BOOK ONE ~ STOLEN MOMENTS: My Brother’s BestFriend

Chapter 001 ~ Axel king

“There is no fuckíng way I am going to that university to live under the same roof with that annoying bag of fish water!”

“Amber, language!” Loris snapped at her. “He is your brother for crying out loud.”

“Mum, you don’t understand. Cole is the exact replica of dad. He is so overprotective and won’t let me live my life.” Amber rolled her eyes with her arms folded. After waiting for three months for feedback from the admission board, she couldn’t believe they didn’t give her the college she applied for. They had to take her to Boston! Fucking Boston, where her senior brother was schooling. And what’s worse, she was going to be living under the same roof with him.

The last thing she ever wanted in her life was to have her brother’s prying eyes on her. In all her seventeen years of existence, she hadn’t seen any brother behave the way hers does, and it was freaking annoying to her.

“It’s for your own good, Amber. Your father wanted the best for you—”

“Wait,” She cut her mother short, her brows creased as realization dawned on her. “Dad did this? He tampered with my admission?” She couldn’t believe this. “How could he do this to me?”

Loris held her. “Calm down, Amy. Your father would never do anything to hurt you. All he does is for your own good. He is worried about you. If it weren’t for Cole and his best friend, Axel, you would have been traumatized from the bullying in high school. We want you to be in a place where he would keep an eye on you. Please, try to understand.”

Amber sighed. Her mother was right about the bullying part. She had always been a nerd; face buried in books, shy, big sweaters and jeans with glasses. She was intelligent and kept her circle small, which had led to lots of bullying from her school mates. Cole was always there to stand up for her even though she was totally against it. When he graduated, it became worse, but that shouldn’t be the reason her father would switch her university. That was totally unfair.

“I wanted to go to the famous college in England so bad, but you and dad ruined it. I’m no longer a child and can stand up for myself. You keep protecting me like I’m some sort of egg without giving me space to breathe. Just so you know, you all are the reason I hide behind books and glasses!” She snapped and rushed up the stairs to her room.

“Amber! Amber!” Loris called, but she responded with the slamming of her room door. Loris sighed and shook her head. She knew Amber was right but her daughter was as tiny as a peanut which made her so worried that she didn't want to leave her all by herself. Her father was always out on business trips, but he cared more for her and would even forfeit his journey to make her happy.

They loved her so much, which was why they kept protecting her and not wanting to leave her all by herself. She hoped Amber would understand someday.

*

Amber plunged down on the bed in her room and heaved a deep breath. She reached for the framed picture at the top of her bed and gilded her fingers on the surface.

It was a picture she took with Cole and Axel on her first day in high school. She didn't want to take one, but Cole insisted, saying he wanted to cherish the memory. She was stubborn but Axel was able to convince her with just a single word and that charming smile of his.

With her eyes glued on Axel, she smiled sadly. “Axel, I wanted to go to England because of you. You said you studied there, and I wanted to finally see you again. But my dad just ruined everything,” Her eyes became watery as she stared at him.

He was her brother’s best friend, but she loved him the first day her brother introduced him to her. That fateful afternoon, she had settled down in bed to take a nap when her brother barged into her room with a new friend. The moment they locked gazes and he stretched out his hand for a handshake, something seemed to spark within her. She couldn't get him off her mind since then.

He treated her like a sister, but she wanted something more from him. Sure he flirted with her sometimes, but she knew he didn’t mean it. He bullied her at will as well, still, she knew he saw her as the innocent sister of his best friend and also as someone that was off bounds.

Just when she had the opportunity to study in the same university with him, away from the prying eyes of her overprotective brother, this had to happen.

She recalled how hard she studied for that exam; the sleepless nights, the migraines, and now it all amounted to nothing.

She wiped the tears that wanted to fall from her eyes and made up her mind to forfeit this admission and resit the examination, but then an idea struck her.

“Wait…” She trailed off and stood to her feet. She knew resitting the exam would be impossible if she stayed here. Her only solution was to go to Boston. Once there, she would endure whatever she faces and resit the exam then move out before anyone finds out. It’s not like they’re going to kill her when they finally find out anyway. She was going to be disobedient… just this once.

