AGE( it is just a number)
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Episode 23
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Forgiveness
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ha-rd in Castillo
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The sound of voices disrupted my sleep and on stirring a little , I opened my eyes to see Hazel staring down at me
“Wakey wakey sleepy head , it is time to get out of be-d!
I smiled lightly
stretching , i ru-bbe-d my eyes to get rid of the sleep crust as I sat up on the be-d .
“Good morning!” I greeted , glancing at the wall clock , it was a little past 11:00 am …
Phew! I never knew I sle-pt this long …..but wait a minute! the nightmares! I had none! I sle-pt peacefully for the first time in three years, unbelievable!
“Haz!” I called , shifting my attention back to her
” yes”. She answered without looking at me as her gaze was fixed on my phone, she was going throu-gh it with a large smile on her face
“Do you by any chance know if I erm ….you know …. screamed last night? I asked picking my words and she sh0t me a curious look
“Do you?” She threw the question back at me , tilting her head sideways as if trying to think and I scoffed
“Forget it! I muttered , snatching my phone out of her hands but she was quic-k to snatch it back
“Go freshen up , i am sick and tired of this hospital”. She said ; then continued with whatever she was doing on my phone
this is so not gonna end well!
Getting off the be-d , i looked around for my clothes to see it on a low stool beside the be-d neatly folded
I smiled lightly, picking up my brief and then went over to bathroom to freshen up …
The bathroom was so small and unattrac-tive so I quic-kly showered, turned my brief inside out as I wore it and then returned to the room to meet Hazel angry gaze
Now this is what I am talking about!
“Who the hell is Tricia?” She barked, holding up my phone for me to see
“She is no one” I simply answered, walking past her to the be-d and she scoffed , following behind me
“Really! Then how will you explain this ” babe I will join you at the club tonight”. She drawled, re-ading out a text conversation and I bit at my lowerl-ips , completely ignoring her as I hurriedly dressed up in my polo and jean
“Really! I never knew you were dumb , who the hell is Tricia?” She yelled and that was it , I lost it
“And What right do you have to go throu-gh my phone?” I snapped at her
“What!” She exclaimed with disbelief written all over her face
“Yes Hazel! Just because you are carrying my child doesn’t mean you can invade my privacy”. I retorted in a huff ma-king her g@sp audibly in shock
“Are these words really coming out of you?” She asked softly as tears welled up in her eyes and on seeing her tears, i c@m£ to my s-en-ses
Oh God! what have I done? I thought within, running my hands throu-gh my hair.
“Haz!” I called, trying to hold her but she took few steps backward
“yes ha-rd in!You are right, I really have no right to go throu-gh your phone”
” No Haz! you have every right too , I was just too confused about how to react or what to say”. I said , shaking my head vigorously
“Confused! Why? because I caught you! because you are fv¢king cheating on me right?She half yelled and without waiting for my response, she continued
“Why do you like hurting me? tell me , why? Is it because you know I love you so much?or is it because I am not as attrac-tive as your other girls?”
“Shut up!” I barked at her , she was beginning to annoy me
” and who said you ain’t attrac-tive! ….Jeez! do you even know what you are saying? you are beautiful Haz , I wish when you look in the mirror you see what I see when I look at you”. I stated truthfully and her eyes lit up
“Then why are you cheating on me?”she queried but this around, her voice was calm and I exhaled de-eply
“I ain’t cheating on you , all those $h!t you saw on the phone was when we were separated”. I explained , moving closer to wipe her tears ….
“Separated! Are you trying to say you sle-pt with Tricia?”she continued as her gaze searched throu-gh mine
“No, I didn’t , I couldn’t even do it because your were the only one in my head “. I answered truthfully and she smiled , jumping into my arms
“I love you Jayden Winthrop” .she said as I chuckled
“Jayden Winthrop! Why did you call me that?” I asked , pu-lling out of the hvg and she sm-irked
“It is your name right??
“Of course it is”. I agreed as I gr@bb£d my phone from her , ma-king a mental note to put a lock on it
That is the only way to avoid $h!t like this happening again!!!
Just then the phone rang and on checking the caller, it was my Dad
I received it
“Hi Dad! I greeted first
“Son! how are you? how is Hazel? Are you both Alright?” he asked in rush
“Of course Dad , we are ”
“Good! I want you to come over to the police station right now”
“Police station! why? Is there any problem?” I asked in alarm
“I will brief you when you get here”. he simply said and ended the call…….
