The Beginning 2

Day after day.

Week after week.

Month after month.

There were many changes after Axe's arrival. My family life felt complete. I still can't get over the fact that I have a brother.

I tried to ask mom how it all made sense. At our current age, why were we just brought together. We should have been together all along, sharing our love. Understanding each other's character and protecting each other.

In fact, neither Axe nor I are like that. He's so closed off, even though he doesn't isolate himself in his room anymore. I'm quite grateful for that, at least I can get to know him even though he's like a thick book. I have to read it sheet by sheet, so that I know what's on the next page. But mom never wanted to tell me the real reason for Axe not being with us since he was little.

Unfortunately mom forgot how I was. If there was no satisfactory answer, I would find out on my own.

"Hi, Axe. Want to accompany me shopping? There are some books I want to bring home, and yes... my friend has a birthday the day after tomorrow. I want to buy her a present too." 

There was no answer from him, I saw Axe was focusing on his laptop. He's been busy lately after dad taught him a few months ago and trusted him with the company. Dad says Axe is very smart, so it won't take him long to learn it all.

"Looks like you're busy. I'm sorry."

I've only taken a few steps away from him. I felt my left palm being filled by Axe. He stepped beside me. His gaze is focused ahead. I wonder how his lips curve perfectly.

All this time, while living with him, I've never seen him smile let alone laugh. Honestly, he's so mysterious. I don't know. Maybe he needs more time to adapt.

"Where do we go?" Axe's deep, husky voice leaned into me, like he knew I was thinking about something.

"We're going to the library in the city center, after that we'll go to the clothing store. I want to pick out some summer dresses for Aklena."

There was no reply from him. As usual, our journey was shrouded only in silence. Despite the cold, Axe sometimes treated me gently. Like he did when he linked his palm in mine. How sweet.

                                                                                                                                    ***

"Are you done?"

If you think Axe called me. The answer is correct. When I got to the library earlier, he accompanied me. Occasionally reading a book there. He was so immersed in the book in his hands, that he didn't realize that I had finished my confusion of choosing a few books to take home.

It was different at the library. When we arrived at the clothing store, Axe chose to wait for me in the parking lot, in his car. I tried to force him to get in. But it felt like he was much more stubborn.

"Yes. I'm heading to the parking lot."

After paying for my groceries. I hurriedly stepped out. Unfortunately, it made me not look around.

Someone suddenly shouted angrily at me, I could only say sorry because I knew I was the guilty party here. Unfortunately the word sorry is not enough. That someone, let's call him the big man, looked at me fiercely. Then shouted angrily at me again.

"Don't you have eyes? Can't you walk properly? You see, my cell phone was destroyed because of your carelessness."

"Sorry, sir. I'll compensate you. Just tell me how much." 

"Rich girl, huh?" he asked approaching.

Instantly my subconscious reminded me that I had to save myself from his piercing gaze, the man seemed to have ill intentions towards me.

But for some reason my body froze. I couldn't put up a fight. My guts shrank as he grasped my hands tightly, even my paper bag of groceries fell out. I tried to scream for help. Unfortunately, my voice was choked.

"I think it would be fun to enjoy your little body," he whispered sensually. His lips were getting closer and I didn't know what else to do, all I could do was hope Axe would come to my rescue.

"Let her go."

Oh, God. Thank goodness. I recognize that deep, husky voice. Thanks, Axe. You're just in time.

"Stay out of my business. Go away!"

"Your business? You've dared to touch mine. Should I shut up?" asked Axe in a calm tone.

Mine? The word seemed to dance over my head. What did he mean? Axe wasn't joking, was he? Or maybe Axe just wanted that guy to really let me go?

"I told you. Let her go."

"He has to pay for my losses."

"How much?"

"I don't need money. I want her. I want to drink her. She's very beautiful. What do you think? Do you want to give her to--"

I didn't cut him off. It all happened so fast. The next thing I knew, Axe was already beating the shit out of the guy. No mercy, Axe continued to hit him until the man fell quite far. There was some resistance from him. But only one punch managed to touch the corner of Axe's lips. 

I grimaced at their plight. It's not like anything. Last week I gave Axe the gray suit I bought especially for him. And today it's broken, the sleeves ripped almost to the shoulders.

What a shame. I shouldn't have asked Axe to accompany me if it ended up like this. I really don't like fuss.

"Axe, stop it!"

"Akh!"

My body was pushed away while trying to keep the two away. Suddenly my voice caught Axe's attention, and he hurriedly approached me.

"Are you okay?" he asked anxiously.

"Yes." There was relief in Axe's eyes.

Doesn't he care about me that much?

"You're bleeding." I touched the corner of his lips and it managed to make Axe look at me fully, then his hand suddenly grabbed mine. It wasn't long before his eyes were closed absorbing my hand in his jaw.

"Hey, Axe. Are you okay?"

As if coming to his senses, Axe immediately opened his eyes and looked back at me.

"Yeah," he replied quickly.

"Our business isn't done yet. If I see you again. I'll make you regret what you did today." The man walked away. I could hardly believe what Axe had done to him. His face was completely battered, not worth what he gave Axe.

"Let's go." I ignored the asshole. Axe pulled my hand towards our parking lot.

Before my body was completely swallowed by the car, I saw the man still in place. Smiling sarcastically while looking at me and Axe. His eyes implied that he wasn't bragging about what he said earlier. I felt like today's events had been planned. I don't know, maybe it's just my feelings, so forget it.

                                                                                                                            ***

"Could you promise me?" I said moments after we arrived, which immediately made Axe give me a sharp look.

I didn't care. My focus right now was only on the wound. Yes, upon arriving home, I quickly pulled Axe into the kitchen. Grabbed a small towel and cleaned up his blood. Right now we're still in the same position. Axe is standing while I'm sitting at the bar counter. 

Feeling no answer. I looked at his handsome face and spoke again, "Promise me you won't be like before. Don't beat people up again." I was still patiently waiting, even though there was no answer from him.

This is what I hate about Axe. He doesn't say much.

"Listen. I want you to promise me. If you don't I'll--"

"What?" he cuts in quickly.

"Kiss you like this." Both my hands grabbed Axe's jaw quickly. Bringing my lips to his, I kissed him softly and repeatedly as an act of affection.

I could see Axe was trying to hold me back, though he wasn't really doing it.

"Alright. But if one day I can't keep my promise. Then, you will stop me like you did earlier," he said while touching my lower lip. His gaze implied something I couldn't decipher.

This was also the first time he had spoken to me at length. Something new, something I’d never even considered. I had no intention other than to give him a quick peck on the lips, a kiss that meant I loved him as a brother.

Does this mean Axe has opened up, I asked myself.