LOGINHAZELI liked being here in Axel's Office.I liked sitting across from Axel while he worked. I liked that he wasn't treating me like a problem he had to deal with, and I liked that he was sneaking a few peeks at me while he worked. Most of all, which was a surprise, I liked that I could be myself around him without constantly wondering.I turned another page in the book. When Axel's phone rang, cutting through the silent exchanges, he picked it up immediately."Yeah?"His entire expression changed from whatever he had heard from the other side of the phone. The softness disappeared. His face became cold again, serious. The Don had just made an entrance.I watched him as he listened to whoever was on the other end."Where?"A pause."When?"Another pause."Keep him there. I'm on my way."He ended the call and went silent for a second. I looked at him."What happened? Is everything alright?"He stood up."It's nothing. I just need to take care of something really quick."I closed my boo
HAZELI let Axel take the lead to his office and excused myself to the ladies' room for a few minutes. I took my time to join him so I could gather my thoughts.I don't know why, but him asking me to join him in his office tonight was such a big deal. It sure felt like it. I knew he was probably just being polite since I was planning to join him later either way, but it was just... Somehow, him asking me that, knowing he had actually asked me to join him, made me feel something I couldn't quite explain.He told me he focuses better and works faster with me around.... Me. The one he never wanted around, the one he always cast aside. He now wanted to spend time with me. Because that's what it meant, right?I tried not to think about it too much or read too much into it as I walked towards his office. When I reached Axel's office, his door was already open, and he had already taken a seat behind his desk. I walked in as he watched me, and I looked around as if this place was new or I had
HAZEL I took one last look at myself in the mirror before I left my bedroom. I didn't know what had come over me. Maybe I just wanted to feel normal again. You know, to dress up, sit at the dinner table, and enjoy a meal without thinking about everything that happened to me.Maybe I just wanted to have a good time. Maybe the outside could help make the inside feel better. Or maybe... Maybe I wanted Axel to notice.I immediately shook my head. No. I wasn't going to think about him or that, in order not to let myself spiral and think maybe this was too much. Maybe Axel will think this is too much. Maybe I should change. Maybe I should wash off the makeup. Maybe I should try to look nonchalant.....So, before all of that got into my head, I opened the door and walked out. As I made my way towards the dining room, I could hear voices from inside and immediately knew who was there. Angela was already there, and so was Axel.Axel was sitting in his chair. He was talking to Angela, who was
HAZEL Angela put a heavy tone on the word cleaned, and I laughed. But when I saw the look on her face, I tried to tone it down."I'm sorry. I just can't stay lying around every morning and every night. I had to do something with myself.""Yes, but don't do my job." She paused. "You've got Chemistry and nursing to kick your ass for. Don't do my job."I laughed as I responded."All right, Angela. I'm not going to do it again.""Good. Now let's go inside and have breakfast."We walked back into the house. Axel was already there, and he was reading the morning paper. I'd never seen him reading a newspaper before. And with his signature cold concentration, he was already dressed in his sharp suit, looking so handsome and elegant as always.I don't know..... He just looked good reading the paper there."Good morning, Axel," I said brightly as I took a seat."Good morning, Hazel," he said back with a smile.Angela prepared our breakfast, and then she... I was so focused on Axel that I didn'
HAZEL Maybe it was the memory of everything that had happened between us. Maybe it was the way things had changed lately. Or maybe I was just scared of what that hug would mean.So instead, I cleared my throat."I just thought I could share the news."He watched me."I mean, I'm not accepted yet..." I began."They will accept you." He said it so confidently that I almost laughed. "Trust me."He said it as if he was the dean of the school or something. Of course, Axel was used to power. He was power, I guess. I couldn't help smiling at the way he said it."I hope you're right," I said instead."I'm always right."I stared at him. His confidence. So sure. Right on point. He wasn't worried. He was sure I would pass, and I wished I could have a piece of his confidence for myself, so I could be as confident as he was."I wish I were as confident as you are," I said."You don't have to be confident all the time."I looked up at him."You just have to keep going and not give up. That's all
HAZEL When I finished the application, I couldn't help but hug Angela hard."Wait," she said, laughing. "You're not even admitted yet.""Don't say that. Don't jinx me."I pulled back and looked at her."They're going to accept me. I will be accepted. I'm going to be a nurse.""Yes, but remember the eight weeks.""I remember the eight weeks," I said, rolling my eyes. "Plus, it's virtual. I don't have to go anywhere; I can do it all here."I paused for a moment."Although I'm wondering how safe it is for me out there to go to nursing school. Do you think I should have applied for something far away, maybe outside the city?"Angela's smile faded slightly."Do you think Harris could find me if I were..." I continued."Stop, Hazel." She immediately put her hand up in front of my face. "We're not talking about Harris."She shook her head."We're not talking about that no-good... person."I could tell she was about to say something worse, and it made me smile despite myself."What I want us
HAZELLet them stare. Let them choke on their gossip.Fuck the maids.Fuck Axel’s men.Fuck Axel himself.Fuck this entire house.I am not going to continue letting them dictate how I act or how I feel. Each step across the marble floor echoes louder than it should, like the house itself is announc
HAZELI am completely and utterly fucked.That's for sure.My stomach is tightening and I can feel an orgasm building dangerously fast. It feels like a devastating tsunami is forming that will surely kill me. The bed begins to squeak violently from how hard he’s fucking me. It feels like it’s goin
HAZELIn one swift movement, he pins both of my hands together in one of his, forcing them above my head and pressing them against the pillar behind me. My back collides with the cold surface, sending a shiver racing down my spine. Now I’m trapped. My hands are held above me … in the same position
AXELIt’s way past four, and I should be passed out.I should be buried in a woman’s warmth, letting skin and noise drown out thought, but instead I’m here. Leaning against the doorframe. A bottle heavy in my hand. Whiskey burns a path down my throat that does nothing to quiet the ache in my chest.







