Ch 3 : Into the rabbit hole

'Leonardo Rivera, known by the nation as the "Saint" who mend the land and is now paving the way to a brighter future.

He brought to light that the programs continued of the former president from the previous ones that brought thousands of jobs to the people of the urban areas is nothing but facade to cover a hidden drug colony. Businessmen further supported him for showing it to the world; their community competitor who sold same products at a cheaper price was able to keep going because of such activities.

He was a Saint that everyone wanted, and that Saint is now standing by the door welcoming me on his Heavens gate.'

Hazel gave him a curtsy and he replied with a bow.

"Hello distinguished guest and welcome to our humbled home." Leonardos' arms welcoming as he proceed to go to down the steps along with two maids who then stood  behind him.

Hazel would love to find as to where in the three storey, museum wide house the humbled part is but asking such questions would clearly get her pretty much thrown out of there.

"I believe "distinguished" does not fit me but thank you for deeming so." Hazel replies with her hands placed firmly in front of her.

While Leonardo and Hazel formally exchanged greetings to one another, Michael just stood there at the side with a face clearly riddled and mouth slightly agape on the unexpected greetings and exchange.

"I thought you were going to wait for us in your office Dad?"

His fathers glanced for a brief moment and went back to Hazel.

"Well yes, that was supposedly as to how I arranged it but it seems that you ran into a quite alarming situation." Leonardo to hold Hazels hand with both of his hands"And I believe this is a proper greeting as well with the purpose to ensure you bear no distress of such events."

"How kind of you Pres. Leornado to give us such treatment." Hazel then gently pulls her hand away from his hands.

He then gave a soft laugh "Well of course, I am both a father and a leader. I must make sure my people are alright."

"That is a President for you. I bet this conversation can take us the whole day in here."

"Hmm?" Leonardos smile turns faint, after that it hit him. They were still outside for almost minutes already.

"Oh how rude of me. Let us head on inside, Michael can give you a tour w before we head on my office; I have some matters to attend to, all right?"

Hazel then let out a soft giggle "I thought you'd never ask."

The maids then went to open the door  and stood by the sides of it.

Leonardo felt a nerve twitch as they he leads Hazel inside with Michael just behind them.

Leonardo signals Michael to get to his side then he "Please educate the guest about our family as you show her around ok?"

"Don't worry Dad."

"I want her to have nothing but good to say to us okay? Nothing but praises." he then gave Michael a smile as he taps Michaels shoulder goodbye.

"I'll see you guys in a while. I'll have someone come to you when I'm at my office." as he walks away one maid followed him.

"Do take your time Sir" Hazel smiles at him warmly.

As Leonardo steps out of the view  of them Michael then offered his arm and cheerily looked to Hazel.

"Now shall we go?"

A Deadpan stare was met by his summer smile along with the lines

"Do I really have to cling to you as you show me around?"

"Oh. . ." Michael was surprised at her response

"I thought you were in a good mood so I." Michael then gave an awkward laugh as he playfully scratches his head

If  this wasn't for finding answers

Hazel was about to do an eye roll when she noticed that one of the maids is still there observing them, mainly her.

As Michael still does his laugh Hazel clears her throat and slowly clung her hands on Michaels arm. His laugh faded to a stop

Hazel clears her throat once more

"I'm only doing this is because you insist alright? this is just not to be seen as  rude." She then smiled at the maid as if she really is all that prim and proper.

The maid smiles back at her and looks at them adoringly.

"Well then, let me show you around." Hazel could somehow feel the excitement in his voice, as it they proceed to roam the hall the maid follows at a distance behind them.

As Michael shows her around she keeps noticing that they are filled with porcelain vases filled with strong scented flowers that gave off such smell as if she was in a funeral.

Michael then shows her to a room full of family paintings and told her that those in the portraits are generations of his family; he says that they come from a family who are full of rich history, like how his grandpa's grandpa helped in making sure that people in the mountain provinces stay educated and improved their "primitive" lives, to make them have  bigger dreams than just being farmers.

He then showed her to their mini library. Rows of shelves filled with books , the scent of paper hover in the air tempting Hazel to take a gander at what stories or knowledge they may hold; it's been a while since she read a book out of pure interest as lately she reads to maintain her scholarship and to make sure Michael will easily understand what she teaches him.

Michael saw her eyes glimmer as it gets lost looking at the collection they have.

"Would you like to check on some before we go to the next?" he then tried to lead Hazel to a table but he felt Hazels gentle hold turn to a grasp.

As much as how tempted Hazel really is on the offer, her goal to look for answers still comes first.

Hazel grasped his biceps, she felt a little odd honestly, as she isn't sure if Michael felt that anything as it is really firm that his sleeve is a movement close to ripping as to how it hugged his arm but Michael still turned to her nonetheless.

"I think I would prefer to have you continue to show me around the place. This is once in a lifetime opportunity, yes?"

Her posture is now away from the library and directing into the hall, Michael leads her then to the their next and final stop before waiting for his fathers signal to meet them at his office once he arrives.

As they went past the guest rooms and up from the second to the third floor  the stone pavement turns to luscious green as Michael opens a glass stained door.

