Chapter 8

SERENA’S POV

“Hello to you too, princess Beckett” the words easily rolled off from his lips, every syllable sultrier than the last as he stood. Arms crossed on his chest, a familiar lazy smirk playing on his lips too.

I could literally feel the confidence roll off him in waves, his little wink at the end not making me any less stunned than I already was. To see him. To look at him right here and now of all times!

“Oh my God,” I breathed, “Oh my-Axel. Axel Beckett what are you doing here?” He simply chuckled at my surprise. The familiar tone, bringing back memories of the last time I heard him laugh like that. It was unbelievable.

Last time I saw him was at the wedding. Him arguing with his mom and storming out even before everyone took family pictures. I had figured it was some sort of family issue, but next thing I heard was that he left the city. And that was that.

He didn’t even wish me a happy married life, not like that would have helped given the current situation of things. But then…

“Are you going to give me a hug or what?” his voice sounded out, “Just standing there like a stone…”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at his comment. The present reality of things setting back on me. “Do you really deserve a hug? Ask yourself that” I responded, casually crossing my arms on my chest.

A silent protest he was getting no hugs from me.

Okay let me explain. Axel, is Eliot’s cousin. His first cousin and literally the next male of the Beckett’s family right after Eliot. They were even within the same age bracket. But despite bearing the same family name, these two were polar opposites.

While Eliot was dark and broody, typical king of darkness stereotype. Axel was the exact opposite. With bright blonde hair, blue eyes, strong physique, a killer smile fit for models and just literally radiating brightness!

He was a total ball of sunshine compared to Eliot!

Just warm, striking, and devastatingly handsome in a way that felt unfair. You just can’t help but stare at him. And today, like every other time I've crossed paths with him, I found myself frowning.

“Oh c’mon Princess B, don’t give me that look.” he droned out, “I was only trying to greet you!”

Yeah right.

By breathing down my neck that is!

“You sure do have a weird way of ‘greeting’, Axel,” I retorted, rolling my eyes as he beamed brightly. As though proud of evoking such a response from me.

“I do,” he confirmed, “In fact, I’m especially good at ‘greetings’”

“Yeah, cause clearly you haven’t changed!”

“Well, neither have you!” he retorted, smirking. “You’re still the same dutiful wife. Princess Beckett herself”

My nose scrunched up at his taunting, my teeth doing the same old grinding that he always managed to evoke from me.

But somehow it seemed today's version would be getting the trophy, cause what is that look on his face now?

With eyebrows all furrowed, I watched slowly as those taunting lips of his spread to an even bigger smirk. A particularly brown notepad coming into view from behind him and... clutched in his hands too!

A notepad that awfully resembled the one I was-

“Figuring out what I want to do,” he read out, instantly confirming my thoughts as I stood, totally horrified.

“You know,” he continued, “I’m well aware you must be brimming with talents, Princess B … but cooking? Seriously? You want to spend the rest of life doing that? defining your entire life by that?! Why, cooking endlessly for Eliot have you all messed up now? Want to take it all to the next level? Hahaha!”

My lips nearly dropped to the floors in pure outrage at his words. But that only seemed to stimulate him even more!

A wicked grin appearing on his lips, chuckles filling the air as I dove for him. "You twat!"

Missing him just at the last minute cause he moved away from my grasp.

“Woah! What a dive you have there” he teased, obviously enjoying this.

“Give. It. Back.” I warned slowly, my eyes glaring as I pinned on him. “Give it back, Axel. That’s mine, it’s my private property. Give it back”

“No,” he said simply instead, ruffling me up as I dove for him again.

“Axe-you! Give it back!” I cried out, chasing after him like we were little kids again. My every attempt, unlucky at each turn.

And this went on for 2 whole minutes. By then, my heart was pounding hard in my chest, my black waves everywhere as it was now free from the bun.

I even felt breathless at some point, the rush of air around telling on me. Giving that free look as I found myself slightly smiling from how ridiculous we were being right now. How ridiculous I was being.

And with that, I let him be.

Going back to take my seat. “Huh? Giving up so fast?” he called out, “Since when did you become so lazy, Princess B?!”

I scoffed, looking in his direction. Not missing just how good he looked smiling at me, “Do you know how old you are?” I called out, “You can act like a child if you want, but I’m not entertaining you. And it’s sister-in-law to you. Quite calling me ‘princess B’ all over the place!”

“Oh c’mon! Where did fun Serena go to?” he called out in a huff, matching back just like I thought.

