The morning sun cast a warm glow over the elegant dining room as Hazel sat down to her breakfast. Her thoughts swirled with plans for the estate, her newfound determination guiding her actions. She stared at her plate and it seemed like her maids haven't yet forgatten about her favorite meals to have as breakfast, she picked up her cup of tea and sipped it's deliciousness, enjoying the warm scented tea rushing at her throat, but as she sipped her tea, a knock at the door interrupted her quiet contemplation.
"Come in," Hazel called, setting down her cup.
The door creaked open to reveal guard, she knows him, he goes by the name Tristan, q hot, short brown haired guy who've been taking care of her since her childhood days, she remembered him to be quite young back then, she could as well say that they grew up together, and now here he was, as dashing as she ever thought he could be, coming in to greet her.
Tristan walked to her, in quite a hurry as she saw, she smiled warmly next to him, as he too, slightly bow to her, before he reported to her.
" Good morning miss. Hazel"
"Good morning, it's so good to see you again Tristan"
"Am honoured miss, hope you slept well"
"I did"
She said with a smile gilled with energy as she stared at him, he then continued his report.
"Miss Hazel, you have some guests outside ready to meet you"
"Guests? Who a..."
She didn't even finish her sentence when she heard another knock at the door.
She hesitantly stared at the door before returning her gaze to Tristan
"I'll go get it miss"
"Please...if you may"
Tristan moved and headed to the door, he held the handle and opened the door, as Hazel's eyes were locked on it, and there they were, the Unwelcomed guests...
her uncle, Edward Young, and his son, Eric, standing in the doorway.
Hazel's heart sank as she observed the smug expression on her uncle's face. Edward had always been distant, and his sudden appearance was unexpected.
"Good morning, Hazel," Edward greeted her with a false smile. "I hope we're not interrupting?"
Hazel composed herself, offering a polite nod. "Uncle Edward, Eric!!"
She stood as they approached, leading them to meet her where she was, Edward and Eric smiled at her, as her uncle, greeted her with all the fake emotions he coudl master.
"Good morning Hazel "
"Uncle, good morning, hope you didn't have a hard time coming here"
"Oh no, we had to come, we've heard about your arrival and my beloved brother passing, so we had to come and see if you're well" Hazel showed her warm smile at them
"Am great fully honoured for your concern uncle Edward"
She looked around and turned back to them, and offered them to have a meal with her, in which, they didn't refuse
" Oh where are my manners? please, join me."
...
As they settled into the chairs, Hazel couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Her uncle was known for his cunning business tactics, and she could sense an ulterior motive behind his visit.
"Eric, my boy, this is your cousin Hazel, am quite sure you remember her, the two of you used to be so wild back then as you raced each other through the gardens of the Youngs'"
Eric, the quiet cousin of hers, was suddenly introduced to her, she couldn't help but notice the flicker of warmth in his blue eyes as he looked at her the moment they were finally introduced.
And Eric, being the quiet one, only slightly bow to her, interm of respect.
Edward then said as he was helping himself with the few delights on the table, gesturing toward her. "I trust you two will get along splendidly. After all, you have much in common."
Eric's gaze met Hazel's, and she sensed a genuine warmth in his eyes. He offered her a friendly smile, and she felt a glimmer of hope amidst the tense atmosphere.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Hazel," Eric finally said, his voice sincere. "I've heard so much about you since we last saw each other"
Hazel acknowledged him with a nod, her guard still firmly in place. She couldn't shake the feeling that her uncle's sudden visit and his eagerness to introduce Eric to her were part of a larger scheme.
As they finished their breakfast, Hazel and Eric found a moment alone in the garden. The air was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers, and the tranquility of the surroundings offered a welcome reprieve from the tension within the mansion.
"I hope you don't mind the unexpected visit," Eric said, his tone earnest. "My father has been quite persistent about us getting to know each other."
Hazel studied him, detecting a genuine sincerity in his eyes. "I appreciate your honesty, Eric. It's clear that your father has his own intentions for this visit."
Eric nodded, a troubled expression crossing his features. "I won't deny it. My father has always been driven by ambition and wealth. But I want you to know that I'm not here to play a part in his schemes. I believe in sincerity and honesty, and I hope we can build a genuine connection, regardless of his wishes."
