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42---The News

HAGEL'S POV

I wanted to go after her, but that wasn't the best. It's better if I let her be for a while.
It hurts. It hurts so bad. Much more than I had anticipated.
The look in her eyes as she stared at me. The hurt, the hatred.
I could take a lot of things. But there's one thing I cannot stand,Hazel running away from me.

I turn to walk back to my place in the gardens. Half way through, am broken out of my thoughts by a hurried footsteps behind me. I stop. Before I could even turn, I knew who it was.

Bethany.

She stopped right in front of me, her blond hair bouncing to a stop. She was fully clothed, earlier she had been in a nightgown. Without any make up on, I could truly see her face, the true evil side of her. How ironic.
" What did you tell my sister!" Her tone was hushed but screeching,her eyes blazing with fury.
That annoyed me. Scratch that, that infuriated me.

" I should be asking you that" my tone is surprisingly cool, my anger shimmering below.
" I've been patient with you, don't make me your enemy!. Stay away from us. There's no way I'd allow you to destroy everything I've worked so hard for". She spat, poking my chest with one single finger.

I watch her, not a bit surprised at the display she's giving. Bethany is a snake, a fucken big one.
I grab her wrists, shoving her away from me as I stepped back.

" I am your enemy" I hiss, sizing her up as I walked away.
I could feel her gaze burning holes through the back of my head.
I was furious . I had a thousand things to say to her. But I couldn't find the words, no word could describe how truly evil Bethany is.
Am just grateful I didn't break her neck.

***†***
" Easy attaboy, you're putting too much pressure on yourself Cold, stop, take a break" Rick said, patting my sweaty shoulder.

I huffed, breathing deeply as I tore my gloves, messing my hands in my damp hair.
" What's wrong son, you can tell me. You've been out for weeks."
" Nothing" my tone is strained, heavy. I grabbed a bottle of water and gulped down half of it, tossing it aside.

" You say it's nothing, but there's something eating you up. It's so obvious. I get it if you don't want to talk to me about it, but talk to someone before whatever it is swallows you whole 'aight?"

I don't say anything. I just nod once.
I hate that Rick knows me so well. I don't like the fact that he worries about me and I can't tell him anything. Am not the chatty type. I know I should talk to someone. But I don't trust anyone.
Especially now that Jaden is on the run.

Jaden.
He managed to get away. The typical coward he is. It hurts me that he betrayed father in that way. After everything Henry had done for him.
I have to find him.
As soon as possible before he causes anymore damage.
Bethany. I know he'll definitely try to contact her. And he wouldn't just leave Abel. He'll try to get him and Hazel.

That thought made my chest tighten.
I fist my hands hard until my knuckles hurt.
I picked up my phone, it read 2:39 a.m.
Rolling my shoulders, I willed myself to calm down. Rick had left to his office earlier.
I'm such a bastard. Poor Rick doesn't deserve to worry so much about me.
Especially since he'd been so happy after my victory in the championship.

It's like am taking that happiness away. I calmed, staring intensely at the title sitting on the wall.
If anything, that title is a proof that I can achieve anything.
Everything will be alright.
Once these bad times are over, everything will be okay.
Then I wouldn't have to hurt so much.

Then I wouldn't have to be angry so much all the time.

Then I can be happy.
One thing is for sure, I'll not lose Hazel again, not after everything it took to get her back.
*****
I woke up to the sound of someone shuffling around in the kitchen.
I pulled on a sweatshirt and headed down.
" Oh boss, good morning" Rosita greeted, looking a bit flushed.
"Morning"
" Sorry to wake you up but I needed to clean up. Your mother also asked for you".
" What time is it?"
" A little past noon sir"
" Oh... thanks"
" Would you like some breakfast?"
" Juice is fine.Thanks"

I head towards the bathroom and took a shower.
After dressing up, I went back into the kitchen to grab something to eat.
Thank God Rosita didn't listen to me. She had made toast and coffee. And Juice.
I smiled as I ate.

I haven't spoken to anyone since the truth about what Jaden was doing to the company came to light.
I know I have to talk to my parents.
After eating, I made my way towards the mansion.

I'll admit, I just hope to catch a glimpse of her. Hazel. Maybe she'll talk to me. Maybe she wouldn't be so angry anymore.
Everyone was seated at the table for breakfast.

My heart skipped as my eyes settled on Hazel. She looked soo beautiful. Her face focused on her food, giving nothing away.
When her eyes met mine, my heart did a double somersault but quickly fell as she barely held my gaze.
Disappointment washed over me at the look she had in her eyes in that brief second.

I would take it if she was angry. Fuck I'd even beg for her anger. I'd take it if it was hate, or disgust or hurt. But it was... nothing. Her eyes were blank. Their usual spark and Feist gone.
It's like looking at a stranger.
She looked at me like a stranger.
And that feeling of hurt I felt overwhelmed me, it consumed me.

It hurt a million times.

I took my seat next to Henry. Everyone was quiet, lost in their own thoughts, their own misery.
It made me wonder, if exposing Jaden was the right thing to do.

Vidal didn't even look at me. Bethany busied herself with feeding an unusually calm Abel.
Then her...Hazel, her eyes cast down as she focused on her bacon.
" How are you doing?" I ask Henry.

" Fine. You?"
I don't reply.
" Am sorry about Jaden, I didn't mean for the truth to come out like this"
" It's fine son, you did the right thing. Jaden has to pay for what he did to the company, to his family. "We were talking in hushed tones.

" Are you happy?" Came Vidal's calm tone. The calm after the storm type of calm.

" Your brother is now on the run like some common thief !. How does that help anything?"
" Enough Vidal! Would you have preferred him drowning our years of sweat into bankruptcy?. He lied to all of us and was still doing business with that criminal!."
" He needs help, He needed help! My son wouldn't have done any of those things if it weren't for that bitch!"

Vidal spat at Hazel. Abel's nanny took him away.
" I want her out of the house this instant. If she doesn't leave, Jaden wouldn't be the only person on the run".
" Do not threaten her mother!" I boom.
" See?!! You've all gone mad over her. What sort of spell did she cast on you?. She's a curse, a curse that'll destroy us all if I don't put a stop to it".

Hazel doesn't say a thing. Bethany's face looks pleased, she didn't even try to hide it.
I was in the process of talking when two cops walked in. The atmosphere cah
" Good day"
" Has he been found, officers?" Henry asked, tensed.
" Am sorry Sir. No. We have some bad news".
" Is he dead?!" Vidal yelled, her eyes wide with fear.
" No ma'am. But he made contact with Miss. Fiona De Silver twenty hours ago. And we found her dead in her father's lake house down route 17. There were signs of struggle. "

" What?!" Asked Vidal's horrified.
What?
Fiona?.
" H-how? And what shows it's Jaden?. Jaden is not a killer! My son is not a killer!"
" Am sorry Ma'am but we found evidence that shows that he had committed the murder. He shot her,three times. If you have any information about him, please contact us. He's dangerous and armed. And he is a criminal"

Jaden murdered Fiona? But why?

He's out of control now.
Now, more than ever, I have to protect Hazel, even if it costs me my life.

Tiana ♥️