"Call her." Donald said the second they landed. "Call her, or I'll toss you out of this plane window."The pilot was leaving his cabin when he heard the threat, and he gave Donald a plain look."Won't that be fun to watch. And even more fun to report."Donald narrowed his eyes at him. A thought had suddenly formed in his head, but he shook it to clear it. Still, the thought lingered and grew in his mind."Let's get going." Donald slapped Axel's shoulder. "We need some rest for tomorrow."Axel was smart enough to say nothing until they reached the car."Is there a particular reason you're acting strange, Donald?""Shut up, Ax."Axel raised a brow, but to his credit, he seemed to know something was going on, and he didn't say another word. Donald popped the trunk and slung in his luggage. He opened Axel's bag and took out the bug detecting device he always kept hidden in the suitcase's lining.Now Axel had both brows raised high enough, but Donald just ignored him and waited for the pil
Lisa whistled as she drove all the way to work. She felt as if Christmas had come early, because she had a lot planned for Claire and she couldn't wait to dish out the treatment. She left for the office super early, about the time she usually woke up. She was pumped for the day and in very high spirits.When she arrived, she was surprised to see everyone already at their work stations. When did they all wake up? It was barely 9 am. She never got out of bed until sometime after 10 am. She would have to do better from today.Claire was already seated behind her desk, sorting through the mail. Lisa had to admit, she was a quick study. She had even gotten a hang of their filing system, as was obvious by the way she put everything in their place."Hey!" She yelled as soon as she was behind her and Claire jumped. "You should have been done with sorting mail by now!"Claire gave her a look but said nothing. Lisa desperately wanted to get a rise out of her, so she would have something to say
When she got home that day, Claire thought she had conquered. Not speaking to Lisa was immature, but it had saved her from a fight she knew she couldn't have avoided with her running mouth. She even managed to cover a lot on the language textbook.Myla dropped her off as usual. In front of her apartment, she found a note slipped in beneath her door. She picked up the note gingerly and opened it as she crossed the threshold. The words stopped her cold."Found you, little sis."She dropped the note like one would burning coal, as though it scorched her fingers, but she couldn't unsee the message. The words were there, burned into her mind. How? How had she managed to find her so quickly?Her hands shook as she slid the deadbolt home and peeped outside through the half open curtains, one hand dialing Danielle's line. Her friend picked up immediately."You're home early." Her cheery voice came on the phone."Danielle."Claire knew she sounded frantic, and that Danielle would probably go in
Claire couldn't have been happier to hear the familiar voice."Donald!"She sounded so relieved, that he picked up on it."Are you okay?"She shook her head, even as she responded with a quiet "yes". He snorted in disbelief."Sure. Anyway, I just really missed hearing that adorable voice of yours, and seeing that ugly mug of a face you got."Claire laughed. "And here I thought I was the prettier one."She switched the call to video and he immediately accepted the prompt."You didn't ask if I was dressed," Donald grinned into the camera.Claire rolled her eyes. "Why would you call me without clothes on?""Cause I'm hot?" He winked.Claire giggled. "I wonder what our boss would have to say about that if it happens.""Oh, I know." Donald shuddered. "I'll be impaled and my entire generation will be sentenced to life in the Arctic."Claire raised a brow. "Really?"Donald nodded and leaned in. "You're pale. Are you sure you're okay?"Claire nodded. "I just had a little scare when I got home
Lisa knew gold when she found it. Claire's sister was turning out even better than expected."She's a delinquent," her investigator was saying, "and would probably do anything if you offer her the right amount.""Where does she stay?"He sighed. "No where. She's been sleeping at different places everyday. I've tried searching if she's on the run, but I've found nothing yet. If you want to meet her, I can track down her location for you.""Please do."Lisa was too excited to sit still. Anything for a fee? This was only getting better and better. She hung up and left the bathroom quietly. Claire was at her desk, looking like a rat that had just been made to run through the drainage. Her lips curled up in a smile.Most people usually assumed she was not intelligent, so they underestimated her, but Lisa knew she was a genius. She didn't even know how the idea came up, but it had been pretty easy to make Claire start working for all the directors in the company.Most of them were pigs, and
When she woke up in the morning, Claire couldn't be so sure last night had happened. It was only the number in her call logs that told her it was all real. Axel had been there for her the previous night. Slowly, he was putting a dent on the very strong opinions she had formed of him.It didn't take her long to dress up and leave the apartment. Myla was late, so she walked down slowly. Her head still pounded harshly, and she was sure her eyes were red and swollen. As she usually did now when she was walking alone, her awareness of her surroundings increased, and she noticed the packed vehicles.There were four of them, each facing different directions. The windows were dark and rolled up. She had taken the time to learn every car driven by those who lived in the neighboring apartments, and none of them had any cars like this. The tiredness she was experiencing made her care less. Honestly, she even wished for one of the cars to succeed in running her over, if that was their aim. Myla
