Inside a beautiful restaurant mostly used by couples, the dark-haired girl brushed her hair back as she looked at her wristwatch, She sighed looking around with a face full of worry.
It was 8:30 am already and her boyfriend hadn’t shown up, he asked them to meet at the restaurant as he had something very important to say to her but it’s been almost two hours and he hadn’t shown up yet.“Ma’am please if you aren’t ordering anything, we would like to give the table to other customers please,” a waitress said to the dark-haired girl who raised her head in disappointment.“Please just a…“Miss I’m sorry but it’s almost two hours and our tables are occupied,” the waitress said for Hazel to nod. She understands as she’s also a waitress.After she stood up, she walked out of the restaurant to the busy city, She dialed a contact named Steven with a heart emoji, and after multiple rings, the phone Bimbs.Hazel put her hands inside her coat as she tried hard not to cry because she didn’t know why Steven ghosted her out like this but she deserved to know if there was an emergency right.She cleaned her eyes as the night was getting cold so she called a taxi.She wanted to go home but she didn’t trust herself to sleep well after Steven ghosted her out, so she decided to go spend the night at her best friend's apartment. Hazel carried her phone and Dialed a contact save as BFF with a heart emoji, After multiple rings the call entered the voice mail.“Hey Katherine, I’m coming to your apartment, I was supposed to have dinner with Steven but he didn’t show up, Right now I’m so hurt because I deserve an explanation. I will grab our favorite wine while coming alright, I need a hug right now before I break down” she said and sent the voice mail.Hazel kept trying not to cry.After grabbing a bottle of red wine, Hazel walked to the street where her friend's apartment was located.At the beautiful apartment, Hazel didn’t bother to knock as she had a spare key, It’s the best friend's something as they both own each other's spare key.She breathed out the cold as she immediately walked into the apartment closing the door.The room was dark so she put on the light and the mess in the room made Hazel frown.Her best friend's pajamas and a man's clothes were on the floor straight upstairs making her chuckle.“This bitch, I don’t blame her, the weather is cold,” she said as she remembered she was just ghosted. She was angry at Steven for not keeping to his promise so she removed her coat going to carry a glass cup to drink some wine.Hazel sat on the cushion as it was just a room and its sitting room apartment, she would have to wait for whatever was going on to end.Hazel decided to keep trying Steven's number when she heard the phone ring inside the sitting room making her frown.Immediately Hazel sat up as she looked around for the ringing phone.The beige color pants on the floor now looked familiar to her, She bent down and picked them up to see Steven's phone ringing in the pocket of the pants.“ Kate” she called as She gently walked upstairs to the bedroom only for her to hear moans, Hazel frowned because her heart was already beating fast so fast that She decided to open the door. Her heart and brain were saying the same thing but she didn’t want to believe it.Immediately she opened the door wide, and the most traumatic moment of her life came into view.Her boyfriend and her best friend having an intimate moment as Katherine moaned while in a doggy style for Steven who was hitting her hard. “ Steve,” she called not able to control her tears and trembling hands.The couple didn’t stop as they had not noticed who was now inside the room in tears watching them. “STEVEN!!” Hazel cried out this time louder making the two intertwined body to stop and freeze.“ Ka… Katherine” Hazel doesn’t want to believe her eyes as they both immediately cover their nakedness.Katherine had a sly smile on her face immediately she saw Hazel but immediately changed it back to a face full of shame.Hazel turned as she wanted to run away, she wanted to leave the presence of her nightmare.“Babe wait” Steven immediately stopped her as he ran after her holding her hand and making Hazel turn. “ BETRAYAL!!” She screamed out dragging her hands away and running out of the apartment. Steven covered his face as he didn’t expect to break the news about him and Katherine to her like this.“Baby you were on your way to say it to her when we were caught up in the moment so don’t feel bad. She should know this way than telling her and she will be trying not to believe what is true.” Katherine said standing up as she walked towards Steven.“But she deserves an explanation, Kat….Katherine cut Steven's lips not giving him a chance to speak.