017.Amber stood rooted on the spot, her shocked gaze fixed on Candice, who had a mischievous smile on her face. Amber knew she wouldn’t get picked — not when Candice was the team captain.She had two options — she could chicken out and act like this ever happened, or she could face it head on and just do her routine, giving no fuck about Candice.Amber smirked. She wasn’t one to back down and cower in fear. Option one was not her style. Option two was better.“Come on, Amber, show us what you got!” Candice exclaimed, her voice laced with mockery. Amber was certain Candice doubted her, and it only made her determination to prove herself stronger. They saw her as a nerd who knew nothing besides reading books and getting straight As but what they do not know was that, she wasn’t just an ordinary nerd — she was Amber Smith, a computer guru’s younger sister and friend to the hottest guy in school. There were tons of things she could do aside books and one of them was showing people they
018. “You heard what she said, Axel, didn’t you?” Candice snapped, her expression hardening. “And you’re just going to stand here and act like you heard nothing?” Axel sighed and ruffled his hair. “What exactly is your problem, Candice?” he asked. This was tiring him out. He was happy Amber handled it perfectly, but Candice was work; one he didn’t want to attend to. “My problem?” she scoffed. “My problem is that your relationship with Amber is beyond friendship. The signs are there. Everything adds up and there is nothing anyone’s gonna tell me to make me change my mind!” Axel raised an eyebrow. "That's ridiculous, Candice. Amber's my best friend." Candice's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't lie to me, Axel. I see the way you look at her." Axel's expression turned cold. "You're being paranoid." Candice's voice trembled. "I'm your girlfriend, Axel. I deserve better than to be disrespected like this." Axel's eyes narrowed. "You're not being disrespected, Candice. You're ju
019. Amber stared at Candice, her eyes filled with so much rage. Candice stared back, laughing at the kind of mess she had made. Melissa held Amber's sticky hands. "Come, let's get out of here. They are taking pictures and making videos." she shook Amber's hand gently, but Amber's angry face remained fixed on Candice. She gently pulled her hand away from Melissa's grip, wiped her mouth clean and began walking towards Candice, who raised an eyebrow at her. She stopped in front of Candice, her eyes holding anger and resentment. "Why did you do it?" she asked, her voice deadly calm. Candice smiled and shrugged. "Do what?" Amber wanted to snap but she controlled herself. "Don't act like you have no idea what I'm talking about," she retorted. "Why did you dump cheese sauce all over me?" she asked, this time her voice was firm. Candice rolled her eyes. "Why are you acting like it's such a big deal? This is what we do to everyone who got into the cheerleading squad," she looked at
020. "Axel," Candice beamed as she made to run into his arms as soon as she caught sight of him walking towards her. "Don't you dare come close to me or you will regret it!" he snapped, his voice laced with anger. Candice was confused as she stared at him, giving him an innocent and clueless expression. "Axel, what-" "Why did you do that to Amber?" he asked, his expression hardening. He had gone online to get some things done only for the video of Amber getting drenched with cheese sauce and her confrontation with Candice popping up continuously on his feed. He hated the fact that many of the students saw nothing wrong with what happened and even made fun of Amber. He was getting sick and tired of Candice's shenanigans. The lady was becoming a huge thorn in his flesh, and he was fed up. Candice feigned innocence. "I did nothing wrong to her. I only upheld our tradition and she took it to heart." "Tradition?" Axel scoffed. "What do you take me for, Candice? A fool you ca
021. “What! Mrs. Yeesha made me the new captain? That’s impossible!” Amber snapped, her eyes widening. Hazel sighed. “It’s true. I heard Candice telling one of the girls to pass the information. She has been suspended for two weeks—” “Serves her right,” Melissa interrupted, a smile on her face. “We wouldn’t be seeing her for a while. It’s actually a good thing if you ask me.” Amber sighed and facepalmed. “I know she did the wrong thing, but her getting expelled is just too much,” she started walking out of the classroom. “Where are you going?” Melissa asked, rushing after her with Hazel trailing behind them. “I’m going to meet Mrs. Yeesha. I can’t become the cheerleading captain. I would have to talk all the time, get different complaints I wouldn’t want to hear, and besides, I know nothing about leading a cheerleading squad.” Amber replied without looking back. The girls sighed and followed her into the Vice Chancellor’s office. Melissa and Hazel waited outside while s
022. “C’mon, Cole, you have to help me tell him. Axel would say no if I told him.” Amber ran after Cole, who was heading out of the house. When they got to the door, she blocked his path. “Little brat, Axel listens to you more, and I’m sure he wouldn’t hesitate if you ask him yourself.” Amber shook her head. “I’m embarrassed. Axel sees me as the smartest girl he has ever know. Asking him would sound like I’m lying and he wouldn’t believe me. I’m really behind in Math. You know it’s not my favorite subject.” Cole rolled his eyes. “But you were the overall best student in Math back in high school.” “That was high school. This is College,” she held his hand and shook him. “Please, please, please ask Axel to be my tutor for the semester. I promise not to bother you if you can just do this one thing for me.” Cole sighed. “Promise?” Amber nodded. “Cool then. I’ll tell him when I get back.” He wanted to walk past her but she spread out her arms. “No, tell him now.” “Amber
