"The thing is, I don't like that person whom Diana is hanging around," Max admitted with a deep breath, a hint of unease in his voice.
Francisco, sensing the weight of Max's unspoken concerns, studied his friend's face. However, Max seemed hesitant, unable to articulate the full truth. He pressed his lips together, avoiding eye contact by looking around the room, a clear sign of his nervousness.
Francisco, though slightly puzzled, maintained his composure. He offered a reassuring smile and placed a hand on Max's shoulder.
"Then force her to the mansion."
Max's gaze met Francisco's, but his response wasn't as immediate as expected. He exhaled slightly, a weariness apparent in his expression.
He could force her, indeed.
The authority to do so was well within his grasp. But at that moment, Max yearned for more than just control; he desired a respite, a break from the relentless responsibilities that had been pressing down on him.
He entertained the idea of taking a week off, a brief escape from the intricacies of their world, and perhaps, he contemplated a chance to take Diana away with him.
Francisco, ever perceptive, looked at Max's hands.
"It seems you hurt your hand again."
Max, momentarily caught off guard, lowered his gaze to his hand.
"Um… yes," Max admitted, his voice carrying a tinge of weariness.
Francisco took a deep breath, walked back to his chair. He settled into it, adopting a relaxed posture.
"I think you should take a rest, go for refreshment, or spend some time with someone."
Max, ever vigilant, arched his brows, a touch of suspicion in his gaze.
"Are you planning to fire me from here?"
Francisco raised an eyebrow, his response tinged with a hint of humor.
"I wish I could. And the way you are messing up around, it seems you will ruin us."
Max sighed, a mix of frustration and understanding in his expression.
"Go refresh yourself. And don't worry, Liam is coming," Francisco reassured him, tapping away at his laptop as he spoke.
"Liam!" Max's eyes lit up with excitement, his concern momentarily replaced by anticipation.
"Did that bastard contact you? Did he successfully land the weapons?"
Francisco's expression remained composed, his eyes meeting Max's with a steady gaze.
"Yes, he contacted me. The weapons are secured, and he's on his way back."
Francisco, visibly relieved, rubbed his stubble beard.
"Damn! I was so tensed about it," Max confessed, the tension of the past month dissipating with the successful news of the weapon deals.
Max, finally allowing himself a smile after the prolonged anticipation, shared in Francisco's sense of relief.
"So are you taking leave?"
Max took a deep breath, contemplating the prospect of a temporary reprieve.
"You are right. I think I should go for refreshment, or I can't hold my gun."
Francisco let out a loud sigh.
As Max prepared to take a step back from the relentless responsibilities, his eyes narrowed with a mix of worry and determination.
"You need to be more cautious, Francisco. We can't afford any slip-ups."
Francisco inclined his head, recognizing the gravity of the situation.
"I'm taking the necessary precautions."
"Do you have any idea who could do this?" Max asked.
Who could be behind the potential threat?
The intricate web of their clandestine world offered numerous possibilities, each shadow concealing a potential adversary.
"But there's something else – Hazel might have been inadvertently dragged into this," Francisco finally admitted, the gravity of the situation evident in his tone.
Max's brows furrowed in concern.
"What do you mean?"
"She witnessed part of the incident last night. Now, I need to ensure her safety without revealing too much."
Max, taking a step ahead, voiced a concern that lingered in the air. "Bro, don't you think you are giving her special treatment?"
Francisco, gazing at his palm, took a deep breath before responding.
"Do you remember the night when death was knocking at my door?"
Max's expression shifted, recalling the haunting memories of that perilous night.
"Ah… how could I forget that horrible night? We were nearly losing you," Max answered, the vivid recollection of the danger they faced etched in his mind.
Francisco looked up at Max, his gaze unwavering as he revealed a truth that had remained hidden.
"That night, Hazel saved my life."
Max's brows arched in stunned realization.
"I had been looking for her for the last years, and finally I found her."
