Chapter 004 ~ Just you and I

004.

Amber's eyes widened, her grip on the fork tightening the more. “Girlfriend?” she repeated, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Candice nodded, smiling. “Yeah, we've been together for a few months now.”

Amber's gaze shifted to Axel, who looked uncomfortable. “You didn't mention you had a girlfriend,” she said, trying to keep the accusation out of her voice.

Axel shrugged. “It didn't come up.”

Amber felt a pang of disappointment. Why hadn't he told her? Did he think she wouldn't care? She glared at him, her heart aching.

Candice leaned in, oblivious to the tension. “So, Amber, what do you think of the campus so far?”

Amber forced a smile, trying to play it cool. “It's great. Thanks for asking.”

Candice nodded with a smile. “Since you’re Axel’s little sister, I’ll give you special treatment,”

‘If that special treatment involves you leaving Axel’s life forever, I’m game.’ Amber muttered in her thoughts as Candice kept going on and on about how she would take care of her and would give her anything she wanted. Axel didn’t seem to care or know that the lady was being a pest to her.

She pushed back her chair, suddenly losing her appetite and stood to her feet. “I have to go now.”

Axel looked up, worried. “You barely touched your food. C’mon, you need to eat.”

Amber looked at Candice and shook her head, barely able to contain her anger. “I’m okay because someone got a girlfriend and didn’t even bother to tell me about it. I feel he has no idea what a big deal it is!” she snapped and stormed out.

Alan sighed, running his hands through his hair. This wasn’t how he wanted her to find out.

Candice placed her hands on his shoulder, but he brushed them away, standing to his feet. “Why did you tell her that? I never asked you to introduce yourself!”

Candice's smile faded, replaced with a frown. “I thought it was understood, Axel. It’s an arrangement, and you have to act along with it.”

Axel's eyes narrowed. “That doesn't mean you get to claim me as your boyfriend without my consent.”

Candice's expression turned icy. “Our parents agreed to this, Axel. You know the benefits.”

Axel's jaw clenched. “I never agreed to it. And I certainly didn't agree to pretend to be your boyfriend.”

Candice's voice dropped to a whisper. “You're just being difficult, Axel. You know this is good for both our families.”

Axel's eyes flashed with anger. “Good for our families? You think trapping me in a fake relationship is good for anyone?” he snapped, trying to keep the burning sensation in his heart at bay. He hated how his father thinks he could just control his life and do whatever he felt like with it.

This wasn’t the kind of life he wanted, and soon, he was going to rebel, and it wasn’t going to be funny.

Candice's face reddened. “You're being dramatic, Axel. It's just business.”

Axel's voice rose. “It’s business to you, not me. You're talking about my life, Candice. My relationships. My happiness.”

Candice couldn’t believe he was mad over a mere introduction. “Why are you so worked up? I just introduced myself to her. No biggie! Besides, I already promised to take care of her.”

“Listen, Candice. Stay away from Amber. She's off-limits. I don’t want you anywhere close to her, okay? I don’t want you saying things that would hurt or make her feel uncomfortable, understand?” he warned sternly.

Candice's eyes widened. “Who is she to you?”

Axel's expression hardened. “She's Cole's sister. And she's under my protection.”

Candice's face twisted with jealousy. “You're really taken with her, aren't you?”

Axel's eyes flashed with warning. “Don't go there, Candice. Just stay away from Amber. I won’t repeat myself.”

Candice's smile returned, sugary sweet. “Of course, Axel. I wouldn't dream of upsetting your little friend.”

Axel's eyes narrowed, but Candice had already walked away, leaving him seething.

Meanwhile, Amber walked around aimlessly, her heart heavy as different thoughts raced through her head. Why did he have to get a girlfriend? All these years, she had stayed single, missed out on some important moments of her life just so he could be her first, and he was dating? She had also missed out on social events, buried herself in books, studying day and night just to go to the same school as him, only for her to find out he had a girlfriend?

He should have given her a heads up either way, and she would have prepared herself to meet this bimbo-like girlfriend of his. She should have known anyway. Axel wasn’t into girls like her.

