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WARNING: This is not a cliche Mafia Multibillionaire romance, there is a lot of dark angst involved and slow burn. ______HAZEL -I became engulfed in the darkness of a cruel world for the past four months. Since my mother was snatched away from us in a terrible car collision. Having no place to go, my elder married sister Leila refused to bear responsibility for me and our eleven-year-old little brother Bilal. She herself was married to a selfish imam who dissuaded her from sheltering us at their home.My mother was my comfort and shield, composed of truly devotional motherly traits which were stripped away from us. Leaving Bilal and me unprotected and vulnerable. Fast forward four months since her passing on to the next life, Bilal and I are dwelling now with our estranged father whom we refer to as baba, including his nightmarish second wife and their three kids.Baba and his wife, Naheed are already planning to marry me off to a total stranger. My groom-to-be is the son of Naheed'
"Sorry you're not familiar" I shook my head in rapid decline. Upon hearing this, his smile nearly vanishes for a split."I work as a fashion editor for Aussie Fab magazine, I have my own clothing line for tweens and teens." He provides a quick introduction."Oh, um.." I search for the words to respond with, uncomprehending why he'd approach me.Without wasting another second, he elaborates why. "The reason I asked you for your age is that one of the girls I hired for my brief fashion show before the pageant begins, has bailed out on me today! So I am wondering if you could fill in the gap?"What?!I stare at him in unmasked alarm. Does he not see the simple hijab on my head indicating clearly that I'm a Muslim girl? Has he not noticed my overall modest yet plain attire of mine? I don't even look remotely fashionable."My name is Hazel.." I laugh nervously, indicating the obvious as I touch my hijab. "Eighteen and a Muslim!""Yes, it's one of the reasons why I'm asking you" He beams, co
HAZEL -From my vantage, I could sense that something seems out of order. I wish to halt that man from taking her away but it could just be her father. My family always made it clear to stay out of people's businesses on the streets. So I just watch as they exit the gymnasium."Arielle!?"Within a few seconds, the two girls Katie and Bev rush out of their cubicle. They look around frantically. "Arielle!"Where are you?!"Uh oh, My suspicions proved right! Bev approaches me. "Hey excuse me? Have you seen a little red-haired girl about seven years old, this height with a black frock?" Her voice trembling and her eyes wild with concern."Oh my God, Rachael will kill me," Katie shouts over as she worriedly scans the crowd. "Where the hell is that brat?!""I saw that little girl! A man dressed in a black suit with shades was taking her away through those exits." I point quickly toward the exits and without a second thought -start rushing toward them hurriedly along with the two girls in tow
We finally reach the safety of the recreation center and the throngs of excited people. Suddenly, Arielle pulled away from my back."Arielle Marie Doucette! How many times did we tell you to not go wandering around without us ?!" Katie shakes the child angrily before clasping her into an embrace. "Thank God you're safe! You nearly got me into trouble!""Thank you so much !" Bev takes hold of my hands. "Thank you so, so much for returning the Lil rascal to us.""Don't thank me, all thanks is to God." I pant, trying to catch my breath, my figure still trembling. "I think you should definitely alert the police, some strange man with a gun had her in his possession!"Immediately the two girls' faces paled in apparent fear. "No, don't call the police !" They both declare in unison. I give them a questioning look of exasperation."Katie, I told you we should have gotten Serge and Grigori to accompany us! But you wouldn't listen !" Bev frantically paces back and forth. "This wouldn't have ha
HAZEL -"Hazel darling, just please relax." Leila squeezes my hand reassuringly as a bright flash nearly blinds me.The cameraman is at it again, Hasn't he already snapped enough pics of me from this angle? We are reclining on a silk couch atop a one-foot-tall mini-stage. It's my wedding day. It is almost over and the nikkah ceremony has been completed. I'm officially Mrs. Hazel Imran Mirza."How can I when everyone is looking at me !?" I whisper tensely as my gaze sweeps over the attendants in the banquet hall. All of Baba's (dad's) and Mirza's relatives and friends are reclining on plush seats at round tables laden with food and drink.It was a decent banquet hall, simple yet elegant, and paid for by Mr. Anwar Mirza since he insisted that his one and only son was to be married. I catch sight of my reflection in the compact mirror Leila briefly holds out to me. I looked pretty for my wedding. I had many of my mother's features.I was inwardly grateful to have inherited her features. F
Her smile vanishes at the mention of her younger sister's name. She reluctantly answers. "Katie..she was discharged from the hospital Saturday morning...thank you for asking."I was intrigued to further question her regarding the shooting incident. Yet her discomfort at discussing this causes me to refrain from delving anymore.Mr. Mirza cuts the uncomfortable atmosphere short. "Rachael, if you ever have time to spare, I'd like you to acquaint Hazel with the tour of Griffith. ""Oh yes of course. Rachael affirms, She then rummages through her purse and draws out a card, and hands it to me. "You just ring me up to let me know and I'd be happy to schedule a tour for you."I thank her with a lack of enthusiasm and slip the card into my red embroidered clutch. I saw no reason for me to attend college anymore. I had attempted to pick college as an excuse to hinder an arranged marriage which ended up occurring anyway."Rachael, debriefing in twenty minutes." Grigori ends up interrupting ster