Lisa had a very busy morning. She was up before dawn, quite contrary to everyone's expectations. Excitement, and trepidation, had kept sleep far away from her last night. After Claire's sister had left Claire's apartment, Lisa had intercepted her a little further down the road."Hello, Miss McLennie, my name is Lisa Davinsky," she stretched her hand out for a handshake, "and I'm a temporary CEO at Lyn Corporation. I work with your sister."Rose jammed her hands in her pockets and gave her a look. "So?"Lisa blinked, but was not fazed. Slowly, she withdrew her hand and smiled brightly. Rose obviously had her guard up, because she was still giving her that mean and distrustful look."Our company usually conducts a private background check on all its employees, but we have found it difficult to find any information on your sister. We were wondering if you could help us." Rose eyed her suspiciously. "Why?""Well, for starters, you will be heavily compensated." Lisa knew she had gotten Ro
Lisa was in a very bad mood. She had not expected Axel to suddenly appear in New York, and she certainly had never expected him to whisk her away, today of all days. For a fee that was so inconsequential to her, Lisa got more information from Claire's sister, Rose, than she did when she gave up her life to Leo.Thinking about Leo soured her mood even further. The sly fox had duped her, but she would make him pay. Meanwhile, she was upset because she had imagined all the ways she could torture Claire with the new information she had just received. She knew she must have looked evil, sitting there grinning like a maniac at someone else's misfortune, but she was glad Rose didn't particularly like her sister either.The drive to the office was the sweetest she had ever had. She devised so many ways to hurt Claire, she actually salivated at the thought of doing all those things. She wanted to hold off for as long as she could before breaking the news to Axel and exposing the fraud his newfo
Okay, I'm in tears right now. I can't believe we have come full circle with this story. I'm proud of you all readers, and so grateful for all your support. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I hope this story has taught you a lesson on life and love.I can't thank you all enough. You have made it possible for Claire and Axel to come this far. Without your support, I would have given up on this story.I love you all. Thank you. Here's a truckload of hearts and kisses and love and flowers and everything beautiful for you all! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🖤😘😘😘😘🧡🧡🧡Stay healthy, stay safe, stay loved! 😍😍
“You're still watching that?"Claire looked behind her from where she was curled up like a ball on the sofa. Axel stood by the pillar, his hair dripping wet. He was barechested, and Claire had a full view of his godlike body. It was one she had worshipped the night before, and the memories flooded her head. She felt her face go hot.“Why not?" She blustered. "As much as I am concerned about the trend of animal abuse, I get a kick from watching you tell them off.”Axel scowled at her. "That's a very mean thing to say.” His face brightened instantly. "I'm not complaining, though. Why are you blushing?”Claire touched her red face. He was coming closer to peer at her curiously. She squeezed her eyes shut.“You should put some clothes on."Claire felt the sofa dip where he sat down beside her.“No." His breath tickled her face. “I would rather not." Claire rolled her eyes, but kept them closed. "Fine, whatever.”He grabbed her jaw and roughly pulled her against him. "Look at me.”Her eye
Axel had planned the wedding just like Claire wanted, so they moved on straight to the reception in the same place. The dance floor was cleared for the couple to have their first dance, and open the floor. The orchestra struck up a tune, and Claire put her hands around Axel's shoulder.“I can't stop thinking about them."Axel placed his forehead on hers. “Maybe that's because it's about time we got rid of them. I don't want anyone spoiling your mood.”Claire sighed. “There's a little problem though." He whirled her around before holding her close again. "What is that?”She leaned into his chest. "I am finding it rather difficult to leave the comfort of your arms right now.”Axel grinned. "Then don't. We can go after the dance. Besides, we are making a lot of people jealous here. This isn't a chance you want to pass up.”"I've already put my mark on you." She smiled with belligerence and dug her fingers into his suit. “No one can take you away from me." That cracked Axel up, and he s
