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
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,