Finally I was successful in making my choco-chip cookies, I ran upstairs all excited with a bowl in my hand. As I reached our room, I found Rafael looking outside the window while talking on his phone I made my way towards him and waited for his call to end.

I know I was being too much desperate but I just can't help myself. Someone is finally being nice to me like talking to me like a normal person. This is the first time I have cooked something different for someone, in my old house I used to cook these things only for myself no one ever had them.

So I am really excited for Rafael to have these cookies and praise me.

Of course praise me, I am the best!

"I am done with the cookies!" I announced.

He turned back with his brows furrowed then made his was towards me.

"Taste it." I said all excited extending the bowl towards him.

He looked at the bowl once then back at me unsure of its taste.

"What?" I asked.

"Does it even taste good?"

"How would I know? So to know it you need to have it first." I said with a proud smile on my lips.

"I think you should have it first."

I shook my head and extended the bowl further "You will have it."

He hesitated this time too.

"If you don't have it, I swear I won't talk to you." I warned.

"What? This is blackmailing."

"I am not left with any other option."

He sighed then picked up a cookie from the bowl and took a bite from it. I waited eagerly for his reply. Slowly he took another bite then nodded his head "It's good actually. I have to agree you can cook."

I glared at him "Of course I can cook. Since we married, its me making the breakfast everyday working my ass off."

He chuckled "Woah chill."

I hit his arm.

Suddenly his phone rang again making me roll my eyes, he just smiled that was his reaction to my irritation but when he saw who was calling his smile faded. He picked up the call, while talking he was just staring at me and I was completely clueless about what was happening.

After his call ended Rafael had an unreadable look but this much I can figure out something is not right.

"What happened?" I asked.

He came close to me and kept the bowl that was on my hand on the bedside table then held my hands in his "Something really bad happened." He said.

"What?" I asked again.

He remained quiet like he was struggling to tell me.

"Rafael what happened?"

"Aaron."

"What about him?"

He took a deep breath and paused for a moment then said "Someone killed Aaron."

I tried to process what he just said.

Someone killed Aaron.

"W-What?" I muttered in complete shock pulling my hand out of his hold.

He tried holding my hand again but I pushed him.

"No. I-It's not possible!"

"Hazel."

"W-Why w-would anyone do that?" I said in disbelief "You're lying, right?"

He didn't say anything but stared at me looking helpless. I stumbled back, instantly he held my arm.

"Why? Why would someone do that? He has never hurt anyone. Why then?" I could feel tears rolling down my cheeks.

"The cops are trying to find out who was it."

I didn't have anything to say. I can't understand anything right now.

Why? What is even happening in our lives? Neither Simon nor Uncle says anything, they just ask me to wait. Those attacks on me and now Aaron is dead.

What is everyone hiding from me?

Rafael took few steps closer to me, his hand wrapped around my waist I rested my head on his chest clutching his shirt tightly crying. He kept caressing my hair slowly but he wasn't asking me to stop crying like he could understand what am I feeling.

Slowly Rafael pulled away and cupped my face in his hands "It's okay." But the tears were just not stopping.

"Why Aaron? Why him? He is the nicest guy I have known, why would anyone kill him?" I asked while crying.

He picked me up in his arms and carried me to the bed making me sit straight then he kneeled down in front of me holding my hands "I don't know why him but I promise I'll find it out." I kept crying my breathing increased, I was trying to stop crying but it was just so difficult "Hazel?"

"I'm trying but they a-aren't stopping."

"I am not asking you to stop crying, I know how it feels to lose someone you love."

"What is happening Rafael? What is happening in our lives?"

He hugged me placing a kiss on the top of my head "Everything will be fine Hazel." then came up on the bed pulling me to his lap he wrapped his arm around me. I don't even remember while crying when did I fall asleep. When I woke up, I found myself lying on the bed with a duvet covering me with my hand resting on Rafael's chest.

He didn't leave me all night.

Getting up from the bed I did my morning business then took a shower. When I came out of the washroom Rafael was already up, he came towards me and asked "You okay?"

I nodded slowly though I was far from okay.

I couldn't express what was I feeling. It's bad, very bad.

"We have to attend the funeral today." He said.

I nodded again.

At the funeral, when Aaron's face was showed to me, I couldn't help but close my eyes instantly. I couldn't look at him, whoever has done this that person is completely heartless. How can someone be so cruel?

After the funeral I was sitting with Uncle trying to console him but after what happened how can he stay calm? Aaron was his son. He wasn't even talking to anyone.

"Hazel, I think we should leave." Rafael said coming in the living room. He was out talking to some of Uncle's men. It was pretty late so I nodded and was about to get up but Uncle got up before I could and stood in front of Rafael.

"You. It all happened because of you. I told you to get that man as fast as possible but you didn't."

