HAZEL -My gaze flits nervously toward the vacant security desk.Where was Harry?Outside?In cautious haste, I descend the remaining steps. I take cover behind the corner of the wall near the security desk. What the heck am I doing? I shake my head, berating myself inwardly. Just go check it out!I might as well find out why he's not stationed at his desk and if everything's alright.Yet faint bickering of voices nearing from beyond the open door serves to desist me. I peer over the corner with the slightest movement, catching a glimpse of Harry entering.He tugs the door wide open for someone else's arrival. Their shadow looms over the floor. Sounds of high-heeled footfalls slice the air.Immediately I duck behind the corner.The clacking of heels arrives to an abrupt halt. "Well?" A shrill and sassy female voice ricochets throughout the foyer."Madam, I would only answer to you if you hand me the deposit now," Harry replies in a curt voice.I press my palms flat against the wall, sta
"P-please d-don't kill us," I sob. My mind-numbing from the onslaught of fear."Kill? I wouldn't have missed shooting you on the stairs deliberately." He gives a derisive snort. "Hand me the boy or I'll definitely shoot.""P-please don't kill us!" I beg persistently, my body incapable of registering his orders. Torrent of sudden heavy sobs racking through me."Are you fūcking deaf?" He barks in rage. He stomps over to me and latches his hand onto my locked arms around Charlie. "Hand 'em over or I'll fūcking shoot you!"This was it, this was how my life is going to end.The rustling of another movement draws Harry's attention away from me to the open doorway. Abruptly another figure emerges from the entrance into the room.A man garbed in all black with his face obscured by a clown mask and his gloved hands gripping a gun low against his side. Harry loosens his own grip from my arms and steps in the man's direction."Didn't expect you to show up this quick!" Harry addresses him with a
HAZEL -"F-Five years!" Quavering sobs escape Rachael's mouth as she disrupts the bleak quietude. "Five years, h-he gained my trust!" She slumps forward dejectedly, concealing her anguished face with her palms. "only for his betrayal!"1lMy mind replays continual flashbacks of the macabre scene from 3 hours ago. My grip slackens over the 3rd moist towelette I was given by Serge to scrub my face free of Harry's blood stains. Albeit this towelette was cleaner than the first two discarded ones, I refused glancing down at the slight tinge of blood.My gaze adjusted through the limo window at the places whizzing past. Eyes long depleted of any more tears."Betrayal!!" She resumes. "Betrayal of the worst kind!!""Why is mummy crying?" Arielle vocalizes timidly. "Mummy? Why are you crying?""Come on Ray.." I hear Serge plead. "Just try to forget-""Forget?!" Rachael snaps through his sentence. "It's a meaningless fracas to you?"Her furious voice underlining disbelief only compels me to face
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