Two Weeks Later

Hazel looked around the house once more. She had to give it up. If anyone had told her how much of her life would change after Brady's death, she would have said that it was a fallacy.

The landlord said he had sold the building to another person who skyrocketed the rent. She wished she could see the person and plead with him to give her some months to get another apartment but he was highly placed or so she heard. Seeing people like that would require so many appointments.

She could have afforded to pay another rent immediately when it expired last weekend but after Brady's death, she had realized that she never knew her husband at all. In fact, he had hidden a lot from her.

Hazel had discovered that he owed a lot of people a lot of money. They had come knocking on her door one after the other with their proof.

Hazel thought that his death could have shocked her but Brady, deep in debt with a drug kingpin, shocked her the most. She had to withdraw her savings and pay them all before they started harassing her.

Brady was not only an alcohol addict but a chain gambler. No wonder he never really had much money to cater for their household expenses. He had gambled away all and still borrowed from people. Dangerous people. Now she was left to clear up his mess.

"Common, stop looking so sad. At least you will forget the bad memories with that bastard and start a new life. It's not that bad" Avery hugged her. Hazel rested her head on her best friend's shoulder. If not for Avery, she would have broken down completely.

All her savings that she had kept somewhere safe so she could begin therapy were all gone. She had to restart all over again. Even in his death, Brady had caused her more harm.

"I know Avery but how do I cope with this?" She pointed to her belly. It was still a small bump but soon she would be sprouting a big belly.

"You forget that you have me. I am here and will always be here for you sweetheart" Avery tried cheering her up.

"Let us have dinner, we still have a lot to pack before leaving" Avery guided her to the chair where they would have lasagna before sleeping.

In the morning, they could pack the rest. After all, she had heard that the new owner wouldn't be available for another week. He was in Milan.

Suddenly someone banged on the door. Hazel gasped. Who was knocking on her door like that? Avery stood up immediately and moved closer to peep through the door hole.

She turned to look back at Hazel, throwing her arms open as if to say "I don't know who this person is."

Another bang on the door jolted her.

"Who is the..re?" She stuttered and looked back to Hazel who had risen to her feet wondering who would come to visit them at such a time of the night. She didn't have friends, Brady did.

However, most of his friends stopped coming immediately when they heard of his demise. The others came because he owed them something or the other which she had settled with all her last savings. So who was at the door?

"Open up now!" A deep rich masculine baritone voice roared on the other side of the door.

"You had better do so before my men break down this door" he threatened without even giving them a chance to recover from the shock.

Avery knew that this was no joke and she immediately opened up to a tall angry looking handsome man who yanked her hands away from the door and entered without even waiting for an invitation to come in.

"Oh well," Avery was surprised at his nasty attitude.

Five hefty men in dark suits just like his followed him in and the apartment suddenly looked so small to Hazel.

She had trouble taking in breaths as she wondered who this dark-looking handsome stranger was and why he brought five men to her house. Was she under arrest or what?

Seeing that he wasn't ready to speak, though his angry countenance spoke volumes Hazel cleared her throat and spoke up.

"Please who are you and how may I help you?" She said in a faint voice, trying to sound as bold as possible but she was far from bold.

This man here had undone every last shred of her strength and she would applaud herself if she didn't faint or do something stupid soon.

"I am Alessandro Fabrizio and I will be your worst nightmare" Alessandro snarled as he regarded her in contempt. Hazel looked so shocked, she could feel the hatred that the man had for her already but why?

She had never in her twenty-four years seen or had anything to do with Italian men. Though she watched them in movies, this was the first time she would come in contact with one. Or did he mistake her for another person. It could be possible.

Avery, who had been trying to grasp the situation, moved to her side immediately when she saw Hazel's confusion.

Alessandro turned to his men "take her outside right now" He commanded them in a harsh tone and three men immediately moved to carry Avery outside.

"Let me go, you beasts! Drop me down this moment! You have no right to do this to us! I will call the police right now! Who the hell do you think that you are?" Avery protested as she screamed.

Alessandro moved closer to Avery as he spoke.

"Oh, I have every right to do this to you. I am the owner of this building so I can come in anytime I want."

Hazel couldn't believe her ears. This was the man who had bought this wretched building with so many faults? There must be something attached to it, she reasoned.

"You can call the police. I really don't care and like I said I am Alessandro Fabrizio, the brother of Sergio Fabrizio! Ask of me anywhere and they will tell you." he drawled his name with an r accent.

Hazel gasped as the recognition hit her hard. She threw up on him.