Chapter 8

HAZEL’S POV

It’s been a week since I came into Simon’s home and I could count the number of times we’ve spoken to each other and I bet those conversations were either bickering, exchanging of words or silence.

Neither of us made mention of anything from the past. Anything pertaining to what happened between us five years ago.

The confession. The rejection. Running away like a coward.

I felt it’d ruin the moment if I made mention of it, but with each passing day and the growing of feelings for this man, it won’t be long until we get back to the past.

This time, it’d be more brutal and the heartbreak will be ten times more hurtful than the one from five years ago.

The feelings I thought had died when I left Ireland for California five years ago, were awakened and this time, with dangerous, sinful thoughts.

Thoughts like what I’m starting to have when I was told by Mrs Delilah to go inform Simon about his daughter’s need.

It all started in a way which I thought was simple, but when it ended, it left me on the edge. Needing more than I should ever want or desire and also, hatred and more tears than I’ve ever shed in my lifetime.

“Rora, why are you sad?” A frown morphed my features when I saw the sadness in Aurora’s eyes. I felt a pain tugging at my chest at the sight.

“We are having parents and teachers meeting tomorrow, but dad never attends any, so I’m sad,” Aurora replied, tears clouding her doe eyes.

“Why doesn’t he attend? And what about your mom?” The latter question wasn’t needed, yup, but it slipped out and now, there was nothing to be done about it.

“Dad always sends Mrs Delilah and Mom….” She paused, gazing at me with the saddest eyes I’ve ever seen. Pain flashed in those doe eyes of hers, and it made me want to step up my game. Make Aurora feel wanted. Feel the void of motherly love she never got to have.

I shouldn’t be having such thoughts. Hell, I was only a step sister to her father and nothing more than that title which I felt I’d be losing soon, due to the unruly thoughts crossing my mind lately.

“I was told that Mom went away on a trip and will never come back.” The tears which she has been trying to hold back, came falling, breaking my heart into numerous pieces in the process.

I hate to see her cry. I hate the sadness in those magnificent, clear, doe eyes of hers.

Scrunching to her level, I held her arms, my lips stretched into a forced smile. “How about I talk to your daddy? Who knows? He might listen.”

“You will?” Aurora’s brows quivered and she sniffled.

“Yes. I will and I might also accompany him to your school, if you want.”

“Yes!!!! Thank you, Aunty Hazel.” She pulled me into a hug, her head on my shoulder, warming my broken heart.

She was able to stop crying and went upstairs to her room, while I went to talk to Mrs Delilah concerning Aurora’s PTA meeting at school.

I strode towards the kitchen and met Mrs Delilah ordering the maids around. She paused upon seeing me and flashed me a small smile before walking up to me.

“I never thought I would see you in the kitchen.” She said as soon as she was close enough.

“I can always help if you need me and moreover, this place is boring, so I need to be somewhere as lively as the kitchen. I replied, a small smile stretched on my lips.

“You’re always welcome.” She said, her eyes questioning me on my sudden visit to the kitchen. “I can tell you have a concern. What is it?”

“It’s about Aurora’s PTA meeting. Why does Simon never attend? I mean, it’s his daughter and as her father, he is obligated to attend.”

I could see how Mrs Delilah’s shoulders tensed up at the mention of Simon.

Why does all his workers tense up at the mere mention of his name? I mean, he isn’t a God of war and neither is he a wizard or Thor.

“I have no answer to your questions, Ms Hazel, how about you ask Sir Simon himself?”

“Simon? Is he home?” My brows arched and she nodded.

As much as I wanted to avoid Simon, I already promised Aurora and I can’t break my promise to her now.

On my way to his room, as directed by Mrs Delilah, I began to regret my decision, but I was already half way through, there was no going back.

Upon reaching his room, I did a short breathing session then placed a knock.

At first I got no reply and then I went ahead to knock again.

After the third knock, there was still no reply, so I wanted to knock harder, but the door creaked open a little, startling me.

“Shit!” I cussed, taking in my lower lips in between my teeth as I pushed the door more open and made my way into the dark room.

Simon’s room is simple but gives dark vibes. Dark aura and also sent shivers slashing down my spine.

“S….Simon?” I called but there was no reply.

‘Is he in? I guess not.”

I thought about it and decided to leave.

As soon as I took a step towards the entrance door, the bathroom door creaked open, revealing a Greek god, standing all tall in his glory and presence.

I swallowed, lost in his effortlessly tanned golden skin, abs, triceps and biceps.

God…. This man is an epitome of sin.

“Why are you here?” His deep baritone voice dragged me out of my dreamland or rather fantasies about his body.

For a second, I was lost for words. When I opened my mouth to speak, I couldn’t say a thing.

“Leave Hazel, if you have nothing to say.” He walked past me, the heat of his body seeping through my hoodie.

“I…. I need to talk to you.” Finally, words left my lips and he paused and turned halfway around.

“About?” His full brows arched.

“Your daughter, Aurora.” I replied and only then did he turn fully around, taking a fast stride towards me.

Simon loves his daughter. That was a clear fact but the reason why he never attends any function pertaining to her school was what got me puzzled.

“Why about my daughter?”

“She was crying some minute ago about you not attending her PTA meeting or any other school functions. Other students keep mocking her about it. Calling her fatherless and motherless.”

Okay, Hazel that was way too much. Aurora never said any of those, so they were in fact my words, just to sugarcoat everything.

“If this is what you’re here for, leave. I have nothing to say to you.” He turned around, dismissing my words like it meant nothing.

“Are you for real, Simon? Your daughter is sad and you can’t try to make her happy?” I asked, folding my hands under my chest, anger brewing like flames at the top of my head.

I hate his nonchalant attitude. It infact irks the fuck out of me.

“My family has nothing to do with you. Just keep living like a ghost while you’re here.”

I felt a painful tug in my chest at his words, but I chose not to dwell on his painful words.

“I can’t find your wife anywhere. Your daughter misses motherly love in her life, but you don’t care.”

He paused, turned around and in a second, he was looming over me like a tower. Eyes darkened and downright terrifying, jaw clenched and eyebrows arched like a storm.

Shit! I’ve hit a nerve. One that was never meant to be touched.

“Why are you bothered? Are you happy that you can’t see her anywhere?” I never expected those words from him.

Why would I be happy about his wife’s absence?

“You’re a jerk,” I folded my fist, slamming it against his hard-rock chest. “A coward and a bastard.”

Tears welled up in my eyes and a lump formed in my throat.

“You don’t deserve any love, psychopath!” I bit down my lips to stop the tears that were threatening to fall. “No one told me anything about your wife and as a human, curiosity is part of our traits.” Sucking in a deep breath, I stepped backwards.

“This is me stepping away from your family issues. You can keep being a jerk to your daughter and as for the ghost part…” I paused and let out a small smile. “ I will live like a ghost until I leave your home.”

With that said, I turned around and walked out of his room, the tears which I did well in holding back a few seconds ago, poured down like waterfall.