Begging
1135 Words
HAZEL
I don’t care, I tell myself. I shouldn’t care. It’s not like Axel and I are in a relationship. We’re not together, we're not dating, he’s not my boyfriend, he’s not my husband....he’s nothing.
And so am I. I’m nothing to him....Nothing.
So maybe what Kat said is right. Because yes, I’m not anything to Axel. I don’t mean anything to him. She’s probably right in her view that she’s above me. After all, she is… bumping uglies with Axel.
But then I just hate it. I hate it so damn much. I hate it to the point where it physically hurts, where I want to cry until I can’t breathe, because people keep thinking I’m one of Axel’s whores.....one of his mistresses—when the reality is, I’m not. And he doesn’t even bother correcting them.
Why would he? He just loves humiliating me.
I should be used to this by now. This shouldn’t be anything new. But it still drives me mad.
So I kick the tray of food to the ground. The glass shatters, everything clatters around me, and I keep going, knocking over whatever I can reach.
The door suddenly swings open. Nico stands there, his brows drawn low.
“What’s going on?” he asks.
He walks in, scanning the room. Opens a door. It’s a bathroom, I didn’t even know it was there. He checks under the table, behind the chairs, then looks back at me.
“What’s going on?” he repeats.
“Nothing,” I say flatly.
His eyes drop to the floor, to the broken glass, the mess I made. He exhales slowly.
“So you’re not in danger or anything,” he says, “just throwing a tantrum?” His tone’s sharp, like he’s a disappointed parent.
“Oh, please,” I snap. “Give me a break, Nico.”
He’s about to leave, shaking his head, when Axel walks in. And of course, behind him, like a lost puppy, is Kat.
The first thing Axel does is look at Nico. Nico shakes his head. I don’t know what kind of silent conversation just passed between them, but Axel’s gaze shifts to me next.
“You good?” he asks.
I shrug. He doesn’t deserve to hear my voice.
He checks his watch, his jaw ticking. “Nico, take Hazel home.”
Axel says talking to Nico, and he's telling him to take me home, as if I'm some kind of parcel to deliver.
“Excuse me?” I cut in.
He ignores me, still talking to Nico. “Take her home.” Like I’m a problem that needs to be moved out of sight.
And Kat, she’s standing behind him with that smug little smile. Giving me that winning smile
I place a hand over my chest. “I’m not leaving,” I say, my voice tight but steady. “I’m actually enjoying myself here.”
“I can’t stay,” he says, “I have something to do. And I can’t leave you here, so Nico’s taking you home.”
“Well, I’m not leaving.”
“You are leaving, Hazel. Don’t fight me. Not on this. Not in front of everyone.”
And I know what he means. He’s the Don. No one disobeys him in front of his men. He already made that clear a long time ago.
My eyes drift to Kat again. She’s doing that thing with her tongue, twisting it slowly before sucking it back into her mouth. I know what she’s saying without words. She’s telling me she’s going to sleep with him tonight.
I sigh, roll my eyes, and walk out of the room without waiting for Nico.
As I walk out, Kat starts laughing.... Or giggling. Maybe it's a combination of the two. I shouldn’t be hearing her voice. Her laugh shouldn't be following me.
Not as I walk down the stairs.
Not as I pass through the music, the dance floor.
That sound shouldn’t be in my ears. It shouldn’t follow me outside.... But it does.
Even when I’m standing in the cool night air, not sure where the car is parked, her laughter still lingers like a curse.
Nico walks past me, heading toward the car. He opens the door without saying a word. I follow, get in with a huff, and slam the door harder than I need to. Nico laughs as he settles in the driver’s seat and starts the engine.
“Wow, you’re mad, huh?” he says lightly. “I’ve seen you mad before, but today....you’re extra mad.”
“Just leave me alone, Nico,” I mutter.
He shrugs, still grinning, and focuses on the road. Silence fills the car after that. Only the hum of the engine and my heartbeat, fast and furious. Shame burns through me, mixing with anger, humiliation, and confusion. I don’t even understand myself sometimes.
When we finally reach the Morelli Mansion, I don’t wait for Nico to stop fully. I open my door, step out, and head straight inside. In my room, I scream. Just once. Just loud enough to get it out of my chest. Then I throw myself on the bed.
But it isn’t easy to fall asleep when you’re angry. So I sit there. Waiting. Watching the clock. Listening for his voice.
And when I finally hear it—deep, calm, unmistakable, I get up. I go downstairs. But tonight won’t be like before. Tonight, he won’t find me halfway on the stairs to kiss me like he did the other night.
He’s heading toward his office when I catch a glimpse of him.
“Axel,” I call out.
He stops, turns around. There’s surprise in his voice when he says, “Aren’t you asleep? You should be in bed by now.”
“Yes, but…” I swallow hard. “I was hoping I could talk to you.”
He hesitates, then nods slightly. “Okay. What is it?”
I look around, making sure no one’s nearby. The hallway feels too big, too quiet.
“Axel,” I begin, my voice trembling despite my effort to sound steady. “I don’t know what I’ve done to wrong you. I don’t know why I’m here, but... I’m begging you…”
And before I can stop myself, I start to kneel.
He moves fast, his hands gripping my shoulders, holding me still.
“What are you doing?” he asks sharply.
A tear falls down my cheek. “Axel, please....”
But he cuts me off. His tone hardens.
“If you’re going to ask me to let you leave again, you’re wasting your time.”
Then he releases me abruptly, and I stumble. Axel turns his back and walks away—into his office.....without looking back.
- Writer
