XLIX
Hazel Winters
S itting cross-legged on the gym mat, I scroll through the messages I’ve been sent by the unknown number over the past week.
Unknown: I miss you, Hazy.
Unknown: Do you miss me?
Unknown: You should be by my side, dear daughter.
Unknown: Did you know you have two brothers? They’re twins and want to meet you, Hazy.
Unknown: Answer me, daughter.
Unknown: You’ll regret it if you don’t.
“Hazel, get up,” Sean orders sternly.
I roll my eyes but do what he says, climbing to my feet and putting my phone in the pocket of my grey joggers. Sabrina starts laughing at the pissed-off expression on my face from being forced to practice self-defence with Sean.
Apparently, we were annoying him so much that he decided to teach us in order to stop us scheming against him.
“Can we be done yet?” I ask Sean as I cross my arms across my black sports bra. He scoffs and shakes his head, muttering something about us being weak.
“Practice what I taught you against each other,” Sean commands, pointing between Sabrina and I.
“I’m so down to floor you, babe,” Sabrina laughs and moves to face opposite me. We form our fighting stances before bursting out laughing once our eyes meet. Sean sighs and rolls his eyes as we hold our stomachs and wipe tears from our eyes.
“Focus, ladies,” Sean shouts before talking under his breath, “I did not sign up to be a fucking gym Teacher.”
“Oops, we made the teacher mad,” Sabrina giggles, and I have to cover my mouth with my hand to stop myself from laughing again.
“Hazel, Atlas is trying to text you,” Sean announces as he stares at his phone. I roll my eyes and pull my phone out, going to sit down again.
“Don’t encourage her to talk to that asshole,” Sabrina scolds him, moving to square off against him despite the severe difference in height.
“He’s my boss,” Sean shrugs.
Unlocking my phone, I see a few missed texts from Atlas. I sigh before reading them, bracing myself for whatever they say.
Mr Worldwide: Principessa, why can’t Andros check your phone?
Mr Worldwide: Hazel, answer me.
Mr Worldwide: Are you in danger?
Mr Worldwide: I swear to God, if you don’t answer me in five minutes, I’m rallying the jet and flying to New York.
“So dramatic,” I mutter under my breath.
Since being here, I’ve decided to have no contact with them. They’ve all tried to message me, and it’s been a bittersweet experience of receiving their texts and not responding. Although it’s allowing me to slowly build my walls up and protect myself, I still yearn for their touch and the comfort they provide me when I’m safely nestled in their arms.
I just can’t deal with being lied to anymore.
Taking a leaf out of their book, I haven’t told them about the harassment from the unknown number, even though I assume it to be Alexei messaging me. As long as he doesn’t make a direct threat, I think it’s safe to keep it a secret.
Me: Trying to hack into someone’s phone is a violation.
Me: Respect my privacy and leave me alone.
His response is almost instant and I scoff as I read it.
Mr Worldwide: Are you being purposefully bratty so I will come and punish you?
Me: You lost the right to that when you decided to make me move across the world. Just leave me alone, Atlas.
I wait for his response and he starts typing a few times before disappearing. With anger fuelling my body, I stand up and shove my phone in my pocket before stalking over to Sean and Sabrina, who are still squaring up to each other.
“I’m ready to fight,” I announce, fists clenched at the sides of my body.
“Good,” Sean nods knowingly and backs away, “Sabrina, you watch this time.”
She nods warily, noticing my body language, and stepping to the side. Sean guides me through the moves until I’m ready to try it on him. He runs towards me and captures my wrist. I do what he taught me and chop my hand into his shoulder as I move my left calf to take out his right leg.
I use all the anger from Atlas’ messages to send Sean to the floor, before staring down at him on the mat.
“Good work,” he smiles and stands up again, brushing himself off as Sabrina runs over and tackles me into a hug. Feeding off my adrenaline, she turns on Sean and tries the same move. She fails and falls to the floor with a loud thud, and I have to bite my lip to stop myself from bursting out laughing.
My phone buzzes again, instantly killing my mood. Recently, only bad things have come from notifications on my phone, and I’m hesitant to check it, but being the masochist I am, I do.
Unknown: Don’t tell your men about my messages.
Unknown: Who knows what could happen if you do?
My heart races as I read over the message. It’s not as though I’m in a position to want to tell Atlas and the others, but the option being taken away by Alexei is only driving my anxiety.
“I’m going to shower,” I tell Sean and Sabrina. They both look up from their positions on the exercise mat. Sean has Sabrina pressed against it, her legs either side of his waist. I give them a small smile before leaving the gym and heading down the hall to mine.
Once I’m inside my bathroom with the door locked and blinds drawn, I allow myself to breakdown. I set a timer for five minutes and slide down against the closed door, tears streaming down my face. Gasping for air doesn’t help in trying to get air to my lungs and my anxiety skyrockets.
Once the timer goes off, I pick myself up and set the shower to the hottest temperature. Stripping off, I climb in and wash the tears from my face, taking deep breaths as I do.
It’s just another day, Hazel.
You’re safe here.