065.As they walked out of the classroom, Jack signaled Melissa to use that as an opportunity to apologize to Amber, but Melissa was scared.Jack sighed and shook his head. “Amy, how about we grab lunch at the cafeteria?” he asked.Amber stopped in her tracks, her gaze resting on Melissa before averting it to Jack. “Um…” she trailed, rubbing the back of her head. “I have some files to compile and submit to Professor Smith. You guys eat without me.” she turned to leave, but Jack held her hand.He knew she was looking for an escape, but he wasn’t going to let her. “It’s just for a few minutes,” he began dragging her towards the cafeteria. “The files can wait. Your stomach comes first.” Amber sighed in resignation and quietly followed him while Melissa trailed behind them. They got to the cafeteria and each were given their orders.They took their trays and moved towards one of the empty tables at the far end. Amber seemed to be uncomfortable, her gaze focused on her food, while Melissa
066. “Your boyfriend’s house?” Amber scoffed. “Just so you know, I live here too. Why do you keep coming here like you have no home?” Candice’s eyes twitched, her face contorting into a frown as she stood to her feet to face Amber. “Says someone who he helped with a home,” she said, venom dripping from her words. “What?” Amber couldn’t believe what just came out of Candice’s mouth. “Do you think I’m some homeless person? Axel brought me here himself. Decorated and furnished my room for me all by himself. I don’t think I can say the same for someone like you. After all, you’re the one dating him and not the other way round.” Candice snorted, her expression turning into a sneer. “Oh, really? And who says I haven't decorated his room either?” she retorted. “Just because you live in this house doesn't mean you know everything that happens here. For all you know, he could be waiting for the right time to ask me to move in with him.” Amber rolled her eyes. “Keep dreaming,” she scoffed
067.“What was that about?” Melissa asked as they walked into Amber’s room.Amber placed Melissa’s bag on the shelf before plopping on the bed with a sigh. “Just Candice being her normal self,” she snorted, her expression hardening. “That darn lady doesn’t know when to beat it.”Melissa lied down as well, facing the ceiling. “I had no idea she and Axel were stood together. I thought he would break up with her again after his father gets your project done.”Amber rolled onto her side and placed her jaw in her palms, her elbow resting on the bed. “It’s not that easy, Mel. I mean… I don’t know.” she groaned.Melissa tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. “What are you two going to do then? If he is together with Candice, and you two are still—”“Mel!” Amber called warningly.“I’m serious, Amy,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “That means he is cheating on Candice with you. Isn’t that cruel? Even for her?”Amber let out a heavy sigh, staring at Melissa with an unreadable expr
068.With a sly smirk, Amber pushed Axel gently against the shower wall, pressing her lips against his, the water from the shower cascading over their bodies, their tongues tangling together in a passionate kiss.Axel’s hands found Amber’s waist, his fingers digging into her soft skin as he gave in to her touch. “Amber,” he groaned against her mouth. “We can’t.”“I know,” Amber whispered between kisses, her breath hot against his skin. “But I’ve been craving you all day. And it’s not fair for Candice to have you all to herself.”Axel let out a low moan as Amber’s hands trailed lower, her fingers running along the length of his manhood, the tension between them palpable. “Amber…” he whispered, his resistance crumbling.“Shhh,” she shushed him, pressing a finger to his lips.Amber’s fingers teased Axel’s length, stroking him slowly and gently, the steamy water from the shower only heightening their desire. Axel’s eyes closed in pleasure, his head falling back against the wall as she kis
069.“I can’t believe you ditched me at dinner to go spend time with Axel!” Melissa snapped at Amber after they had finished eating dinner and both girls were now in Amber’s room.Amber blushed, her ears turning pink. “I couldn’t resist it, Mel.”Melissa just shook her head and brought out her bag. “Since we are having a sleepover, I’ve got a list of girl games for us to play.”“Oh really?” Amber asked, her attention caught by the mention of games. She was willing to do anything to divert Melissa’s attention from Axel. “What kind of games did you bring?”Melissa gave Amber a mischievous smile, digging through her bag. “I have ‘Would you rather?’, ‘Truth or dare?’, and a few rounds of ‘Never have I ever’.” She pulled out a deck of cards and a bottle. “Let’s get started!”“Sounds like fun!” Amber said, clapping her hands together. “Let’s start with ‘Would you rather?’.”Melissa dealt out two cards and flipped them over, revealing two pictures: a pile of gold coins and a pile of diamonds
070.Amber couldn’t resist this tempting offer as Axel’s hand began to explore her body, his lips tracing down her neck. Her mind raced, her heart thumped wildly in her chest, and yet she knew she wouldn’t stop him. With a low, shaky moan, she whispered, “Show me.”Axel grinned, a dangerous gleam in his eye. He took her hand and guided her to the couch. Once there, he pulled her onto his lap, his lips finding hers again. His hands moved swiftly, lifting Amber’s nightgown up above her head and leaving her naked before him. He took a moment to admire her perfect, curvy body before pulling her onto him, so she straddled his lap. His fingers skimmed across her thigh, pushing aside her lacy panties and caressing her most intimate area.“Are you ready for the missionary?” he asked, his voice husky and charged with desire.Amber’s breath hitched in her throat as she nodded. “Yes,” she breathed.Axel lowered her onto the couch, his lips never leaving hers. His body moved over hers, his hands
071.KING GLOBAL“I want to break up with Axel, sir,” this was the first thing Candice said as she barged into Kevin’s office. Kevin looked up from what he was doing, his brows furrowing slightly at the rude interruption, but was replaced with a smile the minute he set his eyes on Candice. “What’s the matter, dear?” he asked in soft and calm voice.Candice’s frown deepened. “I want to break up with Axel,” she announced. “I know I don’t need your permission to break up with him, but I thought you should know. This business deal is off. I want nothing to do with you or your son anymore.”Kevin was taken aback by her rude remark. With a sigh, he gestured for her to take a seat first. “Please, sit down. We can talk about this.”Candice shook her head, her eyes turning misty with tears. “There is nothing to talk about, Mr. King,” she rasped, her voice shaking with emotion. “I’m tired of this emotional rollercoaster your stupid son put me on. It’s obvious to me now that I can never have hi
072.“Are you trying to tell me you want to spend the rest of your life with a commoner?” Kevin snapped, rising to his feet.Axel wore a deadpan expression as he stood to his feet too, facing his father. “Amber isn’t a commoner, Mr. King,” he answered, his tone laced with defiance. “She is someone I’ve loved for God knows how damn long, and yes, I want to spend the rest of my life with her. You shouldn’t have a say in whom I get to love or not. After all, you aren’t my father anymore.”Kevin gasped, his eyes widening. “How dare you say that?” he thundered. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve sacrificed—”“Here we go again,” Axel rolled his eyes. “You keep saying you sacrificed this and that, but where are they? Why are you forcing your values and beliefs on me like I’m some kind of clueless kid? I’m an adult, and I have control over my life. I choose who I want to love and spend the rest of my life with. And that’s Amber! I’m tired of having to hide because of what people think. I lov
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