Hazel -the table I sit at is laden with halal east Asian food. it's my favorite cuisine. mister mirza was kind enough to have asked me beforehand to create a menu selection of the food I'd prefer to be served.I was looking forward to eating up until the handshake incident. my appetite was gone and my anger was now replaced by glumness as I relapsed into my thoughts."come on! at least break this big fortune cookie the waiter must have brought in for you !" Leila's voice disconnects me from my brooding daydream.I peer down and spot a fortune cookie the size of a lemon sitting on my plate. I hadn't even realized when the waiter had brought this in since I was so lost in thought."how come I didn't get one ?" Bilal whines."hazel is the bride, I think only the bride and groom get one." Leila assumes."believing in fortune cookies is forbidden," I state disinterestedly.Leila chuckles. "no one is telling you to believe in it, just break the cookie and read it for fun!"heaving a solemn
I turn on the air conditioner, it's gotten too hot staying wrapped up in these heavy wedding clothes. I sit back down on imran's bed which is strewn with roses.it's I think a super awkward custom. of course, the groom doesn't decorate his bed with rose petals, his family does. which is why I think it's super awkward. since they embellish it for the supposed romance.his room is twice as big as my room back in new jersey. he's got posters of some Hollywood movies framed on his walls. I sigh and glance at the clock on the wall 12:47 AM.I've been sitting here waiting for him for the past two hours. I seriously need to sleep.however, Leila advised me to wait on him. she had said it was rude if I just fell asleep. she also assured me that it was okay to be shy on the wedding night and that I shouldn't stress over it. well, she's wrong, I feel nothing towards Imran Mirza now. absolutely nothing.what he did tonight was awful and I am fully certain he has no feelings toward me either. baba
Six Years LaterHazel POV:In a vast Santorini sky, the sun's rays beam down upon a joyful occasion. The balmy breeze was laden with the scent of wildflowers. A gentle melody of an orchestra intermingles with sophisticated murmurs of the stylishly garbed guests, seated at tables adorned by sumptuous feasts.It is the wedding day of Serge and Katie.On a raised platform, the well-dressed groom eagerly awaits his bride to walk down the aisle. Next to him stood Bilal and the ever-reserved appearing Grigori and Huxley.As bridesmaids, Rachael, Rebecca, Bev, Arielle, and I, stood on the right of the altar's platform. The five of us, assembled in similarly lavish magenta-hued bridesmaid gowns. Except for the hijab on my head."I had always thought Aunt Katie and uncle Serge would make a great couple." Arielle's remark's fond to the rest of us. "Finally today they are getting married!""It took them long enough!" Bev snorts next to me, shaking her head. "Katie really shįt tested Serge every s
Sheer dread grips my heart in a strangling hold. Gradually, I raise my head from Vladimir's chest. His garments were soaked with my tears.My eyes meet with none other than Ivan Molotov's.He merely emits a sinister cackle, halting his applause. Eyes full of undiluted malice, regard me from across the room.In his gloved hands, he holds a closed syringe. Ever so slowly, he approaches ne arer. From his other hand, he drops a pile of slashed cords that were attached to Vladimir's body. My eyes trace them back toward the hospital machinery, now nonfunctional."Wh-What are you doing?!" Immediately, I vault from my seat. I nearly stumble, my footsteps retreating backward. My voice lets out in fearful disbelief. "Wh-What do you mean?"He sighs, shaking his head in seemingly mock guilt. "I'm afraid I have no choice but to also end you along Vladimir.""What?!" My eyes widen in terror as I look from his face to the syringe gripped in his palm. "Why?! What are you talking about?!""Shhh." He
My heartbeat thundered within my ears while my eyes brimmed with scathing moisture. The air around me continuously grew thin as my lungs burned with each breath I took. My legs refused to falter, I ran through the winding corridors of the hospital along with Rachael and Katie. The hijab on my head nearly slipped off. Yet my mind was only preoccupied with him."Doctor!!!" Rachael cries out as she grabs ahold of a man in a lab coat, strolling out of the Intensive Care Unit. "Please! We can't wait anymore, we demand to see Vladimir!!""Ma'am, neither you nor your sister's blood test is a correct match for your brother. We can not allow you to see him as of yet." The doctor's expression embittered as he shuffles through the papers on his clipboard. "We've discovered he's a rare blood type.""He's lost a great amount of blood!" One other doctor rushes out in front of us. "Whoever else is related to him, must get tested for the transfusion! RHnull type blood is rare and we don't have it in
