Axel's heart began hammering in his chest. "What about Claire?"Jubril frowned. "According to Paul, he thinks she might not live for long time. She don't want to eat or take any medication. Her friend is coming to New York to see if anybody can help. She don't want to live anymore."Axel narrowed his eyes. "Why did he call you?""He said he sure you were alive and I should find you. He need you to heal Claire."Axel turned away and walked to the window. He looked down at the streets of China, the traffic rushing by and the pedestrians crowding on the sidewalk. His heart leaped at every blonde haired woman he sighted, until he remembered he was not in New York. And there was no Claire.He needed to find a way to go home, but he was not sure of how much danger he was in. Doubtless, he trusted Paul. But he didn't want to put him in any danger, especially if his enemies found out they had been in touch. That would put Claire in danger too, and he certainly didn't want that either.Jubril
Axel had stayed upstairs when the men had brought in the Manager. He dreaded what Donald had to do, but he realized it was necessary. Donald had prepared well. The instruments he saw inside the closed chamber gave Axel shivers. Just seeing everything so carefully laid out should have made the Manager start talking immediately he was dragged into the room. Axel heard his screams from inside because the walls were not soundproof. Donald was really not pulling his punches. Axel knew the moment the Manager cracked. He clucked his tongue and looked at his watch. The Manager had not even lasted an hour. The house went quiet again, and a few minutes later, the men dragged the manager with them.Jubril asked the men to lock him up until everything blew over. Then, the others would have no clue what was about to happen. Axel stood by the door, trying to listen to everything that was going on in the house. He heard the footsteps of someone approaching and he slinked away to the table.When Dona
"Slow down." Donald admonished as soon as they stepped out of the car into the darkness of the area surrounding the penthouse building. "We still have about five minutes before the lights are restored." Axel ignored Donald and kept up his brisk pace. He was not worried that Jubril's men could keep the light off for the amount of time it took to get up to the penthouse, neither was he worried that any camera would pick up their trail in the dark. The only thing that made him hurry up was Claire.She was the only thing on his mind throughout the flight, and the drive from the hanger to his lodge. He missed everything about her. Her touch, the feel of her hair and skin on his, and the way her mouth drove him crazy. He needed to see her.Axel entered the elevator and Donald caught up with him right before the door closed."You know," Donald huffed, "this obsession you have is very unhealthy. Granted, I like Claire. She's perfect for you. But loving her is turning you into someone I canno
Claire woke up the next morning. She felt very cold, and empty. When she turned, she discovered why. Axel had left the bed sometime during the night. Someone had put a wet towel on her head. Her fever had reduced considerably, and she felt stronger. She sat up and stretched just as someone opened the room door.It was Axel, and he was fully dressed in work clothes. He wore a very big frown. "What is my Personal Assistant and Secretary doing in bed at this time of the day?" He bellowed.She squinted at him, uncertain if he was joking or not. His face did not relax a muscle."The car leaves by 8. Be sure you're in it, or you'll have your salary deducted. Bring your language books too, let's see how far you have gone."He turned to leave before she finally found her voice."I'm still your Assistant?" She whispered hoarsely."Of course." He turned back to face her, ignoring her expression. "Have you forgotten the contract of employment you signed?"Claire felt the energy seep from her bo
Shock had rendered her speechless, but she was even more shocked when his hand went up and landed on her backside. "Ow!" She jerked on him, more out of surprise than pain.He was spanking her, and what was more, it didn't hurt. She felt more pleasure than she had earlier. His hand came down on her again, and she giggled."What's funny?" He asked coldly.She wiggled her backside. "Do it again."He did, severally. And each time, her response was a surprised giggle."You seem to be enjoying this too much, Tigress." Axel observed."Yes sir," she responded, "very much so." Claire felt Axel freeze. He was thinking, and she wiggled her toes impatiently. She didn't know just why she had decided to stir the waters that morning. Maybe it was just her childish way of paying him back for that morning. He let her up slowly and tugged her skirt back down."I ordered you never to call me sir. Yet, you disobeyed me. That's fine. Today, I will make you call me nothing but sir, and I will have you be
Claire stood awkwardly beside Axel in the reception, facing the former board of directors. He had his arms in his pockets, and his teeth were clenched. The energy oozing from him reminded Claire once again why he was the most powerful man in New York. Donald stood behind them, arms folded."Do the honors, Miss McLennie." Axel gritted out.Claire looked up at him. "Huh?" She asked in surprise.She looked at the directors, and each of them were staring back at her in confusion. Axel gave her a censored look."You seem to have not yet learned my ways, assistant. Donald!" Claire colored in embarrassment and shifted to give way to Donald.Axel motioned to her. "Show Miss McLennie how it's done." "Yes sir." He stepped forward and faced the erring director. "You have been dismissed by the CEO. Please clear out immediately. Security will escort you out. Please do not return to the premises without a signed invitation from the CEO or Chairman himself."The directors murmured among themselves
Claire thought her heart would fail when Axel mentioned the cost for breach of contract. She vaguely remembered seeing that in her contract, but at the time she had been convinced that nothing will move her to resign within her first year of stay. Now, she wished she had thought matters through.On her way back to the office, she bumped into Myla. The woman hugged her kindly and gently held her face in her hands."What's wrong, Claire?" She asked. "You look so pale."Claire sniffed. "I just received the shock of my life. Now, I don't know anymore."Myla's eyes softened. "Oh, poor baby. It's going to be alright. Just take things easy, and don't give up."Claire scoffed. "Yeah, right. As if I could give up if I wanted to." Myla let her go. "I've got a meeting to attend right now. I'll see you around, girlie.""Bye!" Claire waved.She turned back towards the direction of the office. She began simmering again, so that by the time she reached the office, her anger was bursting. The poor do
Claire felt she was going to run mad. Axel had not even given her time to process the news of the Portuguese visiting, when he hit her with the information that he had bought her a new apartment. But where had he bought it? In the damn penthouse building! Claire shuddered to think how much it had cost. That was another debt she could never repay, in this lifetime or the next.Was he so bent on keeping her working for him? The million dollar breach of contract fee was high enough already. What was this sick game he was playing? She didn't have time to think about it. She needed to work on her Portuguese, at least brush up on the basics before the others arrived.Donald returned within an hour, thankfully."Hey!" She waved him over. "Could you help me?"He proved to be quite the helper, because he predicted so many possible things that could be discussed in the meeting. They spent the next hour polishing her intonation and dialect, until Axel stormed into the office."The clients are he
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