I was totally confused. Why the hell is he blaming Rafael? And what are they even talking about?

And who is 'that man'?

Rafael didn't show any reaction on his face "Well whatever happened for that I think you should blame Simon and yourself." This time he looked really mad, he took a step close to Uncle and said "Get one thing clearly Christopher, protecting Hazel is my responsibility, protecting you all isn't mine to take care of, that's Simon Cameron's to worry about and I think I am pretty successful in doing my job because she is still alive."

I got up from my seat "Is it about the attacks? Tell me what is happening?"

Rafael didn't break the eye contact with Uncle and spoke up "I am going to tell her everything about Simon, about you, about Vincent and you aren't going to stop me. This matter is getting too serious now and she has every right to know why everyone she loves is dying."

Rafael held my hand dragging me with him, I didn't protest because he looked really angry but as we reached the exit a person was standing at the door.

Whoever the person was he smirked at Rafael "I was expecting you to be here after all he was your wife's brother."

Rafael rolled his eyes, the person looked at me and smiled. I held Rafael's arm hiding myself behind him. The person had a big scar on his face, making him look scary.

"Oh dear, you don't have to be scared of me. I ain't gonna harm you. In fact, I am here to help." He said but it did not help. I was still scared of him.

"You are guarding our way Officer." Rafael's voice was filled with irritation this time.

"Trust me, you would want to know what I have to say."

"Did you find anything about Vincent?"

"I did." He then made his way inside the house towards the couch "But first I need to make myself comfortable or it won't be any fun." The officer took his seat on the couch spreading his arms comfortably on it.

"Dickhead." Rafael muttered in a low voice getting angrier.

"Can I get a drink?" The officer asked.

"My son is dead and you want a drink?" Uncle said throwing daggers at the officer with his eyes.

He scoffed "Well the profession you chose for him, was it so unbelievable? It was meant to happen some day. What did you expect, your son would be awarded with some bravery award? Anyways my drink please. Till then I wouldn't mind if you want to have some lovey-dovey chit-chat with your girl, Rafael."

Rafael didn't reply.

"Rafael?" I called.

He turned to me.

"Who is he and why is he saying, it was meant to happen?"

He cupped my face in his hands "Once we reach home, I promise I'll explain everything to you. Let's not do this here."

"Bu-"

"Please, I promise I'll tell you everything." He placed a light kiss on my cheek.

"Woah I didn't ask you both to go till this extent. I just told to have a chit-chat, not get ready to make love. Christ!"

"You are really testing me now." Rafael said, this time too irritated.

The officer smirked "I didn't want to test your patience, I just wanted to test this man." He said pointing at Uncle.

His eyes then landed on me "Your brother is quite famous, are you in those stuffs too?"

Instantly Rafael pushed me behind himself "Don't involve her in this. Tell me whatever you have to say, not her."

The officer smirked "She doesn't know about Simon, does she?"

Rafael sighed "No she doesn't and for now let us keep it that way."

He scoffed "Okay, I don't have any problem."

A maid came and gave the officer his drink he took a sip from his drink and said "Ah! This was missing in my life! Expensive liquor."

"Now will you start spilling?" Uncle said under gritted teeth.

"Yeah sure." The officer then looked at Rafael "The tattoo guy you told me about, I tried stalking him and with that I can tell he is suspicious but just a tattoo or a bit suspicion is not enough to put him under the bars. We'll need more proof."

"Did you have just this shit to tell us?" Uncle asked.

"Oh no. No. I have something exciting which I think Rafael is gonna love." He said looking at Rafael.

Rafael's brows furrowed.

"My men followed him last night." He said.

"So? What happened after that?" Uncle asked impatiently.

Rafael smirked and said "Get him."

Uncle looked at Rafael in confusion "What?"

"Vincent. He doesn't know that we are suspecting him so he's roaming around freely. It's the perfect time to get him."

"How do you know that he is Vincent?" Uncle asked.

"Because last night he was in the same place where your son died. I think this much information is enough for 'you' to get him."

"I am afraid I can't let you do that." Came the Officer's voice.

Rafael spoke up "Why do you want to save him? He is a criminal and you don't have enough proof to arrest him so let Christopher take care of it."

"I will get proof against him."

Rafael rolled his eyes "It would be too late. Hazel is in danger."

"I really don't care whoever of Simon Cameron's family dies but if anyone even touches Vincent, I will arrest him myself." The officer moved closer to Uncle getting up from his seat "And I mean it."

"And it would be good for you Rafael if you stay out of this." Officer Kennedy said to Rafael.

"Sorry to disappoint you but I can't let her die and blame myself for the rest of my life." Rafael replied.

The officer came towards us then looked at me once then back at Rafael "Just don't kill him. I know you that's why I am warning you, don't become a murderer. I am trying my best."

He patted Rafael's shoulder "Don't involve yourself with this mess."