>>Hazel
A long sad sigh escaped my mouth as I stared at the ceiling of my room blankly.
I was given a room near Emilio’s and I came back after putting the boy to sleep but couldn’t find any sleep myself.
The room was perfect,, it was dark and the bed was soft too, just how I liked it but the environment was very different.
The atmosphere was strange and even though I was mentally exhausted and tired I couldn’t fall asleep.
I wanted to escape in the land of the unconscious very bad and I was getting angry at the fact that I couldn’t. So, I made a decision and sat up.
Okay!
I told myself
Let’s do this.
I stood up and walked out of the room to the first floor. The mansion was quiet, the lights had been dimmed so low I had to let my eyes adjust first before I started walking in the corridor.
As I walked I thought about how strange it felt. It was such a nice and big place, during the day one wouldn’t feel anything weird because of the workers but at night, suddenly everything is quiet and serene. Seeing it like that made me feel like it was dead.
The corridors were empty and I could hear the sound of my own footsteps even though I chose not to wear the slippers I was offered by the maid.
Through the window I saw the guards stationed outside but saw no one awake inside.
Well, it was pretty late so it was a given that everyone would be asleep.
Quietly, I made my way into the kitchen and started opening up the cabinets to get what I came here for.
Since I didn’t turn on any extra lights the room was dim but even then It didn’t take me long to find it.
AHA!
Wine.
I smiled at the bottle that stood in the lower shelf of the cabinet along with the corkscrew.
It was red wine, one I used to adore years ago.
I took it out and stared at it with one hand and used the other to grab the corkscrew. I stopped drinking five years ago after a life changing incident. I even swore to myself I would never go near any alcohol but this time I need it.
In this foreign and hostile place, I find this bottle an only ally even though it was once the cause of the most terrifying incident of my life.
I sighed as I contemplated my decision again.
Should I? Should I not?
Just one glass wouldn’t hurt. Besides, I need it. I need my mind to relax to catch some sleep.
I opened the lid of the bottle, then I grabbed the glass from the glass rack and placed both the things on the counter of the kitchen that was in the middle of the room.
I won’t drink much.
I told myself and poured some wine in the wine glass, then paused and looked at the half filled glass.
A little more won’t hurt.
I nodded to myself and poured in some more till the glass was filled.
Placing the bottle on the counter, I picked up the glass and looked at it again. I could see a faint reflection of myself in it.
I sighed softly as I refused to drink from it. I knew I was anxious, I was confused and most importantly, I was stuck. I shook my head very lightly.
I’ve been stuck for a long time now…
I brought the glass up, closer to my lips and tried taking a sip from it but stopped. I couldn’t do it. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to, or because I no longer had the need to. It’s just that, in the back of my mind, I’m still scared of the mistake I once made. I’m afraid of the scar it left me with. I know a little amount of alcohol won’t do anything, it won’t even get me drunk but I still couldn’t do it. I guess some psychological things are very hard to get over.
I breathed out softly and lowered the glass.
“Not gonna drink?” A sudden whisper right next to my left ear made me jump in panic. I turned around in confusion as I noticed the shape of a person next to me and I was going to smash the glass I was holding onto the person’s head.
It was an impulsive action, purely out of defence and fear. One could say it was a flight or fight response.
I was about to hit the person as my body did a 180 degree turn but he stopped my hand by grabbing my wrist right before it hit the side of this head but even though he stopped the attack, it didn’t stop the wine from spilling onto him due to the sudden impact. Half of the wine from the glass spilled on his left side head and he closed his eyes in response.
I stared at the person with wide eyes to see who it was.
…
“Valek?” I called his name softly.
He smirked, “You’re too wild for your own good.” Drops of red liquid trickled down his left cheek, droplets hung onto the strands on his bangs before falling down. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at me with an intense gaze.
I looked back at him in fear, “I-I didn’t mean it.” I whispered, “It just,um, it just happened.”
“You must have enjoyed this.” The grip he had on my wrist increased and it slightly started to hurt, the sudden pressure made the glass slip out of my hand and fall on the marble floor. It shattered pretty loudly while the wine spilled everywhere. I felt it stain my bandages and pants but thankfully I didn’t feel any pain, that means no glass shard cut me.
I shook my head lightly, “No,” I answered, “I’m not an asshole like you who enjoys mistreating others.” I gulped as I stared back at him.
The dim lights were not enough to make me miss his cold expressions, it should have been darker but I’m glad I didn’t turn on any lights. I don’t want to see him in HD.
For a few seconds Valek just stared back without saying anything, then I left his gaze soften along with his grip on my wrist.
“Is that so?” He nodded slightly to himself, “You’re not from here Hazel Bae. Are you?” He asked out of the blue. What’s with the strange question?
But, he’s asking like he already knows...
