As night deepened, Liam oversaw the handoff of illicit substances to a mix of clients... middle-aged men, young adults, and even teenagers. Boxes of drugs changed hands quickly and quietly. Liam, always calculated, kept his focus sharp.
"Target the college students more," he said, his voice low but firm.
"It's all for now," Liam added, handing over the last of the packets.
Their leader nodded with confidence. "Don't worry, boss. Everything will be on time."
Liam narrowed his eyes. He knew the risks had grown.
"But be careful. It is riskier than the previous ones," he warned.
A stack of dollars sealed the exchange.
Meanwhile, Francisco returned home late. The mansion, usually buzzing with subtle power and quiet wealth, stood hushed. His sharp eyes swept the hallway. No sign of Hazel.
He assumed she had gone to bed...
As Francisco walked through the dim corridors, a maid appeared.
"Master, what do you prefer for dinner?"
"I have done my dinner."
She hesitated, then smiled. "Madam Hazel prepared dessert for you."
Francisco blinked.
A pang of guilt nudged him... he had already eaten with Lilith.
But Hazel had thought of him. Late as it was, she had made something just for him.
"Where is she?" he asked.
"She is in her room."
Francisco rolled his sleeves and dismissed the maid with a nod. His steps grew quicker, more intentional. He reached Hazel's room, the door slightly open.
From the gap, he caught a glimpse of her long legs stretched out... an image that stirred something deep and instinctive.
He pushed the door open gently.
Hazel lay asleep on the couch, peaceful and unaware. A book rested lightly on her chest, her head tilted to the side.
The room around her was softly lit, scattered with books. A little messy, a little personal... completely hers.
Francisco knelt beside her. His eyes took in the small details... the books on the floor, the gentle rise and fall of her chest.
Then his gaze dropped.
Her crop top had slipped slightly, revealing a hint of cleavage.
Francisco swallowed, quietly, his face unreadable.
He reached out and gently took the book from her hand.
Hazel woke up to Francisco's touch, her eyes meeting his calm gaze. A jolt ran through her. Francisco's slight smile drew her in, his presence magnetic.
"Hey," Francisco said, his voice smooth and inviting. Hazel, startled, shifted and leaned against the couch. She stammered, "Mr."
"Mr. Francisco!"
Francisco stood up with ease. Hazel followed, apologizing, her words stumbling out. "I... I am sorry I fell asleep."
She glanced around the messy room, books scattered everywhere, feeling the tension in the air. Why did he come here? I just fell asleep. He's always so mysterious. I should have been more alert.
Francisco broke the silence. "I am sorry that I made my PA wait for me."
Hazel, quick to recover, smiled. "No problem, Mr. Francisco. Should I get ready for your dinner?"
He shook his head. "Hazel, I have a lot of maids. You don't have to work hard for it."
Hazel tried to change the subject. "Oh, yes, then I will go and tell them."
Francisco stopped her. "It's okay, I have done my dinner."
Hazel looked at him, curiosity in her eyes. "Oh, okay then. You should take a rest, Mr. Francisco."
As she turned to leave, Francisco said, "But I am hungry again. I told you to cook something for me. Didn't you do it?"
"I did," Hazel replied.
Francisco's tone sharpened. "Then go bring it."
Hazel hesitated, glancing at the messy room. "Here?"
Francisco narrowed his eyes. "Why? Can't you bring it here?"
Hazel smiled, trying to keep things light. "No, actually, I messed up this room. You can rest in your room, Mr. Francisco. I can take it in there."
Francisco pressed, "Why? Are you planning to stay with me tonight in my room?"
Hazel's heart raced. She nodded slowly, searching for words.
"I thought you might want to enjoy the meal in a more comfortable setting. Your room seems like a better place."
Hazel kept her face calm, but inside, her mind raced. She needed to get into his room. No matter what, she had to go there.
Francisco blinked, then smiled. "Okay! Come to my room. Hazel!"
Hearing her name from his lips made Hazel's heart pound. That man really knows magical spells, she thought, her pulse racing. His voice was pure temptation.
Hazel hurried out to get the pudding she made for Francisco.
"Francisco," she called as she entered his room, feeling the tension in the air.
He was gone. Hazel guessed he was in the shower. She quickly set the pudding on the table, cherries shining like rubies in the soft light. She scanned the room, aware of the camera watching her. Hazel took a deep breath, forced herself to look calm, and hid her nervouness.
Hazel scanned Francisco's room, looking for the drive she believed he hid. The closet looked promising, but she hesitated, torn between curiosity and the risk of invading his privacy. Frustration tightened her lips.
She glanced at the table, eyeing his laptop and phone. Hazel took a deep breath, praying for luck. She was determined to search his room, no matter what.
With shaky hands, Hazel moved to the table.
Just a quick look," she muttered, her eyes darting between the laptop and phone.
The sudden creak of the door snapped her out of focus. Her heart jumped. She spun around... and froze.
Francisco stood in the doorway, wearing only a bathrobe.
Water dripped from his dark hair, tracing his muscular chest. Hazel's heart pounded as their eyes met.
Francisco pushed his hair back, his gaze intense. Hazel looked away, uncomfortable under his stare. But her mission gave her courage, and she met his eyes again. A spark of determination lit up inside her.
She smiled and asked, "Mr. Francisco, should I wait outside?"
He blinked slowly, his voice husky.
"Why?"
"Help me with my hair."
Francisco touched his own hair, then sat on the couch. Hazel grabbed a towel and approached him. She gently dried his hair, his eyes closing as she worked.
His eyes closed, long lashes resting on his cheeks.
Hazel hesitated, her eyes lingering on his face. For a second, she forgot everything else.
'I need to advance my plan.'
She let her fingers move with care, massaging his scalp. Francisco leaned into her touch, visibly relaxing under her hands, lost in the calm she created.
Hazel stopped when she saw Francisco sleeping, disappointment flickering across her face.
'I didn't expect him to fall asleep so quickly. I need to learn more about him.'
With a small sigh, she leaned forward, irritation creeping in as she reached for the pudding. But before she could grab it, a sudden grip tightened around her wrist.
His eyes were wide open, hair messy.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
Hazel froze, meeting his gaze. "I thought you fell asleep," she stammered, setting the pudding back on the table.
Francisco leaned back in the chair, crossed his legs, and propped his chin on his hand. A playful spark danced in his eyes.
"How can I sleep without tasting my PA's pudding?"
Hazel tried to smile, holding the knife to cut the dessert. Francisco kept his eyes on her. "You look so funny when you try to force yourself to smile," he teased, smirking.
Hazel gripped the knife tighter, caught off guard. "What are you saying, Mr. Francisco?"
He just smirked. Hazel hesitated, then cut the pudding and handed him a plate, her smile nervous. "I don't know if it will suit your taste or not," she said, meeting his eyes.
Francisco took a bite. His face changed. Hazel glanced at him, a small smile on her lips. She knew she'd done what she needed to.
Francisco took another bite, surprising Hazel. She kept her face calm.
'That girl said he didn't like sweets. But I added a lot of sugar, so he couldn't eat. But it seems he is enjoying it.'
Trying to break the tension, Hazel cleared her throat.
"Is it okay, Mr. Francisco?"
"I don't like sweets," he said casually.
Hazel raised her eyebrows. "Oh. Then you can put it. I am sorry, I think I messed up."
Francisco took another bite, glancing at her.
"Don't worry; I will take the compensation," he said, finishing the pudding.
Hazel blinked.
"What?"
"Yes!" Francisco replied, eyes playful. "Come on, eat with me," he said, claiming the whole pudding.