Chapter 3

• "Where is Dr. Larkin?" A voice thundered in the hallway, and Hazel could see the impact it had on Jack. His pupils dilated as if something had shaken his soul. Goosebumps appeared on the back of his neck, and his hands grew cold as they dropped from her shoulders.
• "Go," he didn't wait for her, swiftly turning on his heels to approach the man who had captured everyone's attention. A crowd of people made their way towards him, while Hazel's eyes glanced at the stretcher disappearing into the ICU. Curiosity tugged at her, but Jack’s warning lingered in her ears like a gentle breeze, reminding her of the potential danger. Nevertheless, her feet carried her swiftly towards the doors, yearning to learn more about the situation.
• "He's not breathing."
• "What are we going to tell him?" The murmurs filled her ears, yet they failed to halt her determined steps. She approached close enough to see. It was a young man, barely eighteen, seemingly soaked as if he had drowned himself.
• "Do something, someone call Dr. Larkin," Lyra Larkin, the head and the most respected senior doctor in the hospital.
• "Remove the water from his lungs, position him carefully," most of the staff trembled with an unknown fear, but Hazel remained unaffected, diving into action to assist as needed.
• "Hazel, hand me the syringe." She followed the instructions without distraction. However, a loud thud echoed behind her, a warning that they were dealing with something significant that she might not fully comprehend.
• "Leave her, focus here," she was immediately pulled back into her duties.
• "What's happening, doctor? Why is everyone trembling?"
• "We need to save this boy. Otherwise, we will all be doomed." While saving the patient was their primary duty, dealing with a fearful atmosphere was not. It felt as though an earthquake had struck the building, leaving everyone on edge.
• "He's out there," she heard someone murmur the words, further increasing the anxiety in their eyes.
• "Hazel, check if Jack called Dr. Larkin," Hazel nodded and hurriedly stepped outside to locate Jack, who was responsible for making the call and providing an update, but something told her he hadn't managed to do so.
• Hazel looked right, then left, feeling a sense of confusion wash over her. She followed the crowd and was suddenly startled by a scream. Her feet froze when she saw Jack hanging in the air, with a man standing behind him, gripping his neck tightly.
• Fear gripped Hazel as she witnessed Jack’s red, struggling eyes and his labored breathing. Adrenaline surged through her veins, and she instinctively moved to defend him, even as others watched the scene unfold without offering assistance to the distressed young man.
• Save him! If you don’t, I’ll slit your throat, you runt,” the man bellowed, his rage directed at the man in his grip. Hazel didn’t understand the term ‘runt’ but it hardly mattered at that moment.
• “Hey!” she exclaimed, facing the man with his piercing cyan blue eyes. “Who do you think you are? We’re trying to save him, and if you continue like this, nobody will be able to help him.” Hazel’s small hands circled the man’s wrist, attempting to pull him away, but her efforts were in vain.
• “Stop, he’s going to die,” she pleaded once more, but the man stood firm, as solid as a rock, his features contorted with rage. Hazel let go of his wrist, realizing that a different approach was needed.
• “Stop!” she exclaimed, landing a punch on his face in an attempt to quell his anger, but it seemed to have little effect. Jack’s exhausted body gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.
• “Jack, are you okay?” Hazel cradled him close to her chest, her concern evident.
• The hallway fell into a pin-drop silence. No one moved towards them. Hazel glared at the man standing before her, as though he were the type who could commit murder and end up ten feet under the ground.
• “Help! Somebody, help him!” Jack was struggling to breathe, and seeking assistance was their only option. However, nobody came forward except for two muscular men who sprinted towards them and forcefully lifted Hazel by her neck.
• “Let me go!” Hazel couldn’t comprehend why they were targeting her instead of the menacing figure before her.
• “Leave,” the man commanded. They released their grip on Hazel, allowing others to attend to Jack. She was about to rush towards him, but someone grabbed her forearms and led her into a nearby room, closing the door behind them.
• It was unacceptable for an unknown man to bring her into a room without her consent. Hazel turned around and swung another punch, but he easily caught her fist in mid-air, leaning down.
• A smile played on his face, as if he found her efforts amusing. His eyes flickered, while Hazel’s hazel eyes burned with regret. She had missed an opportunity to land a punch.
• She pulled her fist back, but before she could react, he swiftly twirled her around, and her back landed against his chest. His nose brushed against her shoulder, and he whispered, “Human... wildflower,” as if it were his favorite fragrance. From the corner of her eye, she noticed his blue eyes transform into raven-black before returning to their original color. She pushed away from him, creating some distance.
• “What the hell? Why did you bring me here?” Hazel’s words tumbled out as she searched for something to hold on to in her hands. She would be ready to defend herself if he attacked again. Fortunately, he stood there, shifting his weight from one foot to another, allowing her to observe him more closely.
• A black leather jacket covered his broad shoulders, and his leather boots seemed worn, losing their shine over time. His perfectly sculpted jaw and stubble beard complemented his blue eyes, although Hazel couldn’t shake the memory of them briefly turning black moments ago. She furrowed her brow in an attempt to dispel her confusion, but instead, he took a step closer, casting a dark shadow over her.
• “Do you know who I am?” he asked, a captivating figure in Hazel’s eyes. However, she was only interested in him maintaining a safe distance.
• “No,” she replied simply, hoping it would be enough to deter him. Yet, he persisted.
• She raised her hands and stopped him.
• “Stop there,” Hazel asserted, her voice laced with determination. “I don’t know who you are, and I have no interest in finding out.” Not when he’s behaving so rudely. It’s better to put down your weapons and find a peaceful resolution rather than provoking your worst side and making an enemy in the workplace.
• “I am sorry. I didn’t want to hit you, but you left me no choice.” She finally raised her hazel eyes to meet those lust-hooded gazes gawking at her like a hungry wolf ready to eat her. If he dared to take one more step closer, she wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate with another punch, especially with her black belt third-degree skills. Her jaw clicked with anger, and her nostrils flared, but involuntarily, she took a step back, feeling unsettled by the enigmatic aura surrounding him. There was something about him that stripped her raw, making her vulnerable.
• “How do you know Jack?” It startled Hazel. What’s the deal between Jack and him? Her back touched the wall, and she was completely at his mercy of being caged between his frame and gaze.
• “Jack and I went to the same university.” Why is she answering his dumb questions? His expression was resolved, but not his intentions.
• “Could you…” Is he psycho, or what? Her words stopped midway when he answered it.
• “That boy is my younger brother,” The realization brought a brief moment of relief to Hazel, alleviating some of the tension in the room.
• “Oh,”
• “I am sorry. But please calm down and let us do our work, Mr..” She stopped.
• “Wyatt Romano,” her change of expression told him. She recognized the name very well. And him acting weird in his own place wouldn’t be a problem at all.
• He is the owner, and she is an employee; good or not, who wants to come under the employer’s radar?
• “Yeah, right? Don’t worry; your brother will be fine. Please trust the team of doctors,” she assured him, offering a reassuring smile as she stepped aside, gesturing for him to follow her, silently conveying that she believed everything was under control.
• “Shall we, Mr. Romano?” she asked, her voice calm and composed, as she led the way with confidence, looking back over her shoulder and tilting her head, inviting him to join her and prove that everything was indeed under control.