“No explanation, my love,” she said as she pushed him back to the bed, she was so excited that Steven didn’t run after Hazel.Inside the cold night, Hazel didn’t know she had run miles away from her best friend's apartment, her heart was beating fast, her legs were weak, and her eyes were crying out while her brain kept replaying the image she just saw again and again making her stop near a bar that was around the area, Hazel rest her back at the wall crying.She couldn’t believe her best friend since high school and her lover from college would do such a thing to her.The cold night is no longer cold for Hazel after running so fast, she wanted to book an Uber ride when she checked her hand back and noticed she left her phone In Katherine's apartment.She cleaned her eyes as everything was still like a movie to her.Hazel walks into the bar as she needs to drink away tonight and wake up tomorrow so she can have the hangover and not remember anything and maybe everything will seem normal.After Hazel entered the bar, a black Benz stopped at the bar front, The man sitting at the back folded his wrist as he was full of anger, he opened the door and stepped out making his assistant quickly come out from the driver's side.“Boss, this bar is full with….“Shut up!” The tall man with broad shoulders said to his assistant who swallowed hard.“Leave, I want to be alone,” he said for his assistant to hesitate as he’s scared whenever his boss is this angry, his sickness does kick in and it makes him vulnerable.“Boss your father asked I stay with you.“I said leave Simon, don’t make me repeat myself” Alex coldly said and walked into the local bar.His assistant sighed he wondered why he wanted to drink in a local bar full of drunk men and thieves, he sighed as he turned around and entered the car before he zoomed off.Alex stood as he watched the crowd in the bar full of drunk men and prostitutes, he wanted a place where he could sit and drink away his anger after what his father did at their family Gala tonight.He hates it every time his father acts like his mother never existed. Alex walked toward the bar stand and sat down as he ordered a whisky.Hazel sniffed the elegant perfume that passed her by and sat on the next seat by her side, She turned and looked at the person making her hiss.“They always look handsome” she whispers sipping from the drink in her front making Alex look at her.He didn’t say anything as he took the whiskey he ordered in a go.“Another one,” he said pushing the cup away.The presence of the handsome stranger got Hazel upset because Steven was handsome, so handsome that she fell for him the first day they met and now, she found out she was living a fantasy full of lies.“You all are just so handsome and stupid, men are betrayals. They….“ your man is a betrayal” Alex corrected, he didn’t know why he said those words but he hates to see heartbroken girls classify all men as scum.Hazel raised her head and her blue eyes stared at Alex in anger, frustration, and heartbreak.She sat up and dropped her bills before she drunkenly walked away.Alex didn’t look at her instead he kept drinking his whiskey when his head began to play the image of the night. The image of his father announcing a marriage between him and his stepmother's daughter.After his father got married to his mother's best friend a few months after she died in a hit-and-run accident with a truck driver, his life changed. Since he was ten till date, he has not felt loved by his father as he only does what his stepmother asked for.Alex folded his fist as the image of his mother's death began to play in his head.He was just ten when his mother was trying to cross over to where he was after buying the ice cream he insisted he wanted from the shop across the park they went to and a drunk truck driver hit her killing her instantly, Her yellow dress was full with blood, her legs were shaking as he stood there in shock watching his mother breathe her last breath while people around try to help.Alex's hands began to tremble as his post-traumatic stress disorder began to kick in.“Shit” he whisper as he try to control himself but the image began to play more and more and the guilt he feels began to kick in, whispers of voices from his mind telling him it was all his fault began to echo in his head making him hold his head.The bartender frowns seeing Alex trembling.“Sir, are you okay?” He asked Alex to immediately stand up and walk out of the bar to a corner as he tried to calm down when he heard a girl's voice.“Don’t come closer” Hazel said nervously to the three men surrounding her.“Common pretty, I know you will test better mmm, your blue eyes are so captivating,” one of the drunken men said giggling as scared Hazel tried to run away making them block her way.