Page 44

She was just leaving….

Hazel needed not to be told who the flashy lady was. And the way she clings to Vincenzo as though she could crawl into his skin was self-explanatory.

"Yes, I'm leaving" Hazel gave a nervous smile.

As she was about to take a step down the stairs, Vincenzo grabbed her hand firmly.

"Where are you going?" He asked

"Down.." Hazel gestured towards the kitchen

"You said she was just leaving" the lady reminded, darting Vincenzo's hold on Hazel's hand a distasteful glare.

If looks could burn, Hazel would have had a terrible scar on her hand for sure.

Vincenzo glanced at her, with a cold and nerve-wracking look….

The kind Hazel had never seen.

"I said you were just leaving" Vincenzo walks towards his room, Hazel tagging along unwillingly.

Hazel was not only puzzled but dumbfounded, shocked and confused…

He pulls her into his room and shuts the door behind her as Hazel leaned on the door. Vincenzo stood in front of her, his hand beside her head.

His eyes were closed and his breath was shaky. He seemed like he was trying to calm himself but she couldn't tell if it was anger or fear.

Vincenzo's eyes darted open, his brows furrowed at her….

Oh, oh….

"Where were you going?" He asked

"I…I thought you told me to leave" she stammered

"Why would I?" He asked

"You said…." Hazel pretends to sound like Vincenzo

"She was just leaving" she quotes "while looking at me. I thought you meant for me to leave!" She said in her defence.

"I was telling you she was about to leave. Not the other way round" he corrected

Hazel bows her head.

"I didn't realise" she muttered

He exhaled and placed a kiss on her forehead.

There was one thing Hazel didn't know and that was that he could never dismiss his queen. Not even after an argument or a fight no.

He would never turn her away because it would be the same as hurting himself and worse still hurting her….

"Of course, you didn't" he muttered as he walked into the room.

"Who is she?" Hazel asked as he settled on his desk.

"Eva. That's her name" he offered

"Right. Who is Eva? She..she was clinging to you like she owned you or something!" Hazel complained bitterly

He stared up at her, tearing his gaze away from the screen, a mischievous smile on his face.

"You don't like it" he replied

Hazel chuckled; is Vincenzo joking right now? Did he think she would be happy to see another woman cling to him?

"Of course. I know you wouldn't like it and I'm sorry" he apologised

Hazel couldn't believe she had just blurted those words out! Goodness, they weren't even dating. He hasn't asked her out yet! And why would he allow her to exercise such rights?

Vincenzo chuckled softly and that caught her eye.

"I own you…just like you own me" he replied, a tone of seriousness that seemed to frighten Hazel.

"I. I shouldn't have said that. You could be with anyone you want. That is not my choice to make…"

"If that person isn't you then I don't want to be with them," he replied, his eyes fixed on his screen.

Is there ever a day he would be off work? He is always so busy that Hazel finds it hard to believe that she could talk to him for an hour regardless of his schedule.

"But I'm.."

"As far as I know you're my woman," He said, dropping a bombshell.

"W.." Hazel ends up coughing.

He glanced at her, a chuckle escaped his lips. Hazel looked like she had just heard the most unreasonable thing anyone could ever tell her!

"I don't understand," Hazel said

Vincenzo shrugs

"I think you do," he said

"No, I don't"

Vincenzo narrowed his eyes on her as though directing her to know her real thoughts about what he'd said.

"What do you need me to explain?" He asked

"What you just said," she said

Vincenzo went quiet, as though in thought. How best could he tell her this?

"To be honest I don't know where…" Hazel started

"Girlfriend"

Hazel almost choked at those words.

WHAT?!!!!!

"Those words would make you my girlfriend …even though those things don't exist in my world but" he shrugs

Hazel stood rooted to the ground.

"Hazel?" He called

"I'll go check on Annie," she said

She steps out of the room before he could say anything else.

Vincenzo found himself laughing.

