âI will call you my bodyguard,â Hazel said, turning her gaze towards Francisco.Francisco chuckled at her remark.âWill they believe you?""Won't they think, How can you hire a handsome bodyguard for yourself?âHazel's brows shot up in surprise."What?""Handsome and you? Who told you that you were handsome?"Francisco pressed his lips together, still holding her palm firmly."You did. You told me," he replied in his husky tone.Hazel squinted her eyes and furrowed her brows."He's unbelievable," she thought to herself as she rose to her feet."I am tired. Leave my hand," she ordered Francisco.Francisco kept his gaze locked on her for a moment before releasing her hand. Hazel stepped forward and left for another cabin.Francisco picked up a champagne glass and took it to his lips, noticing the imprint of Hazel's lipstick.Francisco, still seated, lifted the champagne glass to his lips, his mind drifting to Hazel's departing figure. His thoughts were a whirlwind of conflicting emotion
"She was kidnapped by some people. We got shot, and because of this, we needed her," Robert explained, the severity of the situation evident in his tone.Amid the unfolding chaos, Francisco turned to Hazel with a calm yet piercing look."Honey, will you please tell them the truth? You're an officer too; I know you know how to handle this situation."Hazel found herself caught between the pressure of revealing the truth and the fear of the consequences. The weight of Francisco's gaze bore down on her, and the room hung in suspense, awaiting her response.As the tension lingered in the air, Hazel stood her ground, her jaw clenched in determination. She knew revealing the truth could lead to dire consequences, and she needed to protect herself and her parents."Robert, Mr. Francisco saved me," Hazel stated firmly, her gaze unwavering.Robert's expression was slightly stern, but he still seemed skeptical."That's all I can help, because I don't know who they were," Hazel added, hoping to
Francisco reclined in the bathtub, enveloped in warm water and steam. The tranquility was shattered as the door creaked open, and Hazel tiptoed into the room. Francisco's eyes remained closed, his expression undisturbed by her presence."What?"âWhat now?â she questioned, her tone tinged with mild annoyance.Hazel bit her lip, grappling with her decision.Slowly, Francisco opened his eyes, starting from her feet and moving up. Hazel, wrapped in a towel, felt his gaze intensify as it traveled over her form. She clutched the edge of the towel, attempting to maintain her composure.With a husky invitation, Francisco broke the silence."Come join!" he extended his hand, his voice resonating in the steam-filled room.Hazel hesitated for a moment longer, her eyes flitting nervously between Francisco and the bathtub.Hazel hesitated, her eyes flickering between Francisco's outstretched hand and his intense gaze. Deciding not to accept his hand, she stepped forward and began to lower herself
Hazel stepped out of the steam-filled bathroom, her damp hair wrapped in a towel, and her body snugly encased in a bathrobe. She glanced over to the bed where Francisco lounged in his own bathrobe, a lazy smile playing on his lips. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at his expectant look.Ignoring his presence, she made her way to the vanity, settling onto the tool in front of the mirror. Francisco, undeterred by her silent treatment, reached for his phone, a mischievous glint in his eyes."Don't you wanna talk to your parents?" he teased, knowing well her penchant for ignoring him.Hazel shot him a pointed look, flipping on the hairdryer to drown out his words."You don't have to do me any favors," she retorted, her voice barely audible over the whir of the dryer.Francisco chuckled, the sound warm and melodic as he rose from the bed and sauntered over to her."How understanding are you?" he quipped, his tone laced with amusement.Hazel took a deep breath, her jaw clenching slightly
Francisco, amused by the assumption, raised his brows and let out a hearty laugh."Me? No, not at all," he responded, adding a hint of mystery to his words."You could say I'm a criminal, and her job is to catch me."Hazel's expression turned stern, a silent warning to Francisco not to play along with her mother's inquiry.Doris laughed at Francisco's response, finding his reaction amusing."What?""This is not a bad joke," she chuckled.Francisco, ever composed, tilted his head and, with a playful smile, he clarified, "Yes, Mom."Doris couldn't help but laugh at the unexpected revelation."This is notâ" she began, but Francisco interrupted, "I am a business executive. I think your husband will know me."Hazel, sensing the conversation taking an unexpected turn, interjected, "Anyway, Mom, I will hang up the call. I am so tired, so I need to rest."Without waiting for her mother's response, Hazel swiftly ended the call, leaving a perplexed Doris at the other end. Hazel got up from the
"I told you to call him. I want to talk to him," Hazel reiterated, her impatience palpable.Without further delay, Lily dialed Francisco's number, but to Hazel's dismay, he didn't answer the call. Frustration simmered beneath the surface as she tightened her lips in annoyance.In a swift motion, Hazel ascended the stairs, her mind racing with questions and concerns."What is he planning?" she wondered, her thoughts swirling with unease as she retreated to her room.Hazel's reflection stared back at her from the mirror, her nerves palpable as she tried to decipher Francisco's intentions. The evening descended, and invited guests began to arrive, but Francisco was nowhere to be seen.Fueled by a growing sense of unease, Hazel paced back and forth in her room, her thoughts racing as she grappled with uncertainty. The anticipation weighed heavily on her, rendering her unable to stay still.Her nerves got the better of her as she hastily changed into a short dress, her hands trembling with
