Andrey.
I find the strip of condoms I’d packed, ripped one open, managed to roll it in with gritted teeth. Maybe she would’ve done it for me, and maybe that would’ve been hot as hell, but since I want to actually get inside her before I went off like a gunshot, I needed to keep touching a minimum.Of course, as soon as I thought that, she dipped her fingers in my hair and dragged me down, pressing all her soft, lush curves against my body. Her skin was hot and damp from the exertion of her orgasm. Her folds were wet and open, ready for me, begging for me as she spread her legs and reached down to grasp my erection. In my ear, she whispered through gritting teeth, “Hard, please.”My eyes open like two flashlights beams. I just woke up suddenly, not because of any interruption, yet because of another wet dream of Hazel. I’m going insane about this girl. I’m losing my mind because of this girl. If I don’t find her soon, I might as well kill myself.Things just keep getting more out of hand, day by day. I dream about her constantly, mistaken other girl’s names with hers—not that I give a fuck. She was clearly everywhere and everything.It has been five years and I still have her clinging onto my mind, hunting my dreams. I love how she hunts my dreams but I hate how she torments me in my dreams and how I can’t have her to my possession right now.How I managed being without her for five years is phenomenon. And in those years, it wasn’t easy—I had to fight over what was rightfully mine with my father’s nemesis which delayed my meeting with my future wife. Yes—I have legitimately affirmed her to be my wife because each day, my love for her surges despite not seeing her for years but I knew about all her whereabouts.I know she finished medical school but she prefers to be a fashion designer. I know she lives with her best friend downtown to avoid her mother. I know that her mother is addicted to gambling and now they were in a challenging state and short of money, all because of her mother’s gambling and debts.I have my men watching over her and now that my family’s disputes have been deciphered, I finally have the vitality to have space for other things—Hazel.My phone chimed and I take a look at the screen. It’s the manager from Sandro Casino. I know there has to be a problem for him to call me during my alone time. I pick the call and place the phone on my ear.“I’m so sorry to disturb you by this time, Signore. But… I think that girl, Hazel is here. You know her mother comes to your casino to gamble and they might be in trouble with Aldo’s son.”My heart drops at the mention of Aldo’s son. He’s forbidden in there. He’s forbidden in my territory. “Who the hell let him in my casino? Sei fuori di testa?” I was fuming with anger. It wasn’t even because Aldo’s son was in my casino. I know how dangerous he could be and how hostile he thinks.“Signore…”“Save it! Don’t let anything happen to her!”Frustration coursed through me as I hung up the phone, the call from the manager of Sandro Casino demanding my attention. The mention of Hazel's name ignited a fire within me. I had dreamt of her for far too long, and I wasn't about to let anything happen to her, especially not in my own casino.Aldo's son was trouble, a dangerous threat I had managed to keep away from my territory for years. And now, he had somehow infiltrated my casino. The thought alone sent a surge of anger through my veins.My feet hit the floor with purpose, my mind racing as I dressed swiftly. The only thing that mattered now was finding Hazel and ensuring her safety. I couldn't bear the thought of her getting caught up in this dangerous game, especially when she had enough to deal with because of her mother's gambling addiction.As I made my way to the casino, my thoughts swirled with resolve. I had just arrived in Italy a few hours ago, and already, I was faced with a troubling situation. My love for Hazel had never waned over the years, and I couldn't let anything happen to her now that I had the power to protect her.My men would be there, and I would rely on them to help me find Hazel and ensure her safety. But deep down, I knew that my obsession with her had reached a breaking point. I had to see her, talk to her, and make her mine.The casino loomed before me, a place that had witnessed countless battles, both on and off the tables. But now, the most important fight was to ensure Hazel's safety and to finally have her in my life, where she belonged.As I head closer to the room, listening to the gut-wrenching pleas and whimpers coming from the room, anger welled up within me. This wasn't how I had envisioned our first meeting, with Hazel terrified and her mother facing such dire consequences. The situation was unbearable, and my only focus was to ensure their safety.The casino manager had been careless to allow Aldo's son, Ezio, into my territory, but I couldn't dwell on that now. I needed to act swiftly to prevent any harm from befalling Hazel and her mother. This girl had unknowingly taken over my thoughts for years, and now she was in immediate danger.My heart pounded like a drumbeat as I approached the room, flanked by my well-trained guards. The atmosphere in the casino dimmed as the crowd fell silent, sensing the impending tension.