Axel stood by the altar, watching the heavenly beauty in white walk down the aisle towards him. His heart was beating erratically, and he found it funny how she still made his heart race after all this time. He made a mental note to thank Jenise for making the most beautiful wedding dress for his woman.With each step she took, he found it increasingly difficult to breathe. She stole his breath away, and she had not even said anything yet. Axel was watching her intently, so he easily caught the shift in her gaze and expression. He looked over at what had crumbled her face, and blinked, twice.“What the hell?"“What is it?" Donald was his best man, and was standing close enough to hear him curse out loud. He followed his line of sight to where Rose McLennie sat, and beside her a woman that looked like her older form. They were both wearing sneers on their faces, sneers that were at that moment directed at Claire.Axel turned to him. “How did they get in?"Donald shrugged. "No one got
"Don't stand me up."Those were Axel's last words as he had left the cafe the previous day. Now, as she stood in her flowing wedding dress, she could not help but wonder if his earnest plea was the reason she had put in this much effort to look beautiful.Myla had done wonders on her hair, packing it all to the back bridal style. Her face popped out at anyone that looked, and Myla was grinning at her over the top of her head.“Wow, Claire, just…wow!”Eric had just stepped into the room, and his eyes filled with tears.“I thought today is supposed to be a happy day." Claire said with a soft smile. “Let's save the tears for later, mm?"Danielle was standing by Claire's side, smiling widely. She had done her makeup, and there could be no other exceptional way to do it. Claire looked perfect, beautifully perfect. He took her hand and kissed it. “You have such gifted hands, Danielle." Jenise peeked out from the closet. "I made the dress, hand me my flowers.”Eric chuckled and pulled out
Axel shrunk under the gaze of the women. He saw the men around him do the same. They had had their bachelor's night out the previous day, and the prank had fallen on him. He couldn't get out of it like he had wanted. Earlier, he had tried dissuading the guys."What if she passes out?"Donald had pushed a mask on to his face. "All the more fun, then.""Tomorrow is the wedding!"Hunter snickered. "The worse thing that could happen is if she leaves you at the altar."From her thunderous expression, Claire looked like she just might. She had been terrified, that much was obvious from how her entire body was still trembling. Her legs gave way, and she fell into a chair and began sobbing again.Axel longed to go over to her and put a comforting arm around her, but the look Danielle was giving him stopped him. She looked ready to burn any male that came within a foot of where the women were huddled together around Claire. Eric was not excluded from the ostracization. He had tried to dissuade
It was the ladies' turn to exchange glances. "How can you not know what happens the day before a wedding?" Myla asked. "Even my Coco knows!" Axel raised a brow. "I do know about the bridal shower, but you already had one yesterday."Jenise nudged Danielle. "Tell him. Put them out of their misery." Her voice rang with mockery.Danielle and Claire giggled. "We are going to the spa and hair salon!" Hunter rolled his eyes. "For a second there, I thought something really important was going to happen."Jenise puckered her lips. "Getting a massage and your nails done is "something really important", especially if you are getting married the next day."Axel rose. "You should tidy up the rest of the invitations. Donald, make sure you send them out, along with the accompanying emails."Claire ruffled through the invitations. "I didn't accidentally put one for Croatia in there, right?""Claire." Axel extended a hand towards her. "Walk with me for a second."She reluctantly took his outstretc
Axel stared at Claire in wonder. "You stayed up for most of last worrying about my whereabouts, and now that I'm back safely, you find yourself something else to worry about?"Claire drew her lips into a pout. "I waited up for you because I already had that in mind! Then we couldn't reach you and I forgot what I was worrying about."Axel had to suppress his laughter. "Oh. I see. Well, I have not sent any invitations out yet."Claire sat up. "Really? The wedding is in two days!"Axel furrowed his brows. "Um, yeah?""How would the guests have time to ready their outfits?"Axel snorted. "If anyone cannot get a proper outfit for an occasion, even if it is thirty minutes away, that person would not be in my list. You know the circle I belong to, Claire. If I give them the invitation that morning, and tell them to dress a certain way, they'll show up at the wedding before you."Claire frowned. "That would not be very polite.""I am not polite, sweetheart. I thought you knew that."Claire bi
Danielle gently shoved her forward. "Don't worry about that. At the rate at which you're eating, you'll probably not fit into the dress by weekend."Jenise snorted out a laugh. "I guess that means we will need to do the fitting of the dress on Friday night."The ladies giggled in amusement, and Claire glowered at them."That's not funny, guys!" She grabbed Coco's hand. "Come on, Coco, let's leave them to their impolite behavior."Her reaction only made them giggle more. Claire was not particularly upset. She felt pretty good that they were at least having fun. She could not begin to imagine what they had gone through when she had been in the state of coma. She had not even properly thanked them yet.Claire could see Donald from afar, through the glass doors. He was leaning on the limo, speaking into the phone and smiling widely. Occasionally, he would draw circles with his toes or scratch the back of his head, an indication that he was speaking to his new girlfriend. His relationship