“Just give us to taste and freely, you will walk away,” another said sniffing Hazel's hair who tried to move away.“And if she doesn’t?” A very cold voice asked making the environment more chilly than it was.The three men turned to Alex who stood behind them, he was trying hard to hide his trembling body and aching head.“Mister, just walk away except you want to taste her too then you are well….Alex didn’t let them finish he hit the man on his throat and he let him choke on his words. The others were scared and immediately they ran away.Hazel was surprised at how fast the stranger was.“T-thank you,” she said but Alex didn’t say anything as he turned to walk away, his head began to spin this time he fell on his kneel holding his head.“ I was just a child” he whispered holding his head and making Hazel rush towards him.“Are you ok?” She asked to see him breaking out in a cold sweat as his body began to tremble.“Goodness,” she said as she tried to help him stand up.“Sir please what’s your home address?” She asked but got no response she sighed stopped a taxi and asked for a nearby motel because she knew very well not to take a stranger to her little apartment.The taxi man helped Hazel put Alex in his car as he drove them to a nearby motel.After paying for the taxi, Hazel booked a room and took Alex into it.She doesn’t know what’s wrong with the stranger but she knows he’s not in good condition.“Goodness,” she whispered after she dropped the trembling Alex on the bed of the motel.“Goodness, why is he this heavy,” she said rubbing her neck and sighing.She looked at Alex who kept trembling making Hazel immediately strip him off his clothes, she stopped after seeing a big drooping black rose tattoo on his back making her frown. She knows very well what the tattoo means making her wonder what has happened in his life.Immediately Hazel continued to strip him off his clothes as he’s already was looking pale and his body was so cold making her think it was cold so she immediately stripped herself naked to help him get warm.On top of the small-sized bed, Hazel hugged Alex rubbing his hair gently as she tried to calm him down.“Shhhh, it’s ok” She whispered.Since his mother's death, Alex had never felt this warmness whenever his sickness kicked in, he felt the fragile hand rubbing his hair gently making his body start relaxing but he was still feeling headaches so he hugged Hazel tight making her smile as she felt her warmness was working.She sighed as she kept rubbing his hair when she decided to stop and let him sleep because his body had stopped trembling.Gently Hazel tries to leave Alex's embrace when he holds her tight whispering.“Don’t go please” he whispered weakly for Hazel to stop as she stared at his lashes that had water on them.“Is he crying?” She asked herself frowning……Hazel wondered why Alex had tears on his lashes but she didn’t move or say anything as he pleaded for her to continue hugging him.Hazel sighed as that moment, her broken heart moment appeared to her again, her boyfriend for four years and best friend since high school betrayed her.Her eyes began to be teary as she tried to replay all their moments together to see where she had not noticed she was living in their fantasy, She tried to replay their moments, she wanted to try to understand when it all started but nothing came to her instead the image of their intertwined naked body kept playing in her head making her to burst out crying. Steven has never touched her, not even when she tries making initiation as he tells her till their wedding night.Her heart aches from being betrayed by the two most important people in her life, Hazel covers her face as she silently cries to not wake up Alex.Alex felt the steady beating heart that was keeping him calm begin to race making him frown
Inside the beautiful mansion in the western part of New York City, The black Benz drove into the garage as Alex walked out. All the maids and the mansion butler immediately stood and greeted their boss who walked into the mansion in a very cold mood.“I give you only one day to find her Simon, find her,” Alex said walking to his room. Simon sighed as he wondered how he found someone he didn’t even know what she looked like.Alex walked into his room straight to his bathroom he stripped himself naked putting on the shower that ran down from his dark hair to his back passing between the superficial backline that has a big dark drooping rose tattoo.At the bus stop area, Steven tried to talk to Hazel but she refused to give him a second. She kept walking away.“I will come pick up my things from your apartment” She finally turned and looked at Steven who was following from behind.“We need to talk about everything that happened Hazel, Me and Katherine hold you an ex….“No explanation.
