Staring at her reflection one more time in the mirror, she had a satisfactory smile. Hazel Jones had been searching for the perfect wedding dress for ages-something that was going to complement her fair skin and long black hair."It's so beautiful," her younger sister, Nady, said with an excited tone. The shop assistant could finally sigh in relief."We want two," Nady added, and this left Hazel confused. "Why?" she couldn't help but ask."For me," that was Nady's response."Sorry, Miss, but this is a limited collection, and it's the last piece we have," the shop assistant apologized, and Nady was about to lash out at her when Hazel butted in."Please go make the payments," she said, handing her card to the lady who happily left. Hazel could only throw a look at Nady before she went to the dressing room to slip out of the wedding gown. Nady stomped her foot angrily. "Stop giving me that judgy look; is it a crime if I want to look as beautiful as you?""We are not the same people, Nady
Hazel had spent two days in her bedroom; she cried and starved, still not able to believe that all this was happening to her.A knock came from the door, and their maid said, "Miss Hazel, your father requests that you come downstairs.""Get out," Hazel muttered; she didn't want to see their faces."He says it's an order," the maid added before leaving. Hazel walked down the bed and dragged her feet downstairs. Her mother was busy ordering the maids around as tomorrow was Nady's wedding to Max; even the guests weren't aware of such a twist."Hazel," her dad called from the patio, and she walked to him. Nady and her mom joined, and it was at this moment that she realized something was wrong."What happened?" She asked nervously, and her parents exchanged looks before her mother sat next to her."Are you angry with us?" Mrs. Jones asked, but Hazel didn't reply; they already knew the answer, so why ask her?"Of course she is angry," her father butted in. "That's why we decided to make it
Hazel stood before the patriarch; she was having a court wedding while Nady was walking down the aisle with the man she was supposed to marry; her parents weren't even present."Miss Jones," the old man next to her called; apparently he was the butler of the Anderson family and brought the wedding documents, which Mr. Anderson had already signed."He must have been so sick to show up," Hazel thought before a paper was shoved at her."Please sign the papers," he said, and she nodded and signed the documents. After all the procedures, she got into the black limousine with the butler."Mrs. Anderson, do you need water?" The butler asked while shoving the bottle of water at her. Mrs. Anderson. She wasn't yet familiar with that name, but now it belonged to her. Was it a privilege or a curse?She took the water and gulped it at once. "Are you a virgin?" The butler asked, and she splashed out all the contents in her mouth and coughed hard; her eyes had turned completely red as she stared a
Hazel had tried to understand what he meant by meeting his expectations; wasn't he supposed to be disappointed that it wasn't Nady he married?"It's so hard to understand people," she hissed, and decided to eat, as she was starving.When she was done, she picked up the dirty plates when a maid hurried to her. "I will take them."Hazel smiled at the maid, "It's fine, I will...""Please, Mrs. Anderson," the maid insisted in a pleading tone. Hazel let her do her job and returned upstairs to the bedroom she was earlier assigned to.She pushed the door open and found Coyle on the bed; he was now dressed casually, had glasses on, and was focused on reading a document."Umm," she stuttered, not able to create a word. Was she supposed to share the bedroom and bed with him?"Silly me, we are married," Hazel thought, but that was still not enough reason."If you are sleepy, then go to bed. Don't stay up on my accord; I will be quiet with my work," Coyle said, not shifting his gaze from the docu
The car parked in front of the Anderson's mansion, and Hazel was still in deep thought, trying to understand everything that was going on.Why was this man being nice with her, and why did he make her family believe that he was comfortable with the marriage when from the first day he wanted to marry Nady?"I have some urgent work at the office; you should go in." Coyle brought her out of her trance; the driver had already pulled her side of the door open, patiently waiting for Hazel to step down."Mr. Anderson,""Coyle," he corrected. Hazel was confused for some seconds before she got to understand that he wanted her to call him by his name, but that felt so wrong to her."Have a nice day." Hazel had to refrain from what she wanted to say; it was better than calling his name; they weren't so close.She hurried down the car and walked into the mansion. She was visited with the loud clattering sound of dishes from the kitchen."What's happening?" Hazel walked to the kitchen, where she f