Brief me on what!Is anything wrong? Did he succeed in arresting Austin ? if yes, why doesn’t he sound happy?…
“Down to earth ha-rd in! ” Hazel called , snapping her f!ngersin front of me and I slowly shifted my gaze to her
“Is everything alright ?” She asked , staring at me worriedly and I nodded, faking a smile
“Then why the sudden change in countenance?”
“Nothing!Are you re-ady?” I asked , eyeing her up and down
The go-wn she was wearing was like a sac on her but nevertheless, she looked beautiful in it …
“Yes!” She answered with a grin ,
“And the undies?” I continued , staring at the torn p@n-t laying on the floor and her face flu-shed in embarras-sment as she picked it up , keeping it in her go-wn pocket
Why is she getting all embarras-sed?
Taking her small hands into mine , we walked out of the room , throu-gh the long pas-sage to the reception and I noticed the lingering stares on me …
“Good morning ma’am!” I greeted the nurse behind the desk and lol and behold it was the same nurse who attended to us yesterday
“Morning ha-rd in!” She responded with a smile and I heard Hazel silent scoff
“I can see you are alre-ady leaving”. the nurse quic-kly added with her gaze still fixed on me
Hello! I am not the sick one , the girl is . My subconsciousness screamed at her
“Sure , any outstanding bills?”I asked , letting go of Hazel hands to bring out my wallet but the nurse st©pped me with her voice
“The Bill has been settled!!
“Alright! Thanks! I muttered,taking Hazel hands back into mine as we both sauntered out of the hospital
“Good bye ha-rd in!” The nurse called after me , ma-king Hazel roll her eyes
“I hate that nurse”. She simply retorted and I nodded abs£ntmindedly as my attention was fixed on the crowd of people running towards us , holding some weird looking c@m£ras
Oh no! Reporters! I muttered, nudging Hazel to look in the direction and when she did ,she held my f!ngersmore ti-ghtly as she turned here and there
” what are we gonna do? Let’s pas-s throu-gh another route “.She suggested but it too late , the reporters crowded around us , flashing those weird c@m£ras on me
“we are from the state broadcasting station and would like to ask you a few questions” a fat man started
” we sorry for the intrusion but a nurse ti-pped us off”.a slim woman bu-tted in, earning a cold stare from the others
Interesting! She just confessed!
“It must have been so tough for you , can you plea-se tell us what happened on that fateful night?” the fat man asked
“how you met Austin, the business you have with Austin?”he quic-kly added and without saying a word , I pushed and squee-zed my way out of their gathering, dragging Hazel along with me……..
“Mr Castillo! Mr Castillo!” they kept on calling, following behind me ..
This is so frustrating! Is this how my life will be from now on?
“Can you run?” I asked , turning to face Hazel and she nodded
“Good! I remarked pu-lling her closer and we both ran all the way to the Taxi station, laughing
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Getting to the station,I steadied my hands on my knee for a moment , breathing ha-rd and then raised my head to look at Hazel who was also doing same…
“Are you alright?”
” yes baby! I am more than alright, this is so much fun”. She squealed, grinning from ear to ear
“how I can wish we can be chased like this everyday”. She mumbled but I heard her clearly and I smiled , flagging down a taxi
opening the car door, I gestured her to get in and when she did , I hopped in beside her closing the door behind us
“Where to?” the driver asked , staring at me throu-gh the rear mirror
“Tacoma police station”. I answered and he nodded, starting the car as he drove off ..
“Police station! why are you going there?” Hazel asked in whispers
“To see Dad!”I answered with a shrug and without saying a word , she leaned over to l@yher head on my che-st and I mischievously let my hands roam all over her b©dy
“$h!t! what are you doing ha-rd in?” She said , gritting her teeth as I felt her right bu-tt cheek throu-gh her go-wn
” And what does it look like to you?” I retorted in whispers, maintaining a straight face
“You are getting me all we-t Haaaardin”. she muffled and I chuckled,searching her gaze
She was alre-ady ” lost in plea-sure” and I bit at my upperl-ips wishing we were behind closed doors , I could have fv¢ked out all the plea-sure in her,no, I will make her ride me with all the plea-sure in her……
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The car skidded to a halt in front of the Police station and I looked out of the window to see another set of those clumsy reporters waiting outside
“Don’t they have other works to do?”
