Axel pointed toward his desk.
"I have something to show you," he said.
They both walked to the table where his laptop was already open.
"This is your ex," he began, tapping the keyboard. A video feed appeared.
"Zane. This is where he hid files after your dad's first company, SilverTech Corp, was sold. And now... he's planning to take over the second one HollowBridge Systems."
Her eyes widened "How do you even know this?"
Axel smirked, eyes still on the screen.
"Like I said... I made it my mission to get revenge for the girl I had a two-night stand with."
The words hit her like a slap. Her face flushed with embarrassment. A tight knot twisted in her chest. She looked away, wishing he hadn't said that out loud.
"Thanks," she mumbled.
Axel raised a brow."Thanks? For the two-night stand or for the intel?"
She rolled her eyes, trying to hide her flustered face."Thanks for helping me, you pervert," she muttered, chuckling awkwardly.
He laughed softly, then leaned in. "Look at this."
A grainy video began playing. Zane was seen walking into what looked like a hidden passage behind an old building.
Her brows furrowed."What is he doing there?"
Axel's voice turned serious."We're going to find out soon. But my guess? He's planning something big."
"It seems he really is," she sighed loudly and walked away to sit on a chair. Her gray eyes caught sight of a black card on the table. "What's that?" she asked, already opening it.
"it a wedding card"Axel replied lazily.
she peeped into the card "Jaydyn and kaelen"she read what was in the card "are you going?"
"no I'm not and besides it tomorrow i'll be busy"
"Why? What if my ex will be there? He's friends with Jaydyn. We could… exhibit our plan," she said, her voice carrying a hint of hope.
''im still not coming "he look as if he already decided on it
"please Axellll"her grey eyes pleading like a baby but he agreed
He stared at her for a moment, then exhaled through his nose."Fine. I'll order the dresses tomorrow," he said, sounding reluctant but still agreeing.
"see you tomorrow "she point at him and walked out already heading to the door but heavy sound hit the roof.Thunder rolled outside.
"it seem rain doesn't want to you to leave"he joked half smirking
"and i will be spending the night here"
###
The heavy rain didn't stop until late night, and it was unsafe for her to walk home alone. She decided to stay.
"lend me some clothes like a pajamas or something"
"i don't wear those"he said on the bed, one of his leg straight while the other bent, His shirt hung open, revealing a faint line of his abs as he lit a cigarette.
" then what do you have"she angrily burst out of the door with a frown wearing a bathrobe, her hair wet and dripping on the floor. She yanked the wardrobe open everything inside was black, a few white shirts mixed in.
"Where are your jeans, shorts, t-shirts? You don't wear those?"
"i don't . you can sleep with the robe or the dress you wore here''he finally lit it and put it on his sexily lip
"you can't be serious Axel"
He stood up slowly, towering beside her. He reached up and opened the upper wardrobe, pulling out a plain black t-shirt and a pair of shorts. "Take these. I really don't get what you're hiding," he said, tossing them to her.
The T-shirt was big enough that it could fit two of her while the short was like a baggy trouser.
"you're skinny"he muttered.
"im not i just loss some weight because of the things happening to me"
"if you say so"His tone was indifferent, but his eyes flickered briefly toward her before he turned away again.
***
the wedding party will begin at the evening around eight so they have enough time to dress and do the necessary thing
Next Day _Axel's POV
The wedding party would begin at eight in the evening.I called my men using my other phone to buy the clothes for me and Calliah, but the network was trash.
"the person is busy. i prefer if we go together , because i Don't want to wear oversize to the party or tight dresses''
"fine"i replied firmly
Since she came into my house, I've been agreeing to everything she says. That's not like me. Something's off.
###
We drove to the boutique and parked at the corner of the building. The store's sellers smiled, waved, and even bowed slightly when we walked in. Calliah waved back like a kid.
"All the clothes here look nice! Help me choose before I buy the whole boutique," she said, running her fingers along the racks.
i ignore her as usual but calliah acted like a child once again.she's trying to make her self look happy at the outside to avoid worry or talk from people but she still broken inside. I could see right through it.
"i could help you pick yours if you want"she offered
"Fine," I said. We split up. Before I walked off, she lifted her phone and snapped a picture of me.
"why do you do that?"asked, frowning slightly.
"to know what will fit you best. you know you are taller, built .."
before she could finish i already interrupted"hope you delete it after"i cut her off coldly, then walked away.
The women's section was packed short, long, sleeveless, lace, all kinds. None of them felt right for her.
"sir can i help you?"one of the seller offered help.
"yeah i want a black gown with slim curve like a off shoulders dress with a lace at the back"
"okay follow me sir" she said jolting what i said in a book and after she's done i followed her
We went deeper into the boutique until I spotted it one gown, separated from the rest.
"That one," I said. She hurried to remove it from the mannequin and handed it to me. I turned away, heading to find Calliah.
♥♥♥
CALLIAH POV:
i didn't even take a proper pic of him earlier
{the photo was axel standing with his hands folded. he look tall handsome as always his hair dressed well his eyes green looking dull nose pointed his sexily lip opened slightly. }
"but still he look handsome though
so what could fit axell perfectly He's always dressed in black as if he is attending someone's funeral but suited him still".
