The Next Day
Bright light stabbed through my eyelids. I sat up immediately maybe from excitement only to check the clock.
3:00 AM.
Too early.
Maybe I was just anxious about today.
Axel wasn't on the bed. He was on the couch, one arm thrown over his eyes, breathing deeply.
I got off the bed quietly and walked downstairs.
Josh was still awake, slouched on the sofa, playing a game with the volume too loud.
Maybe that was what woke me.
"Reduce the volume. Axel's sleeping. And you're losing, aren't you?" I teased.
"You're awake?" he blinked. "Just this last round and I'll turn it off."
He focused lost and groaned.
"Damn it."
His phone rang. He looked at the caller ID, then switched it off instantly.
"One of your girlfriends?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Then why aren't you picking up?"
He dropped the controller, exhaling tiredly.
"She cheated on me. With her boss. The same boss she claimed was gay."
"You cheat too," I reminded him.
"That makes it fair."
"No," he said softly. "She was my serious girlfriend. The only one I planned not to touch until she said yes. That's why I have so many others."
Ah. Still the same issue betrayal.
Just like Zane and Xena.
Was this why Zane loved her so much?
"Talk to her," I said gently. "Maybe she has a reason."
The phone rang again.
He picked up.
"Josh, I'm " she began.
"Sorry?" His voice was sharp. "Is that the word you're searching for?"
Silence.
"Let's break up."
Boom!!!!.
Just like that.
************
The hall was decorated beautifully chairs arranged, flowers everywhere, glasses of wine and water set on every table.
Executives were already seated.
Even Mr. Lester was there, speaking proudly to his wife and other chairmen.
Raines Company's secretary sat in the VIP row.
At the main table sat Xena and Zane, both wearing matching new diamond rings.
*********
Zane pov:
He waited outside Xena's house. Even when it rained, he didn't move.
When Xena stepped out of a car, she froze at the sight of him standing in the rain
"Xena," he said, voice trembling.
He dropped to one knee like a man begging for forgiveness and proposing at the same time.
"Xena, I'm sorry for everything. You worked like a maid all because of a stupid plan. I never treated you like a fiancée. Never took you to the beach. Never held your hand in public. I focused only on getting the company… and ignored the reason I even survived this long."
Rain slowed, almost as if the sky wanted to hear him.
His hair and clothes were soaked.
"I caused you nothing but tears," he whispered.
"I shouldn't have kissed Calliah twice. I shouldn't have touched her at all. I should have loved you and only you."
Xena's tears mixed with the raindrops.
"I'll tell everyone about us. And the company will be under your name."
He pulled out a ring case.
Ahhh"she sniffed
He carried her hand
"Will you marry me ? Not for a tithle but for real"
"For the love we shared… Xena, marry me. Not as the woman of my dreams but as the woman of my life."
She sobbed softly. "Yes."she said
He slid the ring on her finger. She picked up the other ring and placed it on his.
He stood, lifted her by the waist, and kissed her hard.
Her hands locked around his neck. His lips moved hungrily against hers. He grabbed her waist then lower and opened his mouth to deepen the kiss.
Rain poured harder.
"Let's go inside before you catch a cold," he murmured against her lips.
Her fingers were already pulling his shirt open.
*******************
The party was half over, and still, we hadn't entered.
Just minutes left.
Zane must have planned this.
About fifteen men in black stood at the entrance.
Pictures of me and Axel were taped to the wall.
Once they spotted me, they waved aggressively for me to turn back.
"Shit," I muttered. We kept walking.
"You're not allowed," one guard said, arms crossed.
"What do you mean?"
"The CEO doesn't want you inside," another added.
Idiots
Fuck all this dude's
I tried to slip past them, but one of the guards huge like a wrestler grabbed me and threw me onto the floor.
Axel, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly shifted.
Cold.
Dangerous.
His jaw tightened.
He stepped forward and shoved the man back so hard the guard flew into the wall.
"Oh Axel, don't!" I coughed.
Too late.
The remaining guy rushed axel . But he was more faster than them
He didn't flinch.
He moved like he'd been born to fight. calm, controlled, deadly.
Every punch was clean.
Every dodge perfect.
He knocked one man down with a single kick, grabbed another by the collar, twisted, and slammed him onto two others.
Eight men down.
None could even lift a hand.
He fought though still looking cool
So impress never knew he could fight
I stared, jaw open.
"Did you learn taekwondo in high school?" I asked.
He didn't answer.
He just pulled me up gently.
"I'm okay," I insisted.
"Get in."
But before I could move, another group of guards approached.
One threw a knife aimed straight at my head.
But before i could walked in
Axel moved before I even blinked.
"Get in," he repeated.
But I was stubborn. I couldn't leave him alone.even if I can't do anything but at least my presence is something
"Watch out!" I shouted as another knife flew at his back.
Axel caught it.
With his bare wrist.
"Calliah, get inside," he said, voice low, eyes sharp. "If you get hurt, I'll be different."
Another knife sliced into his hand.
He didn't even flinch.
He pushed me toward the door.
I ran inside, tears burning my eyes.
"Took you years," Axel muttered when Josh finally arrived.
He threw a knife like a dart eyes narrowed and it hit one of the men right in the shoulder.
"Never thought I'd see you" Josh started
"Shut that mouth," Axel growled, punching a man so hard he lifted off the ground.
Josh apologized instantly, both of them fighting side by side, still somehow looking cool and handsome.
Even covered in bruises and blood Axel was finer than Josh.
Cold, sharp, beautiful.
Like danger dressed in black