…
I slowly shook my head, “No, I’m not…” I looked away.
I didn’t see the point in lying. It wasn’t going to do me any good.
“Then what are you doing in this country?”
“I have my reasons.” I looked at the kitchen window through which I could see the dark sky. There were no clouds there, some stars but no sign of the moon. It wasn’t that it was a new moon or anything, I just couldn’t see it from this angle.
“What reasons exactly?” There was no curiosity in his voice, just demand.
“That is none of your concern.” I replied in a sterner voice while I refused to look at him.
I guess he didn’t like my response. Of course he wouldn’t, I wouldn't like anyone talking to me like this too but I’m not trying to be likeable here.
“You do know, I can get you deported from here.” As soon as he said those words I shot my heads towards him in fear. He smirked and grabbed my other wrist. I didn’t like that, he was holding me like a captive so I tried resisting, tried getting out of his grip but he didn’t let me. The only thing the struggle resulted in was me slipping on the liquid splattered on the floor and almost falling on the ground but since Valek was holding my wrist so firmly he didn’t let that happen.
Instead he used more force and slammed me on the cupboard which stood at a little distance from where we were standing. The small impact gave me a jerk but also made me calm myself. I found out that I had no chance against since he already had the upper hand. “You don’t have your passport and you lost all your money.”
“What makes you think that?”
“You had to leave the hotel you were staying at because you were robbed.” He snickered, “And then you made the grand plan of stealing from me.”
So he found out. Well, it’s no surprise a man of his position won’t get the information. It wasn’t anything classified. I had to leave the hotel because I was robbed. The worst thing that can happen to a foreigner. I stared at Valek with a mix between anger and stress. He probably got the information from the hotel management because I told them my situation and tried to ask for additional stay which they denied.
“Biggest mistake of my life.” I replied in a grumpy voice, “Stealing from a beggar would have been better.”
His grin softened a bit, “It would have been.” A haughty expression appeared on his face, “Too bad you got stuck with me.” He paused and then made an intelligent statement, “You’re desperate for something.” He tried studying my expressions, “But what?” I made sure not to give myself away.
I gritted my teeth, “What do you get from this?” I asked.
“From what?” He acted ignorant to make me more angry but I tried to remain calm.
“From all what you’re doing to me.”
He snickered, “Take a guess.”
“I would say it’s because you’re a sadist.”
His smile didn’t falter, “Bingo.” He loosened his grip on my wrists, “That’s it. That’s the answer.”
Guys, this is a slow-burn romance where some things are going to happen out of the blue too. So I hope you all enjoy this twisted yet lovely romance
>>Hazel “Bingo.” Valek loosened his grip on my wrists, “That’s it. That’s the answer.” He let my wrists go and I instantly felt some relief there. He stepped back and folded his arms while I gently rubbed the reddened skin all the while I kept my eyes on him. “Tell me why you’re doing this?” I asked him again. “Because I’m a sadist.” He smirked knowing far too well his answer was going to annoy me. “Don’t use my words against me.” I gritted my teeth in anger. He was enjoying this. I just called him a sadist out of spite but now he’s having fun using the same word against me, “Tell me why?” “Because I’m a sadist?” “Arrgghh!” I groaned in anger, “ You might actually be one with how much you’re annoying me.” “So, now you’re saying I’m not one?” I didn’t answer him. I didn’t want to play along with his stupid game anymore. I just glared back at him but of course my glare had no effect on him. Compared to how intense his gaze is, nothing else can compete. But, that doesn’t me
>>HazelWhat is wrong with him?I know I broke a deal but it was unreasonable to begin with. I was forced into something at gunpoint, of course I’d break the deal and run away at any chance I get but I guess Valek doesn’t understand that.I guess he’s too thick skinned to understand anything!He only wants me to do everything he says.I sighed and looked at myself in the dressing table mirror in my room.I look like shit.I stared at myself in the mirror and shook my head with sadness.I’ve been wearing the same clothes for four days now… My shoulders slumped in disappointment.Well, I was mugged four days ago so it’s a given.Maybe I can talk about getting some new clothes?I stared at the mirror blankly. I think he will agree to that. I mean, I think he's not as cruel as I thought he was.I cleared my throat.Why do I think that?Because~, Yesterday night he acted a little weird.He was a bit soft? I practically asked myself the question.I shook my head as I bit my lower lip softly
