HAZEL -"F-Five years!" Quavering sobs escape Rachael's mouth as she disrupts the bleak quietude. "Five years, h-he gained my trust!" She slumps forward dejectedly, concealing her anguished face with her palms. "only for his betrayal!"1lMy mind replays continual flashbacks of the macabre scene from 3 hours ago. My grip slackens over the 3rd moist towelette I was given by Serge to scrub my face free of Harry's blood stains. Albeit this towelette was cleaner than the first two discarded ones, I refused glancing down at the slight tinge of blood.My gaze adjusted through the limo window at the places whizzing past. Eyes long depleted of any more tears."Betrayal!!" She resumes. "Betrayal of the worst kind!!""Why is mummy crying?" Arielle vocalizes timidly. "Mummy? Why are you crying?""Come on Ray.." I hear Serge plead. "Just try to forget-""Forget?!" Rachael snaps through his sentence. "It's a meaningless fracas to you?"Her furious voice underlining disbelief only compels me to face
The first question to prick my befuddled mind as the limo enters through the gates. The drive continues down a gravel road lined with rows of flowery tropical trees.It could have been within a span of twenty minutes passing when the limo swerves a corner. The trail of trees gives way to an even more beautiful and picturesque scene.I'm beyond amazed at the sight of the vibrant Mediterranean Gardens embellished with rows and rows of fountains spraying water out through the mouths of winged cherub statues.Ahead of the gardens, is a magnificent manor I've never had the pleasure of seeing in my entire life.The very grand and homely yet modern and classy mixture of a Mediterranean-style residence. Brightly illuminated, airy verandas and balconies lined the exterior. A lovely aquamarine pool snaked around before it.I strive to keep my mouth closed from gawking in awe, I strive to keep my mouth closed from gawking in awe. The limo pulls near the further right side of the manor, revealing
Out of service!?"What?!" This jarring news only serves to increase my anxiety as I sputter a refusal. "B-But I can't! I-""I'm sorry, I will not allow you to return, it's for your own good and safety." She extends her hand and reaches up to palm my face gently. "Don't worry, no harm will come to you here."Then directing her gaze in Vladimir's direction, her voice falls to a firm notch. "Hazel will be remaining here for the time being and NO ONE will object to it any further..NO ONE at all."My eyes flicker nervously over Vladimir, noticing the way his shapely jaw tightens in complete ire. Without meeting Rachael's gaze, he aimlessly stares into the distance.Then a split second later-with brisk indignant strides, he moves past us in the direction of the manor's entrance. The intoxicating scent of his cologne trailed behind."Excuse me, ladies," Huxley states with a bitter face before strolling rapidly after him.Taking ahold of both Arielle and Charlie's hands, Serge offers us a shee
"Vladimir was right all along!" Katie sniffles as she finally pulls apart and peers directly into her older sister's eyes. "You shouldn't have left the manor.."Rachael inhales deeply with apparent irritation before retorting."I'm here aren't I?!"This response in haste serves to quieten Katie. She withdraws completely in embarrassment while eyes downcast before aiming them at me. Then a wistful smile graces her pink lips.But before she has the chance to address me, Bev beats her to it. "Hazel! I hope you're fine! I'm so sorry for what you must have gone through!"She engulfs me in a tight embrace and I catch a whiff of strawberry scent as her peculiarly dangling earring nearly hits me in the eye. "Oh God, I'm so sorry for you having to go through another tough situation!""I-I'm..I-I don't know.." I manage to croak out in a daze as Bev releases me, allowing Katie to give me a brief embrace of her own.Seriously, how could I say I was fine?After all that I had gone through."You're
HAZEL -I blink at her in puzzlement.Told her so much about me? What more did they know about me except that I rescued Arielle?Shaking her hand, I utter a broken response. "I um... Well, it was nothing. All thanks to God really."Anya nods happily until her eyes shift down behind me. Instantly, her brows crease in vexation as she huffs. "I had just mopped the floors an hour ago!"The three of us glance over at the puddle of melted Popsicles until someone's phone starts vibrating.Katie reaches into her dress pocket, fishing out her iPhone. She studies the screen. With a deep inhale as her cheeks flush red, she states. "Excuse me, I must take this call...Anya, please escort Hazel to any of the guest bedrooms."With that, She starts gliding swiftly away in a graceful manner.Anya complies and pivots on her heel. "Follow me miss Kashani."With my mind muddled by unanswered questions, ruefully I stare at Katie's retreating back as she exits through the main entrance doors.Heaving a de
After changing into a fresh set of clothes and hijab, I sit down on the edge of the bed and stare around vacantly at my surrounding.A few minutes pass and I reach for the bedside phone, I needed to get in touch with Mister Mirza. Instead of rings, an automatic voice states the number is out of service.My brows crease in dismay as I redial and hear the same again.Why would he cancel his phone service?Concern engulfs my mind as I wonder the worst.Allah forbids it, I hope Imran hasn't harmed Mister Mirza!The worry eats away at me as I bolt up from the bed and head toward the door. I needed to find Rachael and ask her what should be done. I needed to apprise her of the potential danger Mister Mirza could be in right now.Stepping out into the corridor, I'm at a sudden loss for directions.How am I to find her when I don't even know where she is right now?Returning to my new bedroom, I reach for the bedside phone again and dial the kitchen extension. This time Anya picks up."Do you
Some say recurring dreams symbolize incidents of our past experiences. Events that may have had some very troubling and profound impact on our emotional and physical state.While yet others say such dreams may represent incessant and equivocal conflicts currently plaguing the dreamer. But of course, it all depends on the content of the dream.Laying awake for the past 20 minutes while my eyes fixed on the intricate ceiling, I've vaguely concluded that my recurring dream could likely be premonitions of what is stored ahead in my future.It's that recurring dream, sha dowy figures looming ever closer and nearly suffocating me when suddenly another darkened figure emerges and plucks me away. I dimly recall a pair of eyes as blue and vast as the ocean. At the very next junction for some ridiculous reason, my mind construes up an image of Vladimir's eyes.An instant scowl furrows my brows as I shake my head in denial at such a notion. That jerk would frighten me senseless in a dream instea
With tentative steps forward, I turn sideways and find two sets of large refrigerators. Next to it on the right is a long kitchen shelf under which are two sets of dishwashers and then a series of cabinets stopping at two sets of large stoves.On the left of the refrigerators is the door to the kitchen pantry and another door of steel labeled Freezer storage.Talk about opulence! These folks are extremely wealthy?I resurvey my surroundings and instantly a slight scowl knits my brows thinking of the jerk.Jerk is Filthy rich... an emphasis on the word filthy.I trudge towards one of the fridges and tug open the doors while wondering in what dastardly criminal ways he acquired all of this wealth. My eyes scan in amazement at the densely packed interior containing varieties of mouth-watering food and delicacies stored in luxury packaging, containers, and plastic wraps.Expensive edible stuff with unknown ingredients from foreign labelings in Italian, Russian, and German. I couldn't eat
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