After the Anderson family was done with dinner, they moved to the patio per Muna's order.She just wanted to see her family happy before the heavens finally call upon her.A maid walked towards them with glasses and a bottle of wine. "Did you get water or soft drinks for my dear cousin?" Arthur's son, who was two years older than Coyle, asked, and the maid shook her head."Sorry, sir, I will go get it now.""No need" Coyle chimed in; he didn't want to toast to whatever they were about to toast to."You see Hazel, Coyle is allergic to wine." Arthur's son, Damon, added, and Hazel couldn't believe it. Can someone even be allergic to wine?She stared at Coyle, who didn't confirm what Damon said: "So whenever you feel like going out for a drink, then hit me up. I will make sure to take good care of you." Damon added, and Coyle glared at him before Damon burst out in laughter."What's that look, brother? I am just kidding," he laughed, and Arthur pointed at the bottle of wine."You should p
Hazel suddenly felt thirsty; she filled a glass of water and drank it at once. Coyle got his answer from her expression.“Well, it doesn't matter now, does it?” Coyle asked, and Hazel’s gaze was on her toes. Did she still think of Max Wilson?“I don't care about him,” she muttered. He hadn't crossed her mind ever since she got married.**Meanwhile, it was already 10 a.m., and the big central hall was decorated so professionally—glass prestigious chairs, the big long table on the stage, and also businessmen who shared a conversation amongst each other.Jude explained to the CEO of TradTech, Mr. Sim, that Coyle couldn't show up because of some emergencies; however, he was here to represent Coyle.“Mr. Anderson must be a very busy man; he never shows up.” Mr. Sim chuckled, and Jude nodded apologetically.“He told me to send him an email of everything that goes on here; it proves he is very interested in this conference,” Jude explained, and this made Mr. Sim happy; he was building a ver
Coyle was in a meeting when his phone chimed a new message. Everyone’s attention moved to him as he read the message with a smile on his face.They all had curious looks at why he was smiling. “I need to have lunch,” Coyle said. He stood up and walked back to his office, where he found Jude by the window having a phone call.“When you are done, order some food." Coyle said, and Jude stared at him in disbelief, since when did he order food?“Is your wife coming to the office?” Jude asked curiously, but Coyle shook his head in denial.Jude ended the call and ordered some food before he sat opposite Coyle. “I attended the conference.”Coyle nodded before he typed a message to Hazel [I am about to, and you?].“It sounds promising,” Jude said, and Coyle dropped his phone before he asked.“So how much do we get as profit if we invest $10 million?”Jude shrugged his shoulders; the organizers didn't talk about the business aspect at all, and that’s what had annoyed him; he knew that’s exactly
The next morning, Hazel made breakfast for Coyle before 5 a.m. and waited for him downstairs.He sighed heavily; he had told her not to do that anymore. “Good morning,” she smiled at him, and he nodded and sat down.“From tomorrow, I will leave for work at 8am... So don’t wake up early again, okay?” He questioned, and she nodded; she just felt it wouldn't be right to let him leave for work without eating.Once he was done, he opted to drop her by her workplace. "But I have work at 8am,” she explained, and a better idea came to his mind.“Then we will drop by my office first; go freshen up fast.” Hazel wondered why they would stop at his office; she didn't have any business there, but she didn't want to sound disrespectful.She got freshened up and returned downstairs. “I am ready.”They both got to his car before the driver took off; during the ride, Coyle was busy reading some articles when Hazel’s phone rang.Hazel checked the caller, and it was Max; she never expected that he woul
"Hello, I am here to meet Mr. Sim." Mia said to the receptionist, who raised a brow confused, Do they just see anyone that easily?“Do you have an appointment?” the receptionist asked, and Mia rolled her eyes.“Of course, I won't just come here without an appointment." Mia snorted before she turned towards Hazel. “You had booked the appointment; tell her.”Hazel raised a brow. When did she book an appointment? Mia feigned a shocked look before she turned to the receptionist. “I don't want to believe my secretary didn't set an appointment; go on and check the appointment at 9 a.m.”The receptionist nodded and checked some information on the computer for a while before he stared at them. “Mrs. Drake?”Mia sighed heavily in relief before she turned to Hazel. “You are very lucky you booked an appointment, or else you would have lost your job,” she scolded, and Hazel was still in a lost state.“Please take the elevator to the second floor,” the receptionist explained before Mia hurried to
Max looked nervous but had to try to hide it. "I just wanted to say hello. I will leave now." Max took this opportunity to flee before it was too late."He wanted to..." Hazel was explaining when Coyle raised his hand, signifying that he didn't want to hear it; he trusted her and didn't need her to explain every one of her actions.Hazel's phone chimed a new message, and she checked to find it was a message from Mia, which read.[You should head back to the office; I have some affairs to handle with Coyle Anderson.]Her gaze moved to Coyle, who was busy on his phone; their gaze met before she glanced away."Are you angry that I took you away from work?" he asked, and she shook her head; she wasn't angry at all.Coyle stood up before he said, "Let's go; I will drop you off at work."Hazel didn't argue and followed him. Minutes later, she was back at the office and decided to summarize the documents Mia had given her, but she kept checking the time and Mia still wasn't back. This left h
