****

“Miss Hazel, granny wants to see you.” The maid informed Hazel as soon as she stepped inside the villa with a small bag of medicines in her hand provided by Bennett.

“Ok.” She nodded her head and then walked straight to her granny’s room.

“I am home, granny.” She announced and granny tilted her head to look at her and then raised her brow displeased, “Hazel, what about the manners of knocking at the door before entering?”

“Oh, I forgot,” Hazel said apologetically.

“Go out and revise your actions.” Granny scolded her in a strained tone and Hazel went out with a pouting face and then knocked at the door before entering.

KNOCK … KNOCK …

“Fine, granny.” She asked, her tone sarcastic.

“Come here, Hazel,” Granny called her over calmly as she was sitting in front of the large window that is attached from the floor through the ceiling looking outside of the villa. Hazel stepped towards her absentmindedly and suddenly Granny hit her arm with the book in her hand.

“Ouch… This is for what?” Hazel asked unhappily.

“For forgetting that I am your elder.” Granny said unpleasantly and Hazel was on the verge of rolling her eyes when the granny again held the book up in her hand, warning her, “If you dare to roll your eyes at me.”

“I am not.” Hazel refused offensively and then groaned in displeasure.

“What did the doctor say?” Granny asked her getting back to her calm mood.

“Nothing, she had prescribed a gel, and a painkiller,” Hazel told her as she handed her the plastic bag and the granny started taking out the medicine one by one.

“Come here, Hazel.” She asked and Hazel looked at her in doubt, “You are not going to hit me, again?” She confirmed.

“Idiot girl, come over here or otherwise I will call Michael to beat you up.” She scolded her and Hazel then finally took her steps towards her, the granny patted on her lap, and sitting on her knees Hazel placed her head on her lap feeling her warmth.

Granny squeezed out some gel and then spread it on her bruises with a light hand and Hazel squealed as her skin started to burn slightly.

“Hazel,” The granny sighed sadly, seeing her in pain, “Why do you keep doing things that hurt you, huh?” She asked, worried for her.

“At least this pain reminds me of my achievements and my worth, unlike the pain I got from my father's hateful words,” Hazel said bitterly and granny’s heart tightened as she looked at her sad face.

“Hazel, forgive him, after all, he is your father,” Granny said wisely and Hazel frowned, feeling grieved and sad.

“I haven’t asked God to make him my father, nor have I ever wanted my mother to die. Why am I always blamed for everything? Why are parents so cruel to their kids? Or is it only me because I have seen Sandy living a good life since she was born in this villa unlike me who is labeled as a murderer by her own father.”

Hazel spoke her heart out, taking out all the bitterness and heaviness from her heart that she was feeling since the morning.

Both women went into depression and then after a while, they heard giggles and frowning they both turned in the direction from where the sound was coming.

Hazel’s sad eyes turned cold when she looked at Sandy laughing with Bennett beside her and then asked curiously, “Granny, why is Sandy with that man? Do you have any idea who he is?”

“This is Bennett Jackson, a solo heir of the Jackson company, his mother died from depression when he was very young and his father passed away when he turned 18,” Granny revealed.

“And why is he with Sandy?” Hazel asked. In all those years she has never seen Sandy bringing anyone of her boyfriend home and also Sandy is only 17 years old, too young to bring a boyfriend home, no?

And also her father didn’t even object at all.

“I don’t know the real reason but it must be related to the work, otherwise why would Michael allow him to stay here.” Granny told her and then Hazel looked up at her, “Is he going to help in the business?”

“Yes, I guess so.” Granny replied and Hazel’s mouth turned into an “O” lost in her train of thoughts.

“Hazel, don’t do anything stupid. Michael had already suffered loss because of your silly act at the wedding. He won't tolerate another loss.” The granny could sense the mischievousness in Hazel's eyes as she warned her beforehand.

“We’ll see about that, Granny,” Hazel replied mischievously and granny groaned in response.

Hazel has been a stubborn child since her childhood. If she will push her to not do anything she will definitely go for something terrible hence the granny decided wisely to remain quiet and not push this topic further.

“So, when is it going to be your next race?” Granny asked curiously changing the subject and Hazel looked at her in distress. “The race has some time but what about my motorbike, dad has changed the garage lock again.”

“Huh, don’t worry we will find a way… But…” Granny stopped and then looked at her with seriousness in her eyes, “You have to promise me to stay away from any trouble, and when I say trouble you know what I mean…” She questioned.

“Yes, I know, Sandy and Betty.” She answered and granny smiled in relief, “Good, keep remembering this, and I will try my best to get the new garage key.” She assured her and at last, Hazel agreed while giving her a genuine and polite smile.

“Okay, Granny.”

****