The Meeting

Hazel stood rooted to the ground for what felt like forever.

Did he just tell her to report to his library? Oh no…

This can't be good!

How could this be good?

She had a one-night stand with her boss!

Well, if she was to justify that, she had no idea that he would turn out to be her boss so, she isn't to blame for this but still!

Not only that, she'd snuck out on him, something that would have pissed him off for sure…

Hazel, you are in so much trouble!

Hazel walks towards the stairs, her boots ahead of her by several flights of stairs. She could calm her heart from pounding hard In her chest. Her lips were hurting badly as she'd bit them furiously in anxiety.

'Oh good Lord, let this come to an end

Hazel prayed in her heart.

The library was open and once again, her heart seemed to pound even faster this time, making it hard for her to breathe.

She could tell she was just an inch close to having a panic attack.

But not in front of this mam! She would never let him see her so weak and helpless.

It was clear that he is the type to glory in people's weakness but she would let him have such power over her…

She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply, she could do it…

Right?

Hazel steps into the huge library, half the walls were covered behind the tall bookshelf, giving the feel of a little fairy tale world of books…

"Shut the door"

Hazel almost jump at the sound of his voice! He was standing by the huge study table, eyes fixed on her life wolf.

Hazel shuts the door quietly, her hands shaking in fear.

"The locks" he adds

What? The door is closed, that's enough privacy, right? Why the locks?

Hazel turned the key.

"And the second" he instructed, his voice felt like a carcass on her skin, her body tingled at his voice as though he was right behind her whereas he was by the table, at least five feet away…

Why is she so nervous her face must be flushed by now. How embarrassing! She felt like a high school student, admiring her crush. Staring at him was like being back to that night they'd been together…

Hazel turned to face him, head bowed.

She couldn't bring herself to stare at him in the face anymore…

"Judging by how nervous you are, I'm glad I made a lasting impression," he said as he approached her, one gentle stride after another.

Hazel steps back, what on earth is he doing? Trying to pick up from that night?

An irrational part of her brain wanted him to but she was quick enough to shut it up.

"I. I don't understand…w.

.what you…you mean" Hazel stammered

Vincenzo chuckled, one of pure mockery and nothing else.

"You don't understand, signorina uhm?" He asked in a tone underlined with mischief.

Vincenzo walked around her like a wolf sniffing out his mate.

"Your cries from that night, say otherwise. You do d scared of every move I make right now but that night" he pulled a stop right in front of her.

"You were so eager to …"

"I'm afraid I don't remember what you mean boss" she replied.

He covered the distance between them, leaning over her as she pressed her back to the door. His hand beside her head and eyes darting daggers at hers.

"Do you need me to juggle your memory, Hazel Miller?" He asked

Before she could reply, Vincenzo raised one of her thighs to his waist, earning a whisper of shock from her.

"Should I go on Hazel or you are yet to recall anything as you said?" He asked

Hazel couldn't remember telling him she couldn't remember anything….

Okay, maybe she did.

Hazel felt his breath on her neck, tingling and exciting her at the same time.

It was like that night never ended and they were back within those walls…..

"No woman sneaks out on me signorina. Its a sign of disrespect to me " Vincenzo informed.

He took a step back, letting Hazel go although her skin tingled where he'd touched her.

"And as fate would have it, you were lead back to me signorina."

Vincenzo settled on his seat, eyes watching her closely as though ravishing every sight of her.

If she had something to say, now would be the best time to say it don't you think?

Hazel nods internally as his trusted conscience informs her.

"I…I apologise for bursting into your hotel room the other night. I wasn't myself. I'm sorry" Hazel said

"Does that change the fact that you walked in? No. Does that change the fact that you found your way into my bed? No"

******************************************

Hazel returned to reality as she had travelled far into what would become of her with this man called Vincenzo.

She had been standing there for hours and she had imagined what he would do and say to her, once get off that phone call.

Hazel couldn't believe despite how frightened she was of him, she managed to admire his back view as he clenched hard at his phone, speaking Italian.

She needed not to be told that he was upset about something, what if that anger would later be directed to her?

That would do the magic of scaring her to her very roots.

"And you make a report to me in three hours"

Vincenzo tossed his phone on the couch, a deep breath escaped him.

He turned to face her.

Hazel has never met anyone so intimidating in the whole of her life! It was like the man she'd been with that night never existed.

His expression was cold but that didn't ruin anything about his Greek-like looks…

"I'll make this brief, I have more important things to deal with," he said arrogantly.

What should she have done? Roll in mud for his gracious presence, is it?

She wouldn't have anyone address her in such a manner just because she works for him!

"So do i" She muttered

If he heard, she had no idea. If he didn't, she couldn't tell.

"You snuck onto my hotel, drunk and sure enough, acting uncultured isn't far from expected." He adds

"Uncultured?!" She asked, raising her head to meet his eyes.

What exactly does he think of her? Some drunk who ended up humiliating herself right in front of a man she'd just met?

That was the case if she wasn't drugged by her supposed date.

"Yes. Hazel Miller, or is there another word to describe such an act?" He asked, seeking a response from her.

"I wasn't drunk I was…"

What's the need to explain anything to this man? Does he think he knew just what happened so why not leave it?

"Every once in a while, some people have reasons to take a bottle or two. It's not their fault that life screws everyone over…" Hazel met his cold gaze

"Sir" she adds

"Another piece of advice for you Hazel Miller, watch your tongue" he warned

"Yes Sir" Hazel replied

He wanted an explanation and she was going to give his jerky self enough explanations alright!

///As a lady, there should be a limit. And you don't have that Hazel Miller////

Quin's voice rang in her ears…

Not the time at all.

And maybe she's starting to regret ever meeting this man! Here she was over a week ago, relishing the idea of meeting him again but now, she wished she never even met him at all!

What a jerk!

"No drinking on my house Hazel, I won't take that as an accuse for you to act out" he instructed

"Am I clear?" He asked

"Yes sir" she replied with a sarcastic smile

"Good"

"May I take my leave?" She asked

She's so done with this man.

"I'm assigning you to my room. I can't have a bunch of people roaming around my personal space."

Hazel balled her fist.

Why her? He couldn't get someone else to do it?

He must relish the idea of humiliating her for whatever reason he seems to justify.

"I could assign someone else here. My main strengths lie in the kitchen" she informs

"And in my bed I suppose" Vincenzo adds

Hazel's anger was about to explode! His eyes were mocking her and that, she couldn't take.

"I suppose you could say that" she replied

One thing was sure, whatever happened between them, happened. There's no point denying it did.

Something close to a chuckle escaped Vincenzo's lips, she was glad she surprised him.

"I don't care what you have to do Hazel. You are my maid now. Do we have an understanding?" He asked, his eyes as cold as the feel of the winter breeze.

Goodness, he is like the boss of intimidation.

"Out" he instructed as he settled on his seat.

Hazel found her way out the door, angry she had to stand there and hear him lecture her!