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Lunch was rather awkward. Hazel couldn't join them as she hid in a distance, watching them eat in silence.

She had told Chole to serve lunch instead, claiming she was feeling so good and had to hurry to the restroom. Hazel couldn't stand another moment of their parables about her and Vincenzo.

It was almost like they wanted to match-make them just because of a few good words Annie had said about her to them.

The least of them was being outrageously sassy towards her. It was almost like they'd met someplace before now and that she deserved every sassy attitude she got.

That would be Rose.

Of the trio, she seems to be the more calm and relaxed one although she got sassy when Hazel's name was mentioned.

Hazel recalled the moment when she sat next to Vincenzo…

Graciousness, she wanted to crawl into his skin! And just his hands on her hair had made her feel so…..woah.

There's something so magical about his touches and she knew it was normal.

Hazel could feel Vincenzo's eyes on her from the dining area. It was almost as though he sniffed her out without moving an inch from where he sat.

She could almost imagine him telling her to come over to the dining or else!

The good thing is, he could only read her mind but she couldn't read his.

Even though he told her she could, she wouldn't want that so-called gift to happen now.

Hazel exhaled, she had better get to the shower and take a really cold bath.

"Hazel!"

She froze.

Shit!

Why did he have to call her into this? Why and why?

Why is he such a jerk and a meanie?

She felt his glare grow hot behind her head almost as though he was standing right behind her.

"That's because I am"

Hazel turned in shock, almost straining her ankle. He caught her just before she fell, his arms wrapped around her waist to hold her in place.

"Why are you so clumsy?" He asked

Hazel's arms gripped his suit firmly to steady herself, her eyes staring into hers.

"Hi" she muttered with a dreamily look

Vincenzo looked confused, did she hit her head or something? He asked her a question, not those eyes that make him want to pin her to the wall and do all the crazy things he had in mind…

Not here.

Not now.

Not yet…

He helps her to her feet, avoiding eye contact with her. He couldn't believe his want for her had reached the depth of his eyes…

When was the last time he had that sort of colour?

So long ago he could barely remember…and within seconds, something that ought to take weeks to surface finally did.

"You should go to bed," he said, turning his back to her.

"Really? And I thought you were going to tell me to come into the living room" She offered

"You don't have to. Go to bed" he said again.

"Good night sir" Hazel turned on her heels and walked away immediately.

Vincenzo leaned on the door, his entire body drained of energy almost immediately.

//what is the meaning of this? Why did you tell her to leave?!// Evan groaned, his frustrations evident in his voice.

Vincenzo composed himself, walking back to the living area as though he wasn't so close to falling to the ground unconscious.

"Now is not the time. Things don't work that way" Vincenzo muttered

He had just denied a need for her and that almost made him weak. And unconscious maybe….

His strength was starting to spread even to his breath.

He couldn't ruin things now. He needed to get answers first before making any moves on her. He couldn't afford to mess things up again.

//you are not going to last long//

Vincenzo exhaled deeply, his hands in his pocket as he tried to coordinate his movements.

"I'm aware"...

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

Hazel made her way to the staff quarters murmuring to herself. She's never been so happy to be dismissed by Vincenzo. She couldn't imagine facing the Aunts once more.

They are really lovely women, it's just the way they put her and Vincenzo together….

It was scary.

She had no idea why it felt scary….the thought of being his…partner.

Hazel shook her head as though to push behind those thoughts from her head.

She needs to focus on her and not on him…

His arms around her had felt so natural, strange and homely… she could stay that way the whole day if her back wouldn't hurt and no one would walk in on them.

Concentrate Hazel! This is your time, not a Mr Vincenzo and your moment.

That's right, she should focus on herself.

Hazel planned to check on her phone to see if Ella made contact already.

And if perhaps, Rina and Greg….

It's been almost a month since she last heard from them. Either of them texted or attempted a call since she left for her high-paying job.

If there's no reply, she will join the kitchen to do some cleaning, and wait for Vincenzo to leave before she visits Annie.

Today is their truth or dare night and Hazel wouldn't miss it for the world!

She and Annie came up with a list of fun things to do during the weekends and scheduled them for their most conventional hour.

Annie was excited about her ''That Girl' to-do list. She came across it on the Internet and she had made it her duty to go to the gym every morning and made Hazel promise to join her which she had no choice but to agree to.

Annie wanted to learn all about make-up, and she wanted to start designing her clothes too.

She had a sketchbook where she drew all her designs. Hazel had come across it in her room and had an eye full of lovely designs.

It was then she realised Annie has been stitching her designs in secret!

She had this space behind her bookshelf where she hid her sewing machine and all her sewing kits.

She was a bright kid and was quite original at what she did…

Hazel couldn't recall all of Annie's list but she knew the Gym was a part of her list which included Hazel waking up earlier than usual.

Hazel whined in the complaint but she wasn't about to let Annie down.

Hazel felt her feet wobble underneath her as she stepped into her room.

She fell to the ground, unable to move her feet….

What is going on?

Hazel panicked, her heart was beating fast…way too fast that she feared she might have a heart attack.

Her strength to get up on her feet drained drastically.

The more she tried to pull herself into the room, the less energy she had or felt.

Hazel curled up, feeling cold wash over her skin….

This can't be another hallucination, she felt feverish, and her skin felt like ice under her fingertips.

She wasn't only worried and confused, but she was scared, she had no idea what to do.

All the staff are out working hard and here she was in the quarters, far away from help and unable to even whisper a word.

Tears rolled down her cheek at her helplessness….

How could this happen so suddenly? She was fine just a few seconds ago and here she was, lying on the floor. Helpless….

Is this it?

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

Vincenzo Deutsch the door to his room, behind him before his legs give in and he crashes to the floor.

His legs felt limp and incapable of carrying all his body weight for a second longer.

He was breaking out in a serious sweat and his vision blurred. He felt like he was about to rip out his clothes but he never did.

He helped himself to his table, he needed to get a dose…

Just one was enough.

//Stop resisting and go get her!// Evan scolded

"You don't know what you're talking about," Vincenzo snapped.

His skin was pale and burning…

He wasn't coming down with a cold, he was paralysed with an almost emergent need.

//Damn you!//

Vincenzo collapsed on the floor, facing the ceiling as he felt his temperature grow hotter by the passing minute.

If he doesn't do something….he's going to die….

With the last strength he had, Vincenzo drew a circle in the air and a portal appeared…

Hazel was on the floor, shivering in the cold on the floor of her room. She lifts her head to see him, her lips as pale as ever.

No…

Vincenzo pulled himself towards her as she tried to do the same. Hazel crossed over to his room and wrapped herself in his warm….or rather a hot embrace.

Her grip around him tightened as he did too, holding on to her as if his life depends on it….

"I'm so sorry" he muttered as he ran his finger through her hair.

He shouldn't have done that….

But the truth is, his life does depend on it