Chapter 20

HAZEL'S POV~







"Teach me to drown this feeling, teach me to let go."







It's been almost a month since that day. I buried myself in anything I could find my hands doing. I rarely even saw him nowadays, only when we had a meeting even though we barely said a word to each other.



I have been having some combat training with the guys. Some of them with whom I bonded; were Chase, the hacker who couldn't throw a punch to save his soul, there was, Tyron, his twin who was completely opposite from him. There was also Luke, Cornè, and then Andrew who was constantly flirting with me.



They were all nice and accommodating as I was the only woman with them. Mikhail had tried mending my relationship with Matteo but how do you mind something that wasn't even there in the first place? Speaking of the devil he was currently sitting on a stool beside the treadmill I was on with a brooding expression.



"I can't believe two of my most favorite people are not talking and I'm in the middle of the whole thing," he complained. "The worst of it all is that I don't even know the reason," he added raising his hands dramatically.



"I'm hurt," Jamie said from the other side, dropping the dumbbell he was carrying narrowly missing his feet. He placed a hand on his chest with a pout on his lips. "I thought I was your favorite?" Mikhail gave him a sarcastic smile before turning back to me. The brooding expression returns.



"I'm everyone's favorite here, especially, Blakey. Isn't that right babe?" Andrew started winking at me. I hated that name, I have warned them more times earlier than many to stop calling me that yet it's they keep doing it. Choosing to ignore them and concentrate on my running, I hit the button in front of me increasing the speed.



"Woah Woah, be careful!" Mikhail warned with wise eyes.



"That's even better," Andrew stepped behind me "I have a better view of your fine ass" he didn't get to finish the sentence before a shoe landed on his head. I gave Jamie a look of gratitude, he grinned standing up to answer the call on his phone.



We've been on several missions tracking down since the last few days tracking down Jimmy and the device. The man has practically vanished from the earth. It was like he knew our every move, I thought I knew him until recently. Apparently, he is involved in more different crimes than I imagined. Last week we discovered a warehouse where young girls are kept and sold out to their highest bidders. I didn't want to believe he could do something like that but I knew he wasn't a saint. Never have been.



I stepped out of the treadmill taking the towel Andrew was offering. Mikhail had left some time ago to take care of something Jimmy was still on a call. Speaking of phones, I was yet to get back mine which I was told is in Matteo's possessional.



I couldn't recall all the times I stopped myself from storming into that office and requesting my phone but I didn't want to see his face let alone be in the same room with him without any company.



"Hazel," Jamie called from the other side of the gym with a phone in his hands.



"What?" I mouthed to him. "Boss is looking for you" he stated before going back to the call. I watched as he nodded his head a few times before finally switching off and walking to me.



"Why is he asking for me?" I questioned raising an eyebrow. Matteo had barely looked at me since that day. It was like I was a plague he needed to avoid. Never making eye contact or talking to me directly. Someone was always there to relay his message but now he wanted to see me?



I knocked on the door of his office dreading the next few minutes. His voice came from inside ushering me in. I opened the door to see him sitting behind his desk. He didn't even look up to acknowledge my presence, just kept typing whatever he was engrossed with.



"You asked for me?" I said not beating around the bush. It was not like I did anything to feel guilty about if there was anyone among one of us that needed to feel guilty then it was him. He finally looked up, his eyes accessing me.



"Sit down," he gestured to the chair in front of him. I folded my hands ignoring that.



"Why did you ask for me?" I asked again. He didn't say a thing going back to what he was typing.



"We have found, Jimmy," he said through gritted teeth. "Our sources tracking him recently saw him in Venice," I don't know much about geography but I'm pretty sure Venice is in Italy.



"Okay...?" I wanted to know where he was heading with this conversation.



"We will be leaving for Italy the day after tomorrow, so get ready," why wasn't I surprised? I was already used to his spontaneous attitude.



"Okay," I replied nodding. I guess my reply surprised him as he looked up at me suspiciously.



"What?" I snapped before turning to go but I remember what I wanted to tell him earlier.



"Uhmm..." I was thinking of a way to bring it up without angering him. "I need my cellphone to make a call" I expected him to refuse or say something that would annoy me instead he pulled out a phone from his desk drawer and handed it to me.



"Wait, what?" I held the phone in my hand confused. "Didn't you say you need a phone?" He replied rudely, turning back to his laptop. "Huh…" I groaned. I hated this guy with so much passion.



On reaching my room I made a few calls, first I called Nick who yelled at me through the phone I could barely make out what he was saying from the noise in the background so I promised to call him back later. It was hilarious because he made me swear on my love for colors to keep my promise. Then I sent a text to Gracie informing her I was still alive. I knew Nick would tell her anyway but I just wanted her to know.



I called Miss Walters who could barely contain her emotions as she asked me where I'd been and how I was doing. She didn't even wait for a response as she began scolding me for not visiting. After some minutes I ended the call with a smile on my face. According to her, mom was getting better and was no longer in a wheelchair. That improvement ignited a little bit of hope within me, something I've been without for years now.



Something, Miss Walters said crossed my mind, she had thanked me for sending the money and other donations to the facility. Which honestly wasn't my doing. I forgot to ask her the particular amount but the way she spoke about it was. It seemed like a huge sum. I was grateful to whoever donated it though. Since I hadn't sent anything I was worried Mom's medications would be cut short because it was almost time for the last payment to end.



I placed the phone on my bed stand before walking to the dresser in front of the mirror. Mikhail had assisted in designing the room to my liking. My favorite colors glitter from every corner making the room alive. I didn't do anything to bed, deciding to leave it white because trustfully white isn't really a bad choice. Putting my head in a burn, I stared at the person in the mirror. I was looking even more healthier and alive.



A sincere smile pooled up on my lips reminding me of how long it's been since I gave a fake smile being in this house has taught me different lessons. Not everyone cared about fame or success and not everyone wanted to sleep with me. The men here respected women, it was like they were a different kind of breed. They aren't abusive or rude, well except for some like Tom but in general, they are okay.



My eyebrows creased as I thought about Matteo. He looked tired when I saw him at the office, he looked like he wasn't getting enough sleep. "Serves him right," I said out loud but deep down my mind had a different opinion. I bit my lip as I recalled that kiss we shared, I recall the feeling I had from only just feeling his lips on mine. As much as I want to deny it, he is a good kisser.

The way our bodies moved in sync, me fitting perfectly by his chest, the sounds of his groans.





Okay, stop it Hazel you need to get your shit together!





I reminded myself before walking over to the closet. I didn't think we would be staying for long. I just threw in a few attires and underwear into a bag. When I was done, I picked my phone off the bed, jumping on the bed as I dialed Nick. I spent the next few hours chatting with him, I didn't tell him where I was though only that I had an emergency. If he believed that or not, he didn't say instead he changed the subject as always telling me about the news he was currently involved with. He and Andrew had the same personality when it comes to women, I think that's why I tolerated Andrew a little because he reminded me so much of, Nick.