AGE( it is just a number)

Feelings 2

Hardin Castillo

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A cold fear swept through me as I stared at the body on the floor

Jayden! Jayden! We have to get out of here . I heard a voice say but it sounded so distant

Taking a step closer to the body , I leaned over to peer into the face when a strong hand gripped me .......

Let me go ! Let me go! Let me go! I screamed loudly and then jolted out from sleep

*

A cold shiver ran down my spine as I sat up on the bed ,i was panting heavily as my heart beat erratically

Hardin! Are you alright? I heard Hazel asked but her voice sounded so distant as I was lost in my own thoughts

The nightmares, they keep on coming to remind me of my past ! Can't I sleep in peace for once?

Hardin! She called again as she leaned over to switch on the light bulb and that was when I saw the dried tears on her face and the sadness in her eyes but I was just too agitated to ask her about it .......

What is wrong with you Hardin ? Why did you scream like that? She asked with a concerned look

Nothing! I managed to say and she sighed

It is going to be alright! It is just a night mare! she assured , yawning

Just a night mare! hell no, it is far from it .......

Laying back on the bed , I pulled her close to me ; she was reluctant at first but soon relaxed in my arms as i held her tightly

What is wrong with her! Did I offend her! Did I hurt her in anyway! What was she even crying!

Oh yeah! it is probably because of the kiss but was I wrong in telling her the truth!

I sighed softly

I wanted her to be happy! I wanted to see her smile! I wanted to tell her how beautiful she was today! I wanted to tell her she is the first girl I have ever held like this but no, I will end of hurting her because love doesn't work for me ....

staring down at her face , She was already asleep ...

I brushed off the hairs off her face as she chewed on her lips

She must be going through a lot!

but come to think of it , how did she end up as a maid! Why is she not in school!

There are lot of things I don't know about her , i guess I will have to ask her!

Watching her sleep , I soon drifted off to sleep!!!!

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Next Morning

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The first ray of the sun pour into the bed room window , I squint at it as i forced my eyes open

I turned sideways to see Hazel still sleeping peacefully

She must be so weak!

Stretching, I sat on the bed as I glanced at the wall clock

Damn! It was 8:00am, I was already running late to school

I jolted up from the bad and dashed out of the room to my room and on entering my room , I met my mom seated on the bed

she stood in a huff as soon as she saw me

Where are you coming from Hardin? She asked with her hands on her waist

And where are you also coming from? I fired back at her as she huffed

Don't get cocky with me young man and just answer my question?

I stared at her for a while and then smiled

It was obvious she knew I was with Hazel .. well! since she wants to hear it from me , I will gladly tell her

I am coming from Hazel's room . I answered, staring intently at her and I saw her eyes grew wide in shock

Hazel! Your maid! And did you spend the night there? She continued and I nodded truthfully

Oh my gawd! She exclaimed, taking two small steps backpack

Rebecca told me all about it but I couldn't bring myself to believe it

Oh right! She finally confessed

But why the hell will you be stay in the same room with your maid or are you both screwing each other? She asked and I froze

Screwing! and Who the hell is telling you all this crap? Rebecca

Just answer me , Are you screwing your maid ? She yelled and that was it , I flared up

Maid ! Maid! Maid! can't you do without calling her a maid ? She has a name for crying out loud and so you should know , I don't f*****g care about what you or that "loud mouthed b***h" think about us , her especially, but if you dare scold at her or try to fire her , you will never ever see me again. I threatened and to my surprise, she became so calm

Does she really mean that much to you? she asked as her lips quivered

Of course ma, she is the only one in this house who understands me

Having said that , I retreated and took few steps to the bathroom when I heard her say

Do you know she is older than you?

Older ? I repeated in surprise, turning to face her

Yes son ! she is 3 years older than you . She stated and I felt my head spinning

21! that tiny girl ! how can it be! .... I mean I have always seen her as someone younger , she doesn't look it at all.... why am I even getting work up about it , It is not like it changes anything

She is still Hazel and I am still Hardin

Okay! I simply answered and walked into the bathroom to freshen up ......

