Hazel stepped out of the steam-filled bathroom, her damp hair wrapped in a towel, and her body snugly encased in a bathrobe. She glanced over to the bed where Francisco lounged in his own bathrobe, a lazy smile playing on his lips. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at his expectant look.
Ignoring his presence, she made her way to the vanity, settling onto the tool in front of the mirror. Francisco, undeterred by her silent treatment, reached for his phone, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Don't you wanna talk to your parents?" he teased, knowing well her penchant for ignoring him.
Hazel shot him a pointed look, flipping on the hairdryer to drown out his words.
"You don't have to do me any favors," she retorted, her voice barely audible over the whir of the dryer.
Francisco chuckled, the sound warm and melodic as he rose from the bed and sauntered over to her.
"How understanding are you?" he quipped, his tone laced with amusement.
Hazel took a deep breath, her jaw clenching slightly in frustration, but she remained resolutely silent. She knew engaging in banter with Francisco would only prolong the inevitable.
Without warning, Francisco activated a video call on his phone, thrusting it into Hazel's hand. Startled, she grasped the device, her fingers tightening around its sleek surface. She made a move to rise from the tool, but before she could, Francisco gently pushed her back down, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Sit," he instructed softly, his touch lingering for a moment before he withdrew, leaving Hazel to reluctantly comply.
Hazel's narrowed gaze bore into Francisco as he stood behind her, his presence palpable even in the digital realm of the video call. She spoke in a low tone, her voice tinged with urgency, "What are you doing? They will see..."
Before she could finish her sentence, the call connected, and her mother's voice filled the room, calling out Hazel's name with a mix of surprise and delight. Startled, Hazel shifted her attention to the screen, a forced smile adorning her features as she greeted her mother.
"Hi, Mom," she said, her voice strained with unease.
Her mother's eyes flickered at the figure standing behind Hazel, his face obscured from view by the angle of the camera.
Hazel's mom's voice carried a mixture of curiosity and suspicion as she inquired, "Who is he?"
"Is that Rafael?"
Hazel's heart raced, her mind scrambling for a plausible explanation. She managed a hesitant smile as she replied, "Ah... yes, Mom, how are you?"
She desperately tried to steer the conversation away from Francisco's presence, her words faltering as she attempted to maintain composure.
Francisco, standing just out of view, couldn't help but grin at the unfolding drama. He continued to dry Hazel's hair, his amusement evident in his expression as he listened to her stumbling attempts to evade her mother's inquiries.
Her mother's gaze remained fixed on the figure behind Hazel, her curiosity piqued.
"But give the phone to him. I want to talk to him," she insisted, her tone firm.
Panic fluttered in Hazel's chest as she struggled to find a way out of the situation.
"Mom, he... he will talk," she replied weakly, her voice tinged with apprehension.
Her mother's brow furrowed in confusion, but she relented, shifting her focus back to Hazel.
"Where is Dad?" she asked, changing the subject.
"He's in the office," Hazel's mom responded quickly.
"Nowadays he is so busy."
Hazel took a deep breath and said, "Mom, Papa doesn't need to work."
"Dear, he enjoys working, so he can do it..." Hazel's mom said.
Francisco, still hidden, listened intently, amused by how far Hazel would go to divert the conversation.
Suddenly, Hazel's mom redirected her attention, addressing Francisco as if he were Rafael, "By the way, Rafael, are you shy to talk to me, dear?"
"Mom!" Hazel protested.
"Please."
As Hazel hesitated, about to end the call, Francisco seized the opportunity. Lowering his head, he revealed his face to Hazel's mom with a mischievous smile, "Hey, Ms. Doris."
Hazel's mom's smile slowly faded, replaced by a look of shock. She questioned, "You?"
Francisco continued, "Oh, let me introduce myself. I am Francisco Hilton."
Hazel's mom was left speechless, processing the unexpected turn of events.
"What's your relationship with my daughter?" Doris asked, her voice tinged with concern and curiosity.
Francisco's lips curled into a slight smile before he replied, "Ask your daughter, Ms. Doris. She will tell you."
"Honey, will you?" Francisco directed the question to Hazel, her eyes searching for answers.
Francisco's tone was teasing as he spoke, adding a playful edge to his words. He got up on his knees, gently combing Hazel's hair as he awaited her response.
Hazel pressed her lips together, a mixture of nerves and determination evident in her expression. With a nod and a smile, she looked at her mother's gaze through the screen.
"Mom, he is my boyfriend."
"And I am no longer with Rafael," she added, her voice steady but tinged with a hint of sadness.
Doris's eyes narrowed as she processed the revelation.
"Weren't you guys going to marry that day?"
"What happened?" she inquired, her voice laced with confusion and concern.
Hazel's gaze faltered slightly, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap.
"I... I just wasn't feeling okay with him, Mom," she admitted, avoiding her mother's penetrating gaze by focusing on the phone screen.
"Hazel!" Doris's voice was heavy with disappointment and concern.
"Are you hiding something? Is everything okay there, right?" she pressed, her worry evident in her tone.
"You even changed your number suddenly," Doris added, noting the recent changes in Hazel's life with growing apprehension.
Francisco raised his brows, his curiosity piqued as he listened to the conversation between Hazel and her mother.
Hazel took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead.
"Mom, I am fine," she reassured, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.
As she struggled to find the right words, Hazel paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. With a heavy tone, she continued, "Actually, what happened; it was... It was for the best, and I am happy now."
Her admission hung in the air, a weighty acknowledgment of the difficult decisions she had made. "And Francisco loves me," she added, her voice soft but resolute.
Francisco's hand stilled as he heard Hazel's words, his heart swelling with emotion at her declaration. He stopped combing her hair, his thoughts consumed by her heartfelt confession.
Doris's concern shifted to Hazel's father, her voice tinged with sadness. "Your father..."
Hazel interrupted gently, "Mom, I know Dad likes him a lot. But sometimes, luck doesn't allow everything, right?"
Suddenly, without warning, Francisco knelt down behind Hazel, enveloping her in a warm embrace.
"Ms. Doris, don't be sad. I will take care of her more than anything. She will not face any problems in her life."
"I love your daughter so much as well," Francisco added.
With a tender gesture, he pressed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
Doris smiled at the couple and turned her attention to Francisco.
"Are you her colleague?" she inquired with genuine curiosity.