The rain hammered against the windows, a relentless rhythm that echoed the restless energy of a three-year-old boy trapped indoors. Theo, his usual boundless energy now bottled up, paced the living room, his brow furrowed in frustration. "Mama Hazel, I'm bored!" he declared, his voice tinged with a hint of despair. Mama Hazel, ever the resourceful companion, smiled. "Boredom is just a sign that our imaginations need a little nudge," she said, her voice a soothing balm to his restless spirit. "Let's build a fort!" She gathered blankets, pillows, and chairs, transforming the living room into a cozy, makeshift fortress. Theo, his eyes sparkling with renewed excitement, helped her build the walls, his tiny hands carefully arranging the pillows and blankets. "This is the best fort ever!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the makeshift castle. As they settled inside, Mama Hazel pulled out a book, its pages filled with colorful illustrations and whimsical tales. "Let's read a
The afternoon sun, a lazy giant, dipped behind the old oak tree in the backyard, casting long shadows across the grass. Theo, his chubby legs dangling from the porch swing, sat with his chin resting on his hand, eyes fixed on Nanny Mama Hazel. Her weathered hands, like the bark of the oak itself, moved rhythmically as she spoke, weaving a story from the air. "Once upon a time," she began, her voice a warm lullaby, "in a meadow filled with fireflies, lived a tiny little firefly named Flicker." Theo's eyes widened, his tiny fingers gripping the swing chains. He loved fireflies, the tiny lights that danced in the twilight like magic. "Flicker was different from the other fireflies," Nanny Mama Hazel continued, her voice low and captivating. "He was afraid of the dark. He couldn't bear to be alone in the night, his little light trembling with fear." Theo, usually a fearless explorer of the world, felt a pang of sympathy for Flicker. He knew what it felt like to be afraid of the da
The morning sun, a golden orb peeking over the horizon, cast long, playful shadows across the plush carpet of Theo’s room. Theo, a whirlwind of energy at three years old, was already up, his bright eyes sparkling with the promise of adventure. He scrambled out of bed, his tiny feet pattering across the floor, and made a beeline for Mama Hazel’s room. “Mama Hazel! Mama Hazel!” he called out, his voice a sweet, high-pitched melody. Hazel, a woman with the warmth of a summer day and the patience of a saint, was already awake, humming softly as she folded laundry. She looked up and smiled at Theo, her face crinkling at the corners of her eyes. “Good morning, my little sunshine,” she said, her voice as gentle as a summer breeze. “What’s got you so excited this morning?” Theo, his chubby cheeks flushed with excitement, bounced on the balls of his feet. “Can we have a picnic in the garden, Mama Hazel?” he asked, his voice brimming with anticipation. Hazel chuckled, her heart meltin
Hazel hummed along to the radio, her fingers nimble as she braided Theo's blonde curls. He sat on the floor, enthralled by a toy truck, his chubby cheeks flushed with the exertion of pushing it around. The afternoon sun streamed through the large windows of Axel's penthouse, casting warm squares of light on the plush carpet. It was a world away from the cramped apartment she shared with her sister, a world she'd never imagined she'd be a part of. Three years ago, she'd been a struggling student, juggling two part-time jobs to make ends meet. Then, a chance encounter with a friend led her to this job. A nanny for Axel, a man whose name was synonymous with power and success, a man who was also a single father to a charming three-year-old. Axel had been initially hesitant, his gruff demeanor masking a vulnerability she'd quickly recognized. He was a man who wore his emotions like a heavy coat, rarely showing the world the warmth that flickered in his eyes when he looked at Theo. Sh
The plush, floral duvet felt heavy, a physical manifestation of the weight settling in Hazel's stomach. She stared at the ceiling, the intricate pattern of roses and lilies blurring as her mind replayed the events of the evening. Axel, with his easy smile and the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed, had asked her out. A date. It wasn't a surprise, not entirely. He'd been dropping hints, subtle at first, then bolder with each passing week. He'd linger a little longer after dropping Theo off, his gaze lingering on her face, a playful glint in his eyes. He'd bring her coffee, a steaming mug with a heart drawn on the foam, a silent gesture that had sent a shiver down her spine. But tonight, the invitation had been explicit, the words hanging in the air between them like a delicate, shimmering web. "Would you like to have dinner with me, Hazel? Just the two of us." The question had caught her off guard, leaving her speechless. She'd stammered, fumbled for an answer,
As the sun rose over the bustling city, 22-year-old Hazel's alarm clock blared, signaling the start of a new day. Groaning, she reached over to silence the annoying sound and rubbed her eyes sleepily. Today was the beginning of another busy week as a second-year college student at the University of the Philippines. Hazel dragged herself out of bed and shuffled over to her closet, trying to decide what to wear. She settled on a comfortable pair of jeans and a cozy sweater, knowing that the air-conditioned classrooms could get chilly. After a quick shower and a simple breakfast of toast and coffee, she gathered her books and laptop and headed out the door. The commute to school was always an adventure in itself. Manila's traffic was notoriously bad, but Hazel had learned to navigate the chaos. She hopped on a crowded jeepney, squeezing in between other commuters, and tried to focus on reviewing her notes for the upcoming lectures. Arriving on campus, Hazel made her way to her firs
Hazel woke up to the gentle rays of the morning sun streaming through the curtains. It was Saturday, a day she always looked forward to because it meant spending quality time with Theo, the energetic and curious three-year-old boy she had been taking care of as his nanny for the past year. As she got ready for the day, Hazel couldn't help but smile at the thought of all the adventures they would have together. Theo was a bundle of joy, always eager to explore and learn new things. Hazel knew that today would be no different. After a hearty breakfast of pancakes and fresh fruit, Hazel and Theo set off for the park. The sun was shining brightly, and the park was buzzing with families enjoying the weekend. Theo's eyes lit up with excitement as he ran towards the playground, eager to climb, slide, and swing to his heart's content. Hazel watched over Theo, making sure he was safe while also encouraging his sense of independence. She cheered him on as he conquered the monkey bars fo
Hazel had always been a vibrant and energetic 22-year-old. She loved her job as Theo's nanny and took pride in caring for the lively 3-year-old boy. But one fateful morning, everything changed. It started with a slight cough, nothing too concerning at first. Hazel brushed it off as just a seasonal cold and continued with her daily routine of looking after Theo. However, as the day progressed, Hazel began to feel increasingly unwell. Her head throbbed, her body ached, and a feeling of fatigue washed over her. Despite her best efforts to push through, Hazel's condition deteriorated rapidly. By the evening, she was running a high fever and could barely stand on her own two feet. Concerned for her well-being, she called Theo's parents to inform them of her worsening health. Theo's parents rushed home, alarmed by Hazel's sudden illness. They immediately took her to the nearest hospital for medical attention. The doctors ran a series of tests and examinations to determine the cause of