Paying the driver, I alighted from the car and Hazel also did the same
“oh no! not again!” She muttered
” Just quic-ken your steps”. I simply instructed, leading the way as we climbe-d up the short stairs to the police station and that was when the questioning started
“Welcome Jayden Winthrop or should I say ha-rd in Castillo!” a slim woman in a S-xy go-wn greeted
“how were you able to endure staying in prison knowing you were innocent?” another asked
” is it true Austin Rivera threatened to r@p£ your mother?” a third woman asked and I clutched my fist ti-ghtly, trying so ha-rd to hold my anger
“Can’t they all fv¢king leave me alone?
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We got inside the police station just in time to see my Dad and a lanky man climb down the stairs to the reception room
on seeing us, he whispered something to the man who quic-kly looked in our direction and they both walked up to us …..
“ha-rd in! Hazel! my dad called , looking at Hazel and then at me
“how are you? are you both alright?” he continued as I huffed.
” what the hell is happening?why did you ask me to come over to this damn place?” I retorted, ignoring his questions and the lanky man chuckled
“Dave! I can see Jayden grew up to be very ……..
“Rude”. I completed and he smiled , shaking his head
“No, I meant to say abrupt”. he corrected and I scoffed
” what is the difference? we are both saying the same thing”
“ha-rd in! your manners”. My dad scolded at me and I faked a smile , bowing slightly
“Good morning Mr police!” I greeted mockingly and Hazel who was beside me pinched me
“Arrrgh! Why did you do that?” I asked , turning sideways to her
“Behave!” She mouthed at me and then faced the man, smiling
“Good morning Mr Tony”. She greeted , staring at his badge and the man responded with a smile
” you must be Hazel? Dave told me a lot about you”
I shifted my gaze to my Dad to see him staring at me
His green eyes bored into mine for a while and then he sighed, looking away
he was de-eply troubled and I knew it but Why? Did something happen? or is it about …… dang it! Austin!why didn’t I think about it?
“You failed to arrest Austin right?” I asked ,looking at “Tony” and then back at him
an awkward silence fell , and from the worried look on my dad face , I knew I was right
Damn! Austin escaped! This is not gonna be good !
“I think he escaped throu-gh a window in his room”. My dad said calmly and I raised my hands , signalling him to st©p
“Wait! Are you trying to say he escaped when the police got there?”I asked , picking my words and he nodded , running his hands on his hair
“the television was switched on! the fan! even the drinks on the table were still cold” . he explained, ma-king me scream in anger
“Arrrgh!do you know what this fv¢king means? You just put my life on the line. I yelled , breathing ha-rd
” I know and that is why I am pleading with you not to do anything rash”. he begged and then faced Hazel
“and I want you staying in the mansion , will that be possible?”
” erm I erm I don’t know , erm I will have to ask my mom”. she stuttered, staring at me and I sighed
“She will stay , I will ask her mum for permission myself”. I said aloud and she smiled lightly……
Austin is a beast and I know for sure he will come after me!!!!!!
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Mike Peterson
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Sitting on the ba-re floor, I rested my back to the wall as I tried to take a recovery nap but the throbbing sound in my temple wouldn’t let me to
I sighed in frustration
I was weak and hungry at the same time,Why the hell is Noah taking too Long?
Oh! Speak of the devil, here he comes
“What happened? what took you so long?” I barked , eying him coldly as he dropped the big bag he was holding on the floor
“Everything Boss! the cops were everywhere , Sneaking into the house was not easy . he stated , breathing ha-rd
“Oh! So did you get all of the credit card?” I asked , hoping he would say yes and he did
“I also got some food and the old box full of bullet” he added and I grinned , sitting upright
I never knew he was this smart!!
Bringing out a canned food , he threw it to me along with a spoon and I caught it ; instantly opening it to take a spoonful ..
“And what about the bullets?”I probe-d on and he smiled, bringing out a black dirty box
“But what do you intend doing ? Are you planning on attacking the police?he asked , placing the box in front of him and I smiled
” I don’t know! I have to think of a good plan , Jayden have lot of people backing him up and I don’t wanna perish foolishly”
Reaching for the box, I opened it and stared down at the bullet
This will be enough for me!!!
