"what are you doing?" He asked as he removed it for my mouth
"It's bad for your health",
"And good for your health?" I shot back.
He went silent.
"I kissed Zane," I said angrily.
Axel's green eyes flickered once, then returned to their usual dull calm.
"I kissed him and announced we're dating to the entire company," I said, voice trembling between frustration and regret. "I made Xena jealous, but now I regret it. I feel his presence everywhere his scent won't leave my skin. I feel like peeling it off, cutting my lips just to get rid of it."
. " So that why?" Axel asked quietly.
"Yes. That's why I tried to smoke to get his masculinity off my lips. I'd rather smell like you than him."
He sighed softly, then opened the car door. Without a word, he led me to the back seat. He gently pulled my gown off and took off his own shirt, slipping it over me. It was oversized, hanging down almost to my knees.
"What bout my mouth?" I asked.
He stared for a second, and then unexpectedly his lips covered mine. Just once. No words. Just the quiet warmth of his breath.
Why didn't he wait till we got home? He could've just given me a new shirt and a toothbrush.
"Ring, ring!" His phone vibrated, interrupting us. He pulled back slightly, his lips still close to mine.
"Now let's go"he came down and enter the driver chair while I just passed through the back to the front
"Now, let's go," he said, moving to the driver's seat while I slid from the back to the front.
"Is my life in danger? Is that why you came to pick me up?" I asked.
"No," he said simply, eyes fixed on the road.
#######
The day to decide whether Zane or I would be named the true owner of the company was getting closer just two days away. It was either Zane disappeared… or I forgot about my revenge or the company.
Zane was getting more competitive, and so was I.
I entered Mr. Lester's executive office. Zane was just leaving.
. "Hi," I greeted with a smile as he brushed past me without a word.
past me without a word.
Once he was gone, I asked Lester, "Why was Zane here?"
"He was talking about a new partnership between Hollow Bridge and Raines Company," he said.
"Good," I said coldly. "Now, which people are on my team?"
He hesitated. I smiled darkly.
I decided not to answer him
"On that day," I warned, "you'll give a speech about how Zane bribed you to betray me. If you don't your nude photos and sex tapes will go public. Maybe I'll show your wife first."
He swallowed hard. "I'll do it," he said quickly.
I left his office and returned to mine only to find Zane sitting on the couch, smirking.
"You came for another kiss?" I asked sarcastically.
"You're trying to fool me, aren't you?" he said, tossing a few photos on my desk.
There were photos of me and Axel at the boutique when he shielded me, at the hospital when I cried on his shoulder, another when I sat on top of his car, one with a cigarette between my lips, and one where Axel had no shirt on. I paused
"So you stalk me now?" I laughed bitterly. "Well, these are good memories with Axel. I barely even remembered we had any together."
Half of what I said was lie I couldn't forget bout Zane. He will remain my first love no matter what happens. Memory was already built inside
But liking him, I don't know if I still do anymore. What he did to me remain a scar in my heart.
"I don't," I said flatly because I honestly didn't know.
"Axel doesn't love girls," Zane said with a sneer. "Especially not people like you. He'll leave you one day and never look back."
"Spare me the sermon," I cut him off. "Why are you even here? I heard you partnered with Raines Company. Waiting to meet the real owner?"
He ignored me and walked out.
"Calliah, watch your back," he said before leaving.
Fool. He thought he could threaten me?
I sat down, breathing deeply.
Every time I faced Zane, something in me burned. I wasn't afraid of him anymore I challenged him. I'd never thought I could stand toe to toe with him, but Axel gave me the courage.never felt I could stand on the same place with him planning to revenge on him. I never did but axel has been greater help to me
And yet… why did Zane think I liked Axel?
Why did Axel think I liked him? me
I vows never to like any man after my experience with Zane.
Who would've thought he'd betray me after everything? After all those memories?
No. Not until I put both Zane and Xena exactly where they belong behind bars, together. No matter what it costs me.
Love will be the last thing to do on earth.
♥~~~~~~♥~~~~~~~♥
Work dragged late into the night. Zane had already sent all our products to Raines Company.
That fool.
Yawning, I glanced at my phone it was already 10 p.m. I usually left by eight or nine.
"Ugh," I groaned, stretching as I packed my bag. The office was silent, the air thick with fatigue.
I locked the building and stepped outside to wait for Josh Axel had told him to pick me up.
I sat on a bench by the parking lot, still on the phone with Axel.
"Has he eaten?" I asked, meaning the puppy."Get him some food. He loves eating from you only."
I yawned again, rubbing my eyes as a car pulled up.
"Oh, Josh is here," I said.
But when the window rolled down, it wasn't Josh. The man inside was dressed in black. His eyes cold.
My instincts screamed. I turned quickly and walked away.
The car started moving behind me slowly at first, then faster.
"Axel…" I whispered his name under my breath. I didn't even realize I'd said it out loud.
The car followed closer. I ran heart pounding, heels clacking against the pavement.
They sped up.
I darted into the woods nearby, crouching behind some rocks. The car's lights went off. The street was silent. I tried to call Axel, but the phone lost signal.
"Check everywhere for her!" a man shouted. "I told you idiots she'd run. Now you've lost her!. Cowards"
"If you don't find her, I'll cut your damn dicks off myself!" another barked, flashing a light through the trees.
"She's not here," one said nervously.
" you fools ready your Dicks " the most bass voice said
"She is! Get ready, boys!" the deeper voice growled.
Her? What did they mean her? Who sent them Zane? Xena?
My breath caught. I gripped a tree branch to steady myself but the branch broke, sending a few rocks tumbling down.
"There! Found her!" one of them shouted, his flashlight landing straight on my face.
There was no point running but I still did.
I ran.
My hair whipped across my eyes. I didn't see the rock ahead and fell, scraping my ankle. I got up limping, still running, until I tripped again and rolled down a slope.
"Ahhh!" I cried out, hitting the ground.
When I looked up, there was someone standing there a woman in heels. I couldn't see her face, only her long hair.
She pressed her heel against my thigh.
The men came running after me.She picked up a fallen branch, swung it
Boom.
Darkness swallowed me whole.