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
When Claire melted weakly into his arms, Axel felt deep, immeasurable pain in his heart. He had said to himself, that he would work on not being affected by Claire any more. Now, he knew he lied. She already meant so much to him, that he even shared in her pain. That part scared him the most.Claire's breathing was shallow, and her arms went slack. She was trembling like she was very cold, but her temperature was climbing too quickly. Axel laid her down on the bed and took his place beside her. He hugged her to his side and prayed that Paul should hurry.Donald checked in a few times, but he was just as helpless. Finally, after it had gone dark, Paul returned. By then, Axel was feeling sleepy and Claire's skin was burning. Angry rashes had erupted from her skin and they glowed in fury."You certainly do not fear getting ill, son."Axel looked up, and seeing Paul, sat up groggily. "How did it go?"Paul stretched his hand out. His sleeves were rolled up and Axel could see marks on them.
Axel glared at Donald, but Donald was not looking at him. Sighing, he rose from the bed."I need to go to work, Claire. I'll see you later." He picked up the vial from the bedside table. "I'll let Paul have this. You should rest now."He walked up to Donald and took the laptop from him. "This better be very serious."It was. An employee had accidentally set their gas store on fire at a branch in China. He was needed on site immediately. He looked back at Claire. She had already fallen asleep, and he didn't have the heart to go wake her and tell her goodbye. He walked to her and kissed her forehead."I have to go to China, Tigress." He whispered. "Hold down the forte here for me, will you?"He went to get his briefcase. "Have you informed the directors?"Donald nodded. "And Paul. He will stay with Claire here at the penthouse until you get back.""I hate to leave her now.""I know." Donald murmured. "Me too. But duty calls, and Axel, this time, you really need to focus."The flight to
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