Chapter 102 Memories I can't shake
Axel's POV
I'd finally gotten away from Lisa but I didn't get the breath of fresh air I thought It'd bring me, and that left me feeling somewhat disappointed. I was always on edge around her and my emotions had a mind of their own, but still, her presence was enough to give me some form of comfort even though I wouldn't admit it with a knife to my neck.
Just before the drive home, I'd gone to the safe house with Prince to confirm that the shipment had been returned and everything was intact. Even though everyone was convinced that it was intact, I needed to confirm for myself else I'd keep suspecting that Volkov had played a trick on us.
At least the knowledge that we'd successfully retrieved the shipment gave me a sense of fulfillment, everything I'd battled through while keeping Lisa hostage wasn't futile after all. I knew that all of the emotions that threatened my sanity didn't do so without accomplishing the mission I'd initially set out to achieve, that fact calmed my raging nerves considerably.
As soon as I arrived home, I was met with hearty smiles and nods from the guards at the gate up until I reached the guards that guarded the main door to the house. I didn't feel as proud of myself for getting the shipment back as they did, but their pure show of joy gave me an ego boost.
I loved being a leader, but I loved it even more when I was a leader that got shit done right and their show of approval did something to massage the shame I'd felt when I was bested by Lisa earlier. I returned their smiles and waved at them happily just before I stepped into the main building with Prince.
My father hardly ever waited on me when I was returning from a mission, but this time he'd waited in the living room. As soon as the door was shut behind me, he turned around and locked eyes with me just before he rose from his feet impatiently.
"Odd mission, odd happenings" Prince muttered under his breath to me as he saw my father walk towards me, which confirmed that it was truly an odd thing for my father to do.
"I'll come to you, Dad," I said as I watched him take longer strides to cross the wide expanse of our living room faster so he could get to me.
"Nonsense, I'll come to you my son" A huge smile spread across his face as he finally reached me.
Before I could protest any further, he pulled me into a quick hug, "I'm so proud of you, my son. You've done a great job, truly" he withdrew from the hug.
I was further taken aback by his show of affection that I froze while he hugged me, I barely had enough time to gather my thoughts and return the hug before he tapped my back gently and withdrew from the hug. What was so amazing about collecting a shipment I lost?? I wondered.
"I lost the shipment dad, it was my responsibility to get it back" I replied as we walked further into the living room to take our seats.
"True, but it's very rare for one to recover stolen goods without it breaking out into a bloody turf war. We were prepared to go to war if things went south, but you kept everything under wraps." He praised me further as we sat side by side.
"Hmm, I gave my word that I'd handle it and I did," I said calmly, just then Roman screeched the floor with his footwear irritably and I knew he was about to throw a useless tantrum borne from his jealousy.
"Keeping your word is what truly makes you my son, well done" My father tapped my shoulder proudly again, making my heart swell from the random shows of affection.
"However, you can finally seal the deal by marrying Lisa and we'd have a perfect turnout. What do you think, Axel?" He trained his eyes on me as though he was boring into my soul for a reply. Not this again, I thought in frustration.
"Axel isn't the answer to everything, I can figure out another way to seal the deal about the truce" Roman's whiny tone filled the room before I could respond.
"Roman, this isn't your business." My father shot him a glare and I was happy that I didn't have to put him in his place this time.
"But dad, I have pla-"
"Not a word from you, Roman." My father's tone rose and he nodded respectfully because he was at least smart enough to know that you didn't dare to disobey your father's orders.
"I told you why I couldn't marry Lisa, nothing has changed" I heard Roman murmur something under his voice as I replied but I couldn't be bothered to pay him the attention he was fishing for. "We all know just how much you love Lisa, it wouldn't hurt to marry someone you're so might in love with, would it?" Prince asked, supporting my father's agenda.
"It would be when I don't trust her anymore," I said in a frustrated tone, how many times did I have to go over this shit before they'd let me be?
"Man, you'll be miserable without her, we both know it." Prince's statement was probably the only truth that had left his lips in this conversation, but I'd rather be buried alive than admit it.
"I'll get over her, it might take much longer than usual but I will." I tried to sound as confident as possible, but I had the feeling that no one bought my crap.
"Just give some more thought, okay?" My father said calmly and I sighed in defeat, there'd be no end to this at this point.
"It'll be the same answer but as you wish, father" I rose to leave because I'd only come to see my father as he requested my presence.
"Talk some sense into him, Prince" He shifted his focus from me to Prince, I hoped that meant he had given up or he was on the verge of doing so.
"We'll be leaving now," I announced after Prince nodded at what my father had asked of him.
Prince and I left in separate cars because while he was headed back to the office, I was headed home to get ready for my class. I'd lost track of how many classes I'd missed and I needed to make up for it in the coming weeks to keep my grades up.
The drive home was calm and I played some serenading music to distract me from everything that had gone south in my life. It felt good to finally have some time to myself after how chaotic the past few days had been, it was a refreshing feeling that I'd missed dearly.