023. Their lips collided in a passionate crash, sending shivers down her spine. Axel's kiss was intense, all-consuming, and utterly intoxicating. His tongue teased hers, igniting a fire that spread through her veins like wildfire. As he deepened the kiss, Amber's thoughts dissolved into chaos. Her heart pounded, her senses reeled, and her body melted into his. She was lost in the storm of sensations, unable to escape the torrent of desire he unleashed. Axel's grip on her wrists tightened, his fingers intertwining with hers as he explored the depths of her mouth. The world around them dissolved, leaving only the thrum of their racing hearts and the sweet, sweet torture of their kiss. As Axel's lips ravished hers, Amber's knees weakened, her body swaying into his. His hold on her wrists anchored her, keeping her upright. Axel's kiss intensified, his tongue dancing with hers in perfect harmony. Amber's senses blurred, her mind foggy with desire. Suddenly, Axel broke away, gasp
024. “Where are you going dressed like that?” Axel asked the minute Amber stepped into the living room, dressed in the black mini dress Tyler had picked out for her. After what happened between them, they hadn’t spoken to each other even after Amber returned from the shopping mall. She refused to eat lunch, claiming Tyler had already treated her to lunch. Axel knew she was trying to avoid him and he was trying to patch things up with her but she wouldn’t give him the chance to. Amber hung her handbag on her shoulder. “I’m going for Bryan’s birthday party.” Axel’s eyes narrowed. He scanned the dress from the top to the bottom. The gown didn’t do any justice to hiding her curves. If anything, it only brought out the beauty of her body, and Axel hated the fact that it would leave other guys staring at her especially that Tyler guy, whom he suspected to be interested in Amber. “It’s a birthday party, Amber, not a club.” he replied and Amber rolled her eyes. “What difference d
125 ~ Final Chapter ~ Epilogue Wedding Day… “Don’t cry, baby. You’re gonna ruin your makeup.” Loris said, her own tears falling. Amber nodded. “Mum, you asked me not to cry but you’re doing the exact same thing.” she sniffled, trying to hold back her tears. Loris wiped her face with the back of her palm. “It’s just that I can still remember forcing you to go to College that fateful day, and you didn’t want to because you didn’t want to stay with Cole. But you had no idea Axel was there. You two started young, and you’ve been through a lot together. I’m so proud of you for being so strong and resilient.” Amber smiled, squeezing her mother’s hand gently. “I wouldn’t have gotten through it all without Axel, Cole, my friends, and you, Mom. And now, here I am, about to marry the love of my life. It’s a dream come true.” “And I’m honored to be here,” Loris replied, her voice soft and loving. “Now, I don’t want to be responsible for making you late on your wedding day, so let’s g
124 ~ Penultimate ChapterA Day Later…Axel’s eyes fluttered open and the first set of eyes he met were those cat eyes he fell in love with. As he stared into those eyes, everything came rushing back to him and a small smile played on his lips.“Cat eyes,” he called weakly and she hugged him, but was careful not to hurt him.“Oh, Axel! I’m so happy you’re awake!” she burst into tears, a flood of relief washing over her. When she saw him get stabbed, it was almost like her world had come to a halt. She’d panicked and gotten angry that she had to inflict the same pain on Jack without even thinking twice.Axel winced slightly as Amber tightened her embrace, but he smiled. “I’m sorry I worried you,” he whispered. “But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”Amber pulled back, her eyes bright with tears. “How are you feeling?” she asked, smoothing his hair back with a gentle hand.“Better, now theat you’re here,” Axel replied, a weak but genuine smile on his face. “Are you okay?”Amber snif
123.A.A Entertainment…That same night, Larissa had fallen asleep in the employee’s lounge while resting. Her eyes suddenly snapped open, and she checked her wristwatch to see that it was already late into the night. She tried to call Axel, but his number was not going through. She couldn’t get Maverick either.Her eyes darted to the glass of juice she had taken. Something didn’t feel right. She wasn’t one to sleep this long and in the company for that matter. She stood up and quickly rushed to Maverick’s office, but he had just woken up too.“This can’t be a coincidence. How did we fall asleep at the same time?” Larissa asked.Maverick was about to answer when they heard a sound coming from Axel’s office. They both exchanged worried looks. “Quick, call the nearby police station. I’m sure it’s either a thief or someone I’ve been suspecting for days now.”Maverick nodded and went to make a call while Larissa snuck into the office. There she was, standing with her phone placed on her e