Alex was in his office, and for the first time since he took over from his father, he couldn’t concentrate on his work. He drops his pen looking at his phone as he waits for Simon's call. He doesn’t want to call and look disturbed.Alex called his secretary Camel who immediately walked into her boss's office bowing her head.“Boss” Camel called bowing her head.“Cancel all my schedules for the week,” he said walking to his office bar.“Boss, your father asked for dinner tomorrow evening Should I cancel that too?” she quietly asked.Alex looked at her before looking at his set of wine cups then he picked one.“ I won’t repeat myself” he finally said carrying a wine bottle and walking back to his chair.“Yes boss,” she said bowing her head as she turned to leave.“And it should be the last time, you spit that rubbish” he coldly said to his secretary who swallowed hard.“ I’m sorry boss,” she said walking out of her boss's office.Alex poured himself a glass of wine as he took it all at
Hazel looks around as if it’s just like a snap of a finger to her, Will she call it magic, or his trick, two days ago this man looked so vulnerable and today he acts like she’s at his mercy.Two maids walk into the room smiling for Hazel to frown at them.“Ma’am, the boss asked we dress you up and take you to the mansion,” one of them said for Hazel to frown.“I have my own home, I have to go home and“It’s not necessary, everything you need is in the mansion Besides, the contract said, you can’t leave without permission,” Alex said walking into the room.“Excuse me, I didn’t sign my freedom sir, I have a life to….“You agreed to everything with a nod Marie,” Alex said for Hazel to frown.“Don’t call my middle name” she quietly said for Alex to walk towards her while the maids dropped the clothes and left.Alex walked closer to Hazel who was on the bed, the closer he got to her, the more Hazel felt nervous and her saliva became too thick for her to swallow.Alex bent down close to Haze
Hazel was nervous as they drove to the restaurant where the dinner was being held. She’s scared, so scared that her hands begin to tremble in fear.Alex who was facing outside the window turned to see Hazel holding her stomach as she couldn’t breathe anymore. She didn’t know why but just the feeling of sitting in the middle of rich people with class for the first time in her life made her so nervous that her hands began to tremble and her stomach felt like she should squeeze it.“Stop the car,” Alex said to Simon who immediately stopped in the middle of the road.“Are you alright?” He asked removing his coat to cover her immediately.“I….I feel sick” she said for Alex to frown.“Turn the car around,” Alex said for Simon to immediately turn the car around and drive back home.Hazel felt so bad that she began to tear up.Immediately Simon drove back into the mansion, Alex helped the trembling Hazel out of the car as they walked into the mansion, immediately he helped her to sit on the c
Gerald and Kayla look at the pretty blue-eyed girl who stands beside Butler Thomas bending her head.Kayla clears her throat for Hazel to raise her head.“And your name?” She asked for Hazel to swallow hard.“Hazel” she responded.“Wait, if you are a maid, why do you dress in such a fine dress? Kayla asked walking around Hazel who squeezed her lips.“Boss said she should be in a nice dress as she will be taken care of his room” the butler quickly said.“Alex.” Gerald sniffs as he looks at Hazel. He knows his son will just useless her and once he’s done, he will sack her. Though it’s the first time he heard of his son having a personal maid he knows how useless any girl who tries to give him her body is.Gerald walked to the lounge area to sit down while Kayla kept looking at Hazel from her head to her toe.She walked closer to Hazel and whispered into her ear.“Even if you give him all of you, he will clean his mouth and dumb you so I advise, you to stick to being just a personal maid
Alex walked to his room frowning, How dare she open her mouth and spill those words to him?Yes, he told himself to take responsibility not just because he took away her innocence but because she was the first woman in his entire life since after his mother's death who gave him peace, Alex dropped his coat on his cushion chair as he walked towards his laundry basket to drop his clothes when he saw a white shirt and blue Jean inside his laundry basket making him to frown. Alex walked towards his table and dialed his butler's number.“To my room,” he said and hung up. Gently he walked towards his bathroom and removed his clothes, he dropped them on the floor then he walked into his bathroom, After taking his shower, he carried his towel only to find it still wet.He frowned as he saw a blonde hair on it making him immediately throw it on the floor.Alex carried a new clean towel and wrapped his waist before stepping out of his bathroom frowning. He knows the only person who has blonde h
Hazel knows technically Alex has declared war with his family for her. She knows what it means to be disappointed by someone you love and seeing Kayla's eyes a few minutes ago, she’s already heartbroken.She looked at Alex who was driving before looking away.Why would she want to stay with a man whom she doesn’t have feelings for, Stupidity made her sign the contract but now she knows better not to be an obstacle to another girl’s dreams.Hazel began to think about how to leave the mansion, she began to think about how she needed to start making an escape plan.Alex could see how Hazel bit on her fingers like she was thinking about something, something he knew he wouldn’t like.“Whatever you are thinking, don’t execute it,” he said for Hazel to quickly turn towards him.“Uhh?” She gasped for Alex to chuckle.“What are you thinking?” Alex asked for Hazel to shake her head.“No…. Nothing” she said looking down on her white dress.“I’m sorry, you meet my family in this…“No… no, it’s ok
The doors to the dining room opened, and three men in black suits entered silently, their imposing presence casting a shadow over the room. Alex smirked, his tone ice-cold. “I mean, Mr. Lark, that your time has run out.” The assistant paled, his hands trembling as the men in black closed in. *Outside the Villa* A convoy of cars pulled up near the entrance to the McCollum estate. The general, sitting stiffly in the backseat of his car, glanced at his assistant. “I don’t think it’s wise to approach the villa uninvited,” the general said, his voice calm but firm. “Shall I write to Mrs. McCollum, then? Ask about her health and that of your great-grandchild?” the assistant offered. The general nodded, his lips curving into a rare smile. “Yes, do that. And… one more thing. Have you found her mother?” “Yes, sir,” the assistant replied. “She’s currently in the city.” “Invite her to the villa,” the general said, his expression unreadable. The assistant hesitated. “Are you sure, sir?
