Hazel sat on the balcony, engrossed in a magazine, her thoughts filled with frustration at Francisco's behavior. Flipping through the pages, she stumbled upon a picture of Francisco and Emily together, igniting a surge of irritation within her.
'I can't believe how a man can be like this,' she muttered to herself, her voice laced with disdain.
'I wish I could expose him in front of everyone.'
Lost in her thoughts, she was startled when Francisco's voice broke the silence from behind her. He whispered, "What happened?"
Hazel tensed, caught off guard by his sudden presence. She resisted the urge to turn around, keeping her gaze fixed on the magazine.
"Nothing," she replied curtly, her tone betraying her irritation.
"Just a magazine," she replied tersely, her frustration evident in her voice.
Francisco moved closer, brushing her hair aside to rest his chin on her shoulder.
"What are you reading?" he inquired softly.
Hazel sighed, her frustration building as Francisco continued to test her patience.
"Didn't I say I was reading a magazine?" she retorted, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"Are you teasing me?"
Francisco chuckled after hearing her, his playful demeanor irking Hazel even more. His sudden touch on her neck made her flinch.
"When will we go back?" Hazel asked, attempting to shift the conversation.
"Why? Feeling bored here?" Francisco countered, his tone light.
Hazel tapped her forehead in exasperation.
"Isn't that normal? I don't like staying at home all the time."
Francisco took a deep breath, his thumb gently rubbing her ear as if trying to soothe her. Hazel felt a mixture of irritation and discomfort at his attempts to pamper her.
He pushed her hair behind her ear, his gaze lingering on her.
"Want to go out now?" he suggested, his tone carrying a subtle insistence.
Hazel's eyes rolled in annoyance as she stood up from the chair, clearly not enjoying Francisco's presence.
Francisco took a deep breath, his demeanor shifting slightly as he straightened his back and placed his hands in his pants pockets.
"I'm going to change my dress. Wait in the waiting room," Hazel stated.
Francisco pressed his lips together, feeling a pang of frustration at her dismissal. As Hazel walked away, he leaned against the railing, contemplating her indifferent attitude.
"How can you even show me an emotionless face?" he thought to himself, his mind filled with conflicting emotions.
Exhaling deeply, Francisco finally decided to follow Hazel inside. However, as he entered the room, he was met with a surprised Hazel, who seemed taken aback by his presence.
"What are you doing here?" she exclaimed, hastily pulling her dress closer to her bosom.
"Didn't I tell you to wait outside?" Hazel questioned, her tone tinged with irritation.
Francisco rolled his eyes in response, silently locking the door behind him.
"I thought to help you out," Francisco stated calmly.
Hazel, still visibly irritated, responded with raised eyebrows, "I don't need your help."
"Hazel, it's not the first time I have helped you dress," Francisco continued, attempting to ease the tension between them.
"And," he lowered his voice, "it's not the first time we've seen each other naked."
Hazel's lips parted, a mixture of surprise and discomfort on her face. Francisco's intense gaze locked onto her, making her throat go dry.
Francisco's gaze remained locked on her, his eyes penetrating. Hazel blinked, feeling a rush of vulnerability wash over her. Slowly, she began to move back, putting some distance between them.
"I can help," Francisco's voice echoed in her ears, his words resonating with a hint of intimacy.
"And you know me, I don't like to repeat myself."
Hazel tightened her jaw, her frustration evident. She turned her back to him, exposing her creamy white skin. Francisco took a deep breath, letting his fingers lightly touch the fabric of her dress.
Hazel raised her eyes and caught a glimpse of Francisco holding her dress in his hands. A mischievous spark glinted in her eyes as she blinked and swiftly turned back to him, clutching another dress against her bosom. Their eyes locked in an intense gaze.
Breaking the silence, Hazel couldn't help but smile at him, her lips curving playfully. With a teasing tone, she remarked, "You're not helping me, Mr. Francisco."
With a deliberate move, she let the dress slip from her grasp, allowing it to fall gracefully to the ground. Now standing before him in only her jeans, her exposed bosom gleamed in the light.
"It's not new, right?" she asked in a seductive tone, fully aware of the effect her words and actions would have on him.
Hazel deliberately provoked him, testing the waters with her bold move.
Francisco gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing visibly. His eyes lingered on Hazel's exposed bosom, his thoughts a whirlwind of conflicting desires. Unable to find the right words, he hastily tossed her dress onto the bed and uttered, "Come out quickly."
With that, he abruptly turned and strode out of the room, leaving Hazel alone with her thoughts. As he left, she sank onto the bed, her breathing rapid and uneven.
'What have I done?' Hazel murmured to herself, her mind reeling with uncertainty and guilt.
Meanwhile, Francisco cursed under his breath as he stormed out of the room, his frustration evident in every step. He slammed the door shut behind him, the sound echoing through the hallway.
'Fu*k!' he muttered angrily, berating himself for his lack of control.
'You did it purposely,' he chastised himself internally, acknowledging Hazel's deliberate attempt to provoke him.
'I promised I wouldn't do anything until you want, but it doesn't mean you can provoke me, Hazel,' Francisco muttered, struggling to rein in his emotions. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, as he fought to regain his composure.
Just then, Arthur appeared, his presence interrupting Francisco's internal turmoil.
"Boss!"
Arthur's voice cut through the tension, drawing Francisco's attention away from his inner turmoil.
Francisco turned back to Arthur as he heard his voice.
"The car is waiting," Arthur informed him.
Nodding in acknowledgment, Francisco was about to knock on the door, but before he could, Hazel twisted the knob and opened it herself. Their eyes met briefly, but both quickly averted their gazes.
Arthur observed the silent exchange between his boss and Hazel, sensing the tension in the air. Sensing the discomfort, he quickly intervened.
"Ma'am, the car is ready," he said, swiftly retreating from the scene.
Hazel gave Francisco a brief sidelong glance before wordlessly making her way out of the room. Francisco took a deep breath, his mind racing with thoughts and emotions.
As they walked, Hazel's steps were slow and deliberate. Francisco trailed behind her, his mind still grappling with the encounter in the room.
Arthur held the door open for them as they made their way to the car. They both climbed in, taking their seats beside each other, but the silence between them was palpable.
The car ride was tense, filled with unspoken words and lingering tension. Hazel stared out the window, lost in her thoughts, while Francisco remained deep in contemplation, his eyes occasionally glancing at her.
Despite the proximity, neither of them dared to break the silence.