Chapter 17

HAZEL'S POV~











"To hell with all the promises I've made to myself, I never keep them anyway."











I made two promises to myself; one, I was not going to have any further confrontations with Matteo. It only spoiled my mood and leaves me an emotional mess. Two, I'm going to detach myself from the guys. I was already getting attached, it would be harder to leave them when the time comes. The only problem is I don't know how to fulfill these promises. Matteo's constantly getting on my nerves whereas Jamie and Mikhail don't know how to take no for an answer. My failed attempt at giving them the silent treatment proves that. I sighed softly as I stepped out of the shower wrapping a towel around me.



If only they were just like Matteo or even Tom it wouldn't have been easier to ignore them but they've only been kind and friendly towards me, accepting without any conditions, especially Jamie. He reminded me of the brother I never had. An idiot barged into my room without knocking, making me yelp in surprise as I clutched tightly to the towel I was about to drop.



"Didn't your mom teach you to knock?" I screamed furiously, turning to see the idiot only to find a shocked Matteo staring back at me. Of course, it had to be him, it's always him.

"Who do you think you are to barge into my room like this?" I continued. "Can't you just be civil for once? For fuck's sake you don't own me," I hissed sending him a glare. The whole time he just stared me up from head to toe, his eyes lingered on my legs. I shifted uncomfortably trying to ignore the feeling I got from seeing his heated stare. This wasn't you Hazel. You can't be turned on right now by a single stare.



"Uhmm..." he said clearing his throat. "Why are you not putting on any clothes?" Maybe it was because I was about to wear one before your stupid ass barged into the room. I so much wanted to give him that reply but I held back.



"Just... Uhhhh?" I voiced out in frustration expecting he could have apologized. "Why are you here?" I asked using a different approach. He stared at me for a few seconds before replying through gritted teeth.



"We are attending a party this evening," he announced before walking out leaving me stunned.



"Excuse you?" I screamed furiously following him out. "What do you mean party? This evening? Evening, as in a few moments from now?" To hell with my promise to avoid confrontations with him. How could he just waltzed into my room and announce that?

"What are you doing out here dressed like that?" He had a dark look in his eyes as he eyed the towel I was wearing angrily. His eyes scanned the hallway before they went back to me. "What if someone passing sees you like this?" Anyone who didn't like my clothes could go to hell for all I care. There were more pressing matters than what his many employees thought of me.



"You didn't answer my question. Which party are you talking about?" I asked now in a calm voice.



"Are there different kinds of parties?" He raised an eyebrow. "Just be prepared, I will send someone to get you when it is time."



"Yes, there are different kinds of parties. There are birthday parties, and anniversaries but that's by the day. I don't even have any decent clothes or shoes for a party. Besides, my hair is a mess. It would take a lot of effort to comb it out."



"Don't worry about that darling, my stylist is on her way. Everything you need will be provided," he explained. That was how he should have started this conversation, we wouldn't be here right now if he had. Speaking of here, I look down to see the water had already dried on my body.



"Get back into your room, Hazel." He said in a deep warning voice. Why is he so rude? I scoffed rolling my eyes before returning to my room. I just hoped whoever was coming wasn't bringing another set of white gowns because I am tired. He insisted on filling my closet with only white outfits because he felt it would put me in another. He denied me every time I ask for different colored clothing even when I offered to go bring back mine.



A knock sounded on the door as soon as I finished wearing the clothes. Glad to know someone in this house can knock. Walking to open the door I had locked earlier because of him, I opened it to see a smiling Mikhail on the other side.



"Can I come in?" He asked with a wide grin. I shifted giving him space to come in before closing the door behind him.



"To what do I owe this pleasure?" I asked folding my arms. He turned to face me before flopping down on the bed like he owned the room, I noticed he was still wearing his shoe. His long legs stretched out to the corner of the king-sized bed. "What is it?" I asked again when he didn't say anything.



"So you finally decided to talk to me," he whispered, facing up to the ceiling. Patting the space near him he adjusted for me to join him. I reluctantly took the invitation as I reluctantly got on the bed. We lay there in comfortable silence not saying a word.



"I grew up in an orphanage," he said completely out of the blue. I turned to see he had a sad look. "I never knew who my parents were. I was named by one of the Mistresses that took care of us in the orphanage. At that time I didn't understand the concept of a family but I remember my birthday wish was to have one." He smiled a sad smile before turning on his side to face me. "The thing is I don't even have a real birthday, I was a baby that was picked up from the streets so no one really cared about finding my parents. My birth date is the day I was found, not the day I was born." Life really does have a way of being shitty even to babies. The next few minutes were spent with me listening while he told me all about his childhood, how he met Matteo and how close they've been ever since. The Matteo he spoke about was different from the person I spoke to today. This Matteo seemed like the same warm charming person I met five months ago at that casino.

"I don't know what's going on between the two of you. I just want you to know that he is a good guy. He might not show it now but I can tell he cares about you and everyone else in this house"

"He's really doing a good job at hiding it" I mumbled sarcastically. The guy was too full of himself to care about anyone else. Everything has to be done the way he wants it, everyone has to do things he wants them to even if it's against their will. "I don't know how you tolerate him Mikhail but I just don't have that patience." My life has always been trouble and drama free.

Mikhail bursts into a fit of laughter beside me. Stunned I turned to him, wasn't he the same person who looked like he wanted to cry seconds ago? What happened? Is there some joke I'm not getting?

"Why are you laughing?" I turned fully to face him on the bed. My right arm supported my jaw while I placed my casted left arm carefully on the bed.

"Nothing," he remarked "it's just that I have a feeling you would have a different opinion soon" with that he stood up from the bed, gave me a friendly kiss on the forehead leaving me in confusion.

"And oh" he called out from the door "Today is that birthday I was talking about" he opened the door and paused when a familiar face almost bumped into him.

"Sorry" rushed out a cheerful voice. It was her, the designer girl I see many times on TV. Wait, don't tell me this is the stylist Matteo was talking about. Mikhail assisted in carrying the many things in her hands, placing them on the bed. With that, he smiled and walked out leaving us both. I made a mental note to myself to either get him a birthday present or bake him a cake. But the latter seemed easier since I didn't know what to get him. I've never been given a gift, even bought a gift for a guy.

"Hello, I'm Heidi Cabello but you can just call me Bri," she said with a deeply accented voice smiling at me as she arranged some of the things we will be using.

"Oh I know, I've seen your interviews" I smiled back at her. She sounded even more friendly than she looked. "I'm Hazel, Hazel Woods," I added getting up from the bed.



"Forgive me for arriving late, a meeting with one of my clients earlier today dated me. Besides, Matteo called on short notice," I couldn't even bring any of my assistants," she apologized before pulling out a classic red dress from a hanger. I didn't mind in fact if she had arrived ten seconds before the party I would still be happy. It was not every day you get to meet a famous Italian designer like her or even wear one of her clothes without charge. She had just made my whole year. I pushed within.



By the time we were done, I was a whole different person. She put my hair in waves which helped in highlighting its color. The red dress had a similar texture and the nude heels I wore complimented the look. I wasn't even wearing any jewelry aside from the dotted earrings she had given me earlier yet I was looking stunning. I smiled in appreciation, thanking her continuously. It was one thing to be grateful and it is another to show appreciation and since I couldn't offer her anything my thanks will have to do for now.