I picked a black t-shirt, a half-open suit that revealed part of his abs, and a matching trouser.
i later bought one t-shirt along because he seem he don't have any because of yesterday scene
When I got back to the meeting point, I saw Axel sitting cross-legged from afar. I hid behind a rack, took another picture more better than the first, then walked toward him.
*****
They exchanged clothes and went to the changing rooms.
When we came out, it was like time stopped.
the gown was perfect on her body as if she was destine to have that dress it hung to her shape and since she was average height the dress cover her legs she look like she attend a prom, she release her hair and allowed it to flow
while Axel stood there in the suit, part of his tattoo visible through the open shirt. He looked effortlessly dangerous.
calliah didn't gave him the T- shirt
"wow sir your girlfriend look so beautiful on that dress and mam'm your boyfriend is cute. you both have a good taste for clothes"ths shop seller said
"im not....."Axel was interrupted
"you could buy a necklace for your girlfriend"another added.
"he is not my boyfriend"she said cheek burning"he is my fu.."she stopped because she almost said he was her fuck mate and she had a night stand with him but she ended up shutting up because it ruin ruined everything
"i don't want you to spend more money and besides it just a day dresses"calliah said softly.
But before she could breathe, a customer walked closer.
" aren't you the girl who husband didn't showed up on your wedding you're all over the the internet and can i take a pic with you ."the customer said getting close to her
Suddenly, cameras were flashing sellers, customers, everyone taking pictures.Her chest tightened , mood changed and she was uncomfortable
Axel didn't hesitate. He pulled her close, her face pressed against his chest, one arm firm around her back.
His presence was cold, but protective like a wall between she and the chaos
while he faced the people taking a pic of him and her position
"are you her new boyfriend or were you the reason the wedding was cut off??"
"it seems you guys are planning a wedding look at your dressing "
"so she cheated on him that why he couldn't attend "
Axel ignored every question. He glanced up, memorized the shop's name from the billboard, and dialed a number.
"is this how you treat your customer telling people to interview me and my girlfriend "he said codly.
the crowd gasped "did he just call her girlfriend"
"you're shop will be close down within "checked his silver watch "the next 3 hrs if they dont take down the photo of me and her"he said and cut the call without allowing the lady to speak finished.
he then walked awkwardly with her like that with her head on his chest and then collect her clothes from the other dressing room Incase they come in snapping her
then he put it in the other dressing room
"Go change"he said unbuttoning his suit he faced backward.
Calliah open her phone seeing the pic of them on the internet people voices but they couldn't catch her face well .it was Axel they pic most and the post already have a 10thosuand with 5k comment,like it seems people were waiting for it
"her boyfriend is cute but why would he date"before she could read the next comment
he removed her phone from her hand then he clear his voice
. " can you help me unlaced it"
Axel slowly removed the lace from all the holes his finger brushing her back slightly then when it reach the last hole he drag it out and it fall down slowly revealing her skin and body but he didn't face her
After wearing back the dresses they came out but the customer wasn't there anymore and axel handled her phone back to her
unshockly the post were all delete it seems it wasn't posted before
" where are they??they left ?"
"yes" He walked to the counter, swiped his black card, and the machine beeped.
They left the boutique and got into the car after putting the load on the back seat. she sat beside him, trying to relax. Suddenly, her stomach growled loudly.
"youre hungry''he said, smirking slightly.
"im not "she muttered, but her stomach betrayed her again.the sound heavy like before
he chuckled his dimple showing
he chuckled??and he has s dimples??holy shit
Axel keep surprisng her with his hidden habit
####
we reached the house
it was already 6pm because we Branch the mall to buy some ingredients and groceries.. Axel did all the shopping while i waited in the car because of another rumor coming up.
"im coming let me prepare it"i rush to the kitchen as if i know what to do.After a few minutes of watching YouTube tutorials, I served the meal proudly.
"axel come down.come and take a bite"i said he came down after bathing wearing the same robe He sat, took a bite, chewed, then stared at me blankly.
" what wrong???""
" nothing "
"then eat up .ok tell me how the taste? its my first time cooking"
" what "he choked and swallow it mistakenly and quickly gulp down thw water
"yes i have maid that does everything i have what wrong "i quickly took a bite and spit it as soon it landed at my tongue
"ahhhh"a lot of salt pepper and taste awkward and it wasn't sweet and it taste awful
her stomach growl again
""You know what? Go change. I'll cook something for you," he said, standing up like a man used to giving orders while i move my fat ass upstairs running because the kitchen is a mess
An hour later, the smell of real food filled the air. I came down and took and it was sweet
"wow are you a chef"i said raising my thumb up "
he laughed quietly but his stomach growl cutting off his laugh. we both stare at each other while i laughed
"im fine "he said shutting me before i speak but i forced him again then he ate
"Axel I'm serious you should have your own kitchen and restaurants you could be the top one chef in America"
He laughed again, low and short, before saying nothing. The kitchen was spotless when he was done.
It was only a few hours before the wedding and somehow.