Hazel watched her go, a strange sense of unease settling over her. the elegant lady who seemed so composed, so in control. To see her flustered, struggling with something as trivial as a button, was… unsettling.
Hazel frowned. She took a peek at Mr Stern's room. She couldn't shake the feeling that she'd stumbled upon something private, something she wasn't meant to see.
She sighed. The house, it seemed, was a hotbed of unspoken tensions. From the gossiping maids to the badly wound Mr stern. to the suddenly flustered Irene everyone seemed to be carrying a secret burden. And Hazel, caught in the middle of it all, couldn't help but wonder what it all meant. She still felt the sting of her earlier confrontation, but now, it was mixed with a growing sense of unease.
Hazel decided to back to kitchen. she was met by constant stares. And she couldn't blame them .. even she couldn't understand herself. she walked further in with a sigh.
Mira walked to her side.
"hey , I'm sorry if you feel offended by our conversation earlier. are you okay" mira apologized
Hazel felt embarrassed. she shoke her head and apologized instead.
Mr Brown walked in with a straight and strict face.
" Mr stern requires his breakfast to be served in his room immediately, And... by hazel only" he added.
He simply walked away after giving the announcement.
Hazel "..."
Mira and the others "..."
Hazel's heart was beating fast in her chest. was she in trouble?
Alexander sat on his dimly lit room . He stared out the window, his mind going places out of control.
replaying the events of the previous day. A sharp pain in his chest, a fall, and then Hazel, rushing in to help him.
She had come to him? and he pushed her away? her tears, the horror in her eyes, her fear. memories from last night kept hunting him. the look on her face didn't pleas him at all . He didn't like the fact that she saw him like that. will she be suspicious of him?
Alexander closed his eyes he couldn't shake the feeling of. He sent for Mr Brown and gave him an order to send Hazel in... alone.
kalix walked up to Alex his face etched with a serious expression.
"She saw you Alex, what are you going to do now? how are you going to explain to her."?
kalix spoke showing his concern.
Alexander simply remained mute he didn't say anything to kalix's words..
kalix looked at him a little longer and decided leave after sighing.
Hazel on the other hand held the tray with shaky hands. what was the reason he called for her personally?.. did she... did SHE BREAK THE RULES?!!!.
Hazel questioned herself with wide eyes.
feeling nervous she finally ascended the stairs to Mr stern's and met kalix on his way out of Alexander's.
He gave her a small poilite smile and ushered her to go inside.
Hazel knocked before letting herself in.
She greeted Alexander and walked to the table to place the tray down.
Alex stared at her every move. trying to know what she's thinking.
Hazel stood in front of him nervously fumbling with her dress.
She couldn't stand his gaze. she tried to look elsewhere other than his eyes.
Her eyes landed on his chest and she could see the wound on his chest bandaged.
Her eyes lingered a little longer than she intended. Her heart ached for him. It must've hurt a lot.
How did he even get hurt in the first place? The wound.... it didn't look normal. Hazel kept wondering, her thoughts giving vivid expression on her face. She furrowed her brows.
"HAZEL" Alexander suddenly called out feeling unease by her sudden stare.
Hazel jolted back to reality, realizing her mistake. with wide eyes she apologized repeatedly.
Alexander just stared at her for a while before I finally speaking.
"About yesterday... what you saw." He paused ,watched her closely.
"No one must hear of it" and you must not speak, or think of it, your lips should be sealed do you understand?"
Hazel nodded her head.
"should anyone hear of it be ready to face my wrath". he added.
You may leave. he dismissed her.
But Hazel felt her heart skip a beat. It wasn't because of the warning, it was... it was the way he said her name. It was his first time saying her name.. and it.. it make her feel strange.. but in a good way.
she thought to herself as she walked away quietly with a confused expression on her face.