making sure not to disturb Francisco. She moved quietly to the bathroom, freshened up, and then made her way downstairs to the kitchen. She needed to keep Francisco’s mind occupied and distracted for the next few days, giving her the time to execute her plans.In the kitchen, Hazel busied herself with preparing breakfast. She decided on something simple yet hearty — scrambled eggs, toast, and fresh
The whole day, Francisco was with Hazel. They spent a romantic day, relishing each other's company. But suddenly, in the evening, Francisco came into the room where Hazel was watching TV. He collapsed at her side, putting his head on her lap.Hazel looked at him and slowly touched his hair, caressing it gently.Francisco broke the silence, "Get ready, honey."Hazel was taken aback, her fingers pausing mid-stroke."Why?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion."We are leaving," Francisco replied.Hazel's face darkened with tension. Why did Francisco want her to leave? Where would they go at this hour?"But where?" she asked, her voice rising slightly."At this time?"Francisco raised his eyes to meet hers but did not say anything. Hazel pressed further, "Are you planning to take me shopping?"Francisco blinked, his expression turning stern."No, it's somewhere that you need to see.""What do you mean?" Hazel's voice trembled slightly as she tried to read his unreadable expression.
Francisco stopped in the middle of the yacht. It was dark, and Hazel’s heart started beating fast. She realized they were on Francisco’s personal yacht, but she couldn't fathom why he had brought her there.Suddenly, the lights came on, illuminating the space. Hazel looked around in amazement. The yacht was decorated beautifully, with champagne on the table, roses, and rose petals scattered everywhere. Francisco approached her slowly and held her palm.Hazel tried to smile. "What is it?" she asked.Francisco ignored her question and, instead, got down on one knee. "Will you marry me?" he asked, presenting her with a stunning ring.Hazel stared at the ring, her mind racing. She looked at Francisco and slowly blinked, unsure of how to respond."What happened? Don’t you like the ring?" Francisco asked, his eyes searching hers.Hazel nodded, "It’s so beautiful.""But you didn’t answer me," Francisco pressed."Will you marry me?"Hazel smiled, trying to mask her confusion and hesitation."
Hazel's eyes slowly opened, the soothing sound of waves filling her ears. She glanced to her side, finding the space empty; Francisco had gotten up early. Wrapped in a white blanket, she took a deep breath and rose from the cozy bed.Not finding her frock around, she picked up Francisco's white shirt and slipped it on. The shirt was too transparent, clearly outlining her body shape.Stepping out of the cabin, she spotted Francisco grilling fish. She brushed her hair from her face, the breeze playing with the strands.For a few minutes, she stood there, watching him. Her heart started to twist suddenly with conflicting emotions.'What if he was not a criminal, what if he did not rape me, what if his life was normal, what if he and I met like normal people? Would it be okay with me to love him?' Hazel thought, her face sober.While thinking, Hazel tipped behind Francisco and hugged him from behind. Francisco was surprised but not shocked. He asked, "How did you sleep last night?"Hazel
"Your mother?""My mom," Francisco uttered, looking up at the sky. "She was the most beautiful woman. My dad always said I had her eyes."Hazel touched his hair gently and asked, "What happened to her?"Francisco slightly smiled, a sad smile that didn't reach his eyes. "The same thing that happens to most in a mafia family. Dad's rivals killed her first."Hazel's heart sank as she listened. Francisco continued, "At that time, I was living in London for my studies. I had everything I wanted, the freedom to live a normal life. But after she was killed, everything changed. Everything I had slowly slipped away."His voice grew softer, more haunted."Every night, I struggled to sleep. It felt like if I closed my eyes, someone would come and kill me too."Hazel was engrossed in his words, feeling the weight of his trauma. She didn't know how to comfort him, but whatever she was hearing made her feel weaker towards him. Francisco had experienced deep trauma in his childhood, and she could se
No answer came back. Francisco muttered a curse under his breath and stepped forward, scanning the yacht for any sign of her. As he reached the edge of the deck, a soft splash from below caught his attention. He looked over the side and spotted her—Hazel, swimming in the cool, clear water. Relief washed over him as he leaned on the railing, watching her with a mix of admiration and curiosity.Hazel noticed him and looked up with a playful smile."It’s not good for your skin?" he teased, the water glistening on her bare shoulders.Francisco smirked."It’s cold," she added, shivering slightly."If you want, you can join me."Francisco’s grin widened. He needed no further invitations. He quickly shrugged off his shirt and, with a smooth motion, dove into the water beside her. The sudden chill of the ocean hit him, but he welcomed it, invigorated by the cool embrace of the sea.Hazel drifted back slightly, her eyes fixed on him as he swam closer. There was a new softness in her gaze, a wa
