ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴘᴏᴠ

𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘖𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦

♛♛♛

Underneath the curved roof, the windows aligned around the room had created a spotlight for the two. Her head was pressed against the rhythm of his heart, as his fingers glided softly and delicately across the keys.

The music perfectly captured what the two were feeling. Its notes floated around them, symbolising their love.

"When did you learn how to play?" Hazel asks just as he drops the very last note.

Those glowing eyes kneeled to her as he spoke. "There was an old piano in the cellar."

The vague answer had answered all for her.

"Julius," She called questionably. His arm tightened its hold around her, his eyes flickering to her lips. "Yes, Angel?"

A circle she traced against his thigh, then she continued it repeatedly. "The night we met, do you think it was destiny?"

Her eyes turned curious, they were innocent and soft. Just as an angel's.

"I think so," He replied, reaching his hand to her cheek.

She smiles, "I think so too."

Hazel closed her eyes, embracing the touch of his palm.

It had been a week now. Between those days, Julius and Hazel had spent every free moment together.

They both had work, she had college and was studying as exams were coming up, but whenever they were together, they would make the most out of it.

The more days passed, however, the closer they got to the end of the fourteen days. They had one more week together, and Julius had assured her that the time away would be longer this time.

Hazel felt ready; she understood he had to travel and accepted it. But she had a suspicion that when the time came, things wouldn't be as simple as they appeared.

"I got you something," Hazel pulls away from him gently, one of her hands scurrying into her hoodie pocket.

"It's just a little something to remind you of me when you're gone," She blushes and hands him the jewellery box.

The velvety black box sat smoothly on his wide palm, his fingertips brushing across it, and she indicates for him to open it as he looks up.

Hazel's wide eyes follow the opening of the lid with eager anticipation. A necklace identical to the one Julius had given her was stored inside the box. It was a silver chain, with a silver rose pendant connected at the bottom.

It wasn't as beautiful as her own, where there was emerald green attached to hers and whereas his was just plain silver, but still, she seemed it was perfect for him.

He brought it out of its box holding it in front of him, taking it in with his gaze. Hazel memorised his every expression, which wasn't much. But, his eyes. His gaze easily had softened, it had widened just a smidgen too.

"What do you think? Do you like it, Juls?" She scooted closer to him on the wide stool, his gaze had flittered to her in that second too.

He gulps, the lump in his throat moving visibly. She watched him place it in one palm, his other coming to cup her cheek.

Deeply, Julius looked into her eyes. He tilted his head and inched closer, Hazel's breath was frozen in time. "I love it." He whispers and then tenderly pushes his mouth on hers.

Tingles crawled up her spine, his lips were magical, soft and comforting. Just like the kiss he perceived to her.

She let her hands glide up his chest and over his shoulders. His own now around her neck gently, angling her lips to the point he liked to kiss them.

As she pulls away, Julius murmurs into her mouth, "Want to put it on me?"

Hazel hums, still deeply enhanced from the kiss he'd shared with her. With a deep chuckle, Julius takes her hands from around his neck and helps her stand.

"I didn't know if you preferred silver or gold, so I went with silver just to be safe." She was now behind his body, unclasping his plain silver chain and replacing it with the new one.

"I like either," He replies, his deep voice humming through her ears. "Oh, good." Hazel clips the necklace around his neck and patted his shoulder once to indicate that she was done.

She was lucky the stool they sat on was low, because if it was an average seat, Hazel would've gotten him to bend down further.

Julius had smoothly grabbed her by the waist before she could sit back down beside him. Her legs fell around his waist and her hips were now occupied by his hands.

As she adjusted herself, she blushed heavily and nervously gazed at the necklace.

"It looks good on you."

Julius' lips twitch up into a small smirk.

"It does?" He taunts, bringing his lips near her ear.

She nods slowly, her breathing becoming slower too.

"Juls," She whispers, his lips being placed just below her ear. "Mhm?" He hummed against her skin.