“He’s demanding an exorbitant sum of money. I don’t think they have that or even afford it. He’s going to cut off the mother’s hand if they don’t pay him back his money,” The manager briefed me on the situation.I’m not going to let this happen. Not under my roof. “You’re stupid for letting him in my property. He’s more stupid for coming into my territory,” I said nonchalantly despite how I was burning inside.I couldn't let this happen, not under my roof. The stakes were higher than ever, and the urgency was palpable.Hazel's whimpering cries reached my ears, tugging at my heartstrings. I observed her for a moment, struggling to maintain her composure. She had always been strong, even when we had faced our tumultuous past together.Hazel was on her knees, the very picture of vulnerability. The desire to protect her overwhelmed me, and I signaled my men to position themselves. This wasn't the moment for hesitation or doubts. I had to ensure her safety at any cost.Watching from a good distance, the room was filled with Ezio's armed men, but the force I had at my disposal, including my casino security, was far superior.The scene played out before me, and as tensions escalated, I vowed to make Hazel mine, no matter the consequences. She might hate me when she discovered the truth of my identity and the history between us, but I was determined to keep her safe and make amends for the past. Hazel was the woman I couldn't forget, and nothing would stand in my way of claiming her.“Hazel, please don’t let them kill me. Help me…” I suppose that was her mother begging.I watch as Hazel went in to hug her mother but Ezio shrieked at her, making her to fall on her knees and whimper for sympathy. She clasped her palms onto her mouth to stop herself from crying out.“Your mother here owes me half a million this time and refuses to pay up. And she’s stupid enough to try to steal more from me after owing so much. La ucciderò! She’s dead!” He sounds angry but not as vexed as I am right now. It is more irritating because Ezio is crippled—he uses a stick to walk ever since his father broke his leg from losing a bet and losing most of his savings.“What!?” Hazel yelled out in tremor. The anger and disappointment in her voice was clear.I shove my hands in my pocket. It’s not the time to break in yet but I can’t hold in for another minute. I breath out the sulk buckled up in me and closed my eyes.“Are you out of your freaking mind? How could you be owing so much? Or how do you intend to pay up that amount of money?” Hazel was so angry that her chest was now heaving up and down. Her breathing was loud. Her eyes were welled up with hot substandard tears. I know she had worked so hard for the past years to save fifteen thousand dollars but it appears that she is going to give it up now. I am not going to let that happen to Hazel. She does not deserve this kind of grief and discomposure.“Look, Mr… I am so, so sorry for my mother’s immature actions and imprudent thinking but please, let’s make a negotiation. I will write an undertaking and pay it back later, I swear…”“Oh, shut the f*ck up! I’ve met thousands of people like you. I’m not falling for this shit! I want my money right now or your worthless mother gets it.” He pointed the gun to her mother’s head which made Hazel yelp out.One of his guys grabbed Hazel by the arm and it felt as though he stabbed me in the chest.“Oh my God,” she gasped, clasping her hand over her lips. “No please, mom…”“No, please. Don’t do that to my mother, I beg you. I promise to pay you back every dime of the money when I get it. Just please, don’t hurt her.” A great sob escaped her, and she covered her face with shaking hands. Hazel was so frightened and anxious of what’s about to happen. I’m coming to rescue you, Hazel.He took in her appearance for a moment—I’m going to kill Ezio. I’m going to kill his father for bringing him into the world. Hazel is beautiful and hot, and she might be of use to him, I could see the way he was drooling over her. With a body like that, he bet he’d make a fortune with her.“Okay. Here’s the thing. Since you want to have your mother alive, I’m gonna need something instead to cover up the debts. I have a strip club. Seeing that you’re so sexy and beautiful, your body would be worth that kind of money. You’ll be able to get back the five hundred grand in a couple of months or a year.”Her entire body jerked to a standstill suddenly. I felt the muscles of my heart tighten with incredible force. “You want to buy my body?” Those words hurt my heart—they hurt my soul when she spat it out.He looked around to his men and spoke again as he laughed. “Did I stutter?”“I’ll buy your body instead of the money or I’ll blow up your mother’s head right before your eyes, easy.”I couldn't remain hidden any longer. It was time to reveal myself, to protect Hazel from this dire situation, to make sure that she didn't have to pay this exorbitant debt.