*

Returning to the room, I met my mum on the bed with her hands cupping her chin

She was lost staring into space and my heart churned a little on seeing her this way .....

Despite all the anger i have towards her , I still couldn't bring myself to hate her , she still remains my mom and will always be; and to tell the truth, the thoughts of seeing her again was what kept me going while I was in prison.....

I wanted to hug my hands tightly around her and assure her that she will be fine but hell no ,it will end up in pain

Ignoring her , I went over to the wardrobe , pulled out a black hoodie along with a black pant trousers and hurriedly dressed up in it ; then put on a black boot

Slinging my backpack across my shoulders, I picked up a comb to style out my hair

what about your mai .. erm Hazel ? She suddenly asked and I stared at her through the mirror to see her staring at me

She is sick . I answered rudely and she exclaimed softly

Then what about breakfast, should I go get it for you?

No ma! I will pass. I stated .. and one more thing! please do not disrupt Hazel sleep , she needs to rest

Okay! She answered with a low voice

Picking up the car keys and my phone , I walked out of the room with one of my hands in my pocket .........

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Hazel Dakota

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My eyes fluttered opened as i rolled on the bed stretching

Hardin scent filled the whole room and that was enough to bring back the sadness to my face

Sitting up on the bed , I glanced at the wristwatch and my heart jumped into my mouth

13:00 pm! oh god! I am so finished

I jolted out of the bed and rushed into the bathroom to clean my self up and when I was done , I returned to the room

The cramps were all gone and I felt so relieved!

I pulled out a red gown from the big black bag at the corner of the room and hurriedly dressed up in

Having done that, I walked out of the room to Hardin's room

Entering his room, I found his mother laying on his bed with her eyes closed

My heart skipped in fear

Oh Hazel , you are really done for!

I turned around and was about leaving when her loud voice stopped me

And where do you think you are going to?

I retreated my steps and turned to face her

Erm Good morn .. I erm afternoon ma. I stuttered as she stared blankly at me

I erm am sorry for not cleaning up erm your son room on time erm , I felt so erm so sick . I said trying to explain to her

She was quiet for what seems like eternity and then she sighed

Come have your seat . She said with a surprisingly calm voice , tapping the bed as she sit up

I walked slowly to the bed and sat down faraway from her should incase she flare up .....

Good! so Can you please tell me the reason why I employed you? She started and I swallowed hard

To be a personal maid to Hardin . I answered, hearing the sound of my heart as it threatened to explode from my rib cage

Good! then what is this I am hearing about you and Hardin? She continued with the same calm voice

I don't know what you are talking about . I said feigning ignorance and she smiled lightly

Oh! I never knew you to be dumb but anyways , let me rephrase the question for you

Is my son f*****g You? She asked with accusing eyes and I shook my head vigorously

No ma! Nothing like that! Hardin and I are only friends.. erm I mean he is my employer. I quickly corrected myself

Only friends! Then why the hell did you Kiss me. My subconsciousness mocked me and I waved it off

She sighed, I am lost at what to say ,I feel so confused right now , I am not against your friendship with Hardin in-fact I am happy that heartless son of mine is already loosening up but I just don't want him to hurt .......

But ma I am not trying to hurt him. I said Innocently and she chuckled

Of course you are not , but you will if you both continue with your friendship

I stared at her confused as she paused to typed something into her phone

What is she trying to say? Am I about to be fired? Oh Lord, please let it not be what I am thinking

Yes!so as I was saying , don't try to misjudge me but I just want you to cut all closeness with my son and go back to being his personal maid . She continued and I heaved a sigh of relieve

At least I won't be fired! I will still be in the same house with Hardin ..

And believe me when I say, I am not saying this base on the age differences , I will say this to you even if you were younger than him. She quickly added

Age difference! Does that mean she is among the few individuals who doesn't care about age . I thought within

And as if reading my thoughts, she said

I am older than Hardin's father with four years

Four what! I blurted out foolishly and she nodded slowly as she stared at me with a far away look in her eyes

Dave was everything I had always wanted , he was caring , hardworking and most especially, a good husband but will all that , I still screwed up because no matter what he does , he was always like a kid to me .....