Hazel's eyes narrowed as she spotted Andrew, a familiar face amidst the crowd. His smile was polite, but there was a hint of mischief in his gaze as he approached her with a champagne glass in hand."Do you remember me?" Andrew asked, his voice smooth as he sipped from his glass.Hazel's gaze flickered around the room briefly before settling on Andrew. "Yes, Mr. Andrew," she replied curtly, her tone guarded.Andrew's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "So, finally he makes you his girl, right?" he remarked casually, taking another sip of his drink.Hazel's jaw tightened at his words, her discomfort evident. She tried to brush off his question, but Andrew was persistent, refusing to let her evade the conversation."Actually, no law could hold him like you did," Andrew continued, his tone conspiratorial as he leaned in closer. "And also, you were a beautiful lady, so Francisco could not let you go."Hazel's pulse quickened at Andrew's words, a mixture of unease and intrigu
Hazel's eyes flashed with defiance as she struggled against Francisco's tight grip, her frustration mounting as his words hung heavily in the air. She attempted to loosen his hold, but Francisco's grasp remained firm, his gaze intense as he addressed her."Why didn't you break his arm as well, Hazel?" Francisco's words were laced with a menacing undertone, sending a shiver down her spine.Hazel's jaw clenched at the implication of his words, her mind reeling with the weight of his expectations. She met his gaze with a steely resolve, refusing to be intimidated by his ominous demeanor.Meanwhile, Francisco turned his attention to Andrew, his expression inscrutable as he issued his command to Max."Take him to my guest room," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.Max's shock was palpable as he processed Francisco's directive. Andrew was one of their most influential business partners, and Francisco's decision to confront him in such a manner sent a ripple of apprehension th
âHazel.âFranciscoâs voice cut through the silence.âYou still doubt me? Doubt my power?âHazel let out a deep sigh.âUndoubtedlyâĶ no.âA slight smirk played on Franciscoâs lips.âReally?âInstead of answering, Hazel bit her lower lip and turned her back to him.Francisco ran his hand over his rough jaw. He hadnât shaved, maybe because he was too busy or too tired.Hazelâs eyes drifted toward the porch attached to the bedroom. The thick curtains swayed gently in the cold breeze, the moonlight pouring through and bathing everything in a soft, silvery glow.The view outside looked calmâalmost peaceful. The full moon cast long shadows, lighting up the entire porch in a dream-like haze.She was lost in the view when Francisco quietly walked over and sat down in front of her.Francisco had changed his dress.Wearing only a pair of loose trousers, his bare, sculpted body caught the moonlightâevery muscle highlighted in sharp contrast, as if carved by the night itself.Amazing, Hazel thought
âWill you be able to handle everything?â Francisco asked, his voice low as he and Max walked through the quiet garden under the night sky.âDo I have any other option?â Max replied, glancing at him.They both fell silent for a moment, only the sound of their footsteps on the gravel breaking the stillness.âSo, youâve really decided to go through with this?â Max asked, sensing something heavy on Franciscoâs mind.âYes,â Francisco replied, exhaling a puff of smoke into the cool air.âI have to do whatever it takes to protect her... and the child.âMax looked at him with concern.âFrancisco, I donât knowâĶ is it really worth it? All of this?âFrancisco took a deep breath, then threw the cigarette to the ground, crushing it beneath his shoe.âMax,â he said firmly, âfor me, she is everything.""And soon, sheâll give me the best gift I could ever have.âMax looked around the still garden, the silence pressing in.âIâll pray for you,â he muttered, then let out a soft laugh.âPray? When weâre
James took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and muttered, âYeah, everything I do irritates you, but when it comes to Franciscoâeverything he does is just perfect, right?âLilith narrowed her eyes, her patience clearly thinning.âJames, just shut up.âHe smirked, not bothering to hide the satisfaction in her irritation. âFine, Iâll stop. But letâs not forgetâyou lost him too.âLilithâs expression darkened. Her jaw clenched, and for a moment, it looked like she might speak, but she chose silence. Her cold stare said enough.Dimitri let out an audible sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. âAlright, enough. Letâs stay on topic.âAndrew leaned forward, glancing around the table. âWe all know this wonât be easy. Francisco may be reckless, but heâs done a lotâthings that kept the balance. We need to decideâdo we support this internal power shift, or not?âDimitri raised a brow and turned to Michele, Kaiâs son. âSpeaking of balance, Michele... I heard about the recent attack on Francisco.âMic