As soon as I got home I realized that I'd run out of time and if I dragged my feet any longer, I'd miss my class. I washed up quickly and got a change of clothes before making sure that I'd packed my books and other supplies I'd need while on campus.
After I'd confirmed that, I waltzed to the fridge and grabbed some energy bars and a drink for sustenance. I really had a shitty routine when it came to meals, especially when my trainer hadn't put together a meal for me, I was truly hopeless and I'd eat the most random things just to stay afloat.
I'd gone through two energy bars before I got into my car and I felt a lot less hungry, but not quite full. Just before I fired up my car's engine, I emptied my energy drink and dropped the can in a little trash bag under my back seat.
In no time, I had gotten to the school premises and I found a good parking spot. I would've hated to go through the struggle of finding a good parking spot while I was almost late. And by almost late, I meant less than 30 minutes early for the class, I liked to be settled and seated before the lecturer came in, just like I did for official meetings.
As I stepped out of the car and began walking towards the lecture halls, I thought of how surreal it felt that I was still a student, it's like time slowed down painfully when it came to education-how fucked up was that?
But the one thing I couldn't deny being grateful for was the fact that I'd met Lisa in school at the beginning of the session. We'd met in a car race and she was the most strikingly beautiful person I'd ever set my eyes on to date, yet that experience also seemed so far away, like it'd been forever.
I'd made so many memories with her on and off campus and as much as she was farthest from my favorite person at the moment, those memories would always mean the world to me. I didn't want to fight off the emotions she made me feel anymore, maybe that way I'd get through them and get over her.
Or maybe I was lying to myself? Shit, it felt convincing still.
In no time I was in the lecture hall where my class was meant to hold, and of course, this was the one class that Lisa also attended. The universe was playing sick jokes with me nonstop because the thought of seeing her made my heart flutter in anticipation.
Before I could stop myself, I was looking around the hall like a lost puppy hoping to find its owner. I looked around stealthily for a while but it seemed like she was nowhere in sight and I'd almost given up when the red pin in her luscious hair caught my eyes from the farthest end of the hall.
I looked over at her beautiful face and I felt an unusual warmth rush over me, she looked so gorgeous as usual. Her skin had its usual glow and her hair was tucked underneath her hair to expose her lovely neckline which I loved caressing.
But before I could stare any further, I noticed that a guy was sitting next to her, and as much as I didn't want it to bother me that was suddenly all I could think of and my anger slowly flared up at the mere sight of them together.
And who the fuck was that godforsaken being beside her? I flared up as I noticed she was seated disturbingly close to some random guy I'd never seen. If I'd never seen him before why did I already fucking hate his guts then? I was truly irritated that he got to be around her, and freaking pissed that he was so close to her.
Did the bastard want to melt into her skin or something? Did he have no boundaries? Man, my anger was through the roof. I wished he would find elsewhere to sit, I'm sure he'd just seen her and approached her like a literal predator and now he was all over her.
As nice and naive as Lisa was despite her tough demeanor, she must've politely engaged in a conversation with him. Why wasn't she a typical mean girl that pushed men away? Then he wouldn't have his slimy body so near to hers.
The entire thing was driving me fucking crazy and I couldn't tear my eyes away from them as they talked. She even gave him small smiles that I would kill for at the moment, but at least he didn't get to see her beautiful bold smiles that usually had me under a spell, those were for me alone.
She was mine. Mine alone.
The moment those possessive thoughts crossed my mind, I felt like crossing over to where she was and pulling her away from him angrily. But as soon as I decided to rise to my feet and walk over to them, the lecturer walked in.
"Fucking great timing" I hissed under my breath and I muttered the words.
Most of the class was a blur for me, I couldn't be bothered to listen to anything the lecturer was saying because my mind was fixated on the fact that some irritating guy was seated so close to MY LISA.
I was too pissed to think straight and nothing else seemed to matter except that singular thought that had created an endless loop in my head and kept on infuriating me. The fact that he was bold enough to wrap an arm around her shoulder made it unbelievably hard for me to think straight.
Whatever the lecturer was saying felt like thoughtless rambling to me because I needed the class to be over as soon as possible. Out of frustration, I kept checking my wristwatch to make sure that the class had almost come to an end.
I was counting the seconds to the end of the class like a maniac, even if I couldn't get rid of the asshole beside her, I just didn't want to be in the same space as them, it drove me crazy. I didn't have a reasonable explanation for why I was so mad but that realization didn't calm my nerves or my anger.
Finally, the class came to an end and I began gathering my books and laptop to leave before I did something I'd regret later on. I'd already begun walking towards the door to leave when I heard the familiar ring of her laughter and froze in my steps.
The fuck?
I spun around in a swift motion and walked towards them with a determination that scared me, I saw them stare at me blankly but my anger didn't let me stop. When I finally reached them, I grabbed her by her arm and yanked her away from him while I shot him a few disgusted glares.
She's mine alone.