"I will call you my bodyguard," Hazel said, turning her gaze towards Francisco.
Francisco chuckled at her remark.
"Will they believe you?"
"Won't they think, How can you hire a handsome bodyguard for yourself?"
Hazel's brows shot up in surprise.
"What?"
"Handsome and you? Who told you that you were handsome?"
Francisco pressed his lips together, still holding her palm firmly.
"You did. You told me," he replied in his husky tone.
Hazel squinted her eyes and furrowed her brows.
"He's unbelievable," she thought to herself as she rose to her feet.
"I am tired. Leave my hand," she ordered Francisco.
Francisco kept his gaze locked on her for a moment before releasing her hand. Hazel stepped forward and left for another cabin.
Francisco picked up a champagne glass and took it to his lips, noticing the imprint of Hazel's lipstick.
Francisco, still seated, lifted the champagne glass to his lips, his mind drifting to Hazel's departing figure. His thoughts were a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, stirred by her sharp retorts and undeniable allure. The faint scent of her perfume lingered in the air, a lingering reminder of her presence.
Francisco got up from his seat and went to the cabin. He watched Hazel sleeping, her features softened by the gentle light filtering through the cabin windows. He couldn't help but feel a pang of longing as he gazed at her, the desire to keep her by his side growing stronger with each passing moment.
'Hazel, how can I make you stay with me?'
'Forever!'
After a while, as Hazel stirred from her slumber, she felt the warmth of Francisco's touch on her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open, blinking away the remnants of sleep as she focused on his figure beside her.
"Hazel, open your eyes," Francisco's voice broke through the haze of drowsiness, commanding her attention.
With a soft murmur of acknowledgment, Hazel obediently blinked her eyes open, meeting Francisco's gaze with a sleepy yet attentive expression.
"We have to move," Francisco informed her, his voice carrying a sense of urgency.
Hazel nodded slowly, still feeling the lingering effects of sleep clouding her mind. She shifted, pushing herself up from the bed as she prepared to rise.
Francisco rose from his seat on the edge of the bed, his gaze lingering on Hazel for a moment longer before he turned to leave the cabin.
"I am waiting outside," he informed her before stepping out of the room, leaving Hazel to gather herself and follow him.
With a sigh, Hazel glanced around the cabin, her mind still fuzzy from sleep as she tried to shake off its lingering effects. Slowly, she got to her feet and straightened her clothing before making her way to the door.
As Hazel approached the door, she noticed Francisco waiting for her, his hand extended in a silent invitation. Despite her hesitation, she took a deep breath and reached out, intertwining her fingers with his.
"Don't make this angry face, honey!"
Francisco remarked, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
"You look beautiful when you smile."
Hazel forced a smile in response, her expression a mixture of skepticism and resignation.
"I know, Mr. Francisco," she replied dryly, her tone tinged with sarcasm.
"Can we go now?"
Francisco asked, his smile unwavering as he nodded in affirmation.
Together, they descended the stairs of the aircraft and stepped out into the bustling airport terminal. However, their journey was abruptly interrupted as a group of FBI agents intercepted them, causing Hazel to feel a light in the darkness, but she also furrowed her brows in confusion and apprehension.
"Mr. Francisco!" a man addressed Francisco directly, stepping forward to stand before them.
"What happened?" Francisco inquired calmly.
She glanced at Francisco, her mind racing with the implications of her next words.
That man looked at Hazel and said, "Ms. Hazel was kidnapped, that's what we informed, and finally we found her with you."
The agent stated firmly, his gaze unwavering as he addressed Hazel directly.
Francisco's expression shifted from confusion to concern as he gently touched Hazel's waist, seeking clarification.
"Honey, what is he saying?"
Hazel's heart raced as she grappled with the weight of her response. If she revealed the truth, it could spell disaster for her parents. She stole a glance at Francisco, whose touch on her waist felt both reassuring and ominous.
Hazel's mind raced, torn between protecting her loved ones and facing the consequences of her actions. Taking a deep breath, she struggled to find the words to navigate the delicate situation.
"Ms Hazel!" that man tried to say.
"What are you saying?"
Before she could respond, the agent pressed on, his tone firm and unwavering. "Ms. Hazel, you know full well what I'm trying to say," he insisted, his gaze piercing.
But as the weight of the moment bore down on her, Hazel made a decision. With a steely resolve, she met the agent's gaze head-on and uttered a single word that hung heavy in the air.
"What kidnapped?"
The agent's eyes widened in surprise at her response, momentarily taken aback by her defiance. But his resolve remained unyielding as he repeated, "Ms. Hazel, you know exactly what I'm referring to."
Francisco's demeanor turned stern as he addressed the agent.
"What do you mean by that?" he demanded, his voice firm and commanding.
Just then, another voice broke the tension, causing all heads to turn.
"Mr. Francisco," the newcomer spoke, drawing everyone's attention.
Hazel's eyes widened in recognition as she locked gazes with the newcomer.
"Robert!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with surprise and relief.
Robert's stern expression mirrored the gravity of the circumstances, and Francisco's features darkened as he processed the information.
"Hazel was kidnapped, and I was one of the witnesses there. It was her wedding day," Robert reiterated, his gaze fixed on Hazel, who couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes.
Francisco's voice cut through the tension, though it carried an edge of controlled anger.
"Though it was her wedding, it was not done, I guess."
The atmosphere grew dense, and it seemed like a storm was brewing within Francisco. His normally composed demeanor shifted into something darker, a stark contrast to the calm exterior he usually presented.