A wall of glass creeped up by crawling vines, hanging pots with flower dangling like stars. Everywhere Hazel looks a sea of flowers greets her along with some butterflies fluttering around, it was enough to make her lips curve with happiness.

As they continue going further they are met by a pavilion almost at the end of the garden, close enough to see the view the lake from whence they came.

As they took a seat at the pavilion, Michael orders the maid to prepare tea; as the maid goes out of the garden to fetch them tea and snacks Hazel figures this is a chance for her to get lost in search for his fathers office.

"Where is the nearest restroom?" Hazel then starts to fumble her fingers.

"What for?" Michaels quick question

"Would you really want to know what I would do in the bathroom?" her tone raised at his question

"Oh-- sorry about that" he then gestured outside the garden

"You would have to go down the second floor and into one of the guest rooms, as this floor has only our rooms and my fathers office."

"Oh?" her arms then placed on her back "Where is his office?"

"Its the one on the right closest to the stairs but it doesn't have a bathroom though. You would really have to use the restroom in one of the guest bedroom." Michael then stood up "I could accompany you if you want."

"No thanks Michael, I can go there myself. Just give me a few minutes, thanks."

The moment she stood up she walked as if she is gliding on the floor, in a matter of seconds she was out of the garden.

"I guess she really needs to go huh?" he smiled as Hazel quickly escapes his sight.

She strides down the hall and quickly grabs the knob to the room that was said to be the office, it was unlocked so she quickly went in and closed the door.

When she turned around to check the room a familiar figure stands before her.

It was the maid, beside her was the tea cart and a basket of snacks. Both of them were at a sudden pause, as Hazel sees the maid reading a document from one of the shelves.

"What are you doing here?!" Hazel whisper shouted.

"I am cleaning here. What are you doing here?" replied the maid

"Cleaning by reading a confidential document?"

The maid raised her brow "Well I can say I saw you enter this room as i was delivering tea and accuse you for the one looking into this shelves."

The maid then throws some documents down on the floor.

"Now I can get you out of here if you tell me what you're here for."she added.

Tension filled the air, Hazel felt that she should open the door and run but by doing so would prove that she is the perpetrator and not the maid.

"I'll count to five; if you don't tell me, I can start screaming and frame you for this." the maid then snickers "there are no cameras here so they wouldn't know what really happened."

Hazels sweat turns cold and felt her palms turn cold as well

"5. . ."

"4. . ." For a moment Hazel thought of bashing her head in

"3. . ."

"Should I?" Hazel mumbles to herself

"2. . ."

"Screw it" Hazel then gave a sigh

"I found a document that says the president donated to the programs he exposed doing illegal activities."

Hazel focuses her gaze at the maid "I just need to find his donation certificates to prove that he really did."

"What's your name?" the maid asks her

"Hazel" She looks away for a second.

"Well, Hazel it seems  that I'm on your side." the maid click its tongue "I was actually finding some documents about his laundered wealth but yours is much easier since you have a lead."

The maid comes closer to her and offers her hand "I'm Rosa, I've been working here for almost 2 years just to find dirt on him; and let me tell you  something."

Rosa grabs Hazels hand to do a handshake and started to walk back to the pick up the documents she dropped.

"This guy is good at cleaning his ass; been keepin tabs on him for those two   years and still got nothin."

Hazel just watches her as she places the folders back to the shelf

"I saw him buy houses here and there;  but only declares that he has this house as his only property." Rosa snorted a laugh "Now that's bullshit."

"I know mine isn't much but it's enough to have him gain suspicion.So, are you going to let me go now?" Hazel asked with a stern voice.

"Won't like to search first before going out? I mean. . .  that's what you're here for too right?"

Hazel just stood still, one of her hands on the knob.

As Rosa tries to pick up the last folder Hazel felt the knob move, she quickly signaled Rosa that someone is coming. Rosa then ran to the tea cart and pull out a phone.

As the door opens they were greeted by Leonardo whose face is clearly riddled by many emotions.

Hazel can feel her heart going on her throat, her spine chill as her eyes met his but she didn't break eye contact.

"What's going on here?" Leonardos face was calm but the shakes in his voice clearly shows anger.

Hazel looks at Rosa whose hand is awkwardly shaking as she tries to dial on the phone. Hazel could clearly tell she's faking it.

"I went to the restroom downstairs met her on the way up then we saw this door open." A thud can be heard as Rosa pretends to drop the phone

"Rosa didn't know what to do"

"I'm truly sorry Sir. I was trying to call security but I felt so scared."

Leonardo smiled at Rosa

"It's okay Rosa, you're a woman I get it. Now, call security now and have them search this whole place will you?" He then picked up and placed the last folder back to the shelf

"For all I know it might still be here. I'm sorry about this inconvenience dear guest, kindly go with Michael as we figure out this situation."

Hazel nods and leaves the room, as she leaves the room she could at the corner of her eye that Leonardo is no longer smiling.

As she makes her way back to the garden, hundred footsteps fill the silence of the hall.

Now they have their guard up and made things are harder to her. Now the footsteps echoes throughout the third floor and as son as she open the stained glass door she was greeted by Michaels puzzled face.

For the first time, Hazel wished she stayed and had tea with Michael perhaps she might have had a better chance by then.