Hazel.My head felt like it was on the verge of splitting in two. Just one look at me, and you'd see how drained I was, having hardly slept last night.After the party Chris took me to and then abandoned me, I returned home, and he followed me, which led to a huge fight. He accused me of cheating when he had taken me to the party and left me to go hook up with someone else. He even had the audacity to claim that a random lady kissing his neck had been a mistake.The lipstick on his lips and all over his face were mistake too, I suppose?I didn't want to delve into it further. I wanted to keep my focus on my work schedule for the day. Ann was attending to a client, leaving me to deal with Amanda's paperwork. I tried to concentrate, but my mind kept drifting back to the man my boyfriend accused me of cheating with.It was both funny and irritating. Funny that I had been willing to follow Andrey without even knowing where he was taking me. Irritating that I had been so willing to follow
Andrey. The plan was unfolding exactly as I had expected. Today was going to be a straightforward win, and I didn't need to fight hard for it; in fact, I could execute it right from the comforts of my office.I've held the position of CEO at Sandro's Industries for seven years, and never before had I felt so confident in a negotiation. It was about Hazel, and Chris. In a way, it felt like buying her, even though we had an unspoken agreement with her."So, you're willing to let go of Hazel for fifteen grand?" I questioned him, savoring the sound of him agreeing to my offer. I couldn't help but feel a slight pang of guilt on Hazel's behalf. She didn't deserve someone like Chris, and making this deal almost felt like I was buying her freedom.Chris shrugged indifferently, which irked me. The way he treated Hazel infuriated me. The way he diminished her value made me want to take drastic measures.I swallowed my resentment and nodded, gesturing for one of my associates to fetch the agree
Hazel. My throat was sore, likely from the effort of keeping my tears and pain locked up within my chest. Everything hurt. I wanted to scream, to let it all out, but I couldn't do it right now. I was on my way back to the office with Amanda. My emotions were all over the place, but Amanda seemed utterly indifferent to my existence. She was immersed in her tablet, typing away, completely ignoring my unrest. I didn't blame her; in fact, I appreciated the silence between us. I had no desire to answer any questions right now because I knew if anyone asked what was wrong, I'd break down in tears."Isn't Andrey interesting?" Amanda suddenly asked, breaking the silence.His name on her lips caused a sharp pang in my chest. I swallowed hard and tried to regain my composure. I didn't understand why she was bringing up her devilish nephew. I didn't want to engage in this conversation because he is the reason I am feeling this way right now."He's something," I replied, keeping my response brie
Andrey. “You deserve what she did to you because you’re a weak ass.”The words slice through me like a knife, but I keep a stoic expression. My attention is solely on the beaten and battered man before me, his body covered in sweat and blood, gasping for air. The sight of a grown man reduced to this state fills me with a perverse satisfaction.I deliver a powerful blow, my fist connecting with his jaw, causing him to groan in pain. He's resilient, which is precisely why he's one of the best at what he does. But he crossed a line, a line that I cannot tolerate.“You’re fucking wasting your time, man,” Jayden spoke again when I didn’t answer his pathetic insult. Amid the insults hurled at me by Jayden, I continue my assault, unflinching, focused on my task. His job was simple: protect Hazel. But he failed. Two nights ago, she walked home alone and was mugged by some men. She's physically okay, but I can't forgive myself for allowing her to experience such fear when I was still alive. S
Hazel.I might have had a valid reason to despise Andrey Leonardo in the beginning, but after meeting him, after he came between me and Chris, and after he made his aunt suspect me and pick on me at work, I now had considerable purpose to vastly hate him—even more so now that he just left my apartment, leaving me with a ball of desire in my stomach.I swallowed the bile clogging my throat as I stared at the cheque he just wrote me. I hadn't looked at it yet, but the zeros were enough to tell me it was a life-changing amount of money.Stupid of him to think I'd use the money, though.I'd rather have maniacs chasing me than take money from Andrey Leonardo. He's so full of himself, yet he's nothing to me—just a man who stirs up something in me that I can't ignore. He's undeniably attractive, with those glassy brown eyes that tempt me whenever they bore into mine.I clenched my stomach, trying to get a grip on myself. I'd promised myself to never entertain the thought of being with this m
Andrey. I should be pleased to know Hazel has something for me now but I feel terrified of how she'd think of me when my Zia mentioned I was getting married which I had no idea. Amanda loves playing with fire. I'll give her the show—adding fuel to the blazing fire until it burns her to ashes. The flicker of anger and betrayal I saw in Hazel's eyes worries me to confront her again. She must be thinking I'm such a dick to ask her to be my lover when I'm getting married. I don't even know who the bride is but I know that I'm not getting married! It's just some bullshit fabricated by Amanda to get to Hazel because she knows there's something between us. There isn't anything between us in Hazel's point of view but she's what I desire. I look at her as one of my top priorities and my responsibility. It fucking burns me to be away from her for the whole night which is why I sometimes spend half the night parked by her apartment just to feel closer to her. Psychotic act, Jayden said. C
