The first question to prick my befuddled mind as the limo enters through the gates. The drive continues down a gravel road lined with rows of flowery tropical trees.It could have been within a span of twenty minutes passing when the limo swerves a corner. The trail of trees gives way to an even more beautiful and picturesque scene.I'm beyond amazed at the sight of the vibrant Mediterranean Gardens embellished with rows and rows of fountains spraying water out through the mouths of winged cherub statues.Ahead of the gardens, is a magnificent manor I've never had the pleasure of seeing in my entire life.The very grand and homely yet modern and classy mixture of a Mediterranean-style residence. Brightly illuminated, airy verandas and balconies lined the exterior. A lovely aquamarine pool snaked around before it.I strive to keep my mouth closed from gawking in awe, I strive to keep my mouth closed from gawking in awe. The limo pulls near the further right side of the manor, revealing
Out of service!?"What?!" This jarring news only serves to increase my anxiety as I sputter a refusal. "B-But I can't! I-""I'm sorry, I will not allow you to return, it's for your own good and safety." She extends her hand and reaches up to palm my face gently. "Don't worry, no harm will come to you here."Then directing her gaze in Vladimir's direction, her voice falls to a firm notch. "Hazel will be remaining here for the time being and NO ONE will object to it any further..NO ONE at all."My eyes flicker nervously over Vladimir, noticing the way his shapely jaw tightens in complete ire. Without meeting Rachael's gaze, he aimlessly stares into the distance.Then a split second later-with brisk indignant strides, he moves past us in the direction of the manor's entrance. The intoxicating scent of his cologne trailed behind."Excuse me, ladies," Huxley states with a bitter face before strolling rapidly after him.Taking ahold of both Arielle and Charlie's hands, Serge offers us a shee
"Vladimir was right all along!" Katie sniffles as she finally pulls apart and peers directly into her older sister's eyes. "You shouldn't have left the manor.."Rachael inhales deeply with apparent irritation before retorting."I'm here aren't I?!"This response in haste serves to quieten Katie. She withdraws completely in embarrassment while eyes downcast before aiming them at me. Then a wistful smile graces her pink lips.But before she has the chance to address me, Bev beats her to it. "Hazel! I hope you're fine! I'm so sorry for what you must have gone through!"She engulfs me in a tight embrace and I catch a whiff of strawberry scent as her peculiarly dangling earring nearly hits me in the eye. "Oh God, I'm so sorry for you having to go through another tough situation!""I-I'm..I-I don't know.." I manage to croak out in a daze as Bev releases me, allowing Katie to give me a brief embrace of her own.Seriously, how could I say I was fine?After all that I had gone through."You're
HAZEL -I blink at her in puzzlement.Told her so much about me? What more did they know about me except that I rescued Arielle?Shaking her hand, I utter a broken response. "I um... Well, it was nothing. All thanks to God really."Anya nods happily until her eyes shift down behind me. Instantly, her brows crease in vexation as she huffs. "I had just mopped the floors an hour ago!"The three of us glance over at the puddle of melted Popsicles until someone's phone starts vibrating.Katie reaches into her dress pocket, fishing out her iPhone. She studies the screen. With a deep inhale as her cheeks flush red, she states. "Excuse me, I must take this call...Anya, please escort Hazel to any of the guest bedrooms."With that, She starts gliding swiftly away in a graceful manner.Anya complies and pivots on her heel. "Follow me miss Kashani."With my mind muddled by unanswered questions, ruefully I stare at Katie's retreating back as she exits through the main entrance doors.Heaving a de
After changing into a fresh set of clothes and hijab, I sit down on the edge of the bed and stare around vacantly at my surrounding.A few minutes pass and I reach for the bedside phone, I needed to get in touch with Mister Mirza. Instead of rings, an automatic voice states the number is out of service.My brows crease in dismay as I redial and hear the same again.Why would he cancel his phone service?Concern engulfs my mind as I wonder the worst.Allah forbids it, I hope Imran hasn't harmed Mister Mirza!The worry eats away at me as I bolt up from the bed and head toward the door. I needed to find Rachael and ask her what should be done. I needed to apprise her of the potential danger Mister Mirza could be in right now.Stepping out into the corridor, I'm at a sudden loss for directions.How am I to find her when I don't even know where she is right now?Returning to my new bedroom, I reach for the bedside phone again and dial the kitchen extension. This time Anya picks up."Do you
Some say recurring dreams symbolize incidents of our past experiences. Events that may have had some very troubling and profound impact on our emotional and physical state.While yet others say such dreams may represent incessant and equivocal conflicts currently plaguing the dreamer. But of course, it all depends on the content of the dream.Laying awake for the past 20 minutes while my eyes fixed on the intricate ceiling, I've vaguely concluded that my recurring dream could likely be premonitions of what is stored ahead in my future.It's that recurring dream, sha dowy figures looming ever closer and nearly suffocating me when suddenly another darkened figure emerges and plucks me away. I dimly recall a pair of eyes as blue and vast as the ocean. At the very next junction for some ridiculous reason, my mind construes up an image of Vladimir's eyes.An instant scowl furrows my brows as I shake my head in denial at such a notion. That jerk would frighten me senseless in a dream instea
With tentative steps forward, I turn sideways and find two sets of large refrigerators. Next to it on the right is a long kitchen shelf under which are two sets of dishwashers and then a series of cabinets stopping at two sets of large stoves.On the left of the refrigerators is the door to the kitchen pantry and another door of steel labeled Freezer storage.Talk about opulence! These folks are extremely wealthy?I resurvey my surroundings and instantly a slight scowl knits my brows thinking of the jerk.Jerk is Filthy rich... an emphasis on the word filthy.I trudge towards one of the fridges and tug open the doors while wondering in what dastardly criminal ways he acquired all of this wealth. My eyes scan in amazement at the densely packed interior containing varieties of mouth-watering food and delicacies stored in luxury packaging, containers, and plastic wraps.Expensive edible stuff with unknown ingredients from foreign labelings in Italian, Russian, and German. I couldn't eat
She mouths a silent 'oh' as she places her left palm flat on the island surface. Her eyes flit about in a thinking gesture before settling on me again. "Is that all you prefer to have for breakfast today?""Um...I guess.." I motion with my hand towards one of the fridges. "I can only eat Halal or if that's not available then Kosher, but all the stuff in there is labeled in foreign languages except for the eggs and the tortilla wraps.""Ah" Her lips began to tug in a smile. "So you're Jewish."I shake my head in denial and point to my hijab. "Muslim..."Something akin to concern glints in her eyes before they return to merriment again and she flashes me a lively smile. "Oh, I see. Yes, of course, the headscarf will excuse my ignorance. I wasn't aware that Muslims are allowed to eat Kosher. What was that you said you eat?"Did she not know I'm Muslim the second she saw me?"Halal meat." I reiterate uncomfortably.I hope she doesn't hate me for being a Muslim like the demonic owner of th