AUTHOR'S POV

EXR Enterprises,
01: 03 pm

The heel-clicking sound of Reed's assistant made everyone push themselves onto the wall as she managed to run in her pencil skirt to Reed's office. "Reed sir." She entered without knocking as she panicked.

Reed who was talking to the contractor for the renovation of the park allowed her in.

" I'm so sorry sir but it's important." She said fixing her round glasses and looking at the man then at Reed again and again.

That contractor being a gentleman left the office sensing she has something private to say.

" S-S-Sir... Xaden sir- he..."

" Calm down first, Stella. What is it?" He asked politely.

She's been working for him for the last two years. He knows she won't act like this if there's nothing big. As well as she pronounced Xaden's name. It's confirmed something's up.

" Sir. Xaden sir and Hazel ma'am got into a fight. They both left hurriedly and Xaden sir's car is found wrecked on the giant highway." She said in one breath.

" WHAT?" Reed's eyes widened. He immediately stood up from his chair.

Stella nodded swelling thickly looking at Reed who was roaming and calling Xaden.

" Pick up the phone." Reed muttered rubbing his forehead but Xaden didn't answer as his mobile was in his car. So he called Hazel only to hear the bell ringing but she also didn't receive it.

" Stella, call in all the nearby hospitals, let me know if you'll find anything." Reed commanded his assistant leaving his office followed by Stella. " Also, I don't want this being headline on any news channels" Reed said in a stern voice.

Edwin whose cabin is next to Reed's lifted his gaze to see Reed being loud which is the rarest thing.

He immediately approached Reed and got to know about the accident.

Reed with his driver while Edwin with the help of Jane went to different hospitals and tried to contact their friends but found no clue.

The day turned into the night but they both didn't dare to call home. They searched and searched and searched from their penthouse to every possible place but there was no sign of the youngest.

Clueless, they went back to their house only to get welcome by the silence.

Only Tan and Won were in the hallway as Anna and Ezra were out for a day.

They walked further to see Tan looking at Xaden's secretary whose head was bowing. " I told you not to give him the car keys. What's the point of appointing you?" He asked trying to calm his anger.

" They know about their disappearance." Edwin mumbled enough for Reed to hear.

" Mr. William I tried to stop him but he was looking so mad at something. I was scared." She said lifting her gaze. " Please don't demote me for this." She pleaded.

" Don't worry, he won't." Won assured. " Go back to your house. It's late." Won sent her back with one of their drivers.

" Mind telling me what happened in the office?" Tan asked glaring at Reed and Edwin.

" They fought again d-" Reed started to explain but was cut off by giggling sounds.

All of them turned to see Xaden and Hazel. They high five gossiping about something while entering inside but as soon as they noticed everyone's stare their wide grin dropped.

Xaden's eyes met Tan's dark ones and silence took place. Tan took a few steps ahead stopping in front of the youngest.

" How irresponsible could you be more?" Tan asked Xaden looking relieved to see them as well as angry for their reckless behavior. " Your car found crashed on the highway. We didn't know if you both were alive or dead."

" It wasn't his-" Hazel was about to defend Xaden as it wasn't his fault but Xaden hit his hand on hers gesturing her to stay silent.

Hazel looked up at Xaden and then at Tan who turned his gaze toward her. " And you, Hazel. At least you could have answered your phone." Tan scolded but with a hint of softness in his voice as he spoke to his only princess.

" I'm sorry." She mumbled lowering her gaze while Xaden was looking at Won from the corner of his eyes. Telling him to save his ass from his father through his facial expressions then pouted melting Won's heart right away.

" Careless brats." Won said a little loudly. Xaden's head snapped towards him thinking the table turned upside down but Won winked. " Go back to your rooms now."

Xaden gave him thumbs up and then immediately nodded his head as Tan looked at them. " Uncle, please." Hazel said showing puppy eyes.