“Okay, that’s it!” I burst the door open with my men rushing behind me. They secured the place and disarmed all the weapon’s Ezio’s men had. He didn't put up a fight; he knew his life depended on compliance.Hazel was left speechless, her bewilderment clear as she stared at me. Her eyes questioned my sudden appearance, and I knew she was wondering if this was another cruel twist in her predicament."I'll pay their debt," I declared firmly, determined to protect Hazel from this nightmare and make amends for the past.My sudden appearance in that room shifted the atmosphere entirely. The focus of every individual in the room shifted towards me, and Hazel's reaction was what held my attention the most.She gazed at me in shock, her eyes traveling from head to toe as if she couldn't believe her own eyes. Her parted lips hinted at her astonishment. The last time she had seen me, it had been a different world, a different life.Seeing her again brought a mix of emotions surging through me. There was a longing deep within me, a desire to be near her, to hear her voice, to see her smile, to be in her presence once more. I had yearned for everything about Hazel for so long, and now she was here, right before me.The look in her eyes as she stared at me was filled with a combination of amazement and disbelief. She appeared to be both mesmerized by my presence and shocked by the revelation that I intended to pay their debt.I had walked back into her life, and it was clear she hadn't expected it. She couldn't take her eyes off me, and I was equally captivated by her gaze.My men handed a briefcase filled with cash to Ezio, who seemed awestruck by the amount of money inside. He grinned broadly, the sight of money bringing a gleam to his eyes. It was evident that this man was easily swayed by wealth and power.“My five hundred grand plus interest.” He mentioned the sum, along with interest, Hazel's attention never wavered from me. She appeared to have many questions, and her eyes held a certain peace when they met mine. I was firm to be the source of her comfort and solace.I approached her, my eyes locked onto hers as she finally took notice of my extended hand. She hesitated, and her caution was warranted. I knew that trust needed to be built, and I was willing to do whatever it took."Are you alright?" I asked with genuine concern, and she nodded in response, relieving me of some of the worry that had been gnawing at me.I ordered my men to assist Hazel's mother while instructing everyone else to leave the room, leaving only Ezio and me. It was time to set some boundaries and make it clear that crossing them would not be tolerated.Ezio's expression revealed his fear. He had every reason to be afraid, for I held his fate in my hands. I decided not to end him just yet. He needed to suffer for his actions before meeting his ultimate fate.I made my intentions clear to him. "I don’t want to see you anywhere near her or her mother. Ever again."His reaction was one of momentary shock and a hint of defiance. But he soon understood that he should be grateful to be allowed in my casino."You’re already too stupid to win unless you threaten someone for money. So, I don’t have a problem with you being here. You bring money to my business. I should be thanking you, but don't ever cross my boundaries again. I will fuck your miserable life up, your father can testify that!"Without waiting for further discussion, I walked to the door. Hazel was waiting, and I was eager to be near her, to answer her questions, to be a part of her life once more.Hazel. In my life, I'd seen my fair share of attractive men – dominant, handsome, and charismatic individuals. But I was the type of woman who, when encountering a striking man, would casually lower her gaze, avoiding giving the impression of ogling. For the longest time, I didn't dwell on these encounters. After all, I had Chris, a handsome man who was more than enough for me.This man, however, was different. Being around him emitted an entirely distinct energy. It was something I couldn't quite put into words. It was a comforting feeling, even though I knew that he might be one of the most dangerous individuals I'd ever encountered. Absurdly, he seemed both calming and toxic, and his heavily tattooed appearance from neck to arms only added to his aura of danger.I didn't know who he was or why he had intervened to save my mother and me from a life-threatening situation. The fear of what he might ask for in return was growing inside me. My imagination spun scenarios I didn't wish t
Andrey. She's beautiful, especially when she furrows her brows and pouts her lips. I seem to make her do that quite often—I tend to annoy her more than I should.Hazel's personality reminds me of my mother's, a unique blend of stubbornness and an easy-going nature. She possesses that uncanny ability to intentionally annoy people and then make amends for her mistakes with a disarming charm. It strikes me how much Hazel is like my mother in that sense, always willing to make up for her errors.I love Hazel, and I'm convinced that she would love me in return. The challenge lies in being patient and allowing time to work its magic. I can't put a precise timeline on how long I can wait, but every time I think of her, the desire to be with her intensifies. It's agonizing to not have her by my side, where I can protect her.The only way to win Hazel over now is to show her that Chris isn't as perfect as she believes. My thorough investigation revealed that he had a significant secret—he was
