Chapter 43 CHAPTER 43: Facing the Music
Hazel
As I scrambled out of bed, my mind flew to the incident of the day before and my heart started to hammer on my chest as I rushed out to check if I had been locked in again. I knocked on Adams’ room but no reply came. I flung the door open as panic clawed at my throat. There was no one in the room except the rumpled sheets. I checked the bathroom, then the walk-in closet, but he was nowhere to be found as a cold read settled in my stomach. As I was rushing out of the living room with panic written all over my face, the aroma of fried eggs wafting through the air hit me. My stomach rumbled loudly as I stepped into the living room and screeched to a halt. Then I heard the sound of music coming from the kitchen, so I decided to make a U-turn to the kitchen area. As I peeked through the entrance, the sight I met made me stop in my tracks. Adam was bent over the stove, spatula in hand, flipping an omelet with music blasting from a Bluetooth speaker as he swayed to the music. I went close and stood by the door watching as he twirled, and our eyes met and the smile on his lips vanished, replaced by a look of surprise in his face as he rushed to turn off the music. Then he turned around and turned off the heat from the gas too.
“Hey, you are awake”? He asked, turning to me.
I didn’t want to stare, but I couldn’t help it as my eyes traveled from the sole of his feet to his face. He wore black ankle socks with house slippers and pajama trousers and a matching shirt that was open all the way, leaving his chest exposed and showing his flawless tan skin. His thick tousled hair looked like he had been worrying it with his fingers. I locked my lips.
He looked down at my feet and I followed his eyes and realized I didn’t even bother to wear anything on my feet as I rushed out because that was like the last thing on my mind.
“You looked frightened just a moment ago” he said, coming close and studying me, worry edged in his face.
“I’m fine…I thought…never mind.” I stuttered a reply before waving my hand.
He frowned as if he was in pain. “I’m so sorry I scared you yesterday”, he understood why I was scared, so I decided to lighten the mood.
“You didn’t have to stop the music on my account” I said, smiling and moving close. He smiled and opened up his arms. I eyed him before I leaned into him. He crushed me to him and inhaled my hair the way he normally does as I breathed in and closed my eyes. I sighed and wished I had this moment right from when I got here instead of the other way round.
“You were checking me out just now” he mumbled into my hair. I chuckled and smacked him playfully before I pushed away from him.
“No, I wasn’t, besides you look ridiculous with socks and pajamas twerking, with your pot of fried eggs which smells great, by the way” I smiled.
“You mean ridiculously sexy”? He teased me before kissing my cheeks and I pushed him away.
“I made coffee” he said. I nodded and moved close and poured myself a cup. He took down what was cooking, and my stomach chose that moment to grumble as we both burst out laughing. Adam scooped some omelet onto a plate and handed it to me with a half bow.
I smiled and accepted it. “Thank you chef”, I greeted him.
I took a bite of the eggs and closed my eyes. The omelet was a perfect mixture of soft and fluffy.
“Mmm, delicious” I muttered and opened my eyes.
“That good”? He asked, I rolled my eyes, and he chuckled and, at that moment, I missed the carefree life and friendship we had before the last few months. We ate in a comfortable silence. When we were done, Adam took the plates to the sink and washed them as I cleaned the kitchen.
I looked over to him and I suddenly blurted out, “I need to go back”. Adam froze with a plate in his hands. His mouth worked as if he wanted to say something before. He decided otherwise.
“Okay” he replied without turning to me. I nodded to myself and stepped out to clean up and get ready.
We were ready to go back, and I was anxious as my heart hammered in my chest. I was scared of how Williams would react when he saw me.
I had been away with Adam for two nights and my heart sank because I knew there would be consequences for my actions.
I knew Williams would be upset and might never forgive me, but I had also determined not to stay with him unless he agreed to my terms. I needed to think about my life and the mess I’ve put myself into. As I sat there thinking about my life, Adam emerged from the room with my duffle bag. He looked stressed and unhappy.
“Everything okay” I asked, concerned.
He scratched his head. “Have you had time to think about what we discussed”?
“Just let it go Adam please. None of what you said is happening, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around your new statute of being an heir out of the blue”, I replied.
He sighed deeply. “I hope after all is said and done, you will make the right decision” he said, and headed to the door, while I got up and followed behind.
As the gate of Adam’s mansion shut, and we drove a little distance away from the narrow winding road into the major road, my phone buzzed. As I looked down, several messages and notifications popped in all at once as my heart began to hammer against my chest. – voicemails streamed in like water, several from my mom, one from my dad, but the one and only one I was eager to see was nowhere to be found - no missed calls, no voicemails, no text messages nor chats. Nothing from William. . I could feel my heart hammering against my chest as I unlocked my phone and started to browse through it. I took out an air pod from my handbag and connected it to my phone before I began playing the voicemails starting with my mom’s.
Mom: Baby, I have been trying to reach you all morning. Are you okay? Please call me.
Mom: Baby, are you alright? Why can’t I reach you all day? I’m worried about you. Call me when you get this.
Mom: Hazel, what did you do? Your husband just told me you ran away from home. Do you realize what you’ve just done? Call me as soon as you get this. Your dad is furious.
There were a series of other messages from her, but I had to listen to the harder ones. I tapped on my dad’s voicemail
Dad: Hazel, if you do not return to your husband you will cease to be my daughter.
I sighed and felt the tears prick my eyes as Adam turned to look at me. I saw his fist clenched on the steering wheel before he looked away and continued driving.
A few blocks away from home, I asked Adam to stop. I booked a ride. I knew things were bad, but I didn’t want it to escalate further. Adam waited with me until the taxi arrived, and I got in and waved him bye as he returned the gesture and watched me go.
As the cab drove into Williams’ mansion, I wiped my eyes as I felt dread wash over me. I didn’t have a plan. I didn’t know what William would do to me, but I knew there would be consequences for my actions.
As I stepped down from the cab, I touched my growing belly, seeking supernatural help before I gulped and made my way to the entrance of the house.
I assumed William wouldn't be home yet, hoping to buy some time to gather my thoughts before facing him. But fate had other ideas.
As I walked up the stairs, I came face to face with Williams, who was about to descend to the living room and I froze. Our eyes locked, and his expression shifted from calm to thunderous rage in an instant. He glared at me, anger radiating from every pore as I shivered.
"Did you fck him?" he demanded; his voice laced with fury.