Wait… Dior George… is she the one I've been waiting for? She does look familiar… no, that's impossible. She said she's a model and a dancer… people change when they grow, right? Damian thought as he observed her closely.
"I'm Vorden Grey," Vorden introduced calmly. "I'm a chef, a football player… and Hazel's childhood best friend."
Hazel smiled lightly. "I'm Hazel Collins. I'm a babysitter, a dancer, and a singer. He's my childhood best friend, and she's my best friend."
Liam sat there, silently watching her. He had expected her to say something more… something like his girlfriend. But she didn't. His expression remained calm, though his eyes darkened slightly as he took a sip of his water.
"I'm Liam Greco," he said confidently. "CEO of multiple companies, a trillionaire, billionaire, and millionaire. I'm Hazel's—"
Hazel quickly leaned closer and whispered into his ear, "There's no need to say that. Everyone already knows who you are."
The table fell into a subtle silence. His presence alone was already intimidating enough.
He nodded slightly.
At that moment, the waiters arrived, placing different dishes across the table before quietly leaving.
Damian turned his attention back to Dior. "Dior, were you born here?"
"No," she replied while picking up her fork. "I was born in Australia before we moved here."
"How long have you known Hazel?"
"Since I was seven."
Damian nodded slowly, then shifted his gaze to Hazel. "So you and him…" he gestured toward Vorden, "…you're really close."
Hazel smiled softly. "Our parents are best friends. We were born on the same day, at the same time, in the same hospital. So yeah… he's my childhood best friend."
As she spoke, she took a bite of a half-molten almond chocolate cake.
Immediately, her face twisted in disgust.
Vorden noticed instantly. "Hazel, can I taste that?"
"Sure."
She fed him a spoon.
Liam watched the entire interaction, his gaze growing darker. There was something dangerous building behind his calm expression.
Vorden tasted it and frowned slightly. "Yeah… it's not good."
He quickly grabbed a bowl, added sugar, chocolate cream, crushed wafer cookies, and ice cream, then mixed everything together before pouring it over the cake.
"Try this."
Hazel tasted it again, and her face lit up. "Hmm… this is delicious. I mean, amazing."
"I'm glad you like it," Vorden said with a smile.
"Liam, try it," Hazel said, turning toward him.
He opened his mouth slightly, and she fed him.
Liam chewed slowly, his expression unreadable. "Aren't you worried this restaurant might steal your recipe?" he said coldly.
He didn't even acknowledge Vorden's effort.
Hazel simply ignored his tone and turned to check on Dior.
Vorden, however, had already noticed something else. Are they on a diet again? Wait… isn't she allergic to that food?
Without hesitation, he prepared another bowl—this time with salad, blood orange juice, and watercress—mixing it carefully before handing it to Dior.
"Here, eat this."
Dior took it happily. "Thank you."
He nodded.
Damian watched everything carefully. "Is the food not to your liking?" he asked.
"No," Vorden replied. "They like it. But she's allergic to garlic, and there's garlic in that dish. She wouldn't stop eating unless I gave her something in return."
Damian glanced at Hazel, and she nodded in agreement.
"Sir Damian…" Dior started.
"Just call me Damian," he corrected.
"Okay… Damian," she smiled. "Why aren't you speaking in your British accent? Aren't you from Australia?"
Damian leaned back slightly. "Sometimes I don't like using it. People here make fun of my accent."
Dior nodded. "You're right. When I first came here, people made fun of mine too. I had to learn to speak proper English. It took me a year."
"Can you still speak it?" he asked, watching her closely.
"Yeah… mate, could you pass me the butter?" she said casually.
Damian's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're still good. That's surprising."
"Do you visit Australia?" he asked, testing her.
"No," she replied.
"You don't miss your friends there?"
She paused slightly. "No… I mean… I didn't really have friends."
Something about that answer didn't sit right with him.
"What did you want to become when you were younger?"
Dior smiled faintly. "When I was five, I wanted to be a doctor like my dad. But when I moved here, I met Hazel and Vorden. Hazel showed me girl groups dancing and singing… and I fell in love with it. So I chose music instead."
Damian's fingers tightened slightly.
…It's her.
11 Years Ago – Australia
"Ouch…"
A young boy sat on the ground, bleeding.
"Hey! What happened to you?" a little girl rushed over. "Wait here!"
She ran off and came back with a first aid box.
"Don't worry, it won't hurt too much," she said gently.
"You know how to use that?" he asked.
"Yeah. My dad is a doctor. I want to be like him someday."
She carefully cleaned his wound and wrapped his leg.
"How is it now?" she asked.
"…Better. Thanks."
"You're welcome."
"What's your name?"
"Dior George. And yours?"
"…Nelson Drix," he lied.
"Nice to meet you, Nelson."
"You too… Dior."
"Do you live around here?"
"Yeah."
She smiled. "You have a weird name."
He chuckled slightly. "I like it."
"Well… I have to go now."
"Can I see you tomorrow? Same time?"
"…Yes."
"Bye!"
That was the first time she smiled like that.
Two Months Later
"Nelson—"
He froze when he saw her.
"Dio—what happened to your face?"
"It's nothing… I fell."
"Dior, your body is full of bruises. Who did this to you?"
"No one… don't worry."
She forced a smile.
"I have to go… I need to treat my wounds."
"…Okay."
"Bye."
"…Bye."
That was the last time he ever saw her.
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If you like The Mafia Lord Wants Me, check out my other stories: LOVE IS JUST A GAME and THE DEMON SEX SLAVE. Please vote and send power stones the more you vote, the faster I update! Drop your comments, I'll reply. Love you guys 💋.