The city moved on like it always did. Cars rushed past. Street vendors called out. Laughter echoed from somewhere far off.
Life continued like nothing had happened.
But for him nothing had moved not since her after that night.
Richard sat in the backseat of his car, shadows cutting across his face through the tinted windows. His posture was relaxed, but there was nothing easy about the way his fingers tapped once then stilled like it was controlled and measured.
But he was watching her carefully.
Across the street, Hazel stood behind a catering table at a small private event. Soft lights glowed above her, reflecting against glassware as guests moved around her in expensive clothes and easy laughter and she smiled.
"Thank you," a guest said.
Hazel nodded politely, her lips curving into something warm"Enjoy," she said gently.
Richard's gaze sharpened he was t able to catch all been said but he could hear some.
She laughed at something another guest added, light effortless and alive.
The sound didn't reach him,but the sight of it did and something about it didn't sit right and that made his jaw tightened slightly.
The moment they turned away her smile disappeared like it had never existed.
Her shoulders dropped. Her fingers stilled briefly against the edge of the table before she exhaled slowly, blinking like she was pushing something down.
And he saw that all of it.
"She's pretending," he murmured low and certain.
Hours later…
Hazel stepped out into the night, exhaustion weighing heavily on her body. The cool air brushed against her skin, but it didn't soothe the tension sitting deep in her chest.
Her phone buzzed. She could tell who it is already.
"Ce…" she answered quietly.
"Hazel?!" Cecilia's voice rushed through. "Where are you? I've been calling you!"Hazel winced slightly, pulling the phone away for a second before bringing it back.
"I was working ma'm." Hazel replied sarcastic.
"You didn't pick up." Ce voice sounded worried.
"I couldn't." Hazel answered voice sounding apologetic.
"Did anything happen today?" Cecilia asked, softer now.
Hazel hesitated.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her bag.
"No."
Five days.
No sign of him.
No shadows.
No danger.
But somehow to Cecillia couldn't shake the feeling.
"I don't like this," Cecilia whispered. "Men like him….don't just disappear."
Hazel let out a small breath, forcing a lightness she didn't feel.
"Well Maybe he did, you panic too much Ce don't worry about me am fine"
"You always say that," Cecilia muttered, worry bleeding through every word.
Her eyes flickered across the street unaware of the car parked in the shadows watching.
"Hazel—" Cecillia was cut halfway.
"I'm on my way home," she cut in gently. "I'll be there soon."
"Okay…Call me when you enter the house."
Hazel's lips softened slightly.
"I will." Hazel too tired to argue back.
The call ended but the words stayed.
As she walked, her mind drifted again back to the folded paper inside her bag her tuition notice .
Just two days.
Her chest tightened.
Two days left to pay.
Or everything she had worked for… everything she was trying to hold together—Would fall apart.
But she wants to go to school.
Hazel's steps slowed slightly as she reached her building old walls faded paint but familiar.But tonight, it felt heavier.
She climbed the stairs quietly, her thoughts louder with each step.
Money.
Time.
Pressure.
"Two days" The words echoed in her head.
By the time she reached the door, her shoulders had dropped completely. The door opened almost immediately.
"Finally—" Cecilia stopped, her eyes scanning Hazel carefully.
"You look exhausted."
"I am." Hazel stepped in, slipping off her shoes, dropping her bag gently.
"Did you eat?"
Hazel hesitated.
Cecilia sighed. "Hazel…"
"I'll eat later," she muttered.
Cecilia watched her for a moment then her gaze shifted to the bag and sighed the envelope.
"Is it about the tuition again?"
Hazel looked away.
"I have two days left," she admitted quietly.
Cecilia's expression fell.
"Hazel…"
"If I don't pay it…" she trailed off, swallowing slightly. "I might lose everything I dreamt of"
The room went quiet.
Heavy.
Cecilia stepped closer, her voice softer now.
"We'll figure something out okay".Hazel nodded but her fingers twisted slightly together.
Because deep down she didn't know how.
Outside…
Richard's car stopped opposite the building , his gaze lifted slowly landing on her window.
Unblinking.
" She's interesting," he murmured.
Not because of him.But because life was already pressing her to the edge snd yet sef still smiles softly at people.
His expression didn't change but something in his eyes darkened.
Upstairs, Hazel leaned back against the wall, closing her eyes briefly as everything weighed down on her at once. Fear, time snd pressure yet she doesn't want to be a burden on Ce.
Outside, Richard still looking straight at her window.
"Prepare it." The voice commanded
The driver hesitated. "Sir?"
"The offer."
His voice was calm and certain.