It was already 7 p.m. and Hazel had spent more than an hour in the kitchen, so she walked to the bathroom to freshen up.Hazel could hear her phone keep ringing, so she wrapped a towel around her body and hurried to the bedroom and retracted her phone from her bag. It was a call from her dad, so she sighed heavily and connected the call."Hello father""Hazel, how are you doing?" He asked, and she knew there must have been a selfish reason he called; her dad has never called her to simply check up on her."I am fine, father.""Drop by the mansion tomorrow; let's have dinner tomorrow, okay?" He asked, and Hazel knew he would only throw hurtful words at her if she said no, no matter what; he was her dad, and she had to respect him."Okay, father, I will be there." Hazel answered before the call got disconnected; she dropped the phone on the bed and turned to return to the bathroom when her gaze met with Coyle's.Hazel got so nervous and was about to rush back to the bathroom when she sl
The next morning, Coyle didn't leave for work at 6 am as always; instead, he was still asleep at 6 am, and this got Hazel worried.She brought her face closer to him to see if he was okay or if he had a fever. "Do I get a good morning kiss this morning?” Coyle muttered, and her eyes widened in shock. She was about to step back when his hand wrapped around her neck and he pulled her closer.“Where is my kiss?” he questioned, and she swallowed the lump in her throat. Coyle kissed her, and this time she was sensitive enough to close her eyes.His hand moved to her waist as he deepened the kiss when Hazel quickly stood up. “I will hurriedly make breakfast.” Then she dashed off, and Coyle chuckled before his gaze moved to the clock. He was awake an hour ago but had to stay more on bed so Hazel wouldn’t go make him breakfast at 5am as always.After breakfast, Coyle headed to the office, and Jude was shocked to find him come in at this hour.“Sir, did something happen?” Jude asked, and Coyle
Hazel stopped on her path and thought about what she promised herself: never to leave her home for another woman.So she walked to the dining table with her gaze locked with Selene's.“I will make sure to wipe that smirk off your face,” Hazel promised herself.“Hazel dear, I am glad you are here.” Muna said with a wide smile, and she stood up and pulled a chair out for Hazel.“She has hands, Grandma,” Audrey scoffed, and Hazel ignored her before she pushed the seat back in.“Thanks, Muna, but I didn’t come here to have breakfast with your little family. I am here to see..." Hazel was saying when Dora chimed in.“Why are you speaking this way, dear? You are part of our family.”Hazel just nodded, though she didn’t feel that way at all.“My dear sister-in-law,” Damon’s voice echoed from upstairs; he hurried towards her with a wide smile.Who would have thought his call would bring her here?He couldn’t meet with her since she no longer worked at her old company and was always at home.“
Hazel walked downstairs to make breakfast and was surprised to find Sven on the couch, busy on his iPad.She frowned her brow and scanned the place but couldn’t find Selene, so she approached the kid.“Umm, hello,” Hazel called, and Sven’s gaze moved to her; he completely ignored her and continued playing his video games.“What’s your name?” Hazel questioned. After all, her problem was with Selene and not the kid; he didn’t wish to have a mother like Selene.“It’s none of your concern, maid.” Sven spouted, and Hazel’s brows furrowed.“Maid?” she asked in disbelief. How could this kid refer to her as a maid? Did she look like one?“Yes, aren't you the maid of this house? So tell me why you are talking to me instead of making me breakfast." Asked the little kid, and Hazel chuckled.“Fine, I will make you breakfast. What do you want to eat?” “Whatever my daddy eats, just go and also get me a glass of water.” Sven waved his hand at Hazel, who nodded and left for the kitchen.Hazel couldn
Muna felt bad and took a step closer to Hazel; she cupped Hazel’s cheeks with her palms and said, “Coyle has wanted to tell you this for weeks now, but he was scared.”Hazel shook her head in denial; she knew Coyle so well, and he was anything but scared.“How come even the people who hate him couldn't tell me that?” She asked in disbelief; Audrey, Sommer, or Damon could have blurted that to her, but they didn't.They kept mute and watched her make a fool out of herself. “I always thought you considered me as a granddaughter, Muna, but the fact that you could keep such a thing from me really breaks me.” Hazel muttered and walked out of the house no matter how many times they kept calling her.Now all she wanted was to be alone, Hazel sat at the park close to the mansion for more than three hours just contemplating and trying to understand everything happening.“I don’t hate the fact that he has a kid; I hate the fact that he lied to me and broke the trust I have for him,” Hazel though
Mr. Jones was busy going through some business documents. He had become very serious these days ever since Coyle told him he was still going to invest in his company if he worked with a man abroad and made him come to the country.“Here.” Mrs. Jones filled his empty cup of coffee, and both their gazes moved to the door when they heard footsteps approach.It was Hazel.She stomped in and walked past them. “Hazel,” her mum called, but Hazel didn’t stop; she headed upstairs to her old bedroom and closed the door, and her parents exchanged confused looks.“Do you think she argued with her husband?” Mrs. Jones asked, and this got Mr. Jones worried: Did his daughter anger Coyle or what?“She is your daughter; go verify,” he said, and Mrs. Jones nodded before she hurried upstairs and knocked at the door.“Hazel,” she called, but there was no response.“What happened? Did you get into an argument with Coyle?” Mrs. Jones kept asking, but there was no response.While Hazel leant against the doo
The lady next to Hazel had a wide smile on her face; she was blonde with brown eyes.The lady was no other than Selene; she walked past Hazel and stood before Coyle.“Hello Coyle, our son missed you a lot. That’s why I showed up,” she explained at once, because she didn’t want him to get upset.Coyle shoved the little boy to the side and walked to Hazel, who looked all pale, like she had just seen a ghost.“You... you are injured; let’s go home,” he said, and Hazel couldn’t believe that was what he was bothered about.This child just called him daddy; won’t he explain what’s happening?Hazel raised her hand and pointed at the kid. “Is that your son?” she questioned, and he bowed his head and clinched her hands.“Baby, let’s talk at home, please.” Coyle muttered, and Selene walked towards them.She found out yesterday that Coyle was married and immediately took the next flight to the country, but she still had her doubts.Now she realised the lady she had just scolded was Coyle’s wife.