Hazel served dinner while in deep thought. The old lady had made her promise to show up when she knew fully well that Coyle didn't want that."Why did I have to promise her?" She sighed heavily, and her gaze moved to the stairs. Coyle was all freshened up and walked downstairs. She got all nervous and stood there like some kitten."Where did the maids go to?" Coyle asked with a frown, Why was his wife the one making dinner and even serving it?"I didn't find them when I got back home," she answered, and he nodded in understanding; his grandma must have sent them away.He pulled out a chair and stared at her; this left Hazel confused. What was she supposed to do?"Have a seat," he stated, and her eyes bulged. He was Coyle Anderson, so how could he be pulling out a chair for her? She had been with Max, and he never found it necessary to make such small gestures."Thanks" Hazel sat before Coyle did the same and scanned the meal on the table. A smile curled on his lips when he realized hi
The next morning, Hazel woke up early to make breakfast for Coyle before he left for work, but she was too late as he had already left before she woke up.She freshened up and slipped into the normal clothes she had come with; her gaze was stuck on the luxurious ring on her fingers."He will never find out if I take it out," Hazel thought, but she was a little scared. What even scared her the most were her colleagues at work asking her so many questions about the man she married, as it was obvious that Nady had already made them all know she didn't marry Max.With a heavy heart, she took out the ring and kept it safely in her purse before she walked to the entrance."Hello Mrs. Anderson, I am Josh." A man dressed in a white shirt and black trousers who was in his late thirties introduced himself, and Hazel nodded with a smile."I will take you to work," he said, and she shook her head at the negative."It's fine. I will take a cab.""Mr. Anderson said you are not allowed to leave with
It was 6 p.m. when Hazel returned home with Josh after she went grocery shopping after work; she was still at the entrance when the maid hurried to her."Mrs. Anderson" Sharon stopped her from going in while Josh walked in with the bag of groceries."What happened?" Hazel could sense something was wrong."I am sorry, but I let a lady in; she claimed to be your sister." Sharon apologized, and Hazel's face darkened. Why did Nady have to show up here?Hazel was so angry right now and was boiling with rage, but she knew she couldn't let it out on the poor maid. "It's okay, thanks," she smiled at Sharon and went to the sitting room, where she found Nady on the couch, her right leg crossed on the left as she gently swirled her coffee."Hazel," Nady called out happily. She knew Hazel ended work at 5 p.m., so she showed up at 5:30 p.m.Hazel clenched her fist tightly and glared at Nady. "What are you doing here?" she asked, and Nady rolled her eyes."Chill, okay, look at how big this house is
Hazel ended the call with her mum and had found the perfect pair of earrings. She picked up her purse and approached the seller and shoved the earrings to her.“Please add this with the ring.”The lady nodded and asked for Hazel’s card, which she handed, and it was swiped.“Thanks,” Hazel smiled at the lady before she turned to leave the shop with Tasha, but an alarm signalled.The security guards quickly rushed towards them, but this left them surprised.“Why did the alarm set on? We paid for the jewellery,” Tasha asked in a confused tone before the seller lady walked towards them.“Hum, it must be a false alarm. Can you please hand the jewellery to me and try to walk out again?” she asked in a respectful tone, as the ladies had just bought two expensive pieces of jewellery, and they couldn’t be thieves.Hazel handed the jewellery back to the lady and tried stepping out of the shop, and it signaled an alarm again.“What’s happening?” Hazel asked, confused.“I am sorry, ma’am, but can
Hazel couldn’t get over the excitement of getting a new car; she kept staring at the car with a smile on her face. She was finally brought out of her trance by a call from Coyle; he had left for work two hours ago. Why was he suddenly calling? She thought before the call got connected.“Hello?”“I will pick you up tonight; let’s have dinner,” he said, and Hazel had a bright smile on her face.“Okay,” she answered, and he said a few things before the call disconnected.Hazel sent a message to Tasha asking if they could go shopping as she wanted to get a ring for Coyle, and Tasha agreed at once; after all, she didn't want to be stuck at home.Minutes later, Tasha showed up at the Anderson’s mansion, and as she walked down to her car, her gaze was focused on the new car at the entrance.“Hey.” Hazel approached her so they could leave, but Tasha pointed at the car.“Did Coyle get a new car?”A smile crept on Hazel’s lips, and Tasha got to understand what was going on just from her smile.
