HAZEL -"Don't scream when I remove my hand and let me explain why I wrote that note."My eyes widen in alarmed recognition of the voice belonging to none other than Grigori.So he was the author behind that ominous note!I want to scream for help. Bev is a few doors down the hall.Was she also in on it?I fear what he might do next. For all I know, he might just end up splintering my neck right then and there. That is if he possesses similar skills as that demon cousin of his."Don't scream, I wrote that note for your safety." Grigori continues with underlined discretion.My brows knit in confusion. Safety??He seemed unprepared to harm me in the least bit judging from his careful tone of words. This only leads me to the haste conclusion that Bev is unaware.I nod my head in agreement and he releases me from his grasp. I whirl around to pin him with a glare. He's dressed casually in sweatpants and a t-shirt when I've only ever glimpsed him In a suit and tie."Why?" I demand quietly.
HAZEL -"You've been cooped up in this bedroom for two days straight!" Rachael exclaims as soon as I open the door. "Please get outside and soak up some sun later, have fun and relax will you?"Three days have passed since the encounter with Grigori. I've been remaining in the security of the guest room except when I dined with the servants in the servant's quarter."I just don't feel like it," I replied glumly. I glance at the time, 5:40 am. How can I relax, knowing that I can't escape your enemies even after I have left your residence? And if I don't leave, your demonic brother will murder me instead."oh come on, tell me what's bothering you? Is it the upcoming court case on Friday?" She inquires sternly.Oh great, I forgot about the litigation I filed against my father. Not only was my life in complete peril, but chances of moving back in with baba were fully shattered beyond repair. He must have read the mailed court summons by now. He's probably wished death on me every hour sin
HAZEL -The despondency of the severest kind takes root ever stronger with each step I descend. Misery has engulfed me in the far recesses of my mind, expanding with each breath I inhale. Last year this time around, you lived a conventional life, as an ordinary teenager."Hazel!"I glance away from my shoes, only to spot Beverly and Serge ascending the foyer stairwell in my direction. Faces brimming with genuine concern.No, please don't keep asking me the same questions, she will see and she will ruin my reputation further, she will not hesitate... it's what she always says.They halt below me a step and Bev begins. "It's over a week since we've been seeing you in a depressed state. It's as if by removing your headscarf you have also lost your normal self."That's because I have indeed lost my normal self... "Yes, what's going on?" Serge pipes in expectantly. "As we've said before, tell us what's bothering you.""I told you I'm fine, please just don't ask me such questions," I utter
HAZEL -"Come in here!!" I holler at them while frantically motioning them to get in my room. "Hide in here quick!!"They all clamber in, some nearly tripping on their dresses. Suddenly I feel tiny arms encasing my legs. I glance down and find a frightened Arielle, clutching onto my dress. Immediately, I haul her up into my arms and slam the door shut. The women are crying and sobbing."What's going on?" I question apprehensively while peering at all of their faces."We don't know, oh God it's horrible!" One of them wails. The rest voice their agreements and fall into a crazy chatter. Sounds of gunshots start piercing the air relentlessly, and we all let out shrieks while falling to the ground in discretion. Arielle begins bawling in my arms. "I want my mummy!!!"I clasp her tightly against my chest, vehemently hoping that Rachael, Katie, and Bev were safely hiding somewhere. That no innocent people be harmed in this nightmare come to life.Ya'Allah please please please make this all
HAZEL -Thank you for shopping at Waldorfs, return soon and have a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!" Chirps the cashier, clad in a Santa Elf costume.Katie, Arielle, and I exit the upscale retail shop, carrying fancy plastic bags thickened with purchased merchandise. Huxley and a dozen undercover Molotov Mafia members trailing closely behind us.It's the holiday season and two days prior to Christmas. The shops are brilliantly illuminated and enhanced with Holiday ornaments. Mini Christmas trees embellish each corner of the pedestrian walkways. The streets are flooded by festive holiday shoppers, ecstatically piling in and out of stores. The absence of snow which I was adjusted to back in America, was the only detail missing from the exuberant setting"Miss Katherine, we should be returning to the manor now." Huxley reminds while momentarily peering at his wristwatch. Katie nods in acquiescence and then cautiously whispers into my ears. "Let's hope Arielle forgets about meeting Sa
It's-It's just that..." Anya croaks, holding back her sobs. "I wish he would at least come out for the holiday week, it really pains me to know he's chosen loneliness."Damn, these people are so attached to a conspicuously detached killer. I thought it was incredible really, how close-knit even the servants of the manor are to him. In all my stay here, I haven't witnessed him solidly display affection to any of them. For the exception a month ago of his kiss on Mrs. Agnelli's forehead."Shhh don't cry," I console, patting her back gently."You know, he's saved me from a terrible life.." Anya clarifies somberly as she sets the plastic carton on the countertop. "He's not as bad as you think he is. I refuse to believe he means you harm deep down especially since you've rescued Arielle."I bite the inside of my cheek, suppressing to refute her opinion. Without noticing, she proceeds. "Before I was offered employment here..I-I was..a..sex slave in Russia.""What?!" I gape at her. She nods
HAZEL -He begins ambling forward towards me, mouth twisting in a sordid way. In utter trepidation, I scramble backward utilizing my elbows. I notice he's inadvertently blocking the path I would have tread to my bedroom. In a matter of seconds, a rush of adrenaline kicks in, and I leap to my feet. Without sparing him a second glance, I hastily canter in the opposite direction towards the foyer.My heart hammers at abnormal speed as I rapidly descend the length of the stairwell. Once I get to the landing, I risk a glance up only to discover he hasn't pursued me. A heavy sigh of relief escapes my mouth as I stand still trying to calm my breathing.This wasn't supposed to happen according to plans! I wonder how I would manage to get to my room with him out in the corridor. A deep regret fills me for having attempted such a foolish idea of delivering the note to him. Considering that both of us were the only occupants currently in the manor, it was highly incongruous of me.I should inform
HAZEL -This morbid asphyxiation remains constricting around me. My strength evanescing, inept to repel it any longer. Suffocating despite not expiring. I drown in seemingly perpetual tears but yet remain to breathe. Impelling towards the ebbs of extremity, however not fading.Through the reflection of the mirror, the girl peering back at me is nothing short of an immeasurable condition.Dark tresses in wild disarray, primarily engulfing her small frame. Eyes brimming with drops of desolation. Leaving a trail of damp misery down the apples of her cheeks.Minutes must have elapsed and my eyes hesitantly shift to her face's lower feature, I had strived and yet failed to avoid a glimpse of it.Swollen, bruised, and trembling... the appearance of my lips took my breath away.Leaning forward at the mirror, I take a closer examination. The tip of my tongue darts out flicks moisture over the bloody fissure, and pain signals its way from the wound to my mind.My eyes blink shut, yet there mat
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