Page 25

Annie placed the card on his table, sending an uncertain glance towards Hazel. She wasn't sure if this was such a good idea.

"It's going to be fine" Hazel assured

"Dad doesn't want me in his room. He's said it a billion times over" Annie reminded

"And I promise to handle that. You dropped it on the doorstep, I found it and placed it on his desk because it seems important….." she caught the look of amusement on her face and gave a nervous laugh.

"I'll handle it" Hazel informs

"Dad can tell when you're lying," Annie said, walking out of the room.

"Me?" Hazel asked, "And who said anything about lying to him?" She reminded

"But you said…."

"I'll handle it, Annie. You have assignments right? Why don't you take a shower and get to it before dinner" Hazel gives her a gentle push towards her room?

"Okay Zel" Annie smiles. She surprises Hazel with a bear hug. She is surprisingly strong for a fifteen-year-old.

"Annie, I'm about to choke" Hazel muttered

"Sorry." Annie released her with a nervous smile.

"Yeah. That was unexpected" Hazel nods, running her hand over the other. She was as sure as heck that one of her bones must have moved out of place.

"I'll see you later" Annie waved and shut the door.

Hazel sighed and heads towards the stairs in silence. She's had a long day already.

One glance at the time and she knew it was time for dinner to start steaming and frying.

Chole was one step ahead of her, the kitchen was as busy as ever.

"You're the best Chole '' Hazel wrapped her arms around her in a hug, whining.

"You must be aching bad, cleaning that huge room all by yourself must be exhausting" Chole pats her friend in worry.

"You have no idea Chole. I'm a shadow of myself" Simi wailed

"A shadow it is" Chole teased

"I have some burgers for you in the oven. Eat and get back here. Yelling and giving instructions is not exactly my thing" Chole whispered as she released Hazel from her hug.

"What? You're doing well, `` Hazel said, taking a look around the kitchen. Everyone was hard at work.

"Yeah. You could say that except am about to make some enemies with my whines and complaints" Chole explained

"If you are the nicest person on earth or not, people will always have something bad to say about you because nobody is in our head. They don't know the motive behind our intentions most of the time" Hazel shrugs.

"True" Chole nods in agreement and then arches an eyebrow in suspicion.

"Is this a scheme to keep me running the kitchen?" Chole asked

"Of course not. And partly true but "

Chole rolled her eyes

"I can't do all these things on my own and I'll explain to Gwen if need be" Hazel pleaded

"Fine" Chole exhaled

"I'll handle it" she promised

"Thank…."

"Only if you make it here in time to check out the final process. I can't be so sure of my judgement" Chole admits

"Deal" Hazel smiled

"Go get your burger before your boss returns" Chole teased

"I'm never happy to see him. It's like facing the greatest monarchy whenever I have to face him" Hazel shuddered

"I feel bad for you Hazel but I can't swap places with you" Chole hurried off.

Hazel flicked her tongue, and scared the cat!

She wasn't going to ask her to take her place but thinking about it now….it's not that bad an idea…

"Never going to happen, Hazel!" Chole snapped at the top of her voice from the other end of the room.

"Come on Chole!" Hazel pleaded

"Never. You go to the oven and eat your lunch and don't even bother me again!" Chole warned

Hazel pouts, looks like she's stuck with the intimidating boss after all….

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"ZEL!"

Hazel almost jumped out of her bed in fright. What on earth is going on?

Just when she finally convinced Chole to give her a few hours off after making sure the meal was to the desired taste, someone or some personnel walked into her room and yelled her name.

She was lucky enough not to hit her head in fright, dealing with a bump would be serious.

"What is it?!" Hazel whined, seating up on her bed.

"The boss is right outside! He called for you and trust me, he is really mad" Chole said in a panic.

"Mad? Who is mad?" Hazel asked, her eyes barely even open.

"MR VINCENZO!" Chloe yelled

That was enough to jolt her awake. Hazel hurried out of bed, pulling her hair up in a bun as she tried to put on her shoes.

"Do you know why he's mad? What happened, Chole?" Hazel asked

"He just got back from work and he didn't see you at the entrance. One of the girls said he snapped, telling someone to get you to him!" Chole informs.

"Shit" Hazel muttered as she hurried out of her room.

This can't be good and besides, what has she done wrong? Could he have noticed she did something wrong?

Vincenzo is almost like a wizard, it's almost like he could tell when she's done something wrong….

Hazel slowed down as she approached the entrance, Vincenzo at the door, talking to Matteo in shushed tones.

She stopped right beside him and bowed her head in greeting.

She appeared calm but her insides were turning terribly.

"Si" Matteo bows his head and walks out of the room.

Vincenzo glanced at Hazel briefly. Studying the look on his face, he seems nothing like upset or mad.

Did Chole say that just to get up on her feet quick?"Or is there something she's missing here?

"Follow me"

Vincenzo heads upstairs, Hazel right behind him. She never knew she could be this nervous for not predicting the next few minutes!

She loves suspense, even in her life but this man made her rack her brain for answers.

He pulled his door open, casting one glance at the pink envelope on his study table.

"What's that?" He asked, taking off his coat, his back to her.

"A letter. From Annie" Hazel replied

Vincenzo froze, he glanced over his shoulder, his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance.

Hazel wasn't sure what to expect but she was going to stand her ground.

This is for Annie.

"She came into my room," he asked in a dangerously low voice.

Hazel exhaled and took a step closer to him.

"I don't want to lie to you. But I want you to read what she wrote for you" she pleaded

"I asked a question" he turned towards her in annoyance.

"And I don't want to lie to you, Mr Vincenzo. It doesn't matter how it got in here, all that matters is Annie is trying to apologise to you" Hazel replied calmly

"So she was in here," He asked

Hazel said nothing.

Vincenzo heads for the door

"ANNIE!" He called

Hazel placed her palm on his chest to stop him from pulling g the door open.

He stopped his eyes on her tiny palm on her chest.

"It's my fault. She didn't want to come in here but I made her walk in. If you want to punish anybody it should be me" Hazel said.

She couldn't bear Annie getting in trouble because of her. She's just a little kid.

"I'm sorry" She muttered quickly

"Just read the letter and punish me instead" she adds

Vincenzo took her hand, his huge palm covering hers gently. He moved it towards his tie.

"Take it off" he ordered

Hazel's eyes met his in shock.

"You asked for a punishment" he reminded "And this is it" he adds

Hazel swallowed hard, this was going too hard. It was the least punishment she had in her mind….

Hazel tugs his tie gently. Vincenzo raised her chin with his finger.

"Keep your eyes on what you're working on" he adds.

She was screaming so loud in her head right now. The tiny little part of her that wanted to see him shirtless was dancing in excitement like the remaining part of her logical reasoning feared that tiny part would increase within seconds…

Hazel pulled the tie out and tossed it on the bed. Now here comes the hard part, taking the shirt off him.

One glance at him and she almost frowned.

He was studying her too. In silence as though trying to read her thoughts.

What on earth is up with this man?

Hazel returned her gaze to the shirt and tried as much as possible to warn her fingers to stop shaking so badly.

It would be so embarrassing.

Hazel took the first button, then the second and the third, then the fourth…

His biceps came into view, leaving Hazel speechless and motionless.

"What's wrong?" He asked as though mocking her

"N..nothing," she said, her eyes still glued to his chest.

Take your eyes off Hazel! Goodness! You look stupid!

But no, she couldn't…

She wanted to place her hands on his chest, just feel his heartbeat…