"Arthur!"
Hazel's voice sharp. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, panic tightening her throat.
Arthur ended the call with a swift motion and turned to face the staff member.
"What are you doing, Mr.? What is this behavior?" the girl snapped.
Arthur ignored her protest. His eyes shifted back to Hazel, who stood frozen, her face pale with dread.
Hazel's heart pounded. For a moment, she feared he might take his anger out on the innocent girl.
She opened her mouth to speak, but Arthur cut her off.
"I did not expect it from you, Ms.," he said firmly, disappointment clouding his voice. He turned to the stunned staff member.
"Would you come with me? I have something to talk to you."
The girl blinked, caught off guard.
Her eyes darted between Hazel and Arthur, she was hesitant. But after a second, she nodded and followed him.
Hazel couldn't hold it in any longer.
"Arthur, she had no fault," she called out, voice trembling with desperation.
Arthur didn't respond. He walked the girl toward a trial room, ignoring Hazel's plea. A knot of guilt twisted in her stomach.
'What should I do now?' she thought, panic rising again.
Her mind raced. 'Will they kill her?'
The question echoed through her head, each possibility darker than the last. Fear gripped her, cold and suffocating. She clenched her fists, unable to move.
Finally, after what felt like hours, she saw them return. The girl gave Arthur a small nod in response to something he said.
Hazel was standing too far to hear, tried to read their expressions.... but found nothing clear.
Arthur approached her with his usual stiff posture.
"Let's go, Ms.," he said flatly.
Hazel didn't argue. Silently, she followed him out.
In the car, she sat in silence, eyes locked on the blur of buildings outside the window. Her reflection in the glass looked as weary and troubled as she felt.
From the driver's seat, Arthur glanced at her in the mirror. .
"Thank God I went there at the right time. That girl is lucky… but next time she won't be," he thought to himself.
Hazel's stomach dropped.
She drew in a slow, shaky breath.
Then, with quiet resolve, she spoke.
"I will request you not to tell anything to your boss."
Arthur said nothing. His silence was enough. Hazel looked away, her heart sinking. She knew then... He wouldn't help her.
There was no use arguing.
The rest of the ride passed in tense silence. When they finally reached the hotel, Arthur led Hazel through the grand, quiet corridors. They stopped in front of her door.
"This is your room, Ms.," he said flatly.
Hazel gave a slight nod and stepped inside. Arthur stayed at the door for a moment, watching her, but said nothing more. Then he turned and left.
Hazel closed the door gently behind her and stood still for a moment, letting the silence settle. The room was calm...
Elegant decor, soft lighting, and the quiet hum of air conditioning.
It should have felt peaceful. But to Hazel, it only made her feel more trapped.
She tossed Francisco's coat onto the couch. The coat felt heavy, not just with fabric... but with the control he held over her.
She searched the room.
No phone.
No landline.
Nothing.
"Of course," she muttered, bitterly. "He even restricted me from here too."
She sat on the edge of the bed, then let herself fall back with a deep sigh.
"I hope Mr. Alex could understand that it was me," she whispered to the ceiling.
After a long pause, she forced herself to sit up. Her jaw tightened.
She walked toward the bathroom.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit club across town, James sat at a poker table, casually flipping his cards while laughter and low music filled the air.
"He is in Texas," Andrew said, tossing down a card with a smirk.
James smirked back, placing his own card on the pile.
"I thought he wouldn't be able to come out of jail," he said.
Andrew shook his head, eyes wide.
"But it's unbelievable... his PA turned into a detective as well."
He took a deep breath before adding, "I can't imagine how Francisco didn't notice it."
James let out a low chuckle, mischief dancing in his eyes.
"How could Francisco control himself?"
"She was so sexy. It was impossible for him not to get distracted."
"If I was there, I'd do the same."
Andrew laughed loudly, leaning back in his chair.
"Seems like you're really interested in her," he teased, giving James a look.
James shrugged, amusement playing on his lips.
"He always takes the best one."
"I don't think I'll always let him take everything."
*****
In Texas, the elevator dinged and opened. Francisco stepped out, his sharp shoes echoing down the hallway. Arthur stood at the door, straightening up as he spotted him.
"Boss," Arthur greeted, bowing his head slightly.
Francisco walked straight to the door.
"Did she come out?" he asked.
"No, boss," Arthur said firmly.
Francisco pushed open the door and walked in. His eyes immediately found Hazel sitting on the bed, her gaze shifting away the moment she saw him. Her body was tense, her posture guarded.
"Are you bored?" Francisco asked as he loosened his tie.
Hazel didn't even look at him.
"Isn't it obvious?" she replied, her voice dry and flat.
Francisco raised an eyebrow, then walked over to the couch and sat down.
"Don't worry, you won't be bored anymore."
Hazel narrowed her eyes at him.
"Oh really? Are you going to stay with me all the time?"
He smiled, rose from the couch. Sitting on the bed across from her, he gently touched her chin, lifting her face to meet his eyes. His tone was calm, but firm.
"Actually, no. You're going out with me everywhere."
Hazel's face tightened. She pulled her chin away, voice sharp with frustration.
"Mr. Francisco, this is not a life. I can't live like this."
"But you didn't give me any choice. After knowing everything, it seems you don't want me to be good with you."
His voice lowered.
"Are you so desperate to hurt your parents?"
The words hit Hazel like a slap.
"Listen, I can do it, but then don't tell me why I do this," he added, touching his cheek, his voice cracking slightly.
Hazel closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. Then, softly, she shook her head and murmured, "I am sorry."
A warm smile crept across his face as he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"That's like my beautiful Hazel," he said gently.
He stood and loosened the rest of his tie.
"I'm going to take a shower. We'll have dinner together."
As the bathroom door clicked shut behind him, Hazel sat frozen. The silence pressing down on her. Her hands gripped the bedsheet tightly, knuckles white with anger.
"Damn you!" she hissed, her voice low but seething.