094.Amber took in her lower lip, looking everywhere but Axel’s face. “Jack is…uh… well, he is—”Axel smiled and patted her head, noticing how uncomfortable the question made her. “You don’t have to tell me if the question made you this uncomfortable,” he chuckled, and she gave him an apologetic look. “You always have something to say. I’m surprised you’re stuttering because of a simple question.”Amber laughed, shaking her head as she hit his shoulder. “Quit teasing me, you good-looking devil!”Axel kissed her lips. “Well, you can’t resist this devil, though,” he held her hands.Amber looked at him, her eyes shining with love. “Yes, I can’t,” she sighed, smiling. “Thank you for being so understanding, Axel. I love you so much.”“I love you more, Cat eyes.”“I love you most, King.” she giggled and Axel brushed a strand of hair from her face. He placed a soft kiss on her lips and pulled her to her feet. “Well, it’s almost time for the movies,” he said, opening his door and leading Amb
095.Weeks later…“Cheers!” They exclaimed, clinking glasses with all smiles. “First semester's exams done and dusted!” Melissa exclaimed, taking a gulp from the pineapple smoothie she was holding. It seemed like forever, but she was happy they finally finished their exams. They had decided to get a drink before planning to leave for the holidays.“I can't wait to hit the club and celebrate tonight. After that, I'm gonna watch movies until tomorrow morning. I've been deprived of Netflix for weeks!” she facepalmed, throwing her head back dramatically.Amber and Jack laughed. “I'll be spending the night with Axel. He promised to come pick me up and take me to the new restaurant that just opened in town.” Amber beamed, a dreamy expression on her face that made Melissa and Jack throw her envious looks.During the exams, Amber and Jack have been able to fix things. Jack was no longer that awkward around her, and their friendship had returned to how it used to be. Amber was grateful for Ja
096. “Are you sure you’ve packed all you would be needing? All you essentials and homework for next semester?” “Yes, mum,” Amber answered for the one hundredth time as she walked out of the house while Axel loaded their luggage into the car booth. They were finally going home for the holidays, and as much as she was beyond excited to see her parents again, she was pretty sad leaving her friends for a while. Her first semester here in school had been a blast—thanks to Axel—and her best friends for showing a nerdy girl like her what it meant to have friends once could call family. She was glad and proud to say that with them, she had been able to step out of her comfort zone, joined a club, and even got the perfect boyfriend. “Make sure you dress warm, sweetie,” Loris instructed again, and Amber fought the urge to roll her eyes. “It’s that time of the year in Las Vegas where it’s usually cold when it’s supposed to be hot.” Amber, knowing what her mother meant, laughed softly. “I u
097.“Cole!” Loris snapped, pointing her index finger at him. “You were supposed to wait for me to announce you as the surprise!” Cole shrugged, a smug expression on his face as his gaze flickered between a seething Amber and pouting Loris before his gaze stopped on Axel. “I couldn’t wait any longer, mum. Besides, I wanted a hug too.” Amber snorted. “You annoying ass—” Loris cleared her throat.Amber let out a deep breath and Cole spread out his arms for her. “Come give big brother a big hug,” he said, and a smile broke out on Amber’s lips as she rushed into his arms.“Gosh, you should have told me you were coming,” she wrapped her arms around him, placing her head on his chest. “I couldn’t even get you any gift.”Cole chuckled, ruffling her hair. “The best gift is having you here and making sure I disturb the living daylight out of you.” Amber pulled away from the hug. “Well, I won’t let you, I’m an adult now.” she flipped her hair with a smile.“Of course she is!” Loris smiled,
098.Amber walked into her room and plopped down in the couch. A feeling of unease and unrest washed over her as she tried to reply her conversation with her mother in her head. She had always been the good girl and had never lied to her mother, but today, she had heartlessly lied and told her mother she didn’t have a boyfriend just because she didn’t want her relationship with Axel to be found out just get.She and Axel had thought Cole would return to Boston after the school’s field trip so they would tell him about their relationship, but he had come home instead.Telling him at home wasn’t a good idea. At least, he needed to know first then if they’re able to convince him, he would also help them convince Amber’s parents. Amber sighed and sat up, placing her pillow between her lap as she thought of what to do. Her mother had told her she would be happy to see her boyfriend whenever she got one, but Amber wondered if she would be happy knowing that Axel—the guy she had always trea
099.“All done!” Amber dusted her hands with a smile on her face as she looked at the magic she just performed in Axel’s room. Since they returned home last week, they hadn’t been able to spend some alone time together. She had been busy volunteering at the animal shelter to get some stories surrounding them for a project due next semester. And since today was an off day and Axel had gone to a game show with Cole—her mother had gone to work as well—she figured she should help set up his room and decorate it.Her mother might be a superb artist, but she was a pro when it came to designing rooms to taste. Her eyes roamed over the walls and posters, happy with what she was seeing.“Not bad, if I do say so myself,” she murmured to herself, admiring her handiwork. The posters of bands and sports teams were tastefully arranged, complimenting the vibrant color scheme of the room. She heard the front door open, followed by Axel’s voice from the living room. “Yeah, I just got home,” he said,