A reply never came as she was thrown into a pit of giggles.

Julius' hands had somehow managed to climb their way under her top and tickle the daylights out of her.

She throws her head back in laughter, her body squirming out of his hold and her hands accidentally strumming the piano behind her for safety.

"Juls!" She pleads with a squeal. Until tears formed in her eyes was when he stopped. She breathlessly laughed and swivelled off of his lap and landed aimlessly down on the floor, her body heaving upwards in breaths of breaths.

He peaks down at her, a small smile of his own. "All good?" He tilts his head, watching her flustered body sprawl.

"No." She replies flatly, narrowing her eyes up at him. His smile falls and he immediately stands. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" He picks her up, letting her stand to her feet with his arms around her waist, searching her body emotionlessly for injuries.

She giggles softly, bringing her arms around his waist and she hugs him tightly. "No, you didn't hurt me, Julius."

He sighs, bringing his arms tighter around her. "Good."

They both stay like that for a while. Embracing each other's hold, and as time went by faster, Hazel's eyes started to water.

"Do you have to go?" She holds in her tears, definitely not in the mood to embarrass herself.

She felt her heart increase, it was saddening beats. In a week, she'd be alone in the home. Not only days ago she thought she'd like it, she'd be okay without him. But the longer time she spent with him, the further she fell.

"I'm sorry, baby." He whispers into her hair, his arms protecting her further.

"Don't be, it's what it is, Juls." She sighs this time, holding his shirt with her fists. "You'll promise to facetime or call me at least once a day? It doesn't matter if I'll be sleeping or if I'm at work, I'll answer any time of the day for you."

He chuckled deeply, his hands trailing along her hips and around her back. "I promise I will, Hazel."

She hums with satisfaction, digging her head into his chest further. "You tired?" He asked quietly, his arms loosening.

She shakes her head as a yawn erupts just on time. "No," She feels his arms loosen and she tightens her hold, not wanting to let go.

But instead of moving away as she thought he would, he brings his hands under her thighs and lifts her around him and then begins to walk.

Snuggled into his shoulder, she wraps her arms around his neck and pecks him there a few times too. "Will you sleep with me again tonight?"

He hums, bringing her into his room.

Hazel liked his room. It was always organised and tidy, much less like her room. It was light too, a very brightening room with lots of air and fresh scents, mostly smelling like him.

In the dark, Julius drops her onto the bed, Hazel now being forced to delink from his body. She climbs closer onto the bed, gliding her legs through the duvet and moving over for him.

As she does so, she raises her eyes to him, where he is removing his shirt. She captured a blink of his chest until his body was then removed from the moonlight.

She blushes, thankful for the dark. She senses his body next to her as the bed sinks.

Hazel shifted her weight to the side and peered up at him through the darkness. Julius was leaning against the headboard, arms outstretched, one of which was right above Hazel's head.

"Have you ever been to Paris?" Her eyes glimmer slightly under the little light being shone through the curtains.

He nods once, his eyes falling to her.

"Once." He replies.

"Did you like it?"

He looks down at her, his hand coming to her cheek and delicately traces her features. "I didn't mind it."

She blinks down to his mouth, her own moving without thought. "I want to go someday,"

He raises his brows ever so slightly, his eyes lowering. "Weren't you and your sister going to go?"

He remembered her telling him about her sister taking them to Paris one day, and her eyes brightened at the thought.

"Mhm," Hazel sighs after, her features softening.

"We can go," He suggests, his palm cupping her cheek. Hazel's eyes widen with interest. "Only if you want," he adds.

As she stares into his eyes, the darkness surrounding them, she smiles.

"I'd love to, Juls."

Julius tilts his lips, not smiling completely but something close to it. "How about after your finals?" She nods enthusiastically, excitedly.

"That's perfect,"

He hums and lowers his head down to her. Julius' lips touch hers as he speaks. "It's a plan then."

She giggled against his lips and hummed briefly after. "It is." She says in a daze with his mouth.