" Alright, but this shouldn't-"

" THANK YOU, UNCLE..." Hazel hugged Tan avoiding further lecture. Tan melted right away and hugged her back caressing her back gently before kissing the side of her head.

Won smiled looking at his brother and daughter's pure relationship before sweeping his eyes all over Xaden's body to see if he was alright only to sigh in relief.

He loves the triplet but adores Xaden more among them as he has spent most of his time with him because when Anna and Tan got blessed with the triplet it was quite stressful to look after them simultaneously so Won and Ezra decided to take care of the youngest as Hazel wasn't born till then.

Being mischievous and under extra protection, Xaden became more careless.

Taking advantage of being twins Won even used to attend Xaden's parent meetings so Xaden wouldn't have to get scolded by Tan. These were all Xaden's ideas of course.

Even after Hazel was born Won and Ezra never pushed Xaden away. He's still like their first child.

" Go back to your rooms before your mothers' arrival." Won said making them nod and head to their rooms.

Xaden and Hazel walked upstairs side by side. " Why did you do that?" Hazel questioned.

" Did what?" Xaden asked.

" It's about the accident. Why did you lie to uncle Tan?" She asked looking up at Xaden's side profile.

" You would have been crying by now if anyone would have scolded you. I'm used to it. So I took the credit." Xaden winked.

" It's called blame." Hazel chuckled.

" They different?" Xaden asked acting innocent.

" Not for you." Hazel replied. " Nothing affects you Nah?" She asked slightly chuckling.

Xaden stopped near his bedroom door and faced her. " I accept I neglect a lot of things but everyone thinks I'm insensitive." His voice was serious unlike usual but his lips were smiling. He sighed heavily relaxing his shoulders and sliding his hands into his pockets. "People often forget I have a heart too."

Hazel stared at him with a dropped jaw. The words were unexpected and deep.

Xaden bent closer to her and placed his finger under her chin. He pushed her jaw up making her close her mouth. " Good night." He greeted kissing her cheek softly before heading inside his room.

It wasn't new for Hazel to get random pecks from the triplets but this moment brought an unknown feeling.

" Why are you staring at the closed door?" Hazel flinched at the sudden deep voice of Edwin from behind. She turned to see Reed and Edwin standing a few steps away from her

" And where you both were all day?" Reed asked sounding stren.

" I won't tell. That's our secret spot." Hazel said making her way toward her room but suddenly a muscular arm caught her fragile one. " Edwin what are you -" She got cut off as the other well-built arm got encircled around her other arm. She looked up to see Reed at this side. They both were walking while holding her arms. She got squeezed between them.

" Tell us." They threatened playfully.

" Lake...the old lake." She managed to speak and pushed them using all her strength. They laughed as she ran to her room.

" They scared the shit out of me." Edwin said tiredly.

" Seriously." Reed breathed out. " But how dad got to know about the accident?" He asked thinking deeply.

" He's the ex-mafia boss." Reed replied parting their ways to their rooms.

Taking a good shower Edwin walked out of his bathroom with a white towel wrapped around his lower waist. His mobile rang he glanced at the screen to see an unknown number. He picked up the call and brought that to his ear walking towards his wardrobe. " Who's this?" He asked sliding some clothes into his closet.

" Edwin sir, it's me... Jane. Your secretary." A nervous voice entered his ear making him stop on his track.

" Oh, you called me at this hour. Is everything alright?" He asked hurrying up a little thinking about those gangsters who he witnessed threatening her before.

" Everything's fine. Sorry to disturb you. I just wanted to know if Mr. Xaden and Hazel's safe. Are they home?" She asked concern fully.

" They're back safely. Don't worry." Edwin assured hearing her sighing audibly and thanking God under her breath. " So...". Edwin said making her realise she was on phone.

" I'm - I'll come to pick you up tomorrow. Good night, Sir." She mumbled the last words.

" Good night." Edwin smiled.

• I caught myself smiling and then I realised I was thinking about you.

• Chapter Published On: 08 November 2022.