"We met a second time in the port, and that was my first failure on my mission."
Max raised his brows, the gravity of Francisco's revelation settling in.
"You mean she was there with those girls?"
Francisco nodded, confirming the unexpected connection.
"Did he see you somehow or recognize you?"
Max asked nervously.
"No, she did not," Francisco uttered.
Suddenly, the door cracked open, drawing both Max and Francisco's attention. Hazel stood at the entrance, her eyes meeting Francisco's. In the natural cascade of her open hair, she looked stunning.
Max, sensing the unspoken dynamics between Francisco and Hazel, moved aside and greeted her with a smile. "Good morning, Ms."
"Hello, good morning, Mr. Max," Hazel replied with her usual poise.
Max glanced at Francisco and then at Hazel, sensing that there were matters left unsaid between them.
He coughed, breaking the unwanted silence that lingered in the room, and said, "Umm, Francisco, I need to go, and I will contact you when my holidays come to an end."
Francisco, still lost in thought and focused on Hazel, didn't give Max a farewell. His gaze remained locked on Hazel.
Max, sensing the need for privacy between his friend and Hazel, quickly left the room, leaving them alone.
Hazel, feeling the weight of Francisco's cold gaze, took a deep breath as she stepped ahead. Nervousness flickered beneath her composed exterior, but she made sure not to reveal any unease.
"Good morning, Mr. Francisco. Thank you for the car, but I really don't need it," Hazel began, addressing the situation at hand.
"I mean, I am your PA."
"I think this is a bit too much for me."
Hearing her words, Francisco touched his forehead.
"Your security is my first priority," he stated.
"But I think I should inform the police, Mr. Francisco," Hazel suggested, her concern for her safety evident in her words.
Francisco, pressing his lips together, met her gaze. "Hazel, tell me one thing. Do you have anyone who can harm you?"
Hazel shook her head in the negative, her uncertainty reflected in her eyes.
"But, Mr. Francisco, why does it have to be? What if that person is a thief, he came to steal something?"
Francisco, his eyes remaining fixed on her, took a moment to contemplate the possibilities. After a minute of silence, he nodded in acknowledgment of her perspective.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
Hazel, her gaze meeting his, nodded in response. "I was a bit afraid, but I managed."
Francisco, unable to shake the underlying tension, pressed his lips together and clenched his fist. Last night, sleep had eluded Francisco as his thoughts revolved around Hazel. The unspoken desires that lingered between them, the magnetic pull he felt toward her, created a quiet turmoil within. The image of her soft lips had played in his mind, a temptation that he struggled to resist.
Hazel, unaware of the silent storm raging within her boss, stood there, a beacon of composure in the face of uncertainty.
"When will your friends be back?" Francisco asked, curiosity tingeing his tone.
"I don't know. I don't want to bother them."
Francisco inhaled, a moment of contemplation passing before he spoke again.
"Hazel, tonight we have a party. You have to accompany me."
Hazel nodded in acknowledgment and left Francisco's room. As she settled at her desk, their cabins strategically positioned opposite each other, the Thai glass separating them allowed a visual connection.
Francisco deliberately managed Hazel's cabin within his line of sight.
Hazel was engrossed in her work.
Taking a deep breath, Hazel glanced at Francisco secretly. He was engaged in a phone call, his lips moving as he spoke. Hazel attempted to read his lips discreetly.
Their gazes unexpectedly met, Hazel found herself caught in Francisco's penetrating gaze.
Hazel became a bit shocked but did not try to avoid her gaze, neither did Francisco.
Then, amidst their shared gaze, Francisco uttered words that Hazel managed to read from his lips.
"SEND THAT IN MY DRIVE."
The mention of a drive stirred curiosity in Hazel's mind.
Drive?
Which drive was he referring to?
A sudden sense of intrigue compelled her to lower her gaze, her thoughts racing with possibilities.
Which drive is he talking about?