“Get off,” I ordered as he reached me. “Go get your own table, you’re not invited to mine”

He only chuckled, “Oh? Someone’s being bossy. Princess Beckett is actually acting like the Beckett’s now! Look what marriage does to you…”

I just rolled my eyes at his taunts, letting him sit. Not like he would actually listen to me anyways. Wild, reckless and daring-that was how he is. Always has been and will clearly continue to be so.

His mom surely had enough on her plate with him.

“What are you doing all the way out here anyway?” he asked, coolly changing the topic after my lack of response. “For a list so ridiculous, I’m sure there are more than enough spots in that mansion of yours. Why come out so far to write it?”

“I’m not seeing how me coming out here to enjoy the peace of the atmosphere, has anything to do with you, Axel. Stop being so nosy”

“Hello? Your business is my business. We’re family, remember? Or is that block of ice not treating you nice?”

Block of ice… ha!

He still hadn’t changed. Still referred to Eliot by that name. If Eliot were here, his eyes would dim with annoyance right now.

“Thinking of him again, aren’t you?” I blinked, catching Axel roll his eyes at me just before a mug of coffee was brought over for him.

“Why are you here, Axel?” I asked instead, “I should be the one asking questions here, when did you even return to the country? I thought you said this city wasn’t for you”

“Well, you know…” he started, raising his coffee mug. “I’m here for business… And you,” he winked, sipping his coffee just then.

Earning yet another eye roll from me. “Yeah right. You disappear on me, on my wedding day too and suddenly after 4 years, boom! You’re back. And it’s for me as well, amazing! Who the hell writes these pickup lines for you?”

He choked on his drink, a chuckle filling the air right after as he hurriedly cleaned up his spills. “You haven’t changed, Serena. I like that” he beamed,

But even before I could respond to that, my phone vibrated on the table. A call coming in, and with it, my crashing reality.

“Rena! Pink or red, choose one” the voice sounded out. A voice I knew all too well belonged to my mother.

“Mom,” I started, “What do you mean-

“Pink or red, choose one! I’m trying to get you a crotchless panty here” her voice boomed through my phone speakers. Leaving me totally flabbergasted, with no where to hide my face as Axel struggled to contain his laughter.

“Oh God…” I moaned silently, moving to stand up and get some privacy. “Mom, why are you getting me panties? I already more than enough panties! If I needed more, I will get them myself”

“Just choose!” she groaned out, leaving me no choice.

“Red,” I responded in defeat, glancing back to see Axel. Although still seated, his features displayed every bit of information that I needed to know just what he thought about my situation.

“So embarrassing,” I muttered, returning my attention back to what my mom continued yapping about. And thank the heavens I did, cause next thing I heard was-

“So, I’m done over here. And I’m heading over to your place to drop off some real good stuff I got for you! You’re home, right? Get your chef to prepare those cookies that I love; I will be there soon!”

Huh?

She will be where soon?

There? As in there? Like my house kind of there?!

“I think the baby likes here too! Which is why I decided to move in here, preferably in Eli’s room too. Didn’t realize you also stay here, Serena.” The voice belonging to Eliot’s mistress suddenly replayed in my ears.

A look that could only be described as one of horror, totally engulfing my features as my brain decoded it all.

Eliot served me divorce papers nearly four days ago. Of which I refused to sign. And no one other than myself and the maids back home currently knew about this.

Then his mistress, his pregnant mistress moved in and is currently staying at the house. My house. I and Eliot’s place!

The very same building that my mom just said she was currently heading to!

So, if my mom should head over now and she sees that… that- “Oh my God!” I blurted out, “Oh my-

“Serena? What’s wrong with you?” my mom’s voice sounded through the phone. She was still on the line,

“Mom!” I cried out, not caring just how loud I sounded at this point. Or if Axel was listening. “Mom, do not go to the house. Do not go over to my place”

“Why not? I’m already heading over”

“I said don’t!” I yelled out, “Don’t go over there. Don’t leave the mall! I’m not even home! I will come meet you instead.”

And as I spoke, I turned around. Rushing back to my table. Noting Axel’s now concerned look. “Is everything okay? Did something happen, Rena?”

“No, no. Everything’s fine. I just need to go” I responded, finally taking my notepad from his side of the table.

“Need me to drop you off?” he urged, rising up too.

“Don’t worry about it, I drove here” I declined, “Your sister-in-law knows how to drive now, you know”

He smirked at my tease, “O-kayyy”

I just managed a laughter before hurrying off and asking my mom for the mall she was at. Praying to the heavens to ensure she listened to me. And for today not to be one of the days where she insisted on doing things her way.

Last thing I needed right now was my father breathing down my neck with words I already knew he would say when he hears about the divorce.