His brows furrowed with his gaze fixated on the book he was reading. One look at him and you could tell he was too engrossed in the book he was reading.
The noises running around have Axel releasing a groan in frustration trying so hard to focus yet to no avail. He hissed giving up and shutting the book looking up to see the causes of the noise. His eyes followed in the direction of where students had already packed up forming a crowd. “Hey! What’s up? What’s going on there?” Axel asked stopping one of the students that were rushing to reach the scene. “Yo! Bro, you haven’t heard? Check your phone and see for yourself” he answered walking away. Axel didn’t own a phone, he couldn’t afford a 20$ meal not to talk of buying a phone. Whenever he needed the services, he’d ask one of his roommates who is also his long-time friend whom he met on his first day at EUNY; the elite university of New York. Axel is a 20-year-old orphan who has been trying to make ends meet by running countless shifts from one job to the other just to be able to make a living for himself. After being thrown out of the orphanage on reaching 18 years old, life hasn’t been easy for him. He has no information about his parents or why they had disposed of him at the orphanage. Barely able to pay off his High school bills, with the help of one of his high school tutors got a scholarship to EUNY, one of the world's top universities that every student could dream of. Axel is an A student, he had good grades and looks but due to his poor nature, it doesn’t show in his physical appearance. Every student knew how poor Axel was, he was made fun of and that is why he never really mingled with people. Asher and Collins were his only two friends that are more than supportive, unlike Axel, they had families and came from a well-off family maybe not too rich but comfortable enough to satisfy them. Axel doesn’t like feeling like a liability and that is why sometimes he rejects their help and chooses to suck up his shit by himself but they did help Axel. Axel snapped out of his train of thought sighting his guys engrossed in their phones. He sighed walking toward them, “Hey guys! What fuck is going on?” He seems in annoyance. They laughed, “Coke see for yourself ” Collins responded passing his phone to Axel. Axel growled taking it coming into view with a video of a familiar feminine figure smooching with the school's most popular asshole. Darius Mickelson. His brows drew together as he looked closely adjusting his Eyeglass trying to point out the girl as she seemed oddly familiar. Realization dawned on him when Darius pulled away giving Axel a full view of the feminine figure. Ashley Jones, his girlfriend. His heart dropped seeing as she was the one. He watched as she drew Darius for another round causing Axel to turn the phone away handing it over to Collins. “The Two made things official a while ago, you got to see how much he spent on her man,” Asher says. “56000$ only on perfecting the proposal” Collins adds up. “Oh my god, she’s so lucky. I wish I was her” Some girls passing by say giggling like four-year-old kids. Axel's blood had already run cold as he couldn’t move a limb at the moment. Every piece of his heart had successfully broken into pieces his eyes stinging as he fought back the tears. The last time he shed a tear was the night he was kicked out of the orphanage not because he didn’t want to leave the hell hole but because of the way he was insulted and harassed before he was sent out. “I will give the world to have a good fuck with Ashley!” Collins says urging Axel’s hands to ball harder into a fist as anger surged in every inch of his body. Ashley and him have been together for a year now. Axel has had a thing for Ashley right from the day he set his eyes on her that was his first year studying Architecture at EUNY but never really had the balls to walk up to her and express the way he felt. Beside she looked way beyond his league. Axel had the opportunity to speak with Ashley in his second year when she came up to him seeking help for him to tutor her. Along the way, Axel managed to woe Ashley into falling for me or so he thought before they made things official but not without Ashley making sure she warned Axel not to let anyone on— on their secret. Axel agreed cause he was never the one for attention and dating a hot ass chick like Ashley, it was all that, so that’s why he didn’t have a problem with that. Ever since they’ve kept things low-key. Although Axel felt insecure that he couldn’t fulfill most of Ashley’s demands he did try his best to make her happy. He didn’t have the wealth but he did have the looks even though they were underneath his poor unkept nerdy self, Axel is a bit built due to the strenuous exercises he does. “Excuse me” Axel states walking away so as not to break down in front of them. Asher and Collins didn’t know about his relationship with Ashley cause she did warn him not to let anyone on their secret, certainly not his friends. He didn’t like the fact that he had to keep something huge away from them too but as long as it was for Ashley and it made her