365 Days To Love-Chapter 78 - SEVENTY-EIGHT:A Spy In The Family.

"Father,what’s bothering you?you have been acting strange since yesterday and this morning?"Ezekiel asked when he entered inside his father’s room to see him facing the windows deep in thought.

He was the observant one between the two brothers and he knew when his father was not himself and when he’s off,far away from being his usual self.

He cared about him,and dreaded the thoughts of losing him,since the death of his mother his old man had been there for him and Elijah although he still had flaws but he was still his father.

Judging from yesterday’s action of his to leave suddenly for his room and today’s breakfast was enough for him to know that something was wrong with him.But he won’t talk about it,that’s who his father was.He hardly says what’s on his mind and preferred action, a common character he had with Elijah.

Sadly,he could see through the old man and figured out that whatever it was that was bothering him was not something simple to leave a huge impact on him,that he even had to shout at his favourite daughter,which had never happened before in the family’s history.

Avery was the apple of his eyes, just as he had said the very first time they were betrothed to each other,not minding the fact that it was a contracted marriage to make both family businesses to become stronger,he took a liking to her more than Sophia.

His dad turned to him,his gaze lingering on him for sometime only to stare back outside,avoiding his son,he wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone now until he found out whether his suspicion was actually true or not.

He didn’t think talking about it with Ezekiel would help at all, because for crying out loud he knew Ezekiel didn’t like Hazel,he preferred the chicken face to the sweet girl his daughter brought to them.

That’s what Power Elijah had over him,Ezekiel might be smart and have the mind of a businessman but Elijah was good at reading people just like him,that’s why he too, didn’t oblige to the idea of Hazel staying here although he’s pretending he liked the girl’s prescence here in the family.

But they have no choice in this because his decision is final,Hazel was getting married to Zaiden and that’s final,if anyone had a problem with her,they would have to go through him first before they could think of touching a piece of hair on her skin.

But that’s the problem right now, although it’s a blessing that he found someone who was perfect for his grandson,it’s still going to be a problem if it’s confirmed that Nathan likes her too.

He could still remember the tension between the two at dinner when it was concluded that Hazel was going to be staying with her fiance in the same room, Nathan had always seem to be quiet one but beneath that,he’s a cunning and sly fox just like his dad and that’s a problem because he too was trying to be a headache to him just like his father.

His son,Elijah, needed to know his place if not later but soon before he destroyed what he had been building for years,he wouldn’t tread the peace in his family for anything.

"Is it about her?"Ezekiel asked suddenly,the old man’s attention drawing back to him,a tired look in his face to show that he didn’t have a goodnight sleep just as he had said as he went up early.

He made no attempt on answering the question which irritated Ezekiel because he bit his lower lip before walking over to stand close to his dad,he needed to talk his old man out of this before it’s too late.

"Father.."

"I will not condone you trying to change my mind when I’ve made my final decision on what is good for Zaiden and for the family at large"Grandpa interfered, cutting him short before he could start again with his preachings on how Hazel is a mistake that was going to affect them.

"You don’t understand Father,she’s nobody who’s going to be a problem more than an aid to this family"

"So,it’s all about her being a nobody,well,you wouldn’t need to apologize because she’s about to become one of us. ’’He told him while he crossed over to sit down in a seat but Ezekiel only nodded his head in absolute denial at what he’s saying.

Why does his father seem so less concerned about her? For a start,he didn’t do a background check on her to know exactly who she was,as she claims she was an orphan,for crying out loud she could be a spy from their business enemy who was sent to get information out of them that’s going to affect them badly.

The only thing he could do was openly declare to the family on her first visit that he liked,and besides when did he care about not getting his son married just the way he got married to Avery.

Not that he was regretting getting married to Avery,nor did he wished for his son to get married the way he did,but since this matter about his marriage was going to cause an issue it was better he gets married to someone from their class, who wasn’t suspicious the way Hazel was.

"Okay fine,but I will prove it to you if not now but soon that you guys are making a mistake"Ezekiel persisted,not willing to give up that easily,this was his son’s happiness that was on the line and he won’t let anyone,not even his dad play with it.

