chapter 4: Tell me everything

Hazel looked at Aaron and felt butterflies in her tummy. He was still hot! Hotter than she remembered. Heather had his eyes she noticed and suddenly, reality came calling. Heather! She welcomed him inside and without wasting time, Aaron entered, his gaze scanning the room as if searching for answers.

Hazel followed, explaining everything.

From the ominous figure stalking her.

To Victor Conti's cryptic involvement.

To Heather's abduction.

Aaron listened intently, his expression darkening with each passing word.

When Hazel finished, Aaron's jaw clenched, determination etched on his face.

"We'll find her," he vowed, his voice firm and resolute.

“Why would anyone be stalking you? And why would anyone abduct a two-year old?"

Hazel didn't respond.

“It's probably for money. They need a ransom.” Aaron answered his own question.

“I…” she hesitated but his piercing eyes were on her.

“I don't think so, Aaron.”

He narrowed his eyes in question.

“The thing is… there's more to me than you think.” she finally let out.

“I have a messy past.” she added, avoiding his eyes.

He didn't respond for what felt like forever to Hazel but his eyes never left her.

“How messy?” His tone was strained.

*Very messy, Aaron. Very very messy.” Hazel's words weren't enough to explain how messy it had actually been.

She watched him heave and then he shot up from the seat almost immediately, startling her. She thought he was going to leave but he didn't.

Aaron pinched the bridge between his nose, shutting his eyes.

This was frustrating!

When he had taken the beautiful and sexy lady he met at the hotel two years ago to his bed, he thought he knew her. They talked and talked, over three hours. At least, he knew he told her everything there was to know about himself. How could he have known she didn't do the same?

“Aaron…” her voice still made his heart skip.

Even after two years.

“Why do I feel used, Hazel?” He blurted out, turning to her.

She stood up too, her face twisted in some sort of plea.

"Aaron, no, that's not what this is.”

“That's what it feels like. We spent a passionate night together, Hazel, we both felt the spark. I told you everything there is to know about Aaron Anderson and you said you did the same about yourself and now…?” Aaron expressed, his eyes filled with emotions.

"Aaron, I… "

“Okay, forget the fact you lied to me. Let's focus on how I made it clear to you that I wanted more and you simply walked out on finding out you were pregnant. You didn't think it right to let me know that I was going to be a father. All these years, Hazel.” Aaron continued.

Hazel's eyes began to water all over again as she tried hopelessly to explain herself.

“Aaron, I didn't want to be rejected.”

"No! I think you didn't find me worthy of being a father, or even being with you. And now your messy past is catching up with you, that's when you remember that I exist.” He was pushing beyond his boundaries, wanting to let it all out.

“Aaron, I genuinely need your help." Hazel cried.

“And what next? You'll just run away again when we find her?”

Hazel shut her eyes and inhaled deeply. She bit her lips trying to contain her frustration and when she opened her eyes, there was anger in them.

"Did I make a mistake? Was I wrong for thinking the father of my child would come through, not for me, but for the daughter he's now claiming rights over?” She snapped, her voice breaking.

“Yes, I know I should have told you I was pregnant. Yes, I was wrong and I'm sorry, okay. I'm so sorry, Aaron. I told myself I was doing it for you, that I didn't want to put a burden on you but it was more for myself. I was just scared. My life has been miserable from the start and I just wanted something different for my daughter… but I'm sorry, I should have at least told you I had taken in.” She continued.

Hazel wiped off tears from her eyes.

“We could start over. It's not too late, you could claim your rights as her father but we have to find her first. And the more we delay, the more she's endangered. She's just a baby, she shouldn't even be in this situation in the first place and…” She trailed off.

Their eyes met, Hazel's teary and Aaron's blank with hidden emotions.

“Are you going to help me or not?”

Aaron didn't respond immediately, he simply stared at her.

“Aaron, please!" Hazel pleaded.

She didn't mind that she had to plead, she would do anything for her daughter.

“Fine! I'll help you." Aaron finally said.

As Hazel let out a relieved breath, she heard him say,

“But I've got conditions.”

Her breath seized as she looked up at him.

“I dare say that I'd do anything.” She managed to say.

Aaron took a step closer to her, his tall figure towering over her making her crane her neck to maintain eye contact.

“Anything?” He questioned, arching his brows perfectly.

Hazel swallowed. His cologne was intoxicating her, making it difficult to inhale proper oxygen.

She forced herself to take her mind away from that and focus on the issue at hand.

“I'd do anything to save my daughter, Aaron." she said.

He nodded as if she had said the words he wanted to hear.

“First, I need you to come with me.”

She swallowed again. He made her so nervous and she couldn't even understand why.

“Okay!”

It wasn't until she was in his car and they were driving away from her apartment that she asked, “ Where are we going?"

Aaron didn't look at her as he replied.

“My place.”

She wanted to speak when he quickly added.

“There are resources and aids. It'd be easier to find our daughter.”

Hazel's heart skipped slightly.

Our daughter!

A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she stared at him. When she realized herself, she quickly looked away and let out a sigh.

The rest of the drive was awkwardly silent and when they finally drove through the gates into the popular Anderson Residence, Hazel's heart began to pound.

She didn't know what to expect.

Aaron led her through the entrance, taking the lead. Her eyes scanned the building with curiosity. The building was massive and properly decorated but she barely had the chance to acknowledge its beauty because Aaron was walking ahead at a fast pace.

She followed behind, quietly, through the stairs and through the staring eyes of the workers. He led her to a room she immediately guessed was his office or study. Once inside, he shut the door and turned the lock.

Hazel tried to predict what he would say to her but she knew from the intense look in Aaron's eyes, that no matter what she guessed, he would surpass all of it.

She cleared her throat breaking the silence that had settled between them and said,

“So… you said you have conditions.” It was more of a question than a statement.

Aaron took a step towards her.

“I do.”

Hazel met his eyes and waited for him to continue. He didn't, so she asked again.

“What are they?”

Aaron took another step, making Hazel's breath hitch. He was way too close for comfort but she didn't move back or take her eyes away.

“It's very simple actually.” Aaron said, his tone almost reduced to a whisper.

“Marry me!.”