Hazel's heart stirred as she listened to Eric's words. She sensed a kindred spirit in him, a longing for authenticity in a world filled with deceit and manipulation. Her initial apprehension began to fade, replaced by a growing trust in Eric's integrity.
As the day unfolded, Edward and Eric engaged Hazel in various conversations, feigning interest in her plans for the estate and her well-being. Yet, beneath their façade of friendliness, Hazel detected the subtle undercurrent of their true intentions. Her uncle's eyes gleamed with avarice as he spoke of the mansion's assets, while Eric's polite smile seemed strained at times, hinting at a conflict within him.
Despite their hidden motives, Hazel remained composed and gracious, unwilling to reveal her suspicions. She navigated their conversations with poise, carefully concealing her growing unease. The day passed in a blur of strained pleasantries, and as evening approached, Hazel found herself exhausted by the emotional toll of her uncle's visit.
As Edward and Eric prepared to depart, Edward turned to Hazel and told her
"Your father's legacy is in uout hands now miss hazel, I'd kindly suggest you should start coming to the company, to officially introduce yourself as the new director of the young empire"
"I understand uncle, I'd be there soon enough, i just need sometime to clear everything in my head and I'll soon be there"
Her uncle nodded at her sincerity before he shook hands with her and bid her farewell Eric too approached her and said
"You should come to the city if you'd ask me, i honestly donot think being in here all by yourself is can clear your mind"
"I shall heed your words" she said with a warm smile on her face, before Eric took her hand in his, and kissed her knuckles
"I kindly hope we'll see each other again soon"
"Hope the same"
"Eric my boy, its time to go"
Edward said to eric as he patted his shoulder, before turning to Hazel
"Thank you for your hospitality, Hazel," Edward said, his voice dripping with false warmth. "We look forward to our next visit."
Hazel offered a polite smile, concealing the turmoil within her. "You're always welcome, Uncle Edward, Eric. I appreciate your company." She said before she watched them heading to their car. Eric stared at Hazel's beauty once more, before he too turned and followed his father.
As they were finally departing, Hazel stood at the threshold of the mansion, bidding them farewell. Her uncle's gaze lingered with a calculating glint, and Eric's eyes met hers, a silent plea for understanding passing between them.
As the car drove away from the mansion, Hazel exhaled a long breath, feeling the weight of their departure lift from her shoulders. She retreated to her chambers, seeking solace in the quiet of the evening. The events of the day had left her unsettled, but amidst the lingering unease, she found herself reflecting on the unexpected connection she had shared with Eric.
As she sank into the plush armchair, the golden light of the lamps casting a warm glow over the room, Hazel's thoughts turned to the genuine sincerity she had glimpsed in Eric's eyes. Despite the hidden agendas that had shadowed their interactions, she found herself drawn to the small moments of authenticity that had surfaced during their conversation. It was a glimmer of hope in the midst of her family's tangled web of ambition and greed.
The air was filled with a profound stillness, and the weight of the day's events lingered heavily upon her. Her mind was alive with conflicting emotions, torn between the unsettling motives of her uncle and the unexpected connection she had shared with Eric.
As she settled into her bed, the soft embrace of the covers offering a sense of comfort, Hazel found herself lost in contemplation. The events of the day had revealed the intricate complexities of her family's dynamics, and she grappled with the weight of the expectations and hidden motives that loomed over her.
In the quiet of her room, Hazel's thoughts turned to the future of the estate. She envisioned a place of warmth and connection, a haven where the legacy of the Young family could flourish in an atmosphere of sincerity and compassion. Despite the obstacles that lay ahead, she clung to the hope that she could breathe new life into the mansion, honoring the dedication of the staff and preserving the rich history that was woven into its walls.
As the moon ascended in the night sky, casting a gentle luminescence through the window, Hazel's restless thoughts gradually gave way to a sense of determination. Her encounter with Eric had stirred a longing for authenticity, and she found herself yearning to seek out the genuine connections that lay beneath the facades of ambition and wealth that had clouded her family.
With a renewed sense of resilience, Hazel drifted into a restful sleep, her dreams filled with visions of a future where the mansion would be a place of warmth, connection, and opportunity. The journey ahead would be challenging, but for the first time since her return, Hazel felt ready to embrace the legacy that awaited her within the walls of the Young estate.