Chapter 5 Somebody help!

Hazel knocked twice on the door. She heard footsteps approaching and stopped ringing the doorbell. Adjusting the scarf wrapped tightly around her head, she made sure her face was well hidden.

Anyone could be watching-and the last thing she wanted was to be recognized.

The door opened. "Hazel!" Beatrice gasped, throwing her arms around her. "How have you been? I've been worried sick!"

"I'm fine," Hazel replied quickly. "Let's go inside."

"Come in, come in!" Beatrice ushered her in and shut the door behind them. They sat down on the sofa.

"You don't look bad," Beatrice said, eyeing her from head to toe. "Seems like you've been enjoying yourself."

Hazel chuckled, removing the scarf and sunglasses and placing them on the side table. "Why would I look bad? I'm not doing hard labor over there."

Beatrice leaned in, eyes sparkling. "So... how's work? How's Mr. Damiete Torres?"

Hazel sighed deeply, brushing her hair back. "I'm just counting down the days until this contract ends."

Beatrice rolled her eyes. "You're the one who accepted it. So I don't know why you're complaining."

Hazel glanced at her wristwatch. Pearl should be home any minute now. She had brought her daughter's favorite ice cream and snacks. She would've baked cupcakes too, but Damiete's kitchen had been as empty as a the Sahara desert.

Another thing to bring up with him later. They had to stock up the kitchen.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell, ringing urgently. She rose to her feet and opened the door.

"Mummy!" Pearl screamed with joy, jumping into her mother's arms. Hazel picked her up, holding her tightly.

"My baby," she whispered, kissing her all over her tiny face. "How have you been?"

"I'm fine, mummy. I missed you so much! Aunt Beatrice doesn't let me eat ice cream." Pearl quickly reported her dear aunty.

"Beatrice!" Hazel turned, mock-glaring. "How could you do such a thing?"

"What?" Beatrice defended, eyes wide. "Her teeth are falling out-you want her to become the toothless fairy?" She stuck her tongue out at Pearl, who playfully returned the gesture.

Hazel laughed hard. Despite the years between them, those two acted like twins born on the same day.

"Go upstairs and freshen up," Hazel said, taking Pearl's school bag and setting it by the sofa. "I brought ice cream."

"Yay!" Pearl ran up the stairs with the speed of light.

"Such a sweetheart," Beatrice smiled. Hazel nodded, her gaze soft. Pearl looked like Damiete, something she didn't like.. but she was nothing like him. She'd inherited Hazel's personality, and for that, Hazel was eternally grateful.

"Oh!" Beatrice jumped up, grabbing her tablet off the table. "I got a sponsor, baby!" she announced.

"What?" Hazel gasped, eyes wide. "Oh my God, Beatrice, I'm so happy for you!" She hugged her tightly.

Beatrice had been chasing her fashion dreams for years. Finally, she'd gotten the big break she truly deserved.

"We're the new designers in town," Beatrice said, flipping her hair and snapping her fingers dramatically.

"Yes we are!" Hazel grinned. "So, who's your sponsor? How did it happen?"

"None of your business." Beatrice rolled her eyes. "I didn't ask you all those questions when you landed your gig. Or are you trying to steal him?" she eyed her suspiciously.

Hazel's mouth fell open. "Good heavens! Why would you say that?"

Before the conversation could continue, Pearl came bouncing down the stairs, and mother and daughter bonded over homework and the snacks Hazel brought.

Later that evening...

Hazel stood by the door, wrapping the scarf securely around her head again. "I have to go now," she said.

"Okay, Mrs. Torres," Beatrice teased. "Go back to your darling husband."

Hazel smacked her lightly on the hand. "Stop that." she warned.

As she picked up her handbag and slung it over her shoulder, Beatrice leaned in, lowering her voice. "I hope... you're not sleeping with him."

Hazel took a step back, staring at her friend as if she'd suddenly grown horns. She nearly slapped her for thinking such vile thoughts. "You never cease to amaze me."

Shaking her head, she left the house and boarded a taxi back to Damiete's.

Back at the penthouse.........

The moment she entered, a sharp stench of alcohol hit her. Her nose wrinkled in disgust.

"Damiete?" she called, walking through the living room.

No answer.

She checked the bedroom-empty. Then she heard movement from the terrace and followed the sound.

There he was, Damiete sat slouched between empty bottles, his shirt stained with blood, buttons missing, and a bruise blossoming on his face.

Hazel stopped short?Was he in a fight? Why was he drinking like this?

She turned to leave. This wasn't her business.

But something about his broken form made her pause. He looked like a man moments away from crumbling.

Reluctantly, she walked toward him.

"Did you lose a bet, or did one of your many flings dump you?" she asked, folding her arms. The night air was cold.

"Much worse." He belched, and she frowned.

"Drinking won't solve your problems."

"At least I can forget them for a little while," he snapped, his voice rising. He stood suddenly, staggering back. He gripped the railing, looking down at the city lights below.

Hazel's heart dropped. He was too close to the edge-Too unstable. Should anything happen...

"Calm down," she said cautiously, stepping closer. "You don't have to do this."

If anything happened to him, she'd be blamed. She didn't want to spend her entire life behind bars for something she didn't do.

Then Damiete burst into hysterical laughter, pointing a shaky finger at her. "Did you see your face? You think I'd jump? Kill myself because my wretched brother wants to ruin me?"

He staggered toward her, placing his arm on the wall for support.

"Did you think I'd kill myself because the only woman I ever loved left me for another man?"

He tripped over a bottle and nearly collapsed.

Hazel caught him just in time. "Damiete, you need to lie down," she said, struggling under his weight.

"No!" he yelled, standing upright, grabbing her shoulders. "I won't end my life just because no one loves me... or values my presence!"

He shoved her back.

"Damiete, please." She tried again, voice trembling. "Whatever's going on, we can talk about it." she tried to hold him but he slapped her hand away.

"No!" he shouted, clutching his head.

He began to shake-violently. Sweat poured from his face even though the air was chilly.

"Damiete!"

He fell to the ground, seizing uncontrollably. He clutched his chest tightly as he gasped for breath.

Hazel dropped to her knees beside him. "Somebody help!" she screamed.

"Help!"