Closing her eyes, she feels his lips softly push against hers. It was the slowest kiss he'd ever given her, it was gradual and gentle, a goodnight kiss if you must.

"Rest now, you have work in the morning." He reminds her, slipping those lips to her cheek.

"Thanks, Juls." She whispers, repositioning her head on his chest.

"For what?" She felt him smirk, her eyes were closed now and she felt herself slowly drifting off.

"For being the best," She says softly, her smile faint now.

Julius chuckled quietly, the sound sending her into a dreamy state.

As her mind drifted off into the state of sleep, she heard the last words that left his lips like an echo to her ear.

"That's the sixth time."

She could physically feel herself smile again, but it left as soon as it came.

As she said once before, she'd never stop reminding him.

♛♛♛

The next morning, Hazel was up and about ready for work.

Julius had driven her there and said he'd be back in the evening to pick her up. It was now the afternoon and Hazel was on her lunch break, simply munching on a packet of grapes.

She was alone in the room, and everyone appeared to be working, so she decided to put on some music through her earphones and have a look around.

It wasn't boring but it would've been if she decided to leave her earphones at home.

Thinking of home, her mind drifted off to Julius again, as it always seems to do.

She simply couldn't comprehend that he was now her boyfriend. She was so sure he didn't like her that way, but she sort of put common sense into the act and it did make sense for him to like her.

After all, you don't just go ahead, kissing the people you're close with, do you?

That night in particular made her realise that, especially in the parking lot when he confessed his feelings. Luck hadn't been on her side much, although it seemed that night she had gotten the most luck in the world.

She even thought about how many women and men there would be that wanted to be in her position, not that it matters though. It was just amusing to her how desired he was, yet he chose her.

On time, someone had walked into the lunchroom, and with a great surprise, it was strangely Daniel.

"Daniel?" Hazel asked with shock. He turned his head away from his phone and immediately smiles up at the girl.

"Hey Haze, how are you?" He comes forward to greet her, giving her the slightest hug while Hazel remained limp. She wasn't being rude, she was just surprised.

"I'm okay, and you?"

Daniel chuckles and takes a seat beside her. "I'm good too. I know I said last week would be the last day, but I had to clean out my office. I just finished up and thought I'd stop by here to grab one of those hidden muffins they keep in the cabniets."

Hazel giggled lightly and nods her head understandably.

"Have you started yet at your new job?"

He took a few of her grapes, popping them into his mouth. This irritated Hazel, greatly.

With a shrug, Daniel sits back and rests his forearms lazily back against the armrests. "Yeah, I had my first week of training, the next few weeks I actually start to get into the jiff of things."

"That's good." She smiles. Hazel stands from her seat, a sudden urge to leave with her grapes and cut her lunch short just to get away from Daniel.

"My lunch is up now, it was good seeing you." She smiles, picking up her belongings.

Daniel stands too, his form coming in front of her to stop her hurrying movements.

"Wait, Hazel. I wanted to ask you something,"

Hazel stops, standing directly in front of him with her head tilted up. She tilts her head to the side, confused as to what he wanted to say. "Yes?"

He exhales a deep breath almost nervously, and runs a hand through his hand with the same tension.

"I know we're not as close, but I was wondering if you would want to go out with me? I'm pretty interested in you, if you wanted to, that is?"

Her eyes widened, completely not expecting this. Hazel was taken aback dearly, and by the way he said it, he seemed nervous and unsure which made Hazel feel bad instantly for what was to come next.

"Thank you, Daniel, for the offer. But I've got a boyfriend." She blushes, as his own face turns pink too.

"Oh, right. I'm sorry, thought I'd give it a go." He chuckles awkwardly, bringing his hand again into his hair.

"Don't worry, Daniel. You'll meet someone soon, maybe even in the police force?" Hazel smiles gently, trying to come off as light and easy. Daniel laughs too, his expression was unreadable.

"Well, I'll let you go then. Have a good rest of your day, Haze."

