Chapter 4

The first time Orion laid eyes on Hazel was the day she collided with his cousin, Nathaniel, in the hallway. Though they were related, Orion and Nathaniel didn't have a close relationship, and Orion was well aware of Nathaniel's selfish nature, using people for his own gain. Nathaniel, sensing Hazel's feelings for him, he invited her to a dinner party for graduating students, where Orion was also in attendance. As Nathaniel introduced Hazel as his girlfriend, she greeted everyone with a pleasant smile, despite her nervousness. However, as the dinner progressed, Hazel excused herself to the bathroom. Then one of Nathaniel's friends asked him about Hazel, remarking that she didn't seem like his usual type. Nathaniel's response was callous, as he ridiculed Hazel's appearance, boasting about her physical attributes and confessing that he didn't truly like her, that she was just a mid girl. The group's laughter and joking infuriated Orion, but he managed to conceal his anger, and he instead to leave the gathering. As he stood up to leave, Nathaniel asked if he was leaving, and Orion told him that he couldn't tolerate their stupidity. Though Orion had developed feelings for Hazel, he chose not to intervene, believing that Nathaniel would eventually lose interest in her and dump her. After graduating from university, Orion's focus shifted to his new role as mafia leader, dealing with gangs, drugs, and rival factions. He lost track of Nathaniel and Hazel’s relationship until he discovered that they were getting married. Fearing that Nathaniel would ruin Hazel's life, Orion assigned his men to keep a watchful eye on Nathaniel. However, when nothing suspicious surfaced, Orion assumed that Nathaniel might have genuinely developed feelings for Hazel, but he still didn’t trust him. But on the eve of the wedding, one of Orion's men overheard Nathaniel's conversation with an unknown woman, revealing his true intentions. Nathaniel confessed that he didn't love Hazel, instead viewing her as a potential housewife who would cater to his every whim. He also expressed his love for the mystery woman and planned to take her on a vacation after the wedding. Orion's fury was reignited upon hearing this conversation, and he became determined to stop the wedding, refusing to let the first woman he had ever loved suffer at Nathaniel's hands. Orion came out of his thoughts as they reached his house. As the car pulled up to Orion's residence, Hazel's eyes widened in awe at the sight of the compound. The exterior was a masterpiece of modern architecture, with sleek white walls and black designs. The grounds were nicely manicured, with not a single blade of grass out of place. Securities stood at attention around every corner of the building, their eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of vigilance and intensity. As Hazel stepped out of the car, her gaze remained fixed on the imposing structure before her. Orion led the way, his long strides eating up the distance as he walked towards the front door. Hazel followed closely behind, her eyes drinking in every detail of the compound. Upon entering the house, Hazel's breath caught in her throat. The interior was a stunning reflection of Orion's personality, the walls was painted black color scheme that was both sleek and sophisticated. The decor was simple yet unique. Hazel's eyes wandered over the room, taking in the plush black sofas, the gleaming white marble floors, and the stunning chandelier that hung from the ceiling like a work of art. Orion's voice broke the spell, his deep tones drawing Hazel's attention back to him. "The second room upstairs, that's your room," he said, his expression neutral. "And your luggage will be brought up to you any minute now." Hazel nodded, her eyes flicking upwards towards the staircase before returning to Orion's face. She felt a shiver run down her spine as their eyes met, but Orion's gaze was impassive, giving away nothing. With a quiet nod, Hazel turned and made her way up the stairs, her footsteps echoing off the walls. She opened the door, she was surprised by how big the room was. It was designed with pink and white, and that was her favorite color. It was dominated by a massive pink four poster bed, with sleek white nightstands and a plush pink rug that felt like silk beneath her feet. Hazel's eyes widened as she took in the sheer scale of the room. It was as if Orion knew she was coming, because the room decoration was her style. As she stood there, lost in wonder, Hazel couldn't help but wonder what Orion's room looked like. Was it just as grand, just as opulent? She thought. Without thinking, Hazel collapsed onto the bed, feeling the softness envelop her like a cloud. Just as she was starting to drift off, a knock at the door broke the silence. "Come in," Hazel called out, her voice barely above a whisper. The door opened, and a man entered, carrying her luggage. "Orion said I should bring your luggage up," he said, his expression courteous. Hazel nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thanks," she replied, her voice soft. The man nodded and withdrew, leaving Hazel to her thoughts. With a sigh, she threw off the covers and made her way to the bathroom, feeling a sudden need to wash away the stresses of the day. Hazel stepped into the shower and turned on the water, she let out a sigh of relief as the warm water cascaded over her body. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax, her thoughts drifting off to a more peaceful place. Suddenly, she heard her room door creak open, and her eyes shot open in alarm. "Who's there?" she called out, her voice echoing off the tiled walls of the bathroom. She quickly turned off the shower, her heart racing in her chest. "Who's there?" she called out again. There was no response, and she began to feel a sense of unease creeping over her.