100.Axel took his clothes off and laid her on the bed, climbing on top of her immediately. Amber's eyes locked with his, their gazes hungry and intense. She bit her lip, her heart racing as she felt the heat of his body against hers. She knew she wouldn't last long, but she was determined to make him work for it."Bring it on, King," she whispered, trailing her hand down his chest, feeling the hard muscles beneath his shirt. "I'm not going down without a fight."Axel's lips curved into a wicked smile. "Oh, you won't be going down at all, kitten. But you will be begging me for more."Axel's hands slid down Amber's back, grabbing her butt and pulling her against him. She let out a gasp, her body responding to his touch. He leaned in and kissed her, his lips hungry and demanding."Are you ready for round one?" he asked, his voice low and seductive.Amber nodded, biting her lip to keep from moaning as Axel's hands explored her body, tracing patterns along her skin. He knew all her sensit
101.Days later…“I thought about it, Amber,” Axel began, letting out a sigh as Amber turned to look at him. “And I'm going to tell Cole about our relationship tonight.”Amber blinked, her eyes widening in horror. This took her unaware. “What!” she exclaimed, turning to look around to be sure no one was watching them. Her mother had gone to take a nap in her room while Cole was playing video games.They had decided to spend some time watching movies in the living room and Axel decided to use this opportunity to let her know.“I've been thinking about it and I don't think we should hide it anymore,” he said, his voice laced with confidence. “I know you aren't ready, that's why I have decided to tell him myself. I think it would be better if one person does it. That way, we would be able to handle his reaction.”Amber sighed, shaking her head. “This is too soon, Axel. I don't think it's a good idea,” she lowered her voice, uncertainty coloring her tone. “We are at home. What if he makes
122.“Axel? My Axel?” she asked, her cold gaze on Janice and her so-called best friend. Janice folded her arms with a smirk on her face. She had no ounce of remorse on her face and Amber nodded her head as everything returned to her piece by piece.All this while she had thought it was for grades. She had no idea the main target was Axel, her boyfriend. Janice had been getting close to Cole and finally began dating him because she wanted free access to Axel every time she wanted it. And Cole was oblivious to that, giving the bitch the upper hand. Amber put her hand in her pocket. She felt a wave of rage wash through her as her eyes stayed glued on Janice’s face. Now she was angry for two things.One, Janice deceived her brother. Two, Janice was trying to seduce her boyfriend. It took every bit of self-control in her not to begin teaching the damn girl a lesson right now. “So…” Amber frowned, glaring at Janice. “You’ve been dating Cole to get close to Axel, right? Do you know Axel is
121. “Are you sure that’s gonna work?” Axel asked after Amber explained Jack’s plan to him. “I mean, you and Janice are literally at each other’s throats. It’s crazy if you ask me.” Amber rolled her eyes. “I know befriending her sounds like a lot of work since I can’t put up with her,” she said, her tone laced with uncertainty. “But I believe this might work.” she was ready to do anything to prove to Cole that Janice wasn’t to be trusted; that Janice was a liar and was using him. There was no way she would be able to convince Cole without any evidence. Axel’s expression turned thoughtful as he massaged his temple, “Don’t you think she would find it suspicious? I mean, you can’t just walk up to her and ask her to be friends with you.” “I’m aware of that, Axel,” Amber said, folding her arms over her chest. “That’s why I have a plan. It’s simple, really.” She grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I’ll pretend to have an issue with Cole.” she said. She already had one though becau
120.Amber blinked. She couldn’t believe Cole would say such a thing to her. How on earth was she selfish? She was doing this for his own good. It was hurting to see her genius brother being fooled by a wolf in sheep’s clothing. But now because she cared, Cole had to raise his voice on her for the first time. It broke her heart so much that her brother didn’t trust her enough to believe her. “We’ve never had a fight before, Cole,” Amber said, her eyes turning glassy as she looked up at her brother. “Are you going to allow your so-called girlfriend come between us? I’m your sister. I would never hurt you or put myself first before you.”“Stop making this about you, Amber,” Cole sighed, feeling conflicted. “When you and Axel got together, I wasn’t against it. Even when you two kept it away from me, I didn’t get mad.”“I and Axel are different!” Amber snapped. “And the reason you approved of the relationship was because you trusted Axel. You knew he was a good person. I don’t trust Jan
