AUTHOR'S POV

William's mansion
01:49 am

Hazel sat up after trying to sleep for about two hours but sleep was nowhere around her. She was restless after Xaden left the party in between. She grabbed her mobile and touched Xaden's number. She stared at it for a few moments then threw her mobile on the bed next to her. She pushed her fingers in her hair frustratingly feeling mixed emotions of anger and worry.

It indeed was Xaden's fault that he was first to pick up the fight but she shouldn't have insulted him in front of everyone.

Everyone knows he may show he doesn't care about anything but deep down he does. He's just a baby by heart who loves competitions and winning.

Hazel stood up and wore a cardigan on her sleeveless night suit to go outside her bedroom as it was chilly outside. She slipped into fluffy slippers and made her way outside.

Descending downstairs silently she stood near their mansion's main door. Arms crossed on her chest. Side of her head resting on the door frame. Eyes in an urge to see Xaden coming back home.

" Hazel?" She turned towards a manly voice only to see Reed coming towards her. " What are you doing here so late?". He asked standing in front of her.

" I'm- I ruined everyone's mood today". Hazel said dropping her gaze. " I should have just ignored him as always". She added in a broken voice.

" Hey". Reed called softly and lifted her head back by placing his finger under her chin. As she glanced up tears shimmered in her eyes she bit her lower lip. "Hazel-". Before Reed could say anything Hazel threw her arms around his torso and hugged him tightly.

" Mom is mad at me. She isn't talking to me". She burst into tears. Her voice vibrated near Reed's chest. " She said I overreacted". She hiccuped badly between her sentence making Reed rub her back.

" Shish". Reed tighten his grip around her fragile body. " I'll talk to her. She can't stay mad at you for a long time". Reed tried to console her with his soft words. She nodded still in his embrace.

Both of their attention got pulled towards the gate when a car entered. She slowly pulled out of the hug witnessing Xaden who got off the car and pass by Reed and Hazel without sparing a glance at them.

She pouted even more looking at Xaden who claimed stairs with his long strands. She looked up at Reed with crashed eyebrows and pointed her fingers upstairs. " Look, He's also not talking to me-".

She got cut off by Edwin. " He's a little tipsy right now". Edwin said making both of them look at him. " He'll forget everything till morning". Edwin added tapping his palm on Hazel's back before going towards his room.

" Should I talk to him?". Hazel asked Reed.

" Leave him alone for tonight". Reed replied taking Hazel with him upstairs. " We've to start a new project with Ian and Mr. Glynn from tomorrow. Rest well okay?". Reed said stopping near Hazel's door and making her nod.

The surname was familiar to her but she was too worried about her personal matter to think anything else. 

Reed went towards Xaden's room and knocked on his door but there wasn't any response. He slowly pushed the door open only to realise it was empty. He frowned leaving the room. He went passed by some door but soon stopped near his parent's room as he heard some voices.

The door was slightly open. He peeked inside only to see Xaden resting his head on his mother's lap. Anna was sitting on his bed and gently running her fingers in her son's soft locks while her other palm was under his chin. She was telling him something and he was paying his whole attention to her. Anna placed a soft peck on his forehead who smiled and snuggled his face in her stomach making Reed smile at his brother's childish behavior.

Reed went inside his room after making sure everything was alright but he wasn't. Those big luke eyes were still making him restless. Only he knows how badly he wants to approach her for no reason. But he doesn't know a single thing about her to reach out to her except for her name.

Alice.

The innocence he witnessed in her eyes was not letting him forget her. He felt like her luke orbs left in his. He stared at the white ceiling of his room thinking about the beauty. His heart was dancing at her thoughts.

He was falling in love and he knew that.

William's mansion
08: 02 am

" What, Mom?". Edwin asked in his morning voice opening one of his eyes to look at Anna. He was sleeping shirtless on his stomach. His well-built back was peeking outside from the white duvet.

" Your secretary will come to pick you up in a few minutes. Get ready fast". Anna informed.

" Wake Xaden up first, Mom. He'll take time". Edwin sighed resting his head back on the pillow.

" He's ready already. Waiting for his secretary's arrival downstairs". Edwin's head snapped toward Anna. He pointed his finger towards Xaden's room in surprise, his mouth opened and closed but no word came out.

" Is he alright?". Edwin asked sitting on the bed.

" I'm worried about him too. I tried to make him understand his responsibilities last night. I didn't know he'll ever take my words seriously". Anna said in a tense tone. "Also Reed hasn't back from his morning walk".

" Have they exchanged their souls?". Edwin chuckled getting up from his bed. He hugged Anna loosely letting her disappear under his giant poster. " I love you, Mom". He said childishly.

" I love you too my son". She replied caressing his back. " Why so clingy today?". Anna asked smiling.

" Mom I- ". He pulled out of the hug looking down at his mother's tiny hand which was now in his gentle hold. " I unknowingly hurt someone's feelings". Edwin said not making eye contact.

" Apologies then ". Anna said smiling at his son's dropped gaze. Edwin nodded pursuing his lips. " Get ready. I've made delicious breakfast". Anna said cheerfully making him smile before heading downstairs.

After taking a good shower Edwin got ready for the office wearing a dark gray suit.

" Good morning". Edwin greeted everyone at the dining table gaining their sweet responses.

" Sleep sacrifice in expectations of a hot secretary?". Edwin asked lowly to Xaden who was more than ready in a navy blue suit.

" I'll work hard from today on the new project".

Edwin's smile dropped hearing an unexpected reply from him. " Tell me you are joking". Edwin nervously chuckled but Xaden seems serious for the first time in his entire life.

" Good morning everyone". Hazel joined everyone for the breakfast taking a seat in from of Xaden and Edwin.

She glanced at Xaden to check his mood but failed to conclude anything as he was showing no emotion.

" I'm out". Saying that Xaden left the dining table. Dropping Hazel's mood.

" Where's my dashing brother heading?". Reed stopped Xaden at the doorstep. He was in a sleeveless t-shirt and joggers. Having a water bottle in his veiny hands. Headphone encircled around his neck. Sweat dripped from his body.

" Office". Xaden replied before continuing to walk outside.

Reed's head snapped towards the members sitting at the dining table whose expressions were the same as his. " Wow". Reed mumbled walking in further.

" Why aren't you ready yet?". Tan asked Reed.

" Actually a signature work is left with Salvatore. They called me to meet them in a nearby restaurant from our office for that. I'll go to the office after that". Reed explained. " Don't worry, Dad, you don't need to search for any secretary for me". Reed chuckled looking at Edwin from the corner of his eyes. Edwin threw an apple towards Reed who effortlessly cached it and made his way upstairs taking a bite from it.

After breakfast, Edwin headed outside. A white Mercedes was waiting for him. He opened the back door and made himself sit inside. " Shall I start driving?". A familiar feminine voice asked.

Edwin looked up in the rear mirror only to realise it was Jane.
His new secretary.

• You will always be the feeling I felt too much.

Chapter published on: 05 October 2022.