And with that, she opened her door and rushed down the stairs to her mother. “Mum!” She called.

Loris turned and Amber flashed her a smile. “I’m sorry for my outbursts. I just had a sober reflection and realized you were right. You and dad want the best for me. I apologize for failing to see that.”

Loris was shocked, wondering why she changed her mind so soon. She knew Amber to be persistent. What made her reconsider? “Amber.” She called softly.

“I know, I know,” She sighed. “I know you’re surprised but don’t be. I want to follow your instructions. I’ll go to the University of Boston. You don’t need to worry anymore.”

Loris smiled and hugged her. “Oh, my daughter.” She patted her back.

Amber rolled her eyes. Tricking her mum sure was easy. She was happy her dad was away on a trip. He was the only one who could easily see through her lies.

“I’ll help you pack up and buy your essentials okay? Lectures are already starting, so you need to go before this week runs out.” Loris mused and Amber nodded with a smile.

****

And that was it, two days later, she was already on a plane to Boston. She had her plan well drafted out. Nothing was going to stop her from going to where Axel was.

When they arrived at Boston, Cole was already waiting for her. She recognized that chestnut brown hair, olive skin and tall build anywhere.

“Hey there, little sis,” He smiled as soon as she approached him.

“Idiot.” She replied and he chuckled.

“You haven't changed a bit. You haven't seen me for a year and half and that's all you can tell me? You couldn't even hug me.” He pouted.

“You wish!” She scoffed, causing him to chuckle again. He had missed her so much.

He helped her keep her things in the trunk of the car and led her in. As he drove her home, he kept asking about her journey and their parents. With her thoughts occupied on how to get out of here, she only gave him one word replies. He assumed she was tired from her journey and let her be.

They arrived at the house and Amber gasped. It was more like a mansion. “You live here? Don’t tell me you bought this place.” her eyes narrowed at him.

He chuckled and led her in. She gushed at how beautiful the interior designs were. The house screamed money. Crystal chandeliers glinted in the sunlight streaming through the windows and rich fabrics adorned the walls. The place looked like where a CEO lived. She acknowledged the beauty, but heck was it going to change her mind about leaving.

Cole was about to say something when his phone rang. “Wait here while I go take a call. I’ll take you to your room after that.” He walked away and she looked around.

“Duh, I’m getting my room by myself,” She took the stairs. As she reached the top of the stairs, she found herself in a long hallway lined with doors, presumably leading to bedrooms. After a brief moment of indecision, Amber turned to the door at the end of the hall and slowly pushed it open.

“Oops! This must be Cole’s room,” She smiled and walked in, looking around. The room was well arranged and very neat, shocking her. “Wow! Axel’s charm must have rubbed off on him. Cole's room is usually a mess,” She chuckled as she basked in the soft fragrance the room gave, reminding her of Axel.

“Everything here screams Axel. It’s almost like he’s here.”

“That’s because I’m here,” A voice spoke and cold shivers ran down her spine.

She froze.

Deep voice.

Teasing tone.

That aura!

She gasped.

Was she imagining things? Did the room start making her hallucinate?

She shook her head and took deep breaths. “Whoa! Now I’m hallucinating.” She chuckled.

“You’re still dumb, cat eyes.” The voice came again, and this time it was too real to be fake.

She did a robotic turn and her eyes widened at who she saw. She blinked severally as she took in the handsome devil in front her.

He had a relaxed, effortless charm. His short jet black hair framed his chiseled face, accentuating his strong jawline. But it was his eyes that truly held her captive - deep, piercing blues that seemed to pull her into an endless ocean of intensity and seduction.

His gaze was mesmerizing, making her feel like she was drowning in its depths. A slight smile played on his lips as he moved closer, towering over her.

Amber looked up, finding it hard to believe that fuckiing Axel King, her long time crush was standing right in front of her.

“Axel,” she whispered, blinking severally. “You’re… you’re here!?”