happy, he didn’t mind climbing the mountains just to make her happy. He needed answers he needed clarifications and he was going to get that. He marched to their usual spot settling down on the rock. Axel calls it the hideout. It was one of the fewest places where people didn’t come around so he liked it and never seized to coke there whenever he needed his alone time. He shared the place with Ashley when they started dating and would always sneak out there to make out. Axel had plans with Ashley today, they had decided to meet up at their spot at a speculated time and he knew she never bailed out on him and that is why he decided to sit there and wait for her. His mind went haywire as he thought of the worst-case scenario. What explanation was she going to give him? He trusted her too much to believe what he saw. He knew she’d never betray him as she loved him just as much as he loved her too. Their love is true and real, anything beyond opulence that would woe her into accepting Darius Mickelson. He hoped that she had a valid explanation for what he had seen even though deep down he knew there was something wrong but part of him hoped that it shouldn’t be as it seems. He lets out deep breaths checking on his wrist watch her and there. It was already getting late and there were no signs of Ashley. His heart began to race as he got impatient, tired of waiting. He hissed getting up but soon froze in his steps as he saw her figure marching toward his direction. He lets out a deep breath he didn’t know he was holding walking toward her as well. “Ash!” He calls out reaching for her hand and drawing her to him before claiming her lips, his addiction to kissing her as much as he has missed her while she stood stiff not retaliating his action. He paused pulling back, “Oh baby, I’ve missed you,” he says kissing her again but he is taken aback by her next action. She pushed him back wiping off her lips, “Get off of me” she states with pure irritation. His brows drew together in confusion as his bear palpated against its ribcage as though it was going to pop out. He moved closer trying to reach out for her hands yet she pulled back cutting him off guard yet again. “Stay back” she states her voice barely audible as it was shakey. Axel was already beginning to fear, he didn’t want it to be true but he knew he was only thinking that to himself to make him feel better. Ashley has never stopped him from getting close to her. They may have never had sex but he was allowed to kiss her whenever they met. So what changed now? “What’s going on?” He couldn’t help but ask with his voice low and cold. She shook her head taking slow steps back as he took steps further. “Just stay back!” “What the hell is going on!” Axel lost it demanding a response. “I am breaking up with you!” He stares at her as though she had grown horns trying to decipher the words that slipped from her lips. “Can you hear yourself? What is wrong with you?” He spat with utter frustration and hurt which she didn’t seem to care about one bit. “It’s over between us. We can’t be together. I am tired of having to make compromises. Being with you is a liability I can no longer live with—” she trails off. He hiss, “So it’s true. You’re cheating.” She laughed humorously. “Cheating? Look at you Axel, you and I both know that you’re not worthy of being with me, I made a mistake by accepting your proposal but then again, it was only out of pity” Each word of hers pierced like an arrow being directed to his heart, “Don’t say that. You said it yourself Ash, we love each other. What you and I share is more than just piety and we both know that so why are you trying to deny it huh?” “Please Axel I have already made myself clear and if you think your words would change my mind then you must be more dense than I thought” she spat with pure disgust sending Axel waves of glare. “I know you don’t love Darius and you’re only doing this for his money and fame. You can lie to yourself and other people but not me Ash, I’ve seen it in your eyes, every time you look at me, I see how much you love me. Why then are you trying to deny it?” Axel states trying to talk sense into her as though her mind would change. He didn’t want to believe what was going on. Maybe this is all just a dream that he’ll soon wake up to, yes, certainly one. “You’re so poor Axel, you have never been a snake to fulfill my desires. Anything I ask for it’s either you make up excuses or try to deceive me with your words and it’s over now. I don’t know what you did to me or how you did it, I mean talking me into being with you, but it’s all over now. I have Darius now and with his wealth and love” She paused a smile spreading on her lips, “He is perfect for the lifestyle I imagine myself to be in” “What have you turned yourself into Ash? This isn’t you” He says shaking his head. One look at Axel you could tell was breaking down mentally but was trying as much as he could to hold himself. If there was anything he hated is being vulnerable. She laughed, “Oh and you dare not ever spill the fact that I ever dated a low-life hag like you, it’ll taint my image and