Hazel sat on the floor between Francisco's legs, her eyes closed as he gently dried her hair with a soft towel. The water dripped down their bodies, the warmth of the shower still lingering around them. Francisco’s movements were slow and tender, as if savoring the quiet moment they were sharing. Hazel leaned back slightly, feeling the soothing rhythm of his hands in her hair, a sense of peace washing over her.But the tranquility was shattered when Francisco suddenly paused, his hand freezing mid-motion. Hazel noticed the shift immediately and opened her eyes, looking up at him. His expression had changed, his relaxed smile replaced with a frown of concern."Honey, wait a minute," Francisco said, his voice tight.Hazel blinked, confused by his sudden change in demeanor. She shifted slightly as Francisco carefully set the towel aside and got to his feet. He moved toward the small window, peeking outside with narrowed eyes. Hazel followed his gaze, feeling a knot of unease form in her
At midnight, a black car pulled up quietly in front of Francisco's mansion. The night was heavy with silence as Francisco stepped out, his face stern and filled with a quiet intensity. He walked up to the second floor, each step deliberate and slow, the weight of his thoughts bearing down on him.The room was cloaked in darkness when he entered. Only the faint moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the bed where Hazel slept peacefully. Francisco moved toward her, his movements quiet, as if afraid to disturb the tranquility that surrounded her. He sat down beside her, his gaze locked onto her serene face.For several minutes, he did nothing but watch her sleep. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, her expression calm, free of the worries that plagued him. He reached out, his hand trembling slightly, and gently touched her hair. His fingers slowly ran through her soft locks, and he felt a pang of something deep inside—something that felt like longing.Franc
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,
The room fell silent again, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Dimitri, unbothered by Hazel’s sharp retort, simply smiled at her, his composure as smooth as the wine he swirled in his glass.“Ah, then it must be the sweetest regret for you,” Dimitri said, taking a sip of his drink. His voice carried a mocking lilt. “Just imagine—you’re sleeping with one of us every night.”Hazel’s expression hardened, her face a mask of controlled fury.Dimitri leaned back in his chair, sneering, “How helpless you are. Isn’t it fascinating?”The words struck a nerve, driving home the oppressive reality of her situation. Dimitri had skillfully highlighted her vulnerability, reminding her of the sheer powerlessness she felt among people who thrived on corruption and violence. Hazel could feel the weight of every eye on her, and the humiliation was almost unbearable.Without a word, she yanked her hand free from Francisco’s grip. Her voice was firm, yet laced with barely concealed frustration,
Francisco didn’t react immediately. His sharp gaze fixed on Dimitri’s hand for a long moment, as if calculating every possible outcome of this exchange. Then, finally, he reached out and clasped Dimitri’s hand in his own. The handshake was firm, neither man willing to back down, their locked hands a silent battle of wills.“I am sorry for my unprofessional attitude,” Dimitri said smoothly, his tone carrying a hint of insincerity as their hands finally parted. His smirk never wavered."So, how are you?" Dimitri asked, his voice light, though his eyes glinted with something sharper. "How’s life been treating you all these years?"Francisco pressed his lips together briefly, raising his brows in acknowledgment before answering curtly. "It’s going well."Dimitri nodded, his smile remaining as he leaned forward slightly, folding his arms.“I see,” he said, his voice casual, though the room seemed to tighten around his words.“Yeah, normally it would be good. After all, you’ve been... killi
They soon reached a secluded area where several high-ranking clan members were gathered around a grand table, each one deep in conversation. James, Lilith, and Ron—son of the Wolf Clan boss—sat among them, each turning their attention as Francisco and Hazel approached. The atmosphere here was different; there was a tension woven into the room’s decor and the careful way everyone held themselves. Conversations halted momentarily, eyes shifting toward them with mixed expressions.Francisco’s gaze swept over the group, searching. He noted familiar faces, but one key figure was missing.Dimitri!The room fell silent as Francisco and Hazel stepped into the circle. The clan members’ conversations came to an abrupt halt, their gazes shifting toward the pair.Francisco eased into a seat on the plush couch, pulling Hazel down beside him. His expression was calm, but Hazel could feel the undercurrent of tension in his movements.Lilith, seated nearby, took a sharp breath, her face hardening. He
Without a word, Hazel opened the car door and slid inside, leaving the two men standing in a charged silence. Francisco took a slow step closer to Arthur, his gaze flicking to the car window where Hazel sat, her eyes cast elsewhere. Then he turned back to Arthur, his tone low and deliberate.“Arthur,” he said quietly, “I trust you’ll remember your boundaries.”The statement was calm, almost conversational, but laced with an unmistakable edge.Arthur swallowed, feeling the weight of Francisco’s gaze.“Boss, I…” He stammered, struggling to explain, though he knew words wouldn’t change what Francisco had seen.Francisco’s gaze sharpened.“I saw everything, Arthur. Now consider, what if it happens again next time, then?”His tone was laced with an unspoken warning, leaving no room for misinterpretation.Arthur’s throat went dry, and he forced himself to respond.“I… understand, sir. And if there’s any punishment…”He hesitated, glancing up briefly before returning his eyes to the ground.