The doorbell rang, Riley quickly grabbed her phone and rushed to the door, pulling it open.
She frowned at the sight of a dark shadow and quickly switched on the outside light.
"Christ! Hazel where have you been? I went downtown searching for you, I couldn't find you so I had to come get my phone and head for the station to make a report! " Riley uttered, breathlessly and sighed.
"What happened, you're soaked and...." Riley was saying but paused when she noticed the distant look in Hazel's eyes.
" Thought you took an umbrella with you, you might fall sick. Did anything happened? Did you see anything? Hazel you can talk to me okay? What happened?" Riley asked, worriedly.
"I...I don't know, the shops were all locked and I..I don't even know where I dropped the umbrella...I didn't really see anything...It just
seems like I lost my way" Hazel mumbled, slowly and tucked some strands of hair which fell on her face behind her ear.
"You sure that's all..? You know you can talk to me–
"Of course am good, just soaked and really cold, I need a warm bath. Good night Riley " Hazel uttered hurriedly with a faint smile and left for her room.
Riley stared at her retreating figure then shrugged and headed to her own room.
••THE NEXT DAY••
Hazel stared at her reflection in the mirror, she packed her hair into a loose ponytail and put on her glasses. She had on black jean and a white hoodie which was loose enough to hide her curves.
Her Hazel green eyes were slightly dull and distant as though she was lost in thought yet the innocence within them couldn't be hidden.
I didn't see anything...I saw nothing, I didn't see the–
The sudden creak of the door jolted her back to reality, breaking her train of thoughts. She turned to see Riley standing there, a lunchbox in hand.
"What are you still waiting for? Anyways I packed you some breakfast and snacks. You'll be staying at school and won't have the time to come home except on weekends" Riley stated, softly and stride to where Hazel stood.
"Why do you love wearing this nerdy outfit? And what's with the glasses, you can see without them" Riley complained.
"C'mon Riley it's nothing new, I just wanna stay on low key and avoid unnecessary attentions. I'll visit during weekends and Riley...I need a job. I can't have you paying for my tuition, I need a part time job so I'll be able to handle stuffs like that" Hazel muttered, softly.
"Hazel, I don't really mind doing such... you're like a little sister to me–
"Please..." Hazel took Riley's hands in hers and pouted.
"Shit! You know I can't ignore those innocent looking eyes of yours. I'll try to see if there's any vacancy at my working place. Take care and make sure you eat well" Riley stated, sweetly and pulled Hazel into a hug.
They were the best of friends, but Riley couldn't ignore the fragile girl with those innocent, wide eyes. Slowly, she began to love and care for her not just as a friend, but like a daughter or a little sister. And in return, she became her protector, her big sister, maybe even a mother figure.
Hazel smiled and nodded as she hung her backpack and took the lunchbox. They both left the room and Hazel left but not without waving goodbye to Riley.
••WEXFORD COLLEGE••
A taxi screeched to an abrupt halt in front of the big building and Hazel stepped out of the car, she settled the cab man as he drove off. Adjusting the weight of her heavy backpack, she stepped into the building.
"Oh my?! Thought you were planning to stay at Aunt Riley's place forever and forget about school!" Skylar screeched, excitedly immediately she sighted Hazel who was trying to open her dorm.
"Haha, I was thinking of doing that but I can't skip college" Hazel uttered with a short laughter.
"You've really gained some weight, just take a good look at me and see how thin I've become!" Ava complained and faked a sob.
Well Skylar and Ava are Hazel's best friend in Wexford college. Skylar was black, her hair shaved into a sharp pixie cut, while Ava had a short curly brown hair.
"Less I forgot, Samantha's throwing a welcome back party, you guys interested?" Ava stated, happily.
"That two faced bitch" Skylar muttered under her breathe and chewed on her gum.
"I'm not interested, I'm tired and need rest" Hazel mumbled, tiredly. She knew her friends, they wouldn't rest until they persuade her completely!
"Please my little Birdy nerdy don't say no" Ava pouted, childishly.
"Ugh... fine I'm in" Hazel muttered, softly.
"Whoooosh!!!" Skylar screeched while Ava made a happy dance. Hazel turned and saw the way most of the students were glaring at them, as though they were insane.
"Bills on me and I'mma dress you up just the way I want, you ain't gonna go to that party with your nerdy glasses, oversized hoodie and faded jean trouser!" Skylar declared, seriously.
Hazel rolled her eyes.
••SANGUICORP••
A man sat in the armchair, it's base slowly swivelling left and right, legs wrapped in black pants crossed, elegantly. Eyes fixed on the towering glass window that framed the world outside.
He looked down to the world as though he were a god watching over his people, his lazy yet cold gaze fixed on the glass window as he sipped slowly from his glass of wine.
"You seem bored " Cassian muttered as he leaned lazily on the wall, he stepped forward and stood beside Vladimir.
" Is there a problem?" Vladimir asked, coldly.
"Not really but if I may ask...what did you do to the poor bunny last night?" Cassian asked, coolly.
"Only compelled her. She isn't worth my time to kill" Vladimir's voice came out calm, almost bored.
He chuckled, darkly when he remembered how terrified and scared she was. Wide eyes, trembling lips, her heartbeat pounding like a war drum in his ears.
"You have a meeting with Dorian Vale, he booked some private space downtown " Cassian spoke, calmly.
"Interesting...why don't we pay him a visit " Vladimir uttered with a faint smile, giving him a dangerous look.
••CLUB ZERO••
'PERFECT ILLUSION BY LADY GAGA' boomed from the speakers, the bass vibrating through the floors and bones alike.
On the dance floor, bodies moved in sync with the beat, some dancing like no one was watching, others grinding close like they wanted to be bitten.
In shadowed corners, couples made out with reckless urgency, while at a round table near the back, a group drank, smoked and laughed like they owned the night.
Hazel frowned, tugging at the hem of her gown, pulling it down an inch. It was way too short, Skylar had practically forced it on her. It highlighted every curve she normally tried to hide.
She had an oversized jacket on, the sleeves swallowing her hands and big enough to hide her curves. Her black hair was pulled into a loose ponytail, strands already slipping free around her face. She wasn't wearing her glasses tonight.
"Time to party!! Whoooosh!!" Skylar screeched as she danced to the music. Ava had already gone to the dance floor and was twisting her body to the beat.
"C'mon let's dance!" Skylar screamed due to the loud music, Hazel shook her head sideways.
"Don't worry I'll sit here and wait" She said aloud and sat down.
"Alright, if you need me I'm on the dance floor!" Skylar screamed and left.
Hazel bit her lip when she saw the way most of the students were staring at her. She sighted Samantha and her troops from afar, they were walking towards her direction, unfortunately a guy approached them.
Hazel quickly stood up and tried to inform Skylar that she was heading to the restroom but the crowd was much and she was unable find her.
She decided to head to the restroom, getting to the hallway, she became nervous when she saw some students making out.
Hazel head towards a certain direction but stopped when she saw some men in black standing in front of a door as though they were waiting for someone...
Wait...men in black–
The soft click of a door opening then closing cut through the air. A man stepped out, cloaked in a long black jacket that billowed slightly as he moved.
He suddenly paused and snapped his head towards her direction making Hazel to flinch.
It's him.....No...
Hazel quickly lowered her gaze, fear gripping her insides. She took a shaky step back, then scrambled off hurriedly, clutching her oversized jacket tighter around her like a shield.
Vladimir stared at the direction she had gone. His eyes narrowed and darkened, a sharp glint flickering beneath them, dangerous yet focused.....