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Hazel Dakota
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After leaving the police station , ha-rd in drove , headed to my home ma-king use of his dad’s car
he was silent throu-ghout the drive and I chose to let him be knowing he was still brooding over that bastard , Austin!
I sighed sadly
Leaning in the seat , I rested my head on the car head rest as I listened to the rumbling sound of my stomach
I was so damn hungry!!!
“What is that weird sound?”ha-rd in suddenly asked and I shifted my gaze to him to see a light frown across his face
“Nothing”. I lied and he scoffed , pu-lling off the road as he slowed down
“What are you doing?” I asked, giving him a puzzled look
Isn’t it obvious! I am looking for a fast food res……oh! here is one “. he stated , driving up to a green building ;then parked in front of it
“You can starve yourself if you want but that little child inside you nee-ds to eat”
Having said that , he alighted from the car and headed into the restaurant
Omoo! Is this the boy who was brooding just now?
I stared out of the window, watching a young mum pl@ywith her little daughter …..
tou-ching my flat tummy , I smiled sheepishly
I can’t wait to have mine!!
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ha-rd in soon c@m£ out of the restaurant holding a plastic bag and I sighted two girls , giggling as they stared at him …..
I smiled, they are free to admire him from far-off!
I quic-kly composed myself, winding the window up a little as I waited for him to get in ……
opening the car door , he got in beside me and then handed me the plastic bag
“They only sell junks so I got you the edible ones” he said , starting the car as he pu-ll-ed out to the road , driving off …..
I opened the bag and brou-ght out a sausage roll ;and on taking a bite , I instantly spat it out on him
” what the fv¢k Haz! what is wrong with you?” he half yelled as I kept a straight face , trying ha-rd not to laugh
“Sorry! It isn’t my fault , it is your child fault” I defended myself and he sighed, shaking his head
You are crazy!
Bringing out a bottled soda , I opened it and took a sip of it
“Yes! this is good”. I remarked, wearing a large smile …………
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We soon got to my house and he parked out in front
Opening the door , I alighted from the car and he did the same at his own end; on walking to the front porch, I noticed the door was slightly Ajar so I pushed it opened and we both walked in to see my mom watching the television …..
She was engrossed in the news she was watching that she failed to notice out pres£nce
“Mum!” I called softly and she slowly shifted her attention to me
her eyes were bloodsh0t, it was obvious she had been crying
“Hazel!” She called looking at me and then at ha-rd in
“Good afternoon ma!” ha-rd in greeted with a cracked voice , I could tell he was nervous and my mom stood up , walking slowly towards us like a “cartoon”
“Jayden Winthrop! she called , with her gaze still fixed on ha-rd in and took a long step , standing in front of him
“No mum! You getting all wrong , he is not the Murderer” I said , defending ha-rd in and she nodded
“I know , I watched it on the news but it still doesn’t change the fact that he made us this way”. my mum yelled, pointing her f!ngersat him and I heard ha-rd in Sighed
“You are right ma and I am really sorry for all the pain I have caused you”. he apologised, brushing me aside lightly as he moved closer to my mom
“Sorry! Do you think that is enough? because of you and your wealthy parent my husband couldn’t get Justice he deserved”.
” mom!” I called softly as she continued
“Seeing how wealthy your parent was got me all scared , I was worried my husband death will be swept un-der the rug so I desperately sold all of his properties to hire a good lawyer still you rich folks still had the judge in your palm . She yelled , breaking down in tears and to my upmost surprise, ha-rd in went down on his Knees
I stared at him with my mouth wi-de opened
“Ma! I know I did wrong, I know I hurt you bad , I know nothing in this world can compensate the wrong I have done to you and your family but believe me when I say , I am truly sorry . he apologised , beating his che-st as tears flowed down his eyes
I was so foolish, I willingly gave up my freedom, I just couldn’t let Austin r@p£ my mother , I couldn’t let him kill my mother ……….
My mum watched him silently for some minutes and then to my relief, she bent a little to pu-ll him up
Thank goodness! I muttered
“It is alright Child!I un-derstand you . She said ,hvgging him and I smiled, watching both of them
My mother and my b©yfri£ndcry in each other arms
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TBC