The next day when I woke up Rafael was already dressed up for his work. He was sitting on the couch reading some file.

Sitting up on the bed while rubbing my eyes I said "Good morning."

"Morning. It's still early, you can get some more sleep." He replied.

"You're leaving early?"

He nodded "I have some work in office."

"So that means you won't be having breakfast with us?" I asked sadly.

Yesterday we had our breakfast together and it was so nice. I don't want this house to be like my previous house.

He looked up from the file at me then smiled "I know you like to have breakfast with everyone and I promise I'll be there for the breakfast tomorrow just today I have a really important meeting."

I nodded smiling.

"Go back to sleep." Saying that he got up from the couch with the file in his hand. Coming closer to me he placed a kiss on my forehead making me freeze completely.

I literally froze. This was something strange, he has not done this earlier.

"Take care. Bye."

All I did was to stare at him with wide eyes.

Oh Sweet Jesus! What the hell was that?

After he left, I sat few minutes in shock then again threw myself on the bed closing my eyes drifting back to my dreamland.

Dad and I were having breakfast when he said "Haze why don't you go for shopping today?"

Instantly my eyes widened.

Shopping? After so many months.

Hell yeah!!

"Oh Sweet Jesus! Dad I love that idea of yours but Rafael would be late I guess, he has work."

"I am not talking about that workaholic fellow. You can go and have some time for yourself."

"Me? Alone?" I asked in shock.

Of course in shock. I wasn't allowed to even leave the house for 6 months and now Dad is sending me alone to the mall. This is too much freedom to digest.

"Yeah. Have some time for yourself, do some shopping."

Oh Sweet Jesus! I love you so much!

"Thank you so much Dad. Thank you." I gave him an affection filled look.

He chuckled.

After the breakfast I got dressed and asked the driver to take me to the mall. As I reached the mall I felt myself jumping in excitement.

"Oh Sweet Jesus! I am going to buy so many things today. Hell yeah!"

I was literally jumping from one part of the mall to the other all excited. I bought new dresses, shoes and many more things. I just couldn't stop myself it feels awesome being out and having a life for yourself where you can do anything you want.

I missed this life for 6 months.

Freedom!

As I was happily looking around what to buy next suddenly there was a loud thud heard.

I froze in my place.

No.

No.

Not again. I hate this noise.

Gunshots.

As soon as everyone heard the gunshot, they started running trying to make their way towards the exit. There was complete chaos in the mall.

But the gunshots didn't stop. When I looked down towards the entry, there were few men in black outfits holding guns and firing. It was like they were searching for someone.

I backed away.

Those black outfits.

Gunshots.

It all reminds me of that night, that horrible night.

Those men spread themselves to all the floors in the mall, checking everyone's face.

I couldn't move. I tried but I just couldn't.

As one of them saw me he pointed the gun at me from a distance.

No. Why me? What's happening?

I tried to move, I tried to drag myself but I just couldn't move from my place. It was like my legs were glued.

I was shaking.

Closing my eyes shut praying not to shoot me.

I don't want to die. Please no.

Suddenly I was pushed, my body hit the wall when I opened my eyes I saw the man who pushed me. He came running towards me while the black outfit men were firing at him. Holding my hand he dragged me with him. I didn't know where was he taking me but I was just running with him.

Well at this time it is the best thing I thought to do. Soon we reached the elevator, the black outfit man came running but couldn't get us as the elevator door closed.

I leaned against the elevator, sighing in relief.

What the hell was that!!

What just happened?

"Why did you freeze? He could've shot you." The man who saved me asked.

Opening my eyes I looked at him, he looked in his early thirties or maybe late twenties with a handsome face, black orbs.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what happened to me at that time. I-I t-tried but c-couldn't move."

He nodded understanding "It's okay. It's fine. We are still not safe they might follow us we need to get out of this building."

I looked at him worriedly "But how? They might be waiting for us."

I didn't realize that the elevator was going up. When it stopped we got out and he took me with him to the terrace.

"Do you think we are safe in here?" I asked.

He shrugged looking around "For now yes. If we are lucky enough they might leave so then we can go down."

I nodded and waited.

"I am Hazel by the way." I introduced.

He looked at me and gave me a smile "Connor Campbell."

This guy got a cute smile.

"Thanks Connor, for saving my life today."

"Woah too early for that we are not yet out of this mall, so technically you are not safe till now."

Before I could say anything there was a noise of someone kicking the terrace door.

"Shit! I think they are here to check." Saying that Connor pushed me back a little his back facing me like he was guarding me.

I felt a light stinging on my hand when I looked at my arm, it was bleeding. There was a sharp something object I don't know what it is but it scratched my arm.

I didn't move even a bit Connor pushed me a bit back again causing the sharp object to press on my skin more. I couldn't move because there were men searching for us on the terrace. Men with guns.

"Let's go. I think she escaped." One of those men commented.

I heard a loud noise of someone closing the door.

Connor moved away from me and asked "You okay?"

I nodded passing him a light smile.

"Let's go. I think they are gone." I followed him from behind.

Carefully we went downstairs from the other side to find all the men gone. As we reached out of the mall, I thanked Connor.

"Thank you so much really."