>>HazelBreakfast was quite awkward.I entered the dining hall after calming myself and Emilio came running to me in happiness the moment I made my entry. Seeing him and his liveliness made me relax a bit more and I was able to sit down in my seat calmly but when Valek entered the room it got me tense all over again. I didn’t say a word when he came in, heck! I didn’t even look at him. It felt so awkward but I pretended I was fine and began to eat normally.I was expecting Valek to behave like me too and not talk or even make an attempt at that but while we ate he suddenly spoke, “Oh!” He looked at me, “Hazel,” He called out my name and I flinched with the toast in my hand that I was about to eat but thankfully I didn’t drop it. If I had, that would have given my internal nervousness away, “You wanted to say something to me this morning?”Wow. Asking me in front of everyone so that I have to answer. He sure loves being a jerk.I sighed.Well, it is a necessary thing so I guess it’s
>>Hazel As we entered the mall my eyes landed on the big sign behind the main reception, ‘Xander Corp.’ This isn’t their main building but even this one is quite grand. I took a deep breath as we made our way towards the shopping area. Ren stayed with us while the rest of the men blended into the crowd but I was sure that even then they’d be close by at all cost. It was easy to blend in in an area like this. Malls usually have a lot of people so it’s fairly easy. Surprisingly Emilio didn’t talk to me much, instead he remained a bit distant and shopped quietly. It was a bit weird, I thought he’d be all jumpy since he was so excited at the breakfast table. He didn’t even buy much, just a jacket he found cute. All the rest of the clothes were mine and I’ll be very frank. I bought a lot because I wanted to use Valek’s extra money but at the same time I was expecting to be stopped but Ren didn’t even bat an eye. He quietly just paid for everything I decided I wanted to buy even thoug
>>HazelWe reached home around five in the evening and I saw Emilio quietly leave the car and walk inside, during the whole ride I couldn’t bring myself to talk to him. The primary reason was because Ren was there too. I felt really bad the whole time but since Emilio had already gone through the effort of saving me from his bodyguard I didn’t want to ruin it.But still, I felt like I really should apologize to him so I started following behind him when Ren stopped me by blocking my path.“Miss Hazel,” He talked to me calmly, “It would be best if you don’t disturb the young master for now.” He stood in front of me like a huge pillar.“What? I’m not disturbing him. I just wanna talk.” I folded my arms in retaliation.Ren stood unfazed, “The young master’s tutor will be taking his classes now.” He adjusted his glasses with his index finger.“What? It’s evening. What classes?” I was genuinely astonished.“The classes he didn’t take in the morning.” Ren’s tone remained the same.I stood t
>>HazelHeart beat spiking.Breathing raggedVision having trouble focusing yet focusing a bit too well and the brain’s ability to not think straight at the moment.This is the combination that sets the mood for something that you might regret later. That later can be a few months later or right the next morning but when you are in ‘that’ moment, you are too high on the atmosphere that escaping just doesn’t seem like an option and the thought about regret doesn’t really flows in most of the time.I looked at Valek with wavering eyes while his gaze was set on me too, just that the look in his eyes was unswerving.He was waiting for an answer while my mind wasn’t functioning.I felt his hand slide under the belt on my pants and the sudden realization sent a shock down my whole body. I regained some of my logical senses and yet still I did something very stupid.But well, doing stupid stuff is my forte so who cares?I backed my head a bit and then brought it ahead with full force and co
>>HazelTears were flowing down flushed fluffy cheeks, small sniffles could be heard after small intervals yet the blanket Emilio was holding onto didn’t budge. He held onto it very tightly while he looked down in shame.“Oh Emilio…” I felt really bad. What kind of a person have I become in my desperation? I seemed to have forgotten human decency, “Hey,” I whispered and then closed the distance between our bodies, “I don’t hate you.”He sniffled, “You don’t hab to lie.” He hiccuped and I smiled at him softly.“I’m not lying.” I shook my head gently, “I’m sorry if I made you feel that way.” I reached for the corner of his eyes with both my hands, “And I’m sorry I squeezed your hand very hard at the shop.” Gently, with my thumbs I wiped his tears away, “Emilio,” I took a deep breath, “It’s true I don’t like it here.”He sniffled again, “See?”“Yes, I don’t like it here because I don’t have any friends here.” I continued to caress my thumbs on his skin to wipe away any new tear coming ou
>>HazelValek stopped when he noticed me, apparently he wasn’t expecting me in Emilio’s room, but that’s just my deduction because he looked a bit surprised to find me sitting on the bed.“Daddy?” Emilio looked at his father, “Are you leaving early?” He asked as he pouted his lips in disappointment,“Yes,” He turned his gaze away from me and looked at his son, “I’m going straight to work after I change, I won’t be having breakfast with you.” Come to think of it.This is the first time I’ve seen Valek in casual clothes. He was still in his pajama bottom and a simple full sleeve black t-shirt, even his hair was down.Emilio groaned in disappointment but didn’t say anything. I guess Valek coming to Emilio’s room early in the morning is something associated with him going to work early and not having a proper meal with his son because Emilio already got the idea when he saw his father enter his room.Then I guess normally their first meeting is at the breakfast table.“Emilio,” Valek spo