Hazel.My head felt like it was on the verge of splitting in two. Just one look at me, and you'd see how drained I was, having hardly slept last night.After the party Chris took me to and then abandoned me, I returned home, and he followed me, which led to a huge fight. He accused me of cheating when he had taken me to the party and left me to go hook up with someone else. He even had the audacity to claim that a random lady kissing his neck had been a mistake.The lipstick on his lips and all over his face were mistake too, I suppose?I didn't want to delve into it further. I wanted to keep my focus on my work schedule for the day. Ann was attending to a client, leaving me to deal with Amanda's paperwork. I tried to concentrate, but my mind kept drifting back to the man my boyfriend accused me of cheating with.It was both funny and irritating. Funny that I had been willing to follow Andrey without even knowing where he was taking me. Irritating that I had been so willing to follow
Andrey. Omaha, Nebraska.I stare at the cigarette that was between my fingers for couple of seconds as the ashes fall off it. Maybe if I shove it into his mouth, he’d tell me the truth. He would tell me who he’s working for and who sent him to spy on me when I’m on my five days vacation. I can’t believe I have to deal with work while I’m not even in my office. I kick his chest with my foot and watch him fall and wince in pain. It doesn’t do much to the anger I feel because of him. “You’re going to fucking speak up and tell me who sent you,” I snarled, grabbing his collar to raise him up. His face was swollen and sweaty with a mix of blood. I don’t care about that—I gave him a sharp round punch to the chin. He stared at the river of blood that appeared and flowed down his torso. He’s crying riotously but I don’t feel even the slightest sympathy toward him. He falls on his back and closed his eyes. The tears were gushing out the sides of his face and it makes me more aggravated. “I
Hazel.The sunlight peeping from the curtains, gradually brought me awake. I slowly scanned the room, trying to process everything that had happened and why I was in an unacquainted room. This is definitely not my room because I don’t remember booking a suite. Am I even in the right hotel?I don’t usually drink heavy but I was so wasted last night that I can’t even recall what happened after Ann dragged me to the club. I could remember that I left Ann at the club and hailed a cab. I could remember walking into the lobby and maybe I pressed on the wrong floor…I sat upright briskly as everything came crashing back into my throbbing head all at once. I pressed the wrong floor on the elevator and I ended up here in the suite floor. I must’ve tried all the doors on the floor and this was the only room unlocked and I entered. “What the fuck have I done?” I say lowly to myself. This is the reason why I stay away from drinking too much. I always end up doing the most insane things. My stom
Andrey. “I was worried about you…”“That was the fucking reason why you have to send a goddamn patrol to search for me all over town?” Jayden and I were walking towards my suite. “You weren’t answering your phone,” he says, clearly frustrated. “I was busy last night.”When I say that, Jayden sighs and waves it off because he knew what I meant by busy last night. We enter the elevator to the top floor and head toward my room. He pauses when we reach the door and leaned his back on the wall. I’m content that he knows he’s not meant to follow me in unless I ask him to. If someone was in there and were to shoot, it’s better he kills one of us not the two at once. It would be waste and a great loss. I use my access card to gain entree to my suite. Cautiously walking in, I close the door behind me and make my way to my bedroom. I breathe in deeply and breathe out because I am nervous. My throat is dry all because I am nervous to see a girl. It’s insane that I feel this way about her. I
Five years later…Hazel.Today is the day I've been praying for, my first day at my first job. I'd interviewed for the position of the Creative Director's Assistant. It's not exactly my dream job of being a fashion designer, but it's close enough. I believe that if I exercise patience and work hard, I'll get there one day.The creative director I'll be working under is Amanda Amerigo, the owner of Felda Fashion House. The company bears her mother's name, Felda, as a tribute. Amanda is a bit of a workaholic and quite strict. She's been married three times and obtained most of her husbands' wealth through divorce. Her career always took precedence, and that's why she hasn't remarried after leaving her three husbands financially devastated.Amanda already has an assistant, my best friend Ann, but she requested another one and recommended me for the position. After an interview with Amanda, she surprised me with her first words: "You're slim, I like it." It was an unusual compliment, but