"Yeah now I can take it. Reach home safely." He said.

"You too."

"I don't think there's anything I should worry about. They were after you not me."

"Still be careful. Bye."

"Bye."

I made my way back to the car, yeah and I learned that the driver's name is Elijah. He said while he was driving "I am sorry Ma'am I couldn't find you inside the mall."

"You went in?" I asked.

"Yes. There were gunshots heard and you were inside but I couldn't find you anywhere."

"Thanks a lot Elijah for atleast thinking about me. I am fine now."

He nodded "I had to inform Sir about this incident Ma'am."

My eyes widened "You told Rafael about all these?"

He nodded "I had to. You were inside the mall when there was an attack."

Shit!

I just realized that I broke rule number one. In my excitement I forgot to inform him that I'll be going out.

Oh Sweet Jesus! I am sure he's gonna be really mad at me. Save your child this last time Jesus please.

Suddenly I remembered something Connor said 'I don't think there's anything I should worry about. They were after you not me.'

Why would anyone try to kill me? What have I even done?

Elijah parked the car in the parking space, as soon as I got down I saw Rafael's car too in the parking lot. He too got off from the car looking pissed as hell.

When he saw me, he made his way towards me I remained rooted on my place.

Fuck! He's going to scold me!

"Let's talk inside. You have got things to explain." He said trying to act calm but this scared me more. Looking at Elijah he said "Thanks for today."

Elijah respectfully nodded his head. As we reached inside the house Rafael's calmness left his body and flew away in the air.

"What the hell were you doing there?" He asked in disbelief looking extremely mad.

Biting my lower lip I said "Shopping."

As soon as I said that he became completely speechless for a moment "Shopping?"

I nodded.

"Didn't I tell you to inform me about wherever you go?"

I nodded like an obedient child.

"Did you inform me before leaving?"

I shook my head.

"May I ask why?"

"I was excited. Like really excited so I forgot to inform you. I am sorry."

"You are sorry? Hazel do you have any idea what could've happened today? There were gunshots for Christ sake!"

"I didn't know there would be gunshots that's why I went. If I knew why would I go there to die." I replied all irritated.

Today's incident scared the shit out of me and here is this man acting like a complete jerk. As if he was the one there who was being shot.

"Haze, how was your shopping?" Came Dad's voice from behind.

I turned to him with a smile trying to act normal and nodded "Awesome. I got many things for you too. I'll show you later."

He nodded then his eyes fell on Rafael "What are you doing back home this early?"

"Didn't have much work in the office so came back." Rafael replied.

Oh really? Tell the truth you came back to scold me.

"I would've then sent you with Haze for shopping if I had known you would be early. Atleast the poor child didn't have to carry so many bags on her own."

"You sent her to the mall?" Rafael asked.

"Of course. She was getting bored doing nothing at home so I thought she might have some time for herself too."

Rafael looked at me I glared at him.

He nodded.

Holding my hand he pulled me with him upstairs to our room. When we were in he closed the door and took off his suit jacket throwing it on the bed then he took off his tie again throwing it on the bed.

"Sit down." He ordered.

I gave him a confused look. Rolling up the sleeves of his shirt he repeated "Sit down Hazel."

Shutting my mouth, I sat down on the couch while he went to the washroom.

Oh Sweet Jesus! Why is he so complicated? Can't he just say what is the matter? But no this man loves to surprise people... have a doubt it's always a good one or not.

When he came out of the washroom he had a first aid kit in his hand, taking a seat beside me he pulled me closer by my arm making my eyes go wide by the closeness.

"W-What are you doing?" I asked.

"Not a word."

Fucking intimidating ass.

His hand then reached for my right arm that's when I realised what he was trying to do. Cleaning my wound slowly being careful of not hurting me he applied antiseptic on it and started wrapping the bandage around my arm. I couldn't help but stare at him. Damn! this man is so handsome.

Oh Sweet Jesus! Why is he so perfect?

Most importantly, how am I going to spend a whole year with this man not falling for him?

He looked up at me I instantly looked away.

Shit. Did he catch me staring?

Again he went back on covering my wound and again my eyes went to his face admiring that perfect sharp jawline.

Feeling my gaze again he looked up making me look away instantly.

He sighed.

"What are you trying to do Hazel?" He asked suddenly looking straight at me.

"W-What?" I asked trying to act innocent.

"You are staring at me."

"W-What do you mean staring at you? Why would I do that? It's not like you are too handsome that I'll stare at your face."

He just shook his head getting up from the couch.

While unbuttoning his shirt he said "Next time don't forget to inform me before you leave the house. I won't tolerate any further negligence from your side Hazel."

I nodded.

Taking off his shirt he made his way towards the walk-in closet.

I closed my both eyes with my hand.

Haze don't you dare look at him. Don't. Close your eyes. Ignore it. Ignore him being shirtless.

Don't look.

Don't look.

But how can my pervert Haze listen to the angel Haze inside me.

From between the gap of my fingers I managed to peek at that perfectly sculpted broad back.

Oh Sweet Jesus! How much does this man work out? His body is just perfect.

I closed my eyes again.

Don't look please.

Please.

Don't look perverty Haze.