Damon said this while ignoring Coyle’s threatening gaze; he thought, “If he thinks sending me to jail will make me fear him, then he should think again.”“I will leave now.” Hazel waved at Muna and Dora before she got her purse upstairs and left the mansion with Coyle. He sat next to her, busy on his phone, while she focused on the city view during the drive.Soon, the car parked in front of the Anderson mansion, and they both walked down the car, and Hazel was about to walk in when she noticed a brand new Mercedes Benz GLE by the side and got curious.“Did someone come?” Hazel thought they must have visitors and was even more curious to get to the sitting room to see who it was.On arrival, she couldn't find anyone. “No one?”“Coyle,” Hazel called; only then did she realise he was behind her and had a car key extended towards her.“If you don’t like the colour or mark, then I will get it changed,” Coyle explained, and Hazel’s eyes widened in shock.“What?” she muttered in disbelief,
Damon said this while ignoring Coyle’s threatening gaze; he thought, “If he thinks sending me to jail will make me fear him, then he should think again.”“I will leave now.” Hazel waved at Muna and Dora before she got her purse upstairs and left the mansion with Coyle. He sat next to her, busy on his phone, while she focused on the city view during the drive.Soon, the car parked in front of the Anderson mansion, and they both walked down the car, and Hazel was about to walk in when she noticed a brand new Mercedes Benz GLE by the side and got curious.“Did someone come?” Hazel thought they must have visitors and was even more curious to get to the sitting room to see who it was.On arrival, she couldn't find anyone. “No one?”“Coyle,” Hazel called; only then did she realise he was behind her and had a car key extended towards her.“If you don’t like the colour or mark, then I will get it changed,” Coyle explained, and Hazel’s eyes widened in shock.“What?” she muttered in disbelief,
Hazel had an embarrassed look before she shook her head in denial. “What are you apologising for?” she muttered.“I thought Coyle left. I wanted to talk to you before you went to bed, but we can talk tomorrow,” Muna explained and turned to leave when Hazel quickly stopped her.“We could talk now,” Hazel suggested, and Coyle frowned at her before he stood up and walked to the door. He wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her closer to him.“We were having an important conversation,” he reminded her with a teasing look, and she slipped away from him and hurried out of the bedroom.“I will talk with Grandma first,” she chuckled and walked forward before turning to face Muna. “Won’t you come?”Muna sighed heavily before she followed Hazel; they went to Muna’s bedroom, and she closed the door. Hazel noticed there were a lot of pieces of jewellery on the bed, expensive ones, and she had a bright smile.“Grandma, do you want me to help you choose what jewellery will suit you?” Hazel
The family was finally done with dinner, and Coyle stood up with his gaze on Hazel. “Grandma, we will leave now,” he said, and Muna shook her head in denial, she didn't want Hazel to leave, especially not tonight.“Hazel isn't too well; how about you let her return tomorrow?” She suggested, and Coyle frowned. Why will he return without his wife? Especially when he had already released Damon from jail, will he give him the chance to come close to his wife?“I also want to spend the night,” Hazel chimed in, and Coyle frowned at her, but she ignored his look and turned her attention to Sam.“Are you also spending the night here, Aunt?”“No, I need to leave.” Sam stood on her feet and pecked her mum’s cheeks before she patted Hazel’s shoulder.“You will feel better by tomorrow morning. Good night.” She waved at the family and left.Audrey quickly left for her bedroom after having dinner, and Muna knew the couple needed some time alone, so she stood up.“Let’s go to bed; it’s late,” Muna s
Fortunately for Hazel, she arrived downstairs and found the family having dinner and was starving, and Sam was present; she had heard what happened to Hazel and felt sad for her.“Hazel, how is your hand?” Sam asked, and Hazel stared at her hand before she feigned a smile.“It wasn't that serious, Aunt.”“Of course, Sommer said that.” Audrey snorted; she can’t believe they had sent her cousin out of the house because of Hazel.“Stop with the attitude,” Dora frowned at her daughter, who snorted.“I don’t understand why you all had to send Sommer out just because of this low-class woman. Is that how low you all have gone?” Audrey yelled; she knew they were all being nice to Hazel because they wanted to get on Coyle’s good side; after all, he was the master of their home.“Speak to my wife that way one more time and you will wish you never did,” Coyle warned as he approached the dining table.All Audrey could do was clench her fist below the table; she knew just like how Coyle had sent D
Hazel walked into the sitting room and spotted Muna on the couch with some kneading thread; she got curious and approached Muna.“What are you doing, Muna?” Hazel asked and sat next to Muna, who shoved the little pullover she was kneading to Hazel.“It’s been long since I knitted a pullover, so I am trying to reacquire my skills,” she chuckled, and Hazel nodded.Muna suddenly had a slight frown on her face before she dropped the threads and focused her gaze on Hazel.“Does Coyle talk to you about the problems he faces at the company?” Muna asked, and Hazel shook her head in denial. She never asked, and he also never told her, but she had no issues with that; it’s not like she was going to understand a thing.“You know, his dad was a good investor, but he went bankrupt after investing in a technology; the technology never got to the market,” Muna explained.“He lost a lot and was also losing his mind; he had taken two years off the company to study how technology products are being mar
Hazel sat on the bench beside the garden while sipping the coffee; all she thought about was Coyle.She was trying to figure out what he was doing at this moment and if he would come back, also how she could make it up to him.The ringing sound from her phone suddenly interrupted her thoughts; it was a call from Mia.“Hello, Mia?” Hazel said once the call got connected.“Did you really drop a resignation letter?” Mia asked in disbelief, Why would her secretary just wake up one morning and choose to quit her job without letting her know in advance?“I am sorry, Mia; maybe we could talk in person?” Hazel asked, since she no longer worked for Mia. Then it was only right she told her about Coyle Anderson.“You now want to fix a meeting with me?” Mia snorted before she ended the call.Hazel sighed heavily; she knew she was in the wrong for suddenly leaving her job without any good excuse, but she didn't send the resignation letter; Coyle did.Her phone rang one more time, and she quickly c