Hazel.Everything just seems to irritate me right now, and I'm pointing the finger at Andrey Leonardo for putting me in this foul mood. I'm ticked off, and though I know the reasons behind it, I'm choosing to sidestep the truth because facing it means admitting too much to myself. I'm just not ready for that kind of confrontation with my conscience.But darn it, I can't stop replaying how Andrey almost treated me like his mistress or whatever he wanted when he knew he was about to tie the knot. It's crystal clear now – he wanted me for sex. I should've seen it coming, the way he was so patient with me; to him, the wait probably seemed worth it. "Asshole," I mutter under my breath."Who?" my mother chimes in, oblivious to my internal mayhem. I roll my eyes as she bustles around the room, packing for a sudden trip she's decided to take. I try not to read too much into it, but there's this nagging feeling that she's trying to escape something."Mom?" I call out, and she shoots me a look,
Andrey. "Why her?" Jayden asked, his voice cutting through the silence of the car."Why anyone else when she exists?" I retorted, answering his unnecessary question. He gave me a quizzical look, then shook his head, focusing back on driving. "This girl has really gotten to you," he remarked.I chuckled softly, shoulders shrugging. "She doesn't know this, but she has a lot of power over me. And that scares me a lot. I've never felt this way for anyone," I admitted, sighing."Not even Madison," Jayden scoffed. I looked at him with a shocked expression. Madison was his sister, and I never expected him to bring her name into this. A strange discomfort curled in my chest. I glanced at Jayden and shook my head. "Don’t start," I pleaded. I didn't want to delve into that painful memory, the blame unfairly pinned on me for her death after she had an abortion, claiming the child was mine.I never took Madison's life as she took mine until her tragic end, and everyone accused me of causing it.
HazelJayden's hatred for Andrey runs deep, deeper than I could have ever imagined. It's not just me he despises; it's everything Andrey represents. He resents Andrey's wealth, his power, his seemingly charmed life. While Andrey considered him a brother, Jayden nursed a bitter grudge, praying for his downfall at every turn.And why? Because of a tragedy that tore his family apart, a tragedy I knew little about until now. It seems Andrey's actions, or lack thereof, led to the loss of Jayden's sister, Madison. She had been carrying Andrey's child, a fact he denied, and the subsequent abortion cost her life. It's a cruel twist of fate, one that has left Jayden consumed by vengeance.But as he stands before me now, spewing venomous words, I can't help but see him in a different light. He's no longer the friend I once knew; he's become a monster, driven by hatred and a thirst for revenge.I sit on the cold, dirty floor, my eyes locked on him with a mixture of awe and fear, as he contin
Andrey."You should eat something before you blackout," Jayden suggested, his tone surprisingly gentle considering the circumstances. I shot him a glare, unable to fathom how he could even think about food when Hazel's life was hanging in the balance. The very idea of eating made my stomach churn with guilt and anxiety."How can I eat when I know my girlfriend is out there in serious danger?" I snapped, my frustration boiling over. Despite not knowing the full extent of the peril she faced, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at my insides."Look, are you sure this girl didn't just run away and leave town?" Jayden pressed, his skepticism evident in his tone. I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out at him. Enough was enough."If you're not going to help, then I suggest you get the fuck out of here," I retorted, my voice laced with bitterness. He shrugged indifferently, as if my distress meant nothing to him."You said the kidnappers didn't demand money or
Hazel.My stomach was churning like a stormy sea, and I couldn't tell if it was from anxiety or if I was coming down with something. The air was thick with a foul odor that made me want to retch. I took a slow, deep breath, trying to calm myself, and wrapped my arms tightly around my knees. Tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably. I was utterly terrified, not knowing what fate awaited me in this grim place.Hours had dragged by, and I hadn't seen a soul pass through the heavy metal door. Voices echoed from beyond, but no one entered. Were they deliberately ignoring me? Were they plotting something sinister? Maybe they intended to abandon me here, alone and helpless. I blame myself for leaving Andrey's house out of anger. Maybe I should have listened to his constant warnings. Maybe I should have asked Sam to drop me at a hotel instead of storming out alone into the unknown streets, vulnerable like prey. Now, I was trapped in this grimy, blood-and-sweat-scented dungeon.The
