The innocent

>> Hazel

I nervously looked at the handle as it began to turn slowly but then, all of a sudden the handle got back to its position.

Huh?

It felt like someone’s hand may have slipped.

I frowned as I sat in my position. That’s when the handle started turning again but once again it shot back up.

What in the-?

Then I heard a jump from the other side, the sound of a ‘hup’ and the handle going down properly for once.

I kept looking as the door began to open slowly while a kid was attached to it.

The scene was cute and funny at the same time and it made me relax and smile a bit.

As the door rotated inwards, Emilio turned his head towards me and let go of the handle he was hanging on to, neatly and nicely he landed on the floor since there wasn’t even much of a gap to begin with and smiled brightly. 

“Mama!” He exclaimed brightly and came running to me in his adorable Winnie the Pooh onesie, “Is your booboo okay now?” He came and stood in front of me, staring at me with his big round mismatched eyes. I noticed he still had bed hair and probably ran here as soon as he woke up.

I didn’t know what to say or how to react to him. The boy was very cute, no doubt, but the whole reason I was here was because of this brat, because he thought I was his mother that beast Valek made me his prisoner.

“...” I just looked at him with mixed feelings.

“Mama?” He tried grabbing my jeans but I pulled myself away pretty harshly and he paused in shock, then looked at me again with confused eyes, “Mama what’s wron-” He extended his right hand to touch my knee but just before he came in contact with me I slapped his hand away on impulse.

My action shocked him and he held his right hand in his left and stepped back. Tears started dwelling in his eyes and he looked at me with so much hurt I started feeling guilty immediately but I didn’t say anything. I was still a little mad about the situation I was dragged into.

“Mama,” Emilio called, “You hwate me?” A tear slipped down his cheeks and he sniffled.

Looking at him melted my heart.

What am I doing?

Acting so harshly with an innocent kid who only wants a mom. I sighed, but I can’t be his mom. I have somewhere to be.

I slid down the bed and crouched in front of him, “No,” I said softly and wiped his wet cheek, “Of course, I don’t hate you.” I sighed, “But Emilio I am not your moth-”

“Young master!” A man’s voice interrupted my words and startled both of us. I turned to see Ren making his way in, “Young master please don’t run off without telling me.” He came and stood in front of Emilio with a worried and angry expression.

“But I wanted to see mommy.” He looked back at him with big wide puppy eyes and all the anger Ren had vanished in an instant.

“Young master…” He sighed, “Come here,” He opened his arms for him, “Let’s get you ready for breakfast.” Emilio took a step towards him then stopped and looked at me, “What about mama?” He asked Ren while keeping his eyes glued on me.

Ren stepped forwards and picked him up, “Miss Hazel,” He addressed me, “You will be joining the boss and young master for breakfast.”

“Excuse me?” I threw a disgusted look at him but he ignored it.

“Orders from the boss.” He then turned to leave, “The bathroom is right there,” He pointed at a door next to the window, “Please freshen up in fifteen minutes.” He then started to leave.

“What if I don’t want to?” I said and he stopped at the door frame.

“Miss Hazel, was yesterday not enough for you?” He half turned and glanced at me, “Do you really want the men to have their way with you?” He looked at me sideways but the look in his eye was very cold and intense, it sent a shiver down my spine and I gulped. Just the thought of yesterday made me nauseous and weak. 

…

I clenched my fists and didn’t say anything anymore.

Emilio peeked at me from behind Ren’s shoulders, “Mama, not coming?”

“Of course, she’s coming.” Ren's intense glare immediately vanished and he turned to smile warmly at his young master.

“Yaaay!” Emilio exclaimed in pure joy while Ren started walking again.

“I hope you will be ready in fifteen miss Hazel.” He spoke in a normal voice and shut the door behind him.

***

Emilio and I sat on the table against each other next to the head seat while the maids put the food on it. Just as they finished Valek entered the room and quietly made his way to the head seat and sat down. 

Two guards stood at the entrance of the room and one maid by the wall near the table to assist if anyone needed anything. All of them seemed quite good at their job and stood elegantly in their stances.

Only after Valek was seated he looked at me but his face wore no apparent emotions, I stared back yet we exchanged no words. His eyes gave me the same feeling I had felt before, like something so far away, distant and cold.

“Daddy?” Thankfully Emilio spoke and we both broke our weird staring contest and looked at him, “Ar you not gonna eat?”

The expression on Valek’s face softened a bit, “Of course I am.” He answered nicely and smiled at him. His action left me quite surprised and shocked. 

He smiled? Wow! He’s capable of smiling? “What do you want to eat?” He asked his son.

“Eggs!” Emilio pointed at the scrambled eggs in the middle of the table very enthusiastically and Valek reached out to get them for him.

This feels weird.

It looks like he actually acts like a father to Emilio and I don’t like this knowledge.

I picked up a toast and put it on my plate since that was the nearest to me and glanced at Valek again. He was putting some ketchup on his son’s plate while Emilio stared at it intensely.

“Stop!” Emilio raised both of his hands and Valek pulled the ketchup away. 

As he placed the ketchup bottle on the table he glanced at me making me flinch. I was guilty of staring at him and he caught me even though I immediately looked down in response.

Shit…

I closed my eyes and sighed internally.

How did he know I was staring?

‘Tch’ I clicked my tongue softly so that no one else would hear it but there was no doubt I felt a bit embarrassed at getting caught.

 Slowly I opened my eyes and started eating the toast. The rest of the breakfast was quiet and a little bit awkward as well. 

Valek finished his food pretty fast and got up to leave.

“Emilio, I’m leaving.” I glanced at them to see why Valek was telling him that. Anyone could see he was leaving.

That’s when I saw Emilio get up and stand on the chair.

Hmm? What’s this? The action did confuse me but only momentarily because the next moment left me quite shocked.

Valek kissed Emilio’s head as a goodbye gesture and began to leave.

Wow. I frowned. I did not expect that but more than that, I did not expect Emilio’s next words.

“Daddy?” Emilio calling out to his father made Valek stop and look back, “Arn’t you going to kiss mommy goodbye?”