Chapter 5

VINCENT

The moment Hazel left my office, a small smile graced the corner of my lips. Maybe she thought I was hell-bent on making her pay for the repair because I wanted to punish her. But the truth is, it's just an excuse. I have heard rumours about her. They had told me she was a spoiled princess, but there were days I had to sneak out just to take a look at her. My father had told me I was going to get married to her and out of curiosity, I had watched her from afar. I had already considered annulling the agreement but when I met her again, I knew I might have been wrong.

Maybe the rumours aren't all true. If she was rude as they say, I am sure she wouldn't have released her business card, knowing fully well I would contact her. And now, with the way she acted when I asked if she was going to marry me, she had turned down the offer quickly but the truth is, I knew what to do. The dinner date is just an excuse to draw her closer.

I heard the door being pushed open and Knox came in.

“Boss. She left.” Knox reported and I opened the laptop, trying to answer the emails.

“Find a place where I could have dinner with her tomorrow,” I told Knox and he stepped closer to me, which made me look at him.

“What?” Knox asked with his eyebrows raised. “You are having dinner with her?” He asked and I nodded, enjoying the shocked expression on his face.

“I thought you wanted her to pay for the damages she caused to the car,” Knox said and I smiled. That is probably what Hazel thinks too but what I plan on doing is not even related to that

God knows I have been wanting to meet her for a while now. And she is indeed pretty, as they say. She looked better than on camera.

“So you think I would really press her for damages? I want to watch her more.” I said and Knox shook his head in disbelief, not believing any word I said.

“You like her. You have never been interested in women. You must have heard the rumour about her. To me, her sister is the best choice. She is calm and she is clearly interested in you.” Knox said but Hazel sister doesn't give me the thrill I felt when I was looking at Hazel.

She has beautiful brown eyes and her hourglass shape made everything even more infuriating. Thinking about her alone made blood rush to my dick. Something that hasn't happened in ages.

*I know what I am doing, Knox. She is not what they think she is.” I said, trying to be her advocate. “However, I need you to run a small background check on her. The fact that she isn't interested in me is what actually made it more interesting.” I said and Knox clasped his hands behind his back.

“Okay. I will do that.” Knox said not to argue with me.

“Also, I need you to get someone good at taking pictures,” I told him and that definitely piqued Knox interest. He is best at reading me and most times I considered him my best friend.

“Don't tell me you are planning to release it,” Knox said and I must say I can't seem to hide anything from him. I want the pictures taken with Hazel's knowledge.

“Something like that but I am not releasing it now,” I said and Knox stepped even closer.

“Boss, she is a psycho,” Knox said and brought out his phone to show me the screen. Hazel was in the boutique, crashing out at everyone, demanding that they leave.

But I can't ignore the feeling that she is actually a good person. Maybe that day she was probably in a good mood.

“I don't care. You know everyone has flaws. Just do what I asked you to do.” I said and Knox returned the phone to his pocket.

“This is not love. It's infatuation.” Knox said and I picked up my glasses to use.

“I need to work now. Do what I asked you to do.” I said and Knox had to give up.

He left my office, closing the door behind him. And just in time, my phone rang. It was my father calling. I picked up the call and pressed the phone to my ear.

“Hello, Son. I heard you met the Monroe sisters yesterday.” He asked and sure, news travels fast, so he would have probably heard.

“Yes,” I said, my reply short.

“You know I told you getting married to one of them will only make our company go stronger. I never thought he had two daughters, so you have the chance to pick the one you want.” Father said and I swallowed hard. He has always seen women as objects, so his words didn't surprise me.

“I have always told you that love should be out of the equation. This is purely business. No one marries out of love.” He added.

Maybe in the past, I would have agreed with his words but not anymore. I know how broken my family was and how much my mum had to endure. I don't want to be like my father and I never want the woman I marry to end up like my mum.

But then, he knew my weakness was my mum, so he has managed to always make sure I had no choice but to obey him. I didn't argue this time.

“Alright,” I replied and he sighed.

“Take care of yourself.” He said and ended the call.

The moment the call ended, I removed the glass and walked towards the wall. Without a second thought, I drove my fist into the wall and I heard a crack.

I know I am not broken but everything about Father irritates me. If he thinks I am going to make the choice he made, then he is wrong. He might think he is choosing a wife for me but I have always known I wanted Hazel.