Simon immediately followed Alex’s instructions. As expected, Alex approved of the arrangements. The drive back to the villa was dead silent. Hazel held Alex’s hand tightly, watching him carefully for any unusual signs that might necessitate returning to the hospital. “When are the workers in the mansion coming back?” she asked, breaking the silence and earning a small smile from Alex. “They’re already back. I just want us to stay at the villa until you give birth,” Alex replied, his tone calm. Hazel sighed. “It’s lonely in the villa. At least in the mansion, the maids keep me company when you’re away.” Alex nodded thoughtfully. “I don’t trust them with you. They might accept money to hurt you. Let’s stay here until our child is born,” he said, lifting her hand to his lips and planting a gentle kiss. “And the scan?” Alex asked, watching Hazel closely. “You remember?” Hazel responded with a smile. “Of course. I dare not forget anything about you,” he said, making Hazel blush. “I
Hazel sat in the cold weather as Alex slept soundly, unaware of Simon being out on tasks. The gentle snow falling outside caught her attention so deeply that she didn’t notice someone enter the room. “Erhem,” a familiar voice said, causing Hazel to turn abruptly. Supporting her stomach, she stood up swiftly. “How dare you step your filthy feet in here?” she demanded, her voice full of rage, as Harden raised his hands in mock surrender. “Guards!” she called out, but Harden sighed in response. “Chill. I wouldn’t be here if the guards were active. I just came to visit,” he said, watching Hazel reach for her phone. She knew the sedative Alex was under wouldn’t allow him to wake up. “Haze, chill—” “Don’t call me that!” Hazel snapped, furiously dialing Simon’s number. “I came for a business deal,” Harden continued, undeterred. “I just wanted to check on him after hearing he was in an—” “Or you came to see if he survived the accident you planned!” Hazel cut him off furiously. “Get ou
Alex’s eyes opened slowly, his gaze unfocused but alive. Hazel sobbed with relief, pressing a kiss to his hand. “You’re here… you’re still with us,” she whispered. Alex’s voice was hoarse, barely audible. “Hazel… what happened?” “You were in an accident,” she said softly. “But you’re going to be okay.” His brow furrowed, memories flickering through his mind. “It wasn’t… an accident,” he rasped. Hazel nodded, her voice trembling. “We know. And we’ll find out who did this. Together.” Simon stepped forward, his expression grim. “Sir, we think it was Harden McCall.” Alex’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. “Harden… he won’t get away with this.” Hazel squeezed his hand, her resolve matching his. “No, he won’t. We’ll make sure of it.”the soft knock on the hospital door pulled Hazel’s attention away from Alex. A middle-aged man in a white coat stepped in, carrying a clipboard.“Mrs. McCollum, I’m Dr. Harris, I will be taking over from Doctor Gabriel, he has a family emergency,” he s
Tears streamed down the driver’s face as he shook his head. “I didn’t mean to… I swear I didn’t…”The driver’s sobs grew louder, and he buried his face in his hands. “I… I needed the money… but I didn’t think… It wasn’t supposed to…” He broke off, shaking his head in despair. Grant ignored him, stepping out of the room to make a call. “Officer Grant,” a voice answered on the other end. “I’ve got a lead,” Grant said. “Trace the account that sent this transfer. We’re dealing with something bigger than a random accident.”… “Understood,” the voice replied. Grant hung up, his mind racing. He had a gut feeling this wasn’t just a case of reckless driving—it was a targeted attack. And someone wanted Alex McCollum dead. Back at the hospital, Hazel stirred awake, her face still pale and tear-streaked. She glanced around and found Simon seated by the window, speaking quietly on the phone. Alex lay on the hospital bed beside her, his breathing steady but labored. “Simon,” Hazel called