Hazel makes leave, sending him one more smile before turning, her thoughts turning with her.

She could feel his eyes on the back of her neck, it sent chills up her spine and she didn't know why. It could've been because of how icky Daniel came off to Hazel, ever since that night out with him and Elaine a few months ago, Hazel has never been fond of him since.

But now, a different vibe came off him. One that she didn't like at all.

At least she wouldn't be seeing him often, or ever hopefully. This whole encounter had just amplified things with him.

Hazel continued to work, her clients today were just random peers coming in for checkups or wound cleans, nothing too intense.

Her only thought the entire time was to get back home and spend the night with Julius. She couldn't wait to see him, she hadn't seen him all day and this made her realise just what she was going to do when he left.

How was she going to live with being apart from him for weeks if she couldn't cope with being separated from him for just hours?

As the sun descended down, Hazel was just packing up to leave. Julius had messaged her and said he was on his way ten or so minutes ago, which left Hazel now another five minutes to pack up.

Hazel was washing her hands, humming along to a tune that's been unwelcomingly stuck in her head all day.

Not even seconds later, the arms of another wrapped around her from behind. She gasped but seeing the familiar tatted hands on her belly, Hazel immediately calmed knowing who it was.

"Juls," She breathes out nervously, clearly shaken up. Julius chuckles into her neck, placing a delicate kiss against her cheek. "Sorry, darling."

As Hazel dries her hands with a paper towel, she turns her body around in his arms. His hands now lingered on her hips, just where she liked them.

"How are you?" She tilts her head, looking up at him curiously. He licks his lips and looks away from her, an amused smirk tugging at his lips.

"Good. You?"

She shrugs lamely, "I'm better now,"

Julius snaps his eyes back down to her as if he were surprised by her answer. Hazel surprisingly keeps her face neutral, their eyes staying locked as if in a staring contest.

"Was work okay?" She asked him as she glided her hands up his biceps and around to his shoulders. He was the one to look away first, his answer subtle and clear in his eyes.

"It was fine." He said flatly, tightening his hands on her hips. "What happened today?" He referred to the text message she sent him right after the Daniel encounter.

Hazel thought she'd tell Julius about it. Before they were dating, Hazel would've told him anyway so what was the difference now?

"Daniel was here for a bit, we were talking in the lunchroom and he randomly asked if I wanted to go out with him." She stared into his eyes, which seemed to have flickered darker.

"Did he?" He mocked, his jaw clenching. She nods and purses her lips, looking down at his hands on her. "What did you say?" He asks, as if curious.

Hazel grins, her eyes now peering back up at him.

"I told him I had a boyfriend." She says, nervously playing with the collar of his shirt. He smirks devilishly, the glint in his eyes sending fire through her body.

"Good girl." He leans his lips above hers, slowly pulling them into his.

Hazel melted beneath his touch, his soft lips caressed hers as if he owned them. Yet, Hazel took his in like they were hers too.

The two were in their own world now, time and the world stopped always when they were around. Which had become an addiction for Hazel. She loved the feeling she got when she was with Julius, the thrill, the comfort, and overall the love she received.

"What do you want for dinner?" He whispers, parting from her lips. Hazel smiles gently, still as close to him and shrugs almost innocently. "Cook for me?"

Shaking his head, he presses a swift kiss to her left cheek. "Of course."

The two separate, Hazel blushing like a tomato while she grabs her bag and pulls Julius along behind her.

Walking out, the world around them gaze at them as though they'd lost their minds. Alternatively, more her.

Because in all reality, why would you ever fall in love with someone as evil as Julius. Murdering, torturing the evil such as himself.

Though what the world didn't know was that Hazel was still innocently tamed. She didn't know of his obvious, dark secret.

Soon that was all to change.

For better or for worse.

♛♛♛

Hi, my beautiful readers.

I apologise for the lack of chapters, I've been busy with my personal life as that's priority. And chapters are coming slowly because motivation has also been coming and going but I'm trying to write as much as I can.