"What the hell are you doing here?" Christoper demanded, his voice laced with anger.
Hazel pushed him off without saying a word and walked away, her steps echoing as she descended the stairs. She headed straight to her room, feeling the weight of the confrontation pressing down on her. She yanked off her cap and flung it aside in frustration.
"I never want to see him in front of me again," she muttered under her breath. "I should leave."
Determined, she began packing her belongings, but doubt soon crept in. "But where would I go? How would I survive?" She paused, staring at her half-filled bag. With a resigned sigh, she unpacked her things and retrieved her cap. "You don't have any other options, Hazel. Just face him," she told herself firmly.
Taking a deep breath, she walked back down to the café. They had received orders from the office building next door a few times, and Hazel had delivered them without encountering Christoper. She was hoping her luck would hold out.
"Whose office is that?" she asked Kevin, one of her coworkers.
"Headquarters of the Royal Imperial Group," Kevin replied. "Mr. Alexander Jonathan is the Director, and his son, Christoper Alexander, recently took over as CEO."
Hazel nodded as Kevin explained. The clock was nearing 10 PM, and they were closing up for the night when an order for black coffee came in from Christoper's office. "Who could be working this late?" Hazel wondered aloud.
"Probably security," Becky suggested. "Hazel, can you deliver this? Then you can head back to your room."
"Sure," Hazel agreed reluctantly. Most of the staff lived nearby, but Hazel stayed at the café. She walked towards the office building, the night air cool against her skin. The order came from the 12th floor, 3rd room. She knocked lightly and entered, placing the coffee on the table.
"What are you doing here, Hazel?" came the familiar, irritated voice.
She turned to see Christoper standing there, arms crossed over his chest, looking as handsome as he was infuriating. "That's none of your business. Move," she said, trying to brush past him.
"To where? Just answer my question, Hazel. How did you end up here?"
"Why should I tell you anything? I want to leave," she replied angrily.
Suddenly, Christoper grabbed her and pinned her against the wall. "Answer me," he demanded.
"I was working at that café. I didn't even know this was your office. Please let me go, sir. I became a thief because of you, got expelled from college. What do you want from me? Leave me alone," she pleaded, her voice breaking.
Christoper's eyes bore into hers. "You deserved all that for meddling in my life."
"Really? You started everything first. I didn't even know who you were," Hazel retorted.
"It's all because of you, you...," he started, but she cut him off.
"Don't call me names, Mr. Alexander. I am far better than you. At least I don't make people thieves like you," she snapped, her teeth clenched in anger.
She attempted to walk past him, but he caught her hand and pulled her back. "Don't be so oversmart. Just resign and leave."
"I'm not working for you, Mr. Alexander. It's my choice. Now, let go of me," she said, yanking her hand free and rushing out of the room.
*************
"She's here?" Christoper asked, looking intently at Mr. Garden.
"Who?"
"Hazel."
"What the hell is she doing here?"
"Working at a café near my office."
"No... She must be here to take revenge on me. Christoper, if anyone finds out she's my illegitimate daughter, I'll kill myself."
"Uncle, please, don't worry. I'll take care of her. You just stay calm."
"How can I, Christoper? Because of her, your marriage was called off. She's just like her mother, only interested in money."
"I know, Uncle. Please go and attend the conference. I'll handle everything. By the time you return, she won't be here. That's my promise."
"Thank you, Christy... I believe you." Mr. Garden clasped Christoper's hand firmly before walking out.
***********
It was a chaotic day at the café. With the weekend and a national holiday coinciding, everything was exceptionally busy. Orders poured in from the Royal Imperial Group, and Hazel found herself running to the office multiple times. The hustle and bustle of customers kept everyone on their toes, and the air was filled with the clatter of dishes and the hum of conversation.
Despite the overwhelming workload, Hazel's coworkers pitched in to help. Kevin manned the coffee machines, brewing cup after cup of the café's finest blends, while Becky took charge of the pastries, ensuring each one was perfectly baked and displayed. The atmosphere was a whirlwind of activity, with staff darting back and forth to keep up with the relentless pace.
By the time the shop finally closed at 11:30 PM, exhaustion was etched on everyone's faces. Hazel, her muscles aching and feet sore, trudged to her room above the café. She kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling.
"What a day," she muttered to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. She closed her eyes, As Hazel lay on her bed, trying to unwind from the chaotic day, a sudden knock on the door startled her. "Who's here at this time?" she wondered, getting up reluctantly. She opened the door to find a stranger standing there.
"Who are you?" she asked, fear creeping into her voice.
"That's not important. Let's spend the night together, baby," the man said with a smirk.
Hazel's heart raced. She tried to close the door, but he shoved it open and stepped inside. "Let's have a sweet night, girl," he leered at her. For a moment, Hazel was paralyzed with fear, but she quickly regained her composure. She grabbed a flower vase from the nearby table and hurled it at him.
"Ah!" the man screamed, clutching his head. Hazel took the opportunity to dash out of the room, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. The road outside was almost empty, the quietness of the night amplifying her fear.
"Stop right there!" the man shouted, chasing after her.
Hazel ran towards the Royal Imperial Group's office, hoping to find security guards. But as she reached the building, it seemed deserted. "Help me!" she screamed desperately into the night. "Please, someone help me!"
"Hey, girl, come here!" the man called out, closing the distance. Hazel glanced back in terror and sprinted towards the parking lot, her mind racing for an escape plan. She darted behind a parked car, crouching low to avoid detection.
The man was searching for her, his footsteps growing louder. He approached the car she was hiding behind, and Hazel's heart pounded in her chest. Just then, the car's lights flashed, indicating it had been unlocked. Desperate, Hazel slipped into the back seat and lay flat, hoping to stay hidden.
A few tense moments passed before someone entered the car and started the engine. Hazel held her breath, praying the driver wouldn't notice her. The car began to move, exiting the parking lot and merging onto the street. Hazel dared not make a sound, but her mind was racing. Who was the driver, and where were they headed?
As the car sped through the city, Hazel felt a mix of relief and anxiety. She had escaped the immediate danger, but her fate now lay in the hands of an unknown driver.