After such a forbidden deed, would events always unravel in contrition like this? Can guilt be any more bitter than before? Will I ever learn from past mistakes?No, since when did you develop into such a weak mess?My head had been bowed under the clouds of shame drifting around the atmosphere of the jeep ride back. Five minutes had passed since Dimitri Molotov's intrusive phone call, disrupting the forbidden tryst I was involved with Vladimir in the back seat.Awkwardness never felt so constricting before to me as it did now. Yet Vladimir appears unaffected by it as if there is nothing awkward in regard to the physical exchange between us.Instead, his visage indicates a serenity that I don't remember witnessing ever before. As if he's repleted of a satisfied contentment that he lacked previously. It was increasingly evident, that he is very pleased with no regrets.His eyes had intensely remained locked on my face while he helped me get dressed in the back seat. Suffusing my blush
His brows crease in apparent concern as they caught the glimmer of tears swimming within my stare. I wasn't resilient enough to suppress the heartache of the past seven days. It took over me tenfold in his presence.He inches forward. "Hazel, wh-"Suddenly all of the lights switch on, impeding him mid-sentence. The entirety of the kitchen and connected lounge is illuminated."What's going on here?" I recognize none other than Rachael's miffed voice.She stands in her sleeping robes on the stairwell of the kitchen lounge. Confounded, her eyes flit between Vladimir and me.But she's not the only other presence besides the two of us here. My alarmed eyes catch sight of Katie and Bev. The lights had exposed them hiding behind one of the couches in the lounge. Guilt-ridden, they were smiling sheepishly at me.Within those awkward seconds, it dawns on me that this setup was construed by the two of them. With Rachael and I being unaware, they knew all along when Vladimir would be returning h
Dear Hazel Asalaam Alaikum, I hope you are safe and well. I'm writing to inform you that I'm admitted to a private cancer treatment hospital. I've discovered from one of my lawyers, that the wealth I've allocated to you has still not been touched. I had expected you'd find it beneficial once you had turned 19, but you haven't utilized any amount of it. Please no need to remain humble regarding the sustenance that Allah has rendered halal for you.The doctors say I've got an additional month left to live. I find it amusing, that these doctors can utter such words with firm conviction. After all, life and death are in Allah's hands.However, my condition is deteriorating. I'd like to see you and Rachael before I depart this world.Enclosed within this envelope are details and directions to the hospital center. I'm expecting you both soon, and if you choose not to visit me then it's alright, I would understand.Once I've completed reading, my eyes lock with Rachaels. Hers are just as gl
"What is it?!" I shriek in repleted panic. Besides me, Bilal is just as frightened. The overpowering stench of smoke engulfs us quickly as the helicopter malfunctions."There is good news and bad news," Vladimir responds jaw clenched in apparent ire. He pours all of his strength and effort into veering the helicopter off-course away from the villa. "Which do you want to hear first?""This isn't time for such games!" I shriek again as the helicopter continues impairing."Are we crashing?!" Bilal questions with eyes wide as saucers."Not we. The helicopter will crash, that's the bad news. We've been targeted by an enemy RPG." Vladimir replies eyes narrowed in focus as he ascends the helicopter to higher heights. "It seems someone within our circles has tipped the enemy off in regard to our whereabouts.""RPG?!" Bilal gapes horrified. "Enemy?!""What the hell is RPG?!" I snap in ensuing terror."Military weapon!" Bilal promptly answers before desperately asking Vladimir. "What's the good
I awake from a slight jostling, it's dark and I hear the soft continuous humming of some sort of engine. Then I instantly remember that I was on a plane.I groggily shift my body but freeze when I realize someone else lay beside me. The weight of their arm is firmly yet gently draped over my waist and I feel their minty breath shallowly caressing my neck. It seemed like they were asleep.I turn my face in their direction and lift my hand to touch their face in the dark. My fingers splay over chiseled angular features, and my heart hammers in recognition.But before I can shove at him, he murmurs in his sleep. "Hazel... hmm...so pure..."My eyes widen in alarm and I attempt to lift his heavy arm away from my waist, yet this proves as a failure. He draws me closer to his hard chest while murmuring again in his sleep."Hazel... I need you..."My face flushes with heat as my mind processes his sleep talk. I wondered what kind of dream he had about me.I try pulling away from him, yet tha
As soon as the vehicle approaches Bilal's private boarding school, my eyes distend in alarm. "You-How did you know?! Only Rachael knew about Bilal's school!""Don't worry about details, princess. Wait here, remember I've locked the doors and windows, so stay put." He provides lightly and exits the jeep without further word.The vehicle was parked a few blocks away from the school, in a vacant lot. No one would be able to catch a glimpse of me reclining in it since the windows were tainted dark from the exterior. I wait with my hands fiddling the hem of my sleeves as I continue glancing around nervously.Several minutes later, I spot the demon approaching along with my little brother, who is happily licking an ice cream cone. In one hand he's dragging along a small suitcase. My heart swells with so much emotion as I eagerly await Bilal's arrival.As soon as the demon tugs open my door, I fling my arms around Bilal, crushing his boyish frame against me. "Billy!! Oh my God!""Hazel!" Bil