The doctor let out a heavy sigh, his face shadowed with sympathy as he looked into Hazel’s striking blue eyes, which were now brimming with tears. She stood there, shaking, the weight of his silence suffocating her. “We tried our best, but…” His voice wavered, trailing off. “What?!” Hazel screamed, her body jolting forward in shock. Simon, her steadfast support, quickly caught her before she fell. His own face was a mask of anguish, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. “We did everything we could, ma’am,” the doctor said softly, lowering his gaze. “But I’m sorry. The blow to his head was… too severe. He didn’t make it.” “No! No, no, no!” Hazel cried, her voice piercing and raw. She wrestled free from Simon’s arms, shaking her head violently. “Don’t say that to me! Where’s my husband?” Her frantic eyes searched the room for any sign of Alex, her desperation palpable. Simon stood frozen, helplessly watching her crumble. “Ma’am, please,” the doctor interjected, his tone gentle but fi
Inside the McCall office, Harden anxiously drummed his fingers on the polished oak desk, his sharp eyes darting between the wall clock and his expensive wristwatch. The silence in the room was suffocating, broken only by the rhythmic ticking of the clock. He exhaled deeply, frustration evident in his posture. Suddenly, his phone buzzed, breaking the stillness.“You agreed that if I do this, I’ll get twenty percent of the shares in McCall Corporation?” the voice on the other end asked sharply. Harden let out a slow sigh, gripping the phone tighter.“It’s a signed deal, Mr. Lark. Just do this for me,” Harden said curtly, his voice laced with impatience.“Alright,” Lark replied, though there was a hint of reluctance in his tone. “But don’t associate me with this if it doesn’t turn out as you wanted.”Harden’s lips curled into a sly smile. “And if it doesn’t turn out as I wanted, you won’t be getting twenty percent. You’ll get ten percent at most,” he countered, his voice cold and calcula
As they left, Harden remained seated, his fists clenched and his jaw tight. Alex didn’t spare him a second glance, but as they walked through the mansion’s grand halls, he leaned down to whisper in Hazel’s ear. “It’s not over. He’ll try again.” Hazel squeezed his hand. “Then let him try. He’ll lose every time.” Harden stood in the General’s study, pacing furiously as the General watched him with a critical eye. The door clicked shut as the General’s assistant exited, leaving the two men alone. “You’ve lost, Harden,” the General said, his voice calm but laced with finality. “Hazel has chosen Alex. You’ll do well to respect that.” Harden’s jaw clenched, his mind racing. “You don’t understand, General. Alex is dangerous—for her and the child. If she stays with him, she’ll never be free, we’ve spent time together, we’ve shared a bond that she can’t deny, she has confessed her regrets to me. I can give her stability, safety… love.” The General sighed, shaking his head. “Love? T
Alex nodded grimly. “He’s using every connection he has to come for you. Last night, he attended that gala with General Aiko. He’s doubling down, likely whispering in the General’s ear that I’m some monster keeping you captive. He wants to turn him against us.” Hazel stood, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. “And the General? Do you think he’ll believe him?” Alex exhaled sharply, his gaze darkening. “The General is no fool, but Harden’s desperate. He’s feeding on the General’s guilt for abandoning his family all those years ago. He’ll twist it, make himself seem like the savior you need—someone who can give you the ‘life you deserve.’” Hazel scoffed, her anger rising. “The life I deserve? I have everything I want. I have you. Our baby. He has no right—no idea what’s best for me!” Alex crossed the room, his hand gently cupping her cheek, forcing her to look up at him. “I know, Hazel. But Harden thrives on manipulation, you’ve given him the opportunity to feel I wasn