Hazel."I'll take a look at it first thing tomorrow morning, Lucia. Right now, I've got to get home," I declare, gathering my belongings as I prepare to depart. "Sure thing, I'll send you an email tomorrow," Lucia replies, and with that, I bid her farewell and show her out of my office. Grabbing my handbag, I make my way out of the Palm Angels building. Exhaustion weighs heavily on my shoulders, but the thought of a relaxing shower followed by one of Andrey's heavenly massages brings a smile to my face. Exiting the building, I'm met by the sight of the two bodyguards Andrey has assigned to me. I let out a sigh as I climb into my car. It's a constant reminder of the measures he takes to ensure my safety, though sometimes it feels like I'm being smothered. I pull out of the parking lot, the two guards follow closely behind in their vehicle. It's comforting in a way, knowing they're there, but at the same time, it's a reminder of how much my life has changed since Andrey entered
Andrey. "He could take down any of us," Ezio mused, his voice tinged with apprehension."Or bomb our car," Brando added, his brow furrowed in concern."Or hijack one of us, he's unpredictable," Luca chimed in, his expression grave."Or frame us," Jayden concluded, his tone heavy with worry.While they fretted over worst-case scenarios, I remained seated in my office chair, scrolling through my phone with practiced calmness. "He could take us down, but he can't take down Andrey," Brando declared, catching my attention.I lifted my gaze, fixing it on him. He must have sensed my annoyance because his expression faltered. I hated it when they insinuated that I was somehow superior to them. We were equals, in every sense of the word. When one of us stumbled, we all stumbled. When one of us faced trouble, we were all plunged into the depths."You're not saying anything, like this isn't something to give two shits about," Jayden remarked, his gaze shifting to me.I turned my attenti
Hazel. It's crazy to think we're already two months into this relationship. I've never been happier, even with our little spats now and then. But Andrey, he just keeps making me smile, finding new ways to show his love. I never thought true love was real after Chris, but being with Andrey proves me wrong. Sure, his job as a mafia boss is scary, but he's so good at making me forget about that side of him. Sometimes, I even forget he's not just the CEO of Sandro House, but also a mafia boss with secrets darker than night. Everywhere I go, people treat me with more respect. It's flattering, but sometimes I wonder if it's because I deserve it or just because I'm with someone most people are scared of."Where should I put this?" he asks, planting a sweet kiss on my forehead, causing a fit of giggles to bubble up from within me. "Just leave it on the kitchen counter; I'll sort it out later tonight," I reply, exhaling deeply. Despite the excitement, I can't shake off the nerves after
Andrey."I thought you hated these fancy shindigs," she says, sprawled out on the bed. I let out a sigh, adjusting my tie in the mirror. "I do," I confess. "But there's someone I need to find, and I'm pretty sure they'll be there," I explain. Glancing at my reflection, I see myself in my usual black suit, crisp white shirt, and a sleek black tie. Hazel did a surprisingly great job styling my hair, and I can't help but feel amused at how good she did it.Snatching my wristwatch off the dresser, I slip it on. Just then, Hazel joins me in front of the mirror, wrapping her arms around me from behind. Her warmth brings a smile to my face. "Why can't I tag along?" she complains, poking her head around my side. I turn to face her, taking in her adorable pout.She hugs me again, resting her chin on my chest as she gazes up at me. With her doe-like eyes pleading, it's hard to resist.I wrapped my arms around Hazel as she stood there, pouting in the cutest way imaginable. "The event is only
Hazel. "He really shouldn't have pulled that stunt," I chuckled, shaking my head at Drake's amusing story. "Jumping into a pool just to impress a girl? That's a whole new level of craziness."Drake nodded in agreement, his laughter mingling with mine. "Exactly! It's like he forgot he couldn't swim in the heat of the moment. Talk about a reckless move."As our laughter died down, I found myself intrigued by the idea of meeting Drake's twin. "I'd be curious to see if you two really do look alike," I admitted, leaning back on the desk.Drake shrugged nonchalantly, taking a sip of his drink. "Physically, maybe. But personality-wise, we're polar opposites. Trust me, I've got better taste in women than he does," he added with a playful smirk, his gaze roaming over me appreciatively.I couldn't help but smile at his comment, feeling a hint of flattery despite myself. Leaning in slightly, I couldn't resist asking, "And what type of women are you attracted to, exactly?"Drake met my gaz
Andrey.There are moments in my life where I could care less about the twists and turns, as if they're mere blips on my radar. But betrayal? That's a different story altogether. Betrayal gets under my skin, it crawls into my bones and ignites a fire in my veins. It's a line you don't cross, a boundary you dare not breach. Ezio Mauro, well, he's crossed that line. He's strayed far from where he belongs, starting a brawl he's sure to regret. A brawl he might not walk away from.I just discovered he signed that contract right after learning about Hazel and me. He knew exactly what he was doing, the snake. And Hazel's mother, what was she thinking? Sacrificing her own daughter like that, like she's nothing more than a pawn in some twisted game. How could she be so blind, so selfish? What if something happens to Hazel? Who will be next in line for her twisted schemes? Betrayal cuts deep, and I won't let this one slide. Not without consequences.As much as I hate to admit it, Hazel's mot