The next morning, when Hazel woke up, something felt different. She looked around the room, her brows knitting together in confusion. The walls, once cast in shadows and a cold ambiance, now glowed with soft, natural light. The curtains were lighter, fresh flowers adorned the corners, and the overall atmosphere felt warmâinviting.No longer did the room feel like a prison.Hazel propped herself up on one elbow. âWhat is thisâĶ?âJust then, Lily entered with a bright smile and a large bouquet of fresh flowers in her arms. âGood morning, maâam.âHazel blinked in surprise. âGood morningâĶ but whatâs going on?ââSir instructed us to redecorate the room,â Lily replied, arranging the flowers in a vase by the window. âHe said it should feel brighter for you.âHazel raised an eyebrow. âWhy?âLily smiled softly. âBecause the doctor said it would help improve your mood.âHazel pressed her lips into a thin line and said nothing. She simply stood and made her way to the washroom. After freshen
Enemies surrounded Francisco from all sides. He had built his empire on blood, and now the ghosts of his past were closing in.On him.On her.On their unborn child.Hazel studied him for a moment longer before shifting her gaze back to the book in her lap.Franciscoâs voice cut through the silence."I didnât mean to shock you."Hazel didnât look up. Her tone was flat."Itâs nothing new for me."Francisco clasped his palms together, his fingers pressing against each other in thought. He wanted to keep talking to her, to break through the walls she had built around herself, but Hazel was determined to end the conversation before it even began.He blinked slowly, exhaling through his nose.As he watched her, something stirred inside himâan overwhelming craving. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to hold her close, to feel the warmth of her body against his.He had heard that pregnant women experienced mood swings, that they craved more affection even as they pushed people away.Was th
âSo the deal is more important to you than your child?â Arthur asked, his voice gentle yet firm.Hazel fell silent.Her heart pounded faster, but she forced herself to ignore it.Then, Arthur spoke again.âWill you really be able to live without your child, maâam?âHazelâs fingers tightened around the book she was holding. She had only been thinking about her freedom, about escaping the monster who had taken everything from her. But she hadnât once stopped considering the child.Would she really leave her baby with him?Would the child grow up to be like Franciscoâa ruthless mafia king?A deep frown creased Hazelâs forehead.No. She didnât want to think about that. That wasnât her concern.She was only supposed to care about herself.That was the plan.That was the deal.That was it.Taking a deep breath, she spoke, her voice steady but cold.âArthur.âArthurâs eyes remained on her, waiting.âDo you know your boss is monitoring me?â she asked, tilting her head slightly. âEvery second.
Francisco and Hazel arrived at the mansion after the dangerous chaos. The ride had been silent, but the weight of what had happened lingered between them like an unspoken storm.Hazelâs face was gloomy, her expression distant. She wasnât naiveâshe knew this was only the beginning.There would be more.More blood. More danger.More reasons to fear for the life growing inside her.Her hand instinctively rested on her belly.At first, she didnât care much about the child. The idea of carrying Franciscoâs baby had been unbearable. But now, an unfamiliar feeling twisted inside herâsomething more than just obligation. A strange, indefinable bond.Francisco, watching her closely, noticed the way her fingers pressed lightly against her stomach. He didnât say anything, but he understood.She was shaken.She hadnât expected an attack so soon.He clenched his jaw. From now on, he had to be more careful.Whatever he had been beforeâruthless, reckless, untouchableâit didnât matter anymore. Now, he
Francisco glanced at his bodyguard, his tone sharp and commanding.âTake her from here. Iâll handle this.âThe bodyguard hesitated, his grip tightening on his weapon.âBoss, itâs too risky. How can I leave you alone?âFranciscoâs gaze snapped at him, cold and unwavering.âDo you need me to shoot you right now?âThat was enough.The bodyguard stiffened, lowering his head in obedience.âUnderstood.âHe turned toward Hazel.âMaâam.âBut Hazel wasnât moving.Her eyes were locked on Francisco as he fired at the advancing enemies, drawing their attention toward himself.Each shot echoed with deadly precision, but Hazel saw it clearlyâhe was outnumbered, and he was bleeding.Still, he didnât hesitate.Didnât falter.The bodyguard reached for her arm, his grip firm, almost forceful.âWe need to move.âHazel barely registered his words. She was staring at Francisco, unwilling to leave.As they shifted to retreat, a sudden bullet shattered the glass near them with a sharp crack.Hazel ducked in
Maxâs phone rang as he worked through a stack of files. Without thinking, he glanced at the screen.Diana.He hesitated, a flicker of agitation crossing his face. For a moment, he considered ignoring it.But he couldnât.With a sigh, he answered."Yes?"There was silence at the other end. Then, after a brief pause, Dianaâs voice came through, quieter than usual."Francisco came here.""I know," Max replied flatly, his tone robotic.Diana took a deep breath, trying to steady herself."MaxâĶ Iâm not feeling good about this. FranciscoâĶ heâs messing everything up. I donât know what to do."Max slowly set the file down, his jaw tightening. He knew exactly what she meant.But he also knew there was no turning Francisco back now.A faint, bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips.Sarcastic.Resigned.Francisco loved Hazel so much. So much that, if anyone stood in his way, Francisco wouldnât hesitate to ruin everything.And the dangerous part? People wanted that kind of devotion."Diana,"