122.Amber stumbled backwards, feeling like a knife had been pierced through her chest. In that moment, the words of Friedrich Nietzsche which says “Betrayal hurts more when it comes from someone we trust. And the pain is reminder that our trust was misplaced and our love was blind.”She couldn’t believe the one person she had trusted with her life during her time of pain was the same person that caused her the pain to begin with?Ironically, it was like a twisted game of chess where she had been nothing more than a pawn, manipulated by a mastermind who had disguised himself as a friend and confidant. It was a cruel irony that only added to the bitter sting of betrayal.Amber swallowed hard, the ache in her heart intensifying. “How could you?” she asked, her voice shaky. “I trusted you. Melissa trusted you. Cole, my parents, we all did.”Jack didn’t have an ounce of remorse on his face. “I did what I had to do to get you, Amber,” he replied. “When I confessed my feelings in college an
121.Amber exchanged worried glances with Cole and the rest. “It can’t be, right?” she whispered, her chest tightening. “Jack can’t be Don. It’s not possible. He would never hurt anyone.”“Amber is right. Are you sure you checked the address correctly? Maybe there was a glitch or something?” Melissa asked. She might be mad at Jack for everything he had done, but she knew him too well. He would never hurt anyone. He wouldn’t stoop this low.Cole looked uncertain, but he was sure this can’t be a mix-up. He was a computer expert, and there was no effing way he would have gotten the wrong address. “As much as this might sound shocking, it might actually be true. Think about it, Jack is the only rival Axel has now. He used to date Amber before Axel returned. And according to what I’ve heard him say, he’s loved Amber since College.”Axel nodded. “Cole is right.”Amber shook her head. “No, this can’t be right,” she began pacing, her heart pounding in her chest. “I know Jack might be temperam
120.Axel felt like a thunderclap had just sounded in his head the minute he saw the message. Cole leaned close to Axel so he could take a look.“Whoa!” Cole exclaimed. “He caught the bait. But what the heck is Amber doing outside?”Axel sighed. “I can’t break up with Amber, Cole. She would be devastated,” he massaged his temple as he thought of a plan. “Devastated,” he repeated. “That’s it!” Cole arched an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” he gasped. “Don’t tell me you’re going to really break up with her? Axel, Amber might faint, and I will beat you up! It’s not a threat, it’s a promise.” Cole warned.“Relax and hear me out,” Axel said and Cole took a deep breath to calm himself down. “I am going to break up with her, but it’s not going to be a real breakup. We have to find a way to let in on the plan.”Cole seemed to get it and nodded. “Don’t worry. I know how to do that,” he said and Axel raised an eyebrow.“How? We can’t inform her through calls or texts. Our phones might be connecte
119.“Uh… I was…”Larissa folded her arms, her expression stern. “What are you doing in Axel’s office and why are his files scattered on the desk?” she asked, her eyes running over the mess Candice had made.Candice knew she needed to find a way out of this mess. “Uh… it’s not something serious. I just,”“You just what?” Larissa asked, her voice getting hard. Last time she checked, employees weren’t allowed in Axel’s office, especially when he wasn’t in. Coupled with that, Axel didn’t even like Candice to begin with, so there was no way he would ask her to get anything from his office for him, not when she and Maverick were around.“I was looking for the file I submitted to Mr. Axel,” she began, her heart beating frantically in her chest. “I mean, my resume and stuff. I don’t know where I kept the original anymore, and I need to check something urgently, that’s why I came here to find it.”Larissa scoffed. If Candice thought she was going to believe any of those lies, the lady was cle
118. The reporter’s voice echoed through the television in a serious, breaking news tone, “This just in: The only son of the world-renowned billionaire, Kevin King, has taken to social media to announce that his wedding to renowned journalist Amber Smith is soon, with the date being kept a secret.” The news spread like wildfire. Within minutes, the entire nation was buzzing with excitement, speculating about the date and location of the wedding. But underneath the glamour and excitement, a darker force lurked in the shadows. As the days passed, Amber and Axel played their part, lavishing each other with affection in the public eye. Every post, every picture, every tweet seemed to fuel the media frenzy and the anger of the dangerous underdog. Meanwhile, Cole and Axel worked tirelessly to track the mysterious Don. But despite their best efforts, they kept coming up short. The spyware was immune to every hack they tried, and the location remained hidden. It was as if Don were a ghost,
117.After the dinner, Amber, Larissa and Melissa stayed back to help Loris clean. Kevin talked over wine with Mr. Smith while Axel felt like his world had been tilted. Cole walked to him and held his hand, leading him upstairs to his room.Maverick, who had also noticed the distressful look on Axel's face had to follow them as well. They got to Cole's room and he locked the door then turned to face Axel.“Spill it. What happened back at the dinner? Your phone beeped, you checked it and all of a sudden, your mood changed. You haven't been yourself since then,” he said and Axel let out a sigh. “You might not married to Amber yet, but you and I have been friends long enough to be called family, and I won't appreciate it if you decide to hide this from me.”“I don't intend to hide this from you, Cole,” Axel said, his tone low. “I'm just worried. I might not be as scared as I was years ago, but I'm worried. Don is back.”“What!” Maverick and Cole exclaimed at the same time.“How is that p