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That moment was electric between them. Hazel felt the urge to hug him at the moment. Why does this feel right and yet she's not supposed to hug her boss?

Hazel found a scar that ran from his chiselled chest to his back. She ran her fingers on it, studying it like his pain was hers...

She pulled the shirt down, placed it on the bed and returned to his chest, running her hand to his back.

Her heart ached strangely on seeing the many scars he had. Why could she feel his pain like it was hers? And why does it feel natural for her to run her fingers on his chest without restraint?

And why isn't he stopping her?

"What happened to you?" She asked quietly.

"You wouldn't understand if I try to explain" he replied calmly

"All these marks….." she muttered

"For a good cause," he replied

Hazel stopped right in front of him, her eyes staring into his.

"It must have she said

Vincenzo smiled, he took her face in his hands, admiring every bit of her.

"Don't think about it. I'm here and it's all healed up. That's all that matters" he offered

"Why…why do I feel…so sad ?" Hazel asked

"Don't think about it. It will go away" he offered once more.

Hazel exhaled as he pulled her in an embrace.

"It's okay" he whispered

"I have a lot of questions " She muttered

"Soon. You'll get your answers soon" he assured.

Vincenzo's arms tightened around her, wrapping her up in his manly scent and warmth. Hazel couldn't imagine being somewhere else at that point.

"You're so warm" she muttered

He chuckled, placing a kiss on her hair.

"I know" he took a step back, his eyes still staring into hers.

"I guess I'll have to read Annie's letter, " Vincenzo said, pulling out the letter from the envelope.

"You should" Hazel coaxed

"I will and am still going to punish you as you said," he said, his eyes reading the words in silence.

Hazel couldn't believe this man! They just had a sensual moment and the next thing, he was being the boss as usual.

"You're going to punish me?" Hazel asked in amusement.

"Yes. You'll be staying in my room for the night" he said, his eyes still on the letter.

"What?" She asked in shock.

Vincenzo folds the letter in his pocket and sighed. His business face was back on again, examining her quietly.

"I'll talk to Annie tonight if you stay here. If not…." Vincenzo shrugs

Hazel couldn't believe him! How could he say that, threatening her with Annie!

"Do we have a deal?" He asked

Hazel groaned internally, why on earth would he want her in his bed? And is that even a punishment?

"It's not punishment enough. Call it a start" Vincenzo replied

A start?!

Hazel sighed, cursing her affection towards Annie! This is for Annie. She was down earlier today when she spoke about his silent treatment.

"Fine." She replied

"Good. I suppose you have work to get to? See you later tonight" he strolled into his bathroom.

Hazel couldn't believe she had just agreed to this! What is she? Some random hook-up girl?

She made her way out of the room immediately, glancing at the night sky, she groaned internally; it was nighttime already.

Just great!

Now she would be sleeping with the boss! Just the thought of it made her cringe in both fear and excitement.

What is she to expect tonight? She needs to talk to someone about this and the only person she could think of is Orna.

Chole would freak out in fear and that would be the end of the whole surade.

Chole isn't the one to keep shocking information to herself and Orna is one of the most secretive people she knows. She couldn't risk telling Chole even though she knew she would find out one way or another.

She won't be sleeping in the room tonight, of course, she would know she'd been somewhere else. She would demand an explanation and Hazel knew better than to lie to Chloe when she was upset and demanding answers….

Telling Orna is a bad idea too. She is bound to ask Chole a few questions if Hazel refuses to tell her the whole thing and it's only a matter of time before Chole comes running with a truckload of questions.

It's a dead end.

She had to raise this topic without telling them directly who she was talking about….

"What happened?" Chole asked in worry

"Uhm?" Hazel asked in confusion

"With Mr Vincenzo," Chloe asked again

"Oh. Nothing much. He…wanted to know who left the letter on his table" Hazel gave a nervous laugh.

"He was waiting for you at the door, remember? " Chole reminded

Hazel gave a puzzled expression; she had no idea what to tell Chole now.

Orna rushed towards them, breathing heavily.

"What is it?" Hazel asked, glad that the attention was no longer on her….

"There's a lot of drama back in the staff living area," Orna said, barely breathing properly.

"What happened? " Chole asked

"Come on!!"

They hurried towards the staff room and met the shock of the century.

The guards were beating up one of theirs, another man in a suit. They cuffed his hand and pushed him out of the room.

"What happened?" Hazel asked Orna for the last time.

"I heard he made some sort of security breach" Orna explained

"What security breach?" Chole asked

"I don't know Chole. Maybe you can find out?" Orna asked

"They've never done as much as talk to her ever since they walked into this house. And you know it" Chole snapped

"Exactly Chloe. I don't know what breach he's talking about "Orna replied

"It's fine. If its a problem from their side, I'm sure they have it covered" Chole replied.

"Orna, I was reading this novel" Hazel started.

"Really, what's it about? Steaming romance?" Orna asked in excitement

"A woman spent the night in her boss's room" Hazel started

"Steaming!!" Orna said dreamily

"That's not something a lady who knows her worth does," Chole said

"What if she had no choice? Like to rescue something" Hazel asked

"If you put it that way…" Chloe shrugs

"All I know, it's amazing." Orna sighed "Imagine spending the night with Mr Vincenzo?" She said in excitement.

"That's not right. He's your boss" Chole snapped

"It's right when he calls on you himself " Orna leaves singing happily to herself.

Hazel shrugs when Chole gives her one of those meaningful looks.

"I can't deal with this right now"

Chole heads to the kitchen with Hazel right behind her. There's no point talking to them about this, she made a deal and there's no going back on her words.

Dinner was served in a matter of minutes and Vincenzo headed down to the dining area with Annie right beside him. Her smile was very bright, assuring Hazel that Vincenzo kept his part of the deal. She had better keep hers.

Vincenzo settled on his seat, Annie on his right.

"How did the meeting go, dad?" Annie asked cheerfully

"Went pretty well. The investors wanted to see actual results and we gave them what we have so far. They seem pretty impressed with the results" Vincenzo replied

"That's a good thing then?" She asked

"It's a great thing" Vincenzo corrected

"How is your tutorial going?" He asked

"It's going great. There are a few new subjects included and I'm starting to love science" Annie beamed

"That's good. You find your interest and work towards it" Vincenzo advised

"I will dad" Annie smiled

Dinner continued in silence, Annie's happiness brightened the whole living area. She went on to fill Vincenzo with details of the times he'd missed.

Hazel knew there was no backing down on her promise now and who knows, they might not do anything tonight…

Like, get intimate….

Hazel recalled the two times she'd been alone with him. The first, they almost made out, the second, she had felt so close to him earlier on in his room. Feeling his pain like she lived it for herself!

How on earth won't they have anything together, knowing full well they've had something in the past…

A few weeks back actually…

Annie's voice jerked Hazel back into reality. It was then she realised Vincenzo was gone.

How long has she been out of it?

Twenty minutes?

"Thank you so much, Hazel! Your plan worked! I was so scared when dad came into my room. When he spoke about the letter and that you said you would explain everything…I was so happy!" Annie smiled

"I'm always here to help you, Annie. That's a promise" Hazel smiled

"Now I can sleep and have the best dream ever!" Annie hurried up the stairs in excitement.

Hazel's stomach curled, she was not sure she can do this. She can't keep her part of the deal….

The plates on the table were cleared out and ready and all the staff were in the staff room.

She can't do this.

Hazel heads towards the staff room…

"Hazel Miller!"

She froze…