I SEDUCED UNCLE AXEL

Chapter 1

Akira's POV

"Hey, Akira!" my friend Jane shouted, dropping her bag onto the table with a thud.

"What?" I replied listlessly, rolling my eyes at her.

"Pay attention to your suitor, Clark!" she said, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

I looked at Clark, who was currently waiting outside our classroom. He was still wearing his neatly pressed uniform and carrying his favorite black tumbler. Honestly, I had no complaints about him. He was handsome, tall, and intelligent. He was the kind of guy most girls would easily fall for—but I just couldn't reciprocate those feelings.

"I never told him to court me, Jane," I replied, avoiding her gaze.

"But it's obvious he likes you. Seriously, girl! If I were you, I would've said yes a long time ago!" she joked, laughing.

I forced a smile. It wasn't that I was being snobby, but there was a reason why I couldn't open my heart to Clark—because it had long been occupied by someone else.

I quickly patted Jane's shoulder. "Let's go, we might be late for class."

As we walked, I couldn't help but think. How could I explain to them that my heart belonged to someone I couldn't possibly love? A man who had no idea that he was the only one I loved.

My godfather, Axel.

And even though I had tried countless times to erase this feeling, it only deepened.

"Akira, are you serious? You've been avoiding Clark all the time," Jane whispered loudly, sighing.

"I don't know, Jane. I just don't feel anything for him," I replied, trying to avoid her eyes that had been fixed on me for a while now.

"Aren't you even going to give him a chance? Not everyone is as perfect as your godfather, Axel," she quipped, rolling her eyes, clearly teasing me.

I stopped at her words. Godfather Axel. Even just mentioning his name sent a thrill through my chest.

"What are you talking about, Jane? There's nothing like that," I denied, feeling my face flush.

"Nothing, huh? Then why are you always stalking Godfather Axel on social media? And admit it, you don't miss any of his pictures in a black suit. Tsk, tsk."

"Hey! I don't do that!" I touched my cheek, feeling like I was getting even redder.

"Akira, you can't fool me. Godfather Axel is forty, right? But it feels like you have a bigger crush on him than on Clark?"

"Jane!" Other students started looking at us because of her loud voice.

"I'm just saying. Maybe you have a hidden desire for daddy vibes!" she whispered, but there was a clear glint of amusement in her eyes.

"You really want me to punch you, don't you?" I whispered back.

Jane just smiled. "Just know that I'm here to be supportive of you. Even if—"

Suddenly, a familiar voice appeared behind us.

"Akira."

The world seemed to stop when I heard that. I slowly turned around, and there he was—Clark, smiling and holding a small paper bag.

"Can I talk to you?"

I felt Jane tap my shoulder. "Good luck," she whispered before turning around and leaving me alone.

I swallowed. I didn't know what to say. Behind Clark's gaze, there was hope. But despite everything, one thing was clear to me—he wasn't the person I wanted to talk to right now.

Because, despite everything, all I could think about was Godfather Axel.

"Oh, Akira. There's a big age gap between you two, you know?" Jane said, rolling her eyes, clearly annoyed.

I just sighed. I knew that. I kept telling myself that.

"I know, Jane. You don't have to remind me," I replied, but her nagging continued.

"Then why are you still holding on to hope? Godfather Axel is forty! I mean, even though he looks like he's in his early thirties and looks like a model for luxury suits, it doesn't change the fact that he's your godfather!"

"Jane!" I gasped, laughing but feeling awkward. "I'm not saying I'm holding on to hope, okay? Besides—"

"Don't be in denial! If you don't have a crush on him, why do you get lost in thought whenever his name is mentioned? And why are you always the first to volunteer to get drinks for him during family gatherings?"

I stepped back. "Hey! That's not true!"

"Oh, it's not? What about the last Christmas party? Who was the one who made the effort to bake brownies because they were Godfather Axel's favorite?"

"It wasn't me. I just happened to bring brownies!"

"Accident, Akira? Seriously?" She shook her head, clearly holding back laughter. "Girl, the only 'accident' here is how you fell for your godfather."

I couldn't help but cover my face. Jane was brutal. Why did she love bringing this up?

"Jane, enough. I have no hope for Godfather Axel. Besides, some things are better left as secrets."

"Maybe." She grinned, but before I could say anything else, the bell rang, signaling the start of our last class.

"But," she whispered as we walked towards the classroom, "you know that sometimes, secret feelings, no matter how much you try to hide them, come out? So, good luck, bes."

She continued walking, leaving me standing in the doorway. I looked into the distance, and in a flash, Godfather Axel's image came back to my mind. His playful smile, the intensity in his eyes—and the memories of nights I couldn't forget.

Was this just a mystery I felt for him? Or was it a secret love that, no matter how much I denied it, continued to deepen?

As the final bell of the day rang, our last class began. Jane and I were both taking Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED).

"Akira, focus," Jane whispered as we sat in the back of the classroom. "We'll deal with your Godfather Axel thoughts later."