Oh! I exclaimed softly not knowing what to say to her but I understood her point perfectly

She doesn't see age as a big deal but she believes relationship like that never lasts but why is she telling me all this , Hardin does not even regard me , he does not even like me...

Hazel ! She called snapping me out of my thoughts

Yes ma! I answered as I composed myself

Are you alright? She asked , fixing her on me and I nodded

Good! You can go to your room !

I will ma, but I need to clean up this room first . I said, referring to Hardin's room

No dear ! you need to rest, Rebecca will do it today

But ma.... I tried to say but she cut me off

Just do I say!

Alright ma, I agreed , standing up from the bed

And do not forget what I told you , severe all closeness with him . She reminded and I nodded

one more thing, we never heard this conversation, is that understood?

Yes ma!

With a heavy heart, I walked out of the room knowing everything she said was the truth

But what can I do? I am helplessly in love with a teenage boy who doesn't even feel the same way about me , his reaction after the kiss tells it all ....

I exhaled deeply,

I think it is best to make our relationship an official one and who knows , I might get over my feelings for him ......

But will that ever be possible! I guess I will have to try

*

Pushing the door opened , I walked into the room and sat down on the bed

I reached for my phone and dialled Mike's number

he received it on the first ring

Hello Hazel! he greeted first ,sounding so surprised

Of course he has to be , he is the one always doing the calling

Hi Mike! how are you? I asked nervously

Fine Hazel!

So erm I called to know if we can meet up this Saturday!!!!

Yeah! Sure! he agreed

Good! I will be giving you my response......

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Hardin Castillo

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After school hours, I bade my friends as I headed to the car lot

Friends! Did I just say friends! hell no, they are just my class mates

Getting to the car , I opened it and was about getting in when I heard someone call me

I looked in the direction of the voice to see Kimberly running towards me

Not again! She was really a pain in the neck today

Hardin! She called again when she got closer and I faked a smile

She steadied her hands on her knee for a moment , breathing hard; and then raised her head up to look at me

Didn't you hear me calling! Why did you make me run this way! She queried

What exactly do you want? I asked, ignoring her query and her eyes lit up

Actually I wasn't able to sleep yesterday as I was thinking about the kiss we shared

So? I asked with a scoff

Erm I was just thinking if we should you know do that again . She said , licking her lips seductively

No Kim, I need to get going now ! I retorted, staring at her sexy lips

Shit!Why must she be so beautiful?

I was tempted to pushed my tongue into my mouth and kiss her till I could kiss no longer but no, Hazel is sick and I need to be home on time ....

But why do you like pushing me away? She asked with a frown and I chuckled lightly

I am not honey , I just need to be home and moreover we will be spending the night together on Friday . I said trying to lighten up her mood and it worked

She beamed happily

Alright Castillo! She said grinning like a puppy as I smirked

See ya tomorrow. I bade as I got into the car closing the door behind me , I drove off heading to home ....

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I drove into the big compound and on seeing Hazel standing beside one of my mom car, I smiled

Alighting from the car , she rushed to greet me as usual but I noticed something different, she had this straight face look ....

Is it still the the period pain? I thought within

Welcome Sir Hardin! She greeted and that was when I knew , she was not alright

Sir Hardin! What is that? I asked with a chuckle but she still maintained the same straight face

Can I have your backpack Sir? She said politely and I handed it to her with my eyes wide opened

The Hazel I know will just drag it from me !!!!

Is there anything else you want me to do for you? She continued and I scoffed

What exactly is wrong with you? I fired at her and I saw it again , her tears

Hazel! I called , trying to touch her but she took a step backward

I will bring your food to your room . She said and before I could say anything, she scurried away

Gobsmacked, I watched her run as something in my heart clicked ; my heart began to race faster and I felt so ..... scared.....

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TBC

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