Chapter 7

HAZEL’S POV

It has been two days since I came into Simon’s home and in those two days, I’ve bonded with Aurora even more than I thought I would. She’s a sweet little princess that makes my heart flutter with her giggles, laughs and pouts.

Everything around here seemed good, except for the fact that I haven’t seen or heard anything from Simon’s wife, Hosanna.

Though I didn’t ask anyone, as it might sound inappropriate prying into their family’s privacy, I couldn’t help but be curious.

Not my fault though, blame it on my curiosity like that of an orange colored cat.

After the dinner where I and Simon ended up bickering amongst each other, I haven’t seen him ever since.

Each time I asked Overa about his whereabouts, her replies were always clipped. It was almost as if I was forcing her to reply.

“Aurora, I can’t make Dutch braids. Wait until your dad gets you a special hairstylist.” I could hear Overa’s frustrated and strained voice as I made my way downstairs after taking my bath.

It was only a few minutes past 7 am and I woke up because of the excessive rumbling of my stomach due to me starving myself the previous night, claiming I wasn’t hungry.

A frown morphed my features and my slow steps became fast paced, as I walked downstairs.

Upon reaching where Overa was, kneeling in front of Aurora who had a sad look on, I asked. “What’s going on?”

They both turned around and Aurora pouted. “Overa doesn’t know how to braid my hair into a Dutch style.”

My chest tightened at the tears rolling down her chubby cheeks.

“I already told her that her dad was going to get a special hairstylist who does such braids,” Overa rose to her feet, her voice trailing off in frustration. “I’m just a maid and I know nothing about hair styles.”

I nodded and motioned for Aurora to come closer. “Come here, Aurora.”

She wiped her tears, sniffing as she drew closer to me, her hair a mess. “Auntie Hazel. Can you please braid my hair in a Dutch style? I really want one.”

I felt vulnerable at her sad voice and I couldn’t help but pull her into a warm hug first. “Fortunately, I’m good at a few hairstyles including Dutch braids.”

Aurora broke the hug, looking up at me with bright eyes which replaced the solemn and sad look she had just a few seconds ago. “Really?”

With a smile stretched on my lips, I nodded. “Yes. So you don’t have to worry. As long as I’m here, I will make different styles for you.”

“Thank you, Auntie Hazel. I love you.” I felt my heart warm at her words and it made me more attached to this little princess.

“Now, let’s do your hair. You wouldn’t like to be late for school, would you?” My brows raised and my lips stretched into a short smile.

Shaking her head and blinking cutely at me, Aurora said. “No. Daddy says; punctuality is a virtue.”

Roughly her curly brown hair, I winked. “Smart girl.”

Placing her on my lap, I began to braid her hair into a Dutch style and in a few minutes I was done. Thanks to all the practices from YouTube, which I took seriously, despite it wasn’t of any use to me, I was able to braid her hair perfectly.

Aurora grabbed her pink Barbie mirror and glanced at her head. Once she saw what I did, a wide smile stretched on her lips and she turned towards me, wrapping her legs around mine and her hands around my waist in a hug. “You did it perfectly! Just like how Mitchell’s Mom does hers!”

Overa, who had a wide smile on her lips, suddenly froze, her lips clipped and all traces of smile vanished. I frowned and looked forward only to see Simon, a middle-aged woman and a guy with a height of six-foot-two, beside him.

Aurora broke the hug upon seeing her Dad and she ran towards him. “Dad, Auntie Hazel styled my hair into a Dutch braid!” She giggled, flaunting her hair.

“Wow, you look so beautiful, princess.” Simon broke eye contact first and lowered to his daughter’s level, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. “You’re getting late for school. Rovero will drive you, now go.”

Aurora grinned. “Okay Dad.” Turning to me, she blew a flying kiss. “Bye, Auntie Hazel. See you when I’m back.”

With that said, she ran off, while Overa bowed at Simon before leaving in the same direction as Aurora.

“Good morning,” I cleared my throat, trying to ease the awkwardness that took over as soon as Aurora, the lively princess, was gone.

“You did it very well. I guess I will have to learn from you.” The middle-aged woman flashed me a smile, stepping forward.

“This is Mrs Delilah, Aurora’s nanny,” Simon’s deep voice grabbed my attention from the middle-aged woman and I swear, I felt something tingling inside of me and also something warm dripping down my panties.

Jesus Christ, hope it wasn’t what I thought it was? Wetness? Just at the sound of his voice?

Hazel, you’re so done for.

“And this is Nikolai, my cousin.” He added, side-eyeing the six-foot-two guy.

“Wow, such a beautiful damsel,” Nikolai, as introduced by Simon, stepped forward, a flirty smile stretched on his lips. “What is your name?”

Flustered, I stuttered. “Ha….Hazel.”

“I guess my handsome charm is working on you.”

Dude thought I stuttered because of how handsome he was, when it was clearly the opposite or maybe, because I was flustered by his sudden flattery.

“Get your ass over here, Nikolai or get the fuck out of my house.” Simon drawled, his voice downright terrifying, sending a shiver down my spine and a tingle of wetness down my panties.

I stood frozen to the ground as he walked past me, his cologne and manly scent wafted past my nostrils, making my hold on the hem of my skirt tightened.

Just a few steps away, he stopped and turned half-way around, his gaze on me, causing me to swallow. “I heard from Overa that you skipped dinner,”

“Ahhhh. Yeah.” My lips stretched into a thin line while my heart scampered off at a crazy beat.

“Mrs Delilah will prepare you some breakfast. Go feed your hungry demons. They are making some unpleasant sounds.” A smirk appeared on his lips like a paid actor and all traces of tingles melted at his words and the urge to tear him apart arose.

“You…” I gritted, my voice in a mutter and my knuckles tightened, until they turned white.

As much as this man makes my heart flutter, he also has a way of making me mad and wishing he could trip against the stairs and probably break a tooth or two.

Though, those remained my wish, because he always walks with majesty, carrying himself like a Greek god.