"But I'll recognize him if I ever see him again," Hazel said firmly. "I think he might be in the police force."
Francisco's eyes narrowed slightly.
"How do you know that?"
"Because he was really good at shooting," she replied with confidence.
Francisco gave a small nod, considering her words. Silence settled between them for a moment.
"And what if he's not in the police force?" he asked.
Hazel's face faltered just a little, but she quickly steadied herself.
"Then I'll still be grateful to him for the rest of my life," she said softly.
Francisco, intrigued, leaned in slightly.
"If you suddenly meet him… what would you do?"
Hazel smiled, her eyes lighting up.
"I'd be so happy. Because of him, I'm alive. I'd treat him to a meal."
Francisco chuckled.
"Only a meal? That's how you thank someone who saved your life?"
Hazel pressed her lips together, realizing how simple it sounded.
Francisco grinned.
"You're really bad at showing gratitude," he teased.
Hazel raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye.
"Then what should I do?"
Francisco leaned closer, his voice dropping slightly.
"If he asked you to be with him… would you?"
Hazel paused, blinked slowly, and then shook her head.
"I wouldn't."
"Why?" Francisco asked, eyebrow raised.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
Hazel's eyes widened. "No… it's not like that. I mean, how could I be his girlfriend? We don't even know each other. We're strangers."
Francisco smiled softly but didn't respond right away. Instead, he plucked a rose from a nearby bush and gently tucked it into her hair. Hazel instinctively stepped back, surprised, her eyes meeting his.
"Mr. Francisco!"
"It suits you, Hazel," he said, his tone light, mischief in his eyes.
Hazel quickly objected. "But it looked better where it was."
Francisco paused, then spoke with calm confidence.
"Don't worry, Hazel. This rose is in the right place now."
Hazel looked up at him, her heart beating a little faster. Francisco, self-assured and effortlessly charming, reached out and lightly traced her cheek with his fingers. Hazel blinked, caught off guard by the moment.
What do I do now?
Why am I hesitating?
She wrestled with her thoughts, unsure of her next move.
"Mr. Francisco, we should head back. There's an urgent meeting today."
"You don't need to go," Francisco replied casually. "I'll handle it."
Hazel looked confused. "But… I'm your PA. Don't you need me there?"
"If I needed you, I'd say so," he said. "But today, I think you need to stay home and rest."
Hazel hesitated, "But what am I supposed to do here, Mr. Francisco?"
In a sudden moment, she reached for his hand, surprising even herself.
Francisco's expression shifted slightly as he felt her touch... it was the first time she had reached out to him. The air between them grew heavier.
"I'll be bored at home," Hazel admitted quietly, her eyes pleading.
"Please."
Francisco, unfazed, tilted his head and smiled.
"But I thought you were going to cook something for me."
Caught off guard, Hazel parted her lips to reply, but her mind scrambled for an answer.
She managed a small smile. "Oh, yes... I'll make something. Is there anything you like?"
Francisco smirked. "Yes, I like one thing—but I don't want to eat it."
Hazel frowned, intrigued. "What is it?"
"A small bird," he said with a quiet chuckle. "I don't want to eat her. I enjoy watching her chirp."
"You have a bird?" Hazel asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes," Francisco replied, glancing up through the glass ceiling of the garden with a soft smile.
"Where is she?" Hazel asked.
"I've kept her in my mansion," he said, a strange pride in his voice.
"I want to see her," Hazel said with genuine interest.
Francisco took a slow breath, something unreadable in his expression.
"You will. On the day I truly have her."
Hazel blinked, puzzled. "If you like her, why would you want to eat her?"
"Because I like to keep what's mine," he said, his voice turning serious.
Hazel, slightly unsettled, spoke gently.
"Birds are more beautiful when they fly."
"Yes," Francisco replied, his eyes locking onto hers. "But if she's mine, I don't want her to fly, Hazel. I want her in a cage... so I can pet her when I want… or hurt her when I want."
He took a slow step closer. The tension between them thickened, his gaze dark and intense.
"I won't hesitate to kill her if she tries to fly away," he said quietly.
Hazel's expression hardened. Her voice dropped.
"That sounds cruel."
"Maybe I am," Francisco said, unmoved. His hand lifted toward her cheek.
Before he could touch her, a voice cut through the air.
"Boss!"
Francisco turned sharply, his eyes landing on Liam.
"You've come?"