119.“Axel, I need your help with talking to Cole,” Amber said as they headed to the parking lot together.Axel stopped in his tracks, turning to face with a confused expression on his face. “Why? What happened?” he asked.Amber stopped walking as well, holding her books to her chest as she looked at Axel. “Because,” she paused, sucking on a long breath. “Janice doesn’t love him. She is lying to him and using him.”Axel blinked. “What?” he asked.Amber nodded, the annoyance she tried so hard to keep in coming back. “Today, Cole asked me to get him food from the cafeteria. On my way to deliver the food to him, I passed by a classroom where I overheard Janice speaking with her friend. She mentioned that once she gets what she wants from Cole, she’d dump him. At first, I thought it was about his grades, but when I confronted, and she was so mean to me, I realized there was something more, but I couldn’t find out what.”Axel stared at Amber for a while. “Are you sure about this?” he asked
118.“Spill what exactly?” Amber asked, folding her arms with a frown on her face.Janice scoffed. “Don’t try to act smart with me, baby girl. I know you overheard me and my friend talking. So tell me, what did you hear?” Amber snickered. “Is your conscience pricking you or are you scared I’m gonna tell my brother what you’re up to? Are you scared I’ll tell him that you are a liar, a deceiver and a bitchy person?” she asked and Janice clenched her fists.Janice watched Amber for a while, but then she realized something. There was no way Cole would believe Amber anyway. She knew how much Cole loved her, and Amber telling him would only make him feel Amber was selfish and unreadable. A smith found its way to her lips as she chuckled. “There’s nothing that’s gonna make Cole believe you anyway,” she said and Amber raised a brow.Janice began pacing the room, a victorious smile plastered on her face. “Need I remind you that you are dating Cole’s best friend,” she said?“So?”“And Cole did
117.Amber huffed and began walking away. “Amber!” Amber stopped in her tracks, her fists clenched. She turned with a frown on her face, annoyance coloring her features as she stared at Janice. Janice’s eyes darted to the bag in Amber’s hand and instantly knew it was the food she had asked Cole to get her. “Hey, are you going to meet Cole?” she asked, beaming at Amber who didn’t return a smile of her own. “Why are you asking? Do you want to use him for something else?” Amber asked, trying to keep the accusation out of her voice, but it wasn’t working.She was literally boiling with rage, and it annoyed her to the core that Janice was acting all innocent in front of her when she just talked down on her brother a few minutes ago. Don’t people have shame these days?Janice raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?” she asked, wondering if Amber had overheard her conversation with her friend. She forced a smile and held Amber’s arm. “Don’t be too cocky, Amy. I know you’re mad th
116. Amber watched Janice leave the house angrily. After she insisted on not letting her enter, Janice huffed and stormed out of the house. Amber took a seat on the couch, replaying what just happened in her head. What the heck just happened? What help could Axel possibly render to Janice? And how did they even know each other? And another thing that bothered her was why Cole had to do her homework for her. The university has strict rules and would not allow anyone to write home works for others. Sure they can be guided, but they believed when it came to writing it, every individual was on their own. And Amber knew Cole to be someone who wouldn’t do such a thing. She knew he loved Janice but was it worth breaking the rules for her? Her thoughts drifted to when her and Axel had to hide their relationship from everyone. She felt they must have felt the same way, but there was still something she couldn’t wrap her head around; Janice coming to look for Axel when Cole literally to
115. “No way! He has a girlfriend?” Melissa exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air and falling on Amber’s bed dramatically with a sigh. She had rushed to Amber’s place the next day to know why Amber would ask her not to come after she spent two hours getting ready for the dinner date. She even had her hair done and it was expensive as fuck. Now they’ve all gone to waste. Amber nodded her head, facepalming. “Yes. And he seems to love her so much.” Melissa sighed, smiling sadly. “I guess love isn’t for me, then.” she bit her lower lip. Amber placed her hands on Melissa’s lap. “You’ll find someone very soon.” Melissa sat up. “It’s not like I haven’t been looking,” Melissa huffed, crossing her arms. “I mean, I’ve been trying my best. I’ve been going to events, using dating apps, trying to meet people, and look where it’s gotten me.” She flopped back on the bed, arms spread wide. “I’m basically a spinster now.” Amber rolled her eyes, knowing fully well that Melissa was being
114. “G-Girlfriend? Did he just say girlfriend?” Amber muttered to herself, her shocked gaze switching from Cole to Janice. What the heck was happening? “And Janice, meet my little sister, Amber.” Cole finished his introduction with a smile and Janice smiled at Amber sweetly. “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Amber. Cole has told me a lot about you,” she stretched out her hand for a handshake, but Amber just stared at the hand, unable to process what the heck was actually going on here. When she didn’t take Janice hand, Janice held her hand and shook it with a smile. “I hope we get along well, Amy.” Amber’s eyes darted to Cole and she mouthed, “Follow me. We need to talk.” With that said, she stood to her feet and began walking out, while Cole followed her. While leaving, she took out her phone and texted Melissa, asking her to not come anymore. And when Melissa demanded an explanation, Amber told her she would explain in school. When they were outside, Amber swiftly turned t