Axel looked at Claire over the top of the file he had buried his head in since they boarded the plane. She was staring off into the distance with haunted eyes. He hated the look, and he didn't know what to make of it. That is the look she had carried since he and Donald returned that evening. It had gotten worse when they had to say goodbye to Jubril."Your woman don't see me, brother." Jubril had whispered to him. "She don't want to go back."He kept thinking about what Jubril said. Claire must have remembered the horrible people that waited for her in New York - Lisa, her sister - and decided Australia was better for her. He literally had to wrestle Claire into the car that was taking them to the airport. She had not said a word to anyone that evening. If Axel were to be very honest, she looked dead to the world. Claire was not the only one confusing Axel that evening. Donald had been talking quietly on the phone since they entered the plane before take off, and now, he was doing s
Somewhere in Dreamland, Claire heard Donald gag when he entered the compartment."Jeez, Axel. Who spilled the vanilla?""We decided to eat ice cream." Axel's smooth voice said nonchalantly. The smile was obvious in his voice. Claire opened one eye to peep at them. Donald was standing awkwardly to one side."Now I don't even know what seat to sit on. This whole place smells like ice cream."Axel gave him a toothy grin. "Don't worry, the seats are safe. I can't say the same for the floors, or the bath tub."Claire suppressed a smile at Donald's disgusted expression and shut her eyes. This was going to be the sweetest sleep she had ever had. Even though she had not reached her goal, she was getting there. Life was good, in that very moment.************For the first time in years, Axel felt very tired. He couldn't even move his arm, so he settled on reading through the reports sent by the directors. He was still upset with every single one of them for the way they had treated Claire, a
Donald and Axel sat together, whispering in low tones. Claire didn't have any interest in their conversation. All she wanted to do was sit and stare at the wall for the rest of the flight. When the pilot announced it was time for touchdown, she sat up and packed her bag."I'm not looking forward to going home."Donald shrugged. "Then don't. I'm sure we can find a place for you to stay in the penthouse."He sent a quick glance at Axel and Axel nodded. Claire sighed."Just as long as I get a bed to sleep."They had to strap in for touchdown. It was 5am, New York time, and Donald had a car waiting for them. It didn't take long to get to the penthouse. Claire was feeling sleepy, but the sleep fled as soon as they entered the building. "You guys live here?!"It was exquisite. There was no other way to describe the marble covered floors and gold plated walls and chandelier. The stairs and elevator shone with some expensive stone Claire had only seen on television.Her mouth dropped open at
Claire was swimming in a pool of blood. Pain shot through her waist constantly, and she couldn't move. She looked around and all she could see was snow. She shivered with the cold. How had she even gotten here? She tried to move her arms, but they had turned to ice. In fact, her entire body had become one big block of ice.She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out. From far off, she heard voices she knew she should recognize, but she couldn't see anything."Her fever is too high. We might need to call in the doctor.""Send for him. Tell him to get here on the double."A cool hand touched her forehead and she winced slightly. She was sure she had a cut there somewhere, but how had she gotten it? She sighed and tried to open her eyes. The snow disappeared gradually, and her field of vision was covered with a face."Axel?"He was staring at her, his lips turned down. "Why do you always make me worry, Sugar?"She tried to sit up, but pain shot through her lower abdomen and she
Claire felt her heart start pounding in her chest when she saw who was at the head of the crowd. Lisa sneered at her as the three of them drew closer. The staff took out their phones and had their cameras out to video the whole thing."You are very shameless, Claire, to come back here."Claire looked around. The faces of every single one in the lobby were filled with hatred and disgust. She felt her heart drop to somewhere in her stomach."What are you talking about?" She whispered to Lisa.Lisa gave her a look that promised vengeance."I'm talking about the things you have done, Claire! You have blood on your hands, and now you are out to get our CEO's too!"Claire felt her blood run cold. How had Lisa found out? She cast a glance at Axel and Donald and they looked just as surprised. They were the only ones she had told in New York."Did you think we would never find out?" Lisa taunted. "Your own sister called you a witch! You killed your father, Claire!"An angry buzz swept through
Lisa had never known real shame in her entire life until that moment. The Chairman shook his head at her in disappointment and motioned to a director standing by the side."Drive me home. I can't stand the sight of that woman."Axel's mother gave Lisa a look of sympathy, but followed her husband out to the director's car. Lisa could not meet her father's eyes as they walked back to the limo. It was a big shock to him. She had lost the one reason he had to keep her as his daughter."Father.""Don't say a word, Lisa." He entered the limo and pulled her mother in. "Just…don't say anything."She swallowed and entered the car with them. The ride was tense, and so thick, one could have cut the tension with a knife. As soon as they got home and sent the limo away, Lisa's father turned to her."You good for nothing piece of trash!" He went off on her. "Your proposed marriage to Axel was the only useful thing you could do with your life! And you ruined it, all for what?"Lisa jutted her chin o
Axel and Donald stared down at the men and the lady they held in their arms."Did I ask any of you to put a finger on her?" Axel asked quietly.They shifted from foot to foot, each of them nudging the other to respond. Donald reached out and took Claire from them, then used his feet to propel her suitcase inside."I'll call Paul." He said as he walked in.Axel nodded, but kept his eyes on the men. "Chose your poison."The men immediately fell to the ground and started begging for mercy."Oh, you all can talk now, can't you?" He roared. "I asked you who gave you the permission to lay a finger on my woman!"His voice echoed in the penthouse, and Donald came out."She's alive, and safe now." He pulled Axel away from the men. "You can deal with them later. Right now, you need to figure out what you are going to say to Danielle. She's been calling."Axel gritted his teeth. "Count yourselves fortunate that Donald was present today. I'd put you all in a torture chamber and leave you there to
Claire's fever returned less than a few minutes later. Axel did not want to call Paul, since his client was very important. But Claire was shivering and burning, and he didn't know what to do. He dabbed her forehead with a wet towel, but she was not responding to his efforts.Finally, he panicked and called Paul. "She's burning," he said as soon as Paul picked up. "And trembling. Her teeth are chattering. She's lost all color."Paul sighed. "Did you let her rest after I left?" When Axel said nothing, Paul sighed again. "I thought so. Well, I can't come right now. Just do whatever you can for her. I'll see if I can finish up here tonight so I can come tomorrow.""Paul." Axel knew he sounded like an injured puppy, but the pain he felt was more than physical. "I'm terrified. What if something happens to her? I don't know what to even do.""You should have left her alone." Paul said tersely."How could I? She asked."Claire started making sounds on the bed. He turned to her, and noticed sh