She took a close look at herself. She was dressed in baggy trousers, a big sweatshirt with her hair packed into a ponytail. Meanwhile, she had seen how Candice was dressed. The lady was beautiful with her beautiful red hair let loose in waves, her short gown fitting her in all the right places, not to mention how much it showed the shape of her body.

Amber sighed and wiped the tear that almost fell from her eyes. There was no way she would be able to compete against Candice. She was too innocent for Axel.

After a while, Amber found herself at the library, seeking refuge among the quiet stacks. She settled into a corner, lost in thought.

Just as she was starting to calm down, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

“Hey, mind if I join you?” a friendly voice asked.

Amber looked up to see a girl with curly brown hair and a warm smile.

“Not at all,” Amber replied, shifting her books to make space.

The girl sat down, introducing herself as Melissa while Amber introduced herself as well. “I couldn't help but notice you looked upset. Everything okay?”

Amber shrugged, forcing a smile. “Just stressed about classes, that's all.” she lied. Her classes hadn’t even started.

Melissa nodded sympathetically. “I totally get it. I'm already overwhelmed.”

A guy with messy chocolate brown hair and a charming grin joined them.

“Hey, Mel,” he said, nodding at Melissa. “Who's your new friend?”

Melissa smiled. “Amber, this is Jack. My partner in crime.”

Jack's eyes sparkled as he looked at Amber. “Nice to meet you, Amber.” he smiled, and she nodded with a smile as well.

They chatted and laughed and Amber suddenly forgot her anger and sour mood. She realized Melissa and Jack were actually fun to be with and luckily, they were studying Mass Communication too.

She smiled. Looks like she finally made friends after all.

…

Her classes were over and she released a long breath. Melissa and Jack stayed at the dorms and had to see her off and make sure she got a cab. Amber felt loved. They had just become friends, and Melissa and Jack already cared so much for her.

As they waited for the cab, Axel’s car pulled up in front of them. He wound down the window and she rolled her eyes, clearly still angry at him for what happened earlier.

“Get in.” he requested but Amber felt like it was an order.

She frowned and folded her arms. “I’m still mad at you so there’s no way I’m getting into that car.” she huffed.

Axel chuckled. “Cat eyes,” he called, his voice low and Amber’s heart wavered but she wanted to be stubborn.

Melissa and Jack just watched in shock as the car door opened and Axel strode out majestically. He approached her, towering over her but she puffed up her cheeks, her gaze locked on his.

“Why don’t you come in and allow me to explain, huh?” he requested.

Amber scoffed. “What explanation could you possibly have? I saw it with my eyes, Axel.” she knew she shouldn’t be making a big deal out of this since he clearly had no idea about her feelings for him, but she couldn’t stop herself.

Axel sighed. “Well… you leave me with no choice,”

Before Amber could say boo, he scooped her into his arms and walked towards the car.

“Hey!” she screamed, thrashing but he didn’t budge. He opened the car door, dropped her inside and went to the other side where he took the driver’s seat. “That was uncalled for!” she snapped.

He only shrugged, turned the car on and drove off. Her phone beeped with a text from Melissa, telling her she had a lot of explanation to do. She just sent a smiley emoji and looked at Axel, before looking away with a huff.

“Cat eyes,” Axel called and she hummed. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I had a girlfriend. It’s just complicated.”

Amber nodded. “It’s fine, Axel. It’s your life anyway. I’m not mad anymore. You know I would never stay mad at you.” she smiled but he knew her too well.

“Cat eyes.” he called in that low voice that always sent a tingly sensation down there and she fought back a hum. She feared it might come out as a moan instead. “I’m really sorry, okay. It’s not really what you think. I’ll explain everything with time,” he said and she nodded, her body relaxing. “How do you want me to make it up to you?” he asked.

Her face lit up as a mischievous smile found its way to her lips. “A dance…” she said. “On my birthday. Just you and I.”

Axel smiled. “Whatever you want, Princess.”

Amber smirked. “Yeah, whatever I want.” she muttered, but there was another meaning to it.

She wasn’t going to let him slip through her fingers that easily. He had turned her into a bad girl. It’s only fair he took responsibility for the kind of person she had become, and no one would stop her.

Not even Candice.