"That wouldn’t be any necessity for that,their marriage is already around the corner,I don’t plan on waiting for any of your so-called plans"He turned looking directly at him to see him with a scowlful look on his face but he didn’t care.

"Father"Ezekiel called but the old man silenced him by raising his hand up,he swallowed back what he wanted to say seeing that his dad was a stubborn goat and wasn’t interested in whatever he had to say about the girl.

"Send Zaiden in once he’s back from work,if you don’t mind you can leave my room"The old man told him,placing his spectacles properly and pointing at the door for his son to leave.

He didn’t know Ezekiel to be this stubborn and adamant about useless facts about Hazel, nevertheless,he wasn’t interested in whatever he had to say.

"Have a nice day"Ezekiel said with clenched fist,his lips forming a thin line because he didn’t knew what else to tell his dad to change his mind before the wedding will be held,he strode out of the man’s room with a solemn look on his face with his mind still occupied with what the family would stand to lose of eventually what he was saying about the girl was the Truth.

He didn’t buy the idea of her when she said she was an orphan and instructed his men for a thorough search about her background,but it still came out fruitless because there was nothing about her other than the fact that she was an orphan which made his suspicions about her grow more.

Something was off about her and he needed to find out soon before the wedding took place,knowing who his father was,he’s planning on having the wedding as soon as possible so he needed to act fast.

"Here"Sohoa said startling him,he didn’t know he was in the living room with Sophia studying his features to know that something was bothering him,and with the smile on her face,she knew what it was all about.

Turning to look at what she had in her hand,it was an apple juice,she smiled at him to assure him she didn’t poison it when he looked back at her suspiciously,this was the first time they were this close having a conversation,the other times had been all about telling her to stay in her lane whenever she acts out of her character.

"It helps cool you down,trust me I’ve been there"She smiled and placed the drink on his hand,turning to take her phone on top of the table,he was still looking at her with a skeptical look but she gave him one of her silly smiles before turning to leave.

"Where’s she?"He asked suddenly,her head tilting to understand what or who she was referring to.

"Hazel,she’s probably in her husband’s room"Sophia emphasized the husband that it irritated him at her choice of words but she left with her silly laughter following behind.

He dropped what he was holding on the table while walking up the stairs to Zaiden’s room. He needed to talk to her personally,if she had a conscience she would have probably figured out that she wasn’t welcome here.

Knocking with no response,pushed the door open to find the room empty,where could she have gone?

He knew she wasn’t allowed out of the house because of the paparazzi until their wedding had been set,so where could she have gone?

She isn’t there right?

His gaze fell on Zaiden’s office followed by an imagination of her searching through his office looking for important documents to send back to whoever that sent her,he walked inside,looking around to figure out that she wasn’t here either,then where could she be?

He turned to leave but stopped when he heard a sound of something falling,turning to observe further,he didn’t see anything but he had a feeling that someone was in here,Hazel was in here.

He turned to leave after waiting for some seconds in fruitless effort in finding out what was wrong in the office. He halted when he heard the door opening,but that wasn’t the front door,rather,it was another door with Hazel coming out of it and halted her steps when she saw him.

What the hell just happened.

When did Zaiden ever have a secret passage?

How did she get there?

"I can explain"Hazel started,moving forward to touch him with pleading eyes but he shouted at her as she got startled at his harshness.

She couldn’t let him tell Zaiden she was in his office, not only had she intruded in his privacy,she went to his secret passage.

"Just like I said,I was right about you,you are caught this time"Ezekiel said with a sinister grin on his face,cheering at the fact that Grandpa wouldn’t have any excuse this time once he gets to know of this.

"Who are you working for?"

"What?"She asked, confused.

"Don’t try to play games with me,who the hell paid you for this?"His voice getting angrier the more she didn’t answer his question.

"I don’t.."Hazel was cut short when he pushed her to the wall,his hands choking her that she could barely breathe.

"You are still going to deny it? You are leaving!!"

"No,she’s not!"