2 - The mistake

Hazel grabbed her shawl, wrapping it safely around her shoulders as she escorted her mistress out of the room.

"Hey, Hazel!"

She turned at the sound of her name, and she came face to face with the head maid Majorie.

"Yes, ma'am?" She answered with a slight bow of her head.

The head maid stretched out her hand, offering a basket. "Take this, we need more servants to carry the gifts, make sure you go help and hurry back here to help the other servants."

Hazel took the basket from her, nodding. "Yes ma'am." She strut away in the directions of the entrance door.

And at that very moment Lucas Rossi stepped into the mansion, his escorts trailing behind him.

Time seemed to freeze upon the sight of that very man. Truly such a sight was a rare thing to behold, never had Hazel seen a man so handsome and perfectly cut and carved by the creator himself.

His eyes, a dim grey color scanned his surroundings rapidly as he walked in, as if he could sense her presence even before he saw her, and as his eyes landed on her, his thick brows furrowed.

The intimidating man, stood more than a feet tall above Hazel, and he scanned her slowly, a look of disbelief in his eyes as he stepped towards her.

Hazel was still entranced, she didn't realize her feet begun to carry her towards him again, until one of his escorts stepped in between them and broke off the contact she was about to make. Not even the magazines have seen such a work of art as the man standing before her, no wonder everyone who saw him spoke so highly of his appearance.

"Watch were you're going!" He barked, pushing her away.

Hazel fell to the ground with a gasp, the basket slipping out of her hands as she fell out of he trance. "I am sorry, I am really really sorry, please forgive me." She stared down at the floor, her eyes fixated on his darkly polished shoe. Just a glance at it and she could tell those shoes must have costs more than five times her salary.

Hazel heard someone walk in behind her and she looked up to spot one of the keepers of the mansion. "Shall I have her fired for this stupid mistake Master?"

She let out a gasp and fell to her knees, palms pressed together as she begun to plea. "Please, please I beg you I can't lose my job, I have to take care of my family sir, please forgive me..."

How could they suggest such a thing? She had barely bumped into him and that was all it was going to take to lose her job? How silly of a mistake that was, never had she faulted in any other way since she worked in this castle.

She leaned forward as if bowing before his feet as she continued to apologize for her carelessness.

He remained silent for many moments before he spoke. His rich, velvety voice filling her ears.

"That scar on your back... What is it?"

She gasped lightly, realizing her shawl had fallen off and her back was exposed.

"It is an injury I had as a baby sir." She murmured.

He let out a soft hum before he nodded his head lightly. "Get up, be careful next time."

Hazel sighed in relief, scurrying to her feet to make way for him as he passed.

"Thank you very much sir." She whispered.

Mr Rogers approached immediately, his wife following behind him with the grace of a lioness. "Mr Rossi, we have been expecting you."

"Please, come this way. Would you like a tour of our mansion?" She asked, her lips stretched into a wide, proud smile.

He shook his head in decline. "I am a very busy man Mrs. Rogers, I would like to get this over with as soon as soon as possible."

She let out a soft sigh, fanning herself lightly with her hand as if embarrassed by his refusal. "Indeed, my apologies, right this way."

"Our daughter will be down in a minute, shall we serve you anything?" Mr. Rogers asked.

He was already an old man, his back no longer able to stand very straight and his head full of grey hair. Yet his wife stood proud at all, at least ten years or more younger than him. Rumour had it she had married him only for his wealth, and she never made an attempt to deny these claims.

Hazel followed hastily into the room minutes later, a try of drinks in her hands.

Lucas Rossi turned his eyes to her, holding her gaze. She looked down immediately.

"A drink would be nice." He uttered.

Hazel walked slowly to his side, avoiding eye contact as she held the tray before him. "Here, sir."

In that moment, Alva came down from her room. Looking beautiful in her dress, Hazel let out a tiny gasp of appreciation at her beauty. Truly it was no doubt that Alva was the beautiful model in the agency yet.

She smiled in awe at the sight of Mr. Rossi, her eyes widened lightly as she took in his appearance. She blinked rapidly, recollecting herself. "Mr. Rossi, meet our daughter, Alva." Her father introduced.

Alva smiled. "Good evening Mr. Rossi, it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

"Indeed it is." Was all he said.

She strut towards him confidently. "I was hoping we would spend some time together before the wedding, perhaps go on a date at least?"

He stared at her unwaveringly. "I am way too busy for those Miss Rogers."

"Oh, I understand." She whispered in dismay.

She rubbed her hands together with a confident smile. "Can we at least take a photo together? So we can announce our engagement at least?"

He glared. "I do not like photos or publicity Miss Rogers, I believe you should be familiar with that fact by now."

Alva sighed. "Indeed I am, but as you know I am a renown model and public figure, it is only right that I make my engagement public..."

"I said no photos Miss Rogers." He interrupted her calmly.

Her mother interfered immediately. "Alva please sit down, do not annoy Mr. Rossi any further."

"Yes mother." Alva breathed, walking to take her seat beside her parents.

Her father let out a short sigh. "Forgive her Mr Rossi, she is too used to photographs and publicity, you know, being a celebrity and all that. I am sure she would adapt effortlessly to your rules."

"Good." Lucas replied sternly.

The room remained in awkward silence for a brief moment before her mother spoke again. "So Mr. Rossi, would you like to have dinner with us so we can bond? We are soon to become one family afterall."

Lucas shook his head. "No, I shall be leaving soon."

Everyone frowned.

"That is alright." She murmured.

Too busy for everything huh? Hazel thought to herself. He might as well be too busy for his own wedding.

"Do you not have any family I will need to meet?" Alva smiled eagerly.

"You would not be needing to meet any member of my family Miss Rogers." He replied curtly.

"Why is that so? Do you not have any family members?" She raised her brow.

"Alva..." Her mother interrupted with a voice of plea.

"I do have family members, but you would not be meeting them, because I have chosen my bride." Lucas answered.

"Who could that be?" They all frowned, brows raising.

"I chose her." Lucas declared.

The entire room halted, absolutely astounded by the sudden declaration of the young heir.

"You choose who?" Mrs Camilla Rogers stood from her chair, eyes wide with fury and disbelief.

"I choose the servant." He declared again, his eyes unwavering and fixated upon Hazel.

Hazel squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze, her hands shaking, almost rattling the silver tray in her hands. It was clear she too was baffled, if not outraged by his declaration. But all she did was quiver timidly.

Mr Rogers stood abruptly from his seat, almost tumbling with anger. "What do you mean you choose her? She is a servant! This is not what we agreed to! You are supposed to be engaged to our daughter!"

Lucas turned to him, his face devoid of any emotion and his dark eyes stern yet calm. "I have changed my mind, Mr. Rogers, call off the engagement."

"But... But she is just a mere servant." Alva cried out, "how can you choose her?"

Lucas gave no answer as he rose from his seat, his escort following hastily behind him. "I do not owe you a reason or explanation for my change in mind Miss Rogers, but you have heard my decision. Let her pack her things, the next time I return, she shall be leaving with me."

Lucas stood from his chair and his escorts followed quickly behind him as he left the Roger mansion in a state of astonishment and turmoil.

Everyone in the room stood, devastated. But the most shocked of them all was Hazel, who fell to her knees with surprise.

"You!" Alva screamed, charging for her.