"Evan, how else do you explain to a woman that you want her?" He asked

//you did your best. For a guy as old as the 1600s//

"Fair point" he nods

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

Hazel shuts the door behind her earning a questioning look from Annie.

"You've met her too uh?" Annie asked pulling out a page of her book where she had her list neatly written.

"Who?" Hazel asked

"Eva" Annie walks toward Hazel

"You sound like you don't like her "

Annie chuckled

"I don't sound like I don't like her, I don't like her. Nobody does!" Annie snapped

Hazel stared at her eyes wide open, what was with the attitude?

"You can't snap at people because you're upset Annie!" Hazel cautioned

"I'm sorry" Annie apologised

"There's something about Eva that makes my skin prick. Having her around just when I am about to open my brand is a terrible sign. Eva, is a terrible sign" Annie offered

"Annie!" Hazel cautioned once more

"Hazel. If she's going to stay here for a while, you are going to find out sooner or later" Annie pointed out

Hazel shook her head.

"Your dad gave his word Annie. We can count on that and I don't think your dad is the type to go back on his words" Hazel said

"If it's for you he would" Annie muttered

Hazel arched an eyebrow

"Uhm?"

"Let's go give dad the list. Come on" Annie heads out the door before Hazel could ask her what all that was about.

They head towards Vincenzo's room. Annie stops at the door, making Hazel walk closer in curiosity.

Eva was in the room. She was talking to Vincenzo but he wasn't having any of it.

"...I just need a place to stay for a few weeks" she slurred

Hazel wanted to roll her eyes at Eva. If she was trying to seduce Vincenzo, someone had better tell her the man in question was bored

Hazel cleared her throat, to gain Vincenzo and Eva's attention

"Can we come in?" Hazel asked

"Sure" Vincenzo seems to brighten up a bit

"Hey, cleaner girl" Eva said walking towards her.

Hazel looked surprised at first, cleaner girl is quite a name she must admit.

"Me?" Hazel asked

"Yes, you. My boxes are in the car, go bring them up here" she tossed her keys at Hazel.

Hazel caught it just before it hit her in the face.

"What are you waiting for? Get going !" She snapped

Hazel turns on her heels.

"Hazel" Vincenzo called

Hazel turned to face him and was surprised to see him right in front of Annie

He stretches out his hands, gesturing at the keys she had in hand.

Hazel hands it over obediently as the look in his eyes were scary enough.

"You don't have to do it yourself, Vincenzo. You are so old-fashioned" Eva said sweetly

Vincenzo tossed the key down the stairs without a second thought.

"Oh my!" Eva cried

Vincenzo faces her.

"You don't give orders around here Eva. This is my house and you stay here as a guest. If you need to gather your things, you do that yourself" He offered

"You expect me to carry those heavy boxes by myself? That is so cruel!" Eva whined

Vincenzo leads Annie and Hazel down the stairs where he intended for them to talk.

"How long is she staying for dad?" Annie asked.

"Don't worry Annie. You won't see much of her" he assured

"If she stays out of my room" Annie muttered

"Enzo!" Eva whined, following them closely

The rate at which he turned on her heels scared Hazel a bit.

Eva jumps in shock on seeing the dead stare he was sending her way.

"Don't ever call me that. It is Vincenzo from you. Is that clear?" He warned

Eva nods feebly

Annie, Hazel and Vincenzo settle in the living area as Annie hands him her list. He went through it quietly.

Hazel could tell he was really upset but he was jeering cool for a good reason. He's not going to take out his anger on the wrong person that's for sure.

"I'll have Matteo settle everything," Vincenzo promised

"Thanks, dad" Annie smiled

"And please stay away from Eva. I can't deal with any more drama" he said as though pleading with them. He hands Matteo the list without glancing to the side to see if it was him or not.

Hazel found that amusing, how did Vincenzo know Matteo was approaching them without looking to the side?

"Get all this settled by tomorrow" he ordered

"Okay sir" Matteo took his leave.

"What is she doing here?" Millie snapped from the second floor, her eyes glaring at Eva.

This is the drama he was trying to avoid