It was around 6 pm when Coyle returned from work and found Hazel on a video call with Tasha in the sitting room.They were busy discussing their new restaurant, and Hazel had no idea that Coyle was by the door watching her.“Let’s check it out tomorrow, then.”Then a frown formed on her face. “How many times will I tell you that I don't want him investing or helping me? We could always get other investors, but just not Coyle.” Hazel scolded Tasha, who kept insisting they go the easier way.“Why?” Coyle asked, and Hazel flinched; she never expected he would be back this early.“Umm, you are back.” She smiled at him and ended the call. Coyle strode and stood before her.“Why are you in the sitting room and not on the bed?” he asked, and she chuckled and sighed in relief; for a moment she thought he heard her conversation with Tasha.“I waited for long, but you didn’t show up.” Hazel answered, and he scanned the place before holding her hand and pulled her up.“Now I am back, so?”His li
Coyle carried Hazel and slowly dropped her on the bed with their gazes locked together.He trailed his finger on her thighs, and she gripped the sheets and closed her eyes as she felt his fingers move up her thighs.“I... I am hungry.” Hazel rushed down the bed to leave when he held her hand and pulled her back towards him.Coyle stood behind her and pulled off her zipper as her dress fell off her body; Hazel’s chest heaved as she felt his lips on her bare back.He gathered her hair and shoved it to the side while placing soft kisses on her neck.“I love you so much, baby,” Coyle whispered before he unhooked her bra and pulled it off her body; his hand cupped her breast and struck it when a soft moan escaped her lips.“Do you wish to tell me something?” Coyle whispered, and Hazel nodded; she bit her lower lip and felt her legs go all numb.“I... I know why you married me,” she spouted, and Coyle chuckled before he spun her to face him and kissed her. That wasn't what he wanted to hear
Coyle parked the car in front of the mansion, and some workers hurried to them with umbrellas as it was already pouring.In the sitting room, Sharon offered them two cups of coffee.“I have some work in the study,” Coyle said and hurried upstairs while Hazel sipped her coffee while in deep thought. Didn't he think of going to change his clothes first? Or maybe put on something warmer.She dropped the coffee and walked to her bedroom, took out a T-shirt and a pullover before she approached Coyle’s study and knocked.“You know you don't have to knock.” Coyle's voice came from inside. Hazel pushed the door and walked towards him; he just stood by the window checking out some documents.“Maybe you could change into this,” Hazel suggested, and Coyle’s gaze lingered on the clothes she held.“You could help me with it.” A teasing smile formed on his lip; he dropped the documents on the table and stood before Hazel, whose gaze was on the ground.“You are a grown-up, so how do I help you put o
Tasha parked her car before the cemetery and walked down with Hazel when they spotted Arthur and Damon.“Hello, uncle.” Hazel greeted and Arthur smiled at her when Damon extended his hand towards her.“How are you doing, dear sister-in-law?”Hazel stared at his hand for a while before she ignored it, and the awkward moment was interrupted when Muna’s car arrived and they walked down to the car.“Hazel, did Coyle tell you at what time he will be here?” Dora asked, and Hazel smiled awkwardly. He said he would show up, but he wasn't here yet.Did he get too busy at work and forget about his parents death anniversary?“He must be on his way.” Tasha chimed in and responded, and she noticed Nady roll her eyes, but Tasha had a mocking look. If not for attention, then why will Nady ever show up here? It’s not like she valued her sister that much.“Are we going in or not? Some of us need to hurry back to work after this," Damon snorted, and a car drove in; Hazel’s eyes lit up but were quickly