"Whose...."He started to ask, staring at the child in her arms.
Stephanie's eyes met his, and they stared at each other for a while before Rapheal looked away with clenched jaw.
His heart was aching so bad and he wanted to yell at her for everything she had done to him.
Anger and hurt build inside him and he fought the urge not to use his car to run her over.
Stephanie swallowed hard, her eyes welling up with tears.
"How have you been?"She asked softly, still looking at him.
Raphael's expression still remained the same,He wasn't even looking at her.
"As you can see, I'm alive and well without you"He spat, taking a step back.
"I'm doing very fine without you."
Stephanie nodded, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill out of her eyes.
"I... I'm sor..."
"Don't"He interrupted her harshly. "I don't want to hear anything"
"But....."
"Get the fuck out of my way before I decide to kill you right now"He warned dangerously and she gulped stepping away from the front of his car.
He got into his car without sparing her a glance and drove off in full speed.
EVERSTON INC
Hazel stepped into Liam's office, holding some files and Liam looked up looking stressed out.
His dark hair was rough with some strands falling down his forehead as if he had been running his hands through it repeatedly.
His shirt was half-unbuttoned, revealing a peek of his chiseled chest and his Tie was loosened giving him a rough look.
Hazel wondered why he was in an office suit cuz he hated wearing it.
A big smile spread on his face as he saw Hazel and he dropped the paper he was holding.
"Hi"He smiled widely.
Hazel's heart skipped a beat as she returned the smile, feeling a flutter in her chest.
She walked closer to the desk and dropped the files on it smiling softly.
"I brought you the files you asked for"She said softly.
He picked it up staring at them before letting out a tired sigh.
"You look stressed"She said, her voice soft with concern. "What's wrong?"
Liam rubbed his temples, his eyes closing for a moment.
"I'm just trying to sort everything out here before we leave for Italy tonight" Liam said, his eyes still closed and his voice filled with tiredness.
Hazel's eyes widened suddenly remembering about the trip, Dawson had given his consent last night while almost killing her.
She bit her lip, her heart pounding hard against her chest.
"Oh, right"She said,in a low soft voice. "Uhm... What time?"
Liam opened his eyes,still smiling.
"7Pm,Are you all set for the trip?"He asked and she shook her head, taking in her lips.
"No, I'll pack all I need when I get home"
Liam nodded, standing up from his chair.
"I'll send a car to pick you up so you don't stress...."
"No..."She interrupted him immediately, Her face filled with fear. "I'll meet you at the hangar instead."
Liam's expression changed,He started frowning again when he saw the look on her face.
"Okay,If that's what you prefer but why don't you come back to the office instead then we'll head to the hanger together"
"Okay"She agreed softly.
"C-can I ask for a f-favor?"Hazel stuttered,biting her lips nervously.
Liam's expression softened and he smiled. "Of course, Hazel. What is it?"
"Uhm... My sister Darlina... I..." She shook her head, stopping at her words. "It's okay, nevermind."
"No, tell me"He urged, stepping closer. "Please don't hide things from me, Hazel. I'll do anything for you."
Her heart skipped a beat and she felt her face heating up at his words. Why does he always say sweet words to her?
"Uhm...I know this probably sounds stupid but I can't leave her alone at my house...."
Hazel stopped at her words and looked up at him hoping he dosen't ask what her reason was cuz she would have to lie to him as always.
She couldn't leave Darlina alone with Dawson because she was scared of what he might do to her when she wasn't there.
What if he forces himself on Darlina he always did to her after beating her up?
What if he loses his temper and hurts Darlina? What if he...?
Liam stared at her for a while and then let out a sigh.
"Even if I ask what the problem is, You probably won't tell me"He said softly staring at her and she looked down.
"I'm sorry"She apologized, looking up at him. She felt bad for always hiding things for him when he always wanted to help her.
"It's fine, I'll send a car to go pick up your sister, She can stay at my house till we return"He said, already picking up his phone to call his driver.
Hazel blinked in surprise, She wanted to ask if Darlina could accompany them to Italy but now he.... She wasn't expecting him to let Darlina live at his house.
"Sir...I...No! That's not necessary. She can't live in your house, Your private space and..."
"Hazel,I want to help. I don't mind at all."
"Why are you so kind to me? I'm just your secretary...."
"No, You mean a lot more than a secretary to me,I care about you a lot Hazel and I really like you a lot,I want to make you happy"
Hazel's heart fluttered at his words and she felt her heart already beating fast against her chest.
She didn't even understand why he'd be interested in her when she wasn't even like the other women who were very beautiful and unmarried.
"You can't like me Liam, You'll only get your heart broken and I don't want that...I don't want you to get hurt because of me"She said softly, looking away from him.
"I can't have feelings for you because you're married to that asshole who doesn't even care about you?"
Hazel bit her bottom lip unable to speak. It wasn't just because she was married but it was about something else.
"Please can we not have this conversation right now,I..it makes me uncomfortable and I also don't know what to say to you"She continued looking down, feeling strange sensations in her chest.
"I'm sorry"Liam apologized quietly pulling her to his chest.
She gasped quietly but she didn't pull away from the hug.
The hug lasted for about three minutes before he pulled away staring at her face.
"I'll go call my driver now, He'll come pick your sister by 6pm. Sounds good?"
She nodded, smiling lightly.
FREDRICK'S MANSION
"Mother!"Cecilia yelled in anger as she climbed up the stairs, heading towards her mother's room.
She burst opened the door without Knocking and she screamed in shock at what she saw.
Her mother was naked on the bed with another man that wasn't her husband.
Cecilia's eyes widened and her mouth opened in shock.
"Oh my God"She covered her mouth in shock staggering backwards still staring at them.
Mrs Fredrick quickly grabbed the sheets to cover herself with a surprised expression on her face.
The young looking man quickly wore his clothes and ran out of the room while Cecilia stood there in shock unable to speak.
"Cec..."
"Don't fucking say my name"She interrupted her in anger.
"I can't believe that my own mother is a whore, spreading her legs for another man on her matrimonial bed..."
"Watch your tongue Cecilia or I'll slap so hard that you'll never show your face to anyone for weeks"Mrs Fredrick warned, still looking calm.
"You're not even ashamed of yourself"She looked at her in shock. "How could you do this to daddy? Is he not good enough for you? Does he not satisfy you enough in bed?..."
"You have no right to question me or my actions"
"I have every right!"Cecilia shouted back burning in anger.
"I'm your daughter, and I deserve to know why you're cheating on my father or I'll call him on the phone right now and tell him everything"
"You wouldn't dare"Mrs Fredrick said in a low voice.
"Watch me"Cecilia stormed out of the room immediately and her mother rushed after her still covered in sheets.
"Cecilia! Get back here right now or you'd regret it"She shouted, walking faster towards her but Cecilia walked faster heading towards her car.
The maids were already watching them with a confused look on their faces.
"Cecilia!"
But still, Cecilia didn't listen. She got into her car and drove off in speed.
Mrs Fredrick immediately got back into the house and grabbed her phone before calling someone.
It rang for a few times before the person answered the call.
"Cecilia is currently heading to my husband's company,I want you to stop her from reaching there. You can make her get into an accident but she must die,I still need her"
"Consider it done"
The call ended and she walked into the bathroom with an unreadable expression.