AUTHOR'S POV

William's mansion
09:01 pm

" Alice?". Jane gasped running towards Reed and Alice. She grabbed Alice's shoulders and helped her stand up. Reed too stood up along with them. " Are you alright?". She asked Alice who nodded.

Jane's eyes widened when she noticed it was Reed. One of the youngest billionaires in the country. " I'm sorry sir". She apologized bowing a little.

" It's okay". Reed said turning his gaze from the blind girl to the new girl. " Actually I am sorry. I bumped into her. Her mobile screen also broke because of me". Reed said again narrowing his eyes on Alice's face whose eye's never met his.

" It's alright, sir". Jane replied before bowing at him once again. She enterwhined her fingers with Alice and guide her the way.

" What were you doing up here? I literally left you for a minute, Alice". She slightly scrolled in a whispering tone.

" I was lost". Alice replied innocently.

" Stairs are ahead, be careful".

Reed stared at them with pity as Alice grabbed the handstand for support and they both walked downstairs.

He too went downstairs. Met guests but his eyes weren't leaving the blind girl named Alice.

He's always a soft-hearted person. Every small thing matters to him. He's been a sweetheart plus well mind settled person of William's family. Once an excellent student now a great CEO of EXR enterprises.

He has never got time to date neither he interested. The same goes for Hazel. Yes, she's a soft-hearted girl but the only person she's rude with is Xaden because of his behavior around her. He's always way too possessive for her that she feels suffocating around him.

Xaden is a carefree person. Correction: careless. While Edwin is a cool and open-minded person. Edwin handles his professional life perfectly when he's in the mood. Whether it's about projects or meetings he concentrates and works deftly on it while being chilly around friends and family at the same time.

But Xaden isn't into office work and all. He's into parties and girls only. Reed has to manage Xaden's work always as Xaden only appears in the company when his presence can't be denied. He shows himself in the office only for signature works or in most important meetings forcefully.

Hazel doesn't like his attitude a bit. She tries to avoid him as much as she can but he isn't a person anyone can ignore. He is a Playboy himself but never lets any male approach Hazel.

Three of the triplet are protective when it's come to their cousin but Xaden is way too extra. That's what makes Hazel feel independent when he isn't around.

Hazel is his obsession. His madness. And for him, there's no limit for him to cross when it's come to protect her. He thinks he's only protecting her without realising he is caging her.

Xaden gulped his drink down in one go. He clenched the glass in his palm as he witnessed Hazel dancing with Ian in front of his eyes. He tapped his feet to control himself but he lost it when Ian's fingers touched her bare back.

She looked up at Ian and nervously smiled. But a second later crowd gasped as Xaden slammed the glass on the floor near her feet.

The crashing sound caused silence in the party. The music stopped playing and the crowd backed off from the shattered glass pieces making a circle around Ian and Hazel.

Hazel turned to see Xaden who slowly walked toward them. He grabbed Hazel's forearm and pulled her back. He balled his fingers into a fist and placed a tight punch on Ian's face that his face jolted aside.

" Touch her again". Xaden pushed Ian by his chest making him step back. " COME ON TOUCH HER AGAIN". Xaden growled.

" XADEN STOP IT". Hazel shouted standing in front of Ian who touched his thumb on his bleeding lips.

Xaden's blood shoot eyes met with Hazel's wide once. " Now you are taking his side". Xaden let out a dry chuckle. " Even if it's a beggar who comes against me you'll take their side".

" I'm not taking anyone's side". Hazel tried to explain.

" THEN WHY THE F*CK WERE YOU ALLOWING HIM TO TOUCH YOU". Xaden growled.

" BECAUSE IT'S MY BODY". Hazel yelled back. " I CAN DO WHAT THE F*CK I WANT. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO MY LIFE. WHAT AM I DOING? WHY AM I DOING? WHERE I WENT? WHY I CAME HOME LATE? WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO WITH THESE THINGS?". Hazel asked frustratingly.

Ezra came towards Hazel and grabbed her wrist making Hazel face her. " Hazel stop it. Guests are watching". She said lowly.

" NO MOM. I'm fed up with this regular shit". Hazel said releasing her wrist from Ezra's grip and facing Xaden again." Have I ever interfered in your life. Have I ever counted how many times have you f*cked? Then why? WHY CAN'T YOU JUST MIND YOUR BUSINESS".

Xaden's jaw clenched." Okay then". He nodded glaring at Hazel. " I'll mind my business from now on but remember one thing-". Xaden leaned near Hazel's face. " You'll regret... badly". With that, he left the mansion taking big strands.

Tan signaled Edwin to follow Xaden which he did after a nod of assurance.

Ian hissed making Hazel face him. Hazel tilted his head having closer look at his face. " Are you okay?". She asked in a concerned-filled voice. Ian nodded wiping his blood.

" I'm sorry he just has a very short temper". Reed apologized on behalf of Xaden knowing Xaden would never.

" Come on guys you don't need to worry. I know him since childhood. We used to call him angry bird right?". Ian said smiling making their mood light up a little.

Hazel took Ian with her to wash up while Reed successfully controlled the situation and pulled their guests' attention towards the party again.

He sighed heavily but suddenly he remember the blind girl. He turned to see where she was standing all the time wasn't there.

Meanwhile:
At penthouse

"I don't give a single f*ck about her". Xaden said pouring wine into a glass for himself.

" You do". Edwin said taking a seat beside Xaden on a tool. " Actually you give a lot of f*cks about her, Xaden". Xaden shoot a glare at Edwin. " But you know what? Even if she had a pocket of f*cks she won't give you one. Because you perfectly fit in the category of people she hates". Edwin added, spitting facts.

" Am I that bad"? Xaden asked with a visible pout which immediately softened Edwin's eyes.

" No man". Edwin said placing his hand on Xaden's shoulder. " She's just so unlucky". Edwin added making Xaden chuckle in response.

Xaden has been treated like the youngest sibling by Edwin and Reed  it's not Tan who spoilt Xaden it's all because of his a few minutes older brothers. Now they are paying the penalty. Especially Edwin. He's Xaden's crime partner. He knows him just like he knows himself. They indeed are soulmates.

" Give her some space Xaden. Your possessiveness is suffocating her". Edwin advised.

" It's always my fault isn't it?". Xaden asked childishly.

" No Xaden it's not-".

" Then why she ignores me every time, Edwin?". Xaden asked properly facing Edwin. " Why does she always run away from me? She's okay until she's around you or others. Super okay around Reed. She's even ready to dance with that sucker Ian who was clinging onto her". He gritted his teeth while taking Ian's name." But not with me. Why only me, Edwin?".

" Because she's unaware of your feelings towards her. She doesn't know that you love her". Edwin tried to explain.

" How you know I love her?". Xaden asked not believing his own ears.

" I'm your big brother". Edwin said proudly.

" Aren't we triplet?" Xaden asked giving boring look.

"Yep, but I'm a big triplet". Edwin fanned himself trying to light up his mood.

" Sometimes you talk like uncle Won." Xaden made Edwin chuckle.

" WAIT... I got distracted. I was asking. What do you mean I love her?" Xaden's eyebrows crashed together again.

" This is your problem. You are unaware of your feelings too and trying to make sense to Hazel. Look, Xaden. You need to figure out what you want from her. Because it's not just the attention you seek from her." Edwin explained.

" How?" Xaden asked paying heed.

" Ask yourself...You get deadly jealous when you see her with any other guy but you need a new chick every night to f*ck. It doesn't work like this. Hazel is untouched. Are you getting my point?" Edwin asked waiting for the youngest's response.

Xaden nodded. " How to get my virginity back?"

" Be serious for a damn second." Edwin seethed.

" I'm serious." Xaden replied.

" I see." Edwin rolled his eyes.

" Looks, money, charm. What else a girl wants?" Xaden muttered to himself counting luxuries on his fingers.

" She's not a random girl. She's the youngest CEO in this entire country. Richer than us. She doesn't fall for luxuries." Edwin scoffed.

"My Hazel's different." Xaden mumbled to himself but Edwin heard it and smirked as Xaden accidentally addressed her his in front of him.

Xaden realised that and cleared his throat awkwardly. " What do you think a girl like her falls for." Xaden changed the topic pouring vodka for himself.

" Character. A good character she'll definitely fall for." Edwin said the fact.

" I've no chance then."

• She may be strong and capable of anything but she's still a woman with a fragile heart. Show her how much you love her.

Chapter published on: 02 October 2022.