Chapter 5

HAZEL’S POV

I didn’t know what to make up for the smirk I saw stretched on Simon’s lips or maybe I was overthinking the whole facial expression.

I was exhausted from the day’s activities, clearly and my stomach has been rumbling for God’s know how long, loudly. So it wouldn’t be weird to think I was now seeing things.

My cheeks heated at the thought of those lips of his all over my body and it took sheer willpower to look away from his handsome face.

Hazel, you’re so done for.

The maid led me upstairs to the spare room, as said by my stepbrother and upon reaching the said room, I could swear it was everything other than a spare room.

Hell, the room was a lot bigger than my room back at my stepfather’s mansion and also twice bigger than my room back in California.

“Here is your room, Miss…”The maid’s voice trailed off, as she tried to have a grasp of my name again.

I never thought the name ‘Hazel’ would be easy to forget, but I guess not everyone could remember it that easily.

“Hazel.” I completed it for her, since it seems she has forgotten it.

“Sorry for forgetting your name,” the maid apologized. “We’ve not had a female guest over for a while now.”

A frowned morphed my features and so did questions settled at the tip of my tongue.

Just a few words from her raised many questions inside of me but I was forced to shove them down my throat.

It hasn’t been up to twenty minutes since I was here, yet the urge to pry into the matters of the Venetis overwhelmed me.

‘Not today, Hazel.’ My subconscious mind threw a warning my way and I heaved a sigh.

“It’s no problem. Thank you.” My lips stretched into a smile as I walked fully into the spacious luxurious room.

“If you need anything, you can let me know.” The maid added, retreating from the room. “I’m Overa. In case you need anything.”

Turning around, I gave Overa the best smile I could muster, before speaking up. “Thank you, Overa. I will let you know if I need anything.”

Overa flashed me a small smile but it disappeared as soon as it showed up and then, she left, closing the door gently behind her.

Once Overa was gone, I inhaled sharply, taking in the beauty of the room.

The walls of the room were surrounded with polished marble and plush carpet that simmered beneath my feet like the softness of the cloud. A golden chandelier sat above, casting a warm glow in the room.

It was everything I wanted and more.

Taking off my cross bag, I fell on the bed like a log of wood with my face up, staring at the beautiful ceiling.

Once I was settled in, everything came rushing into my head.

If I was told beforehand that I would be back to Ireland and not only that, and to my stepbrother’s home. The place I vowed never to return, I would never have believed.

I was here now, and there was nothing I could do about it.

I was so tired that I had no idea when I drifted off to dreamland, but soon enough, the knocking on the door jolted me out of my sleep.

With drowsy eyes and tired feet, I dragged myself towards the door to see who it was.

“Miss Hazel, Sir Simon told me to call you downstairs for dinner.” Overa said as soon as I pulled the door open.

My brows creased as her words simmered into my brain.

Overa. Simon. Shit! It wasn’t a dream after all. I was at my stepbrother’s home.

“Okay. Thank you.” I shut the door close before Overa could say even a word and darted towards the bathroom.

I dreamt that I returned to California and stayed away from Ireland and its inhabitants which includes my stepbrother, Simon Veneti, but when I woke up, I was in his mansion. His home.

After taking a cool bath, I wore a grey hoodie and the biggest pants I could find in my luggage.

As a young lady who lives all by herself in California, I was used to wearing short and crop tops around, but unfortunately, I wasn’t in my house and neither was I living alone.

I barely have any decent clothes, so I settled for a grey hoodie and grey pants.

Once I was done, I made my way downstairs.

In the dining room sat the father and daughter duo, both ready for dinner.

“Hello, there.” Aurora, Simon’s daughter waved at me with the cutest smile on her lips. She announced my presence even before I was ready.

“Hey, Aurora,” I plastered a smile on my face as I walked past Simon, the heat of his domineering presence warm their way into my skin. “You look beautiful.”

Well, that wasn’t the right words to say, but I had no options given the fact that two pairs of eyes were staring at me.

“Thank you, Aunt Hazel.” Aurora giggled brightly as I settled beside her.

Heavens be damned if I sit anywhere close to Simon.

Dinner was served by Overa and a few other maids and we began to eat in silence.

I am not the loud mouth type, but I hated silence as much as I hated the stench of blood or darkness because it always makes me think of improper thoughts that should be casted to hell.

“Why aren’t you asking?” My low voice broke the silence in the dining room.

Simon raised his gaze towards the length of my face, causing my breath to hitch for a second before returning his gaze back to his meal. “ Because I see no use.”

A frown morphed my features. “And why is that? Because you already know Mum would sell the house, right?”

It wasn’t the right moment to start this conversation but I couldn’t help it.

My mother has disgraced the Venetis on many occasions and one of them was selling the house owned by my stepfather and leaving her biological daughter stranded with no place to go.

“Hazel, shut your mouth and eat.” His deep commanding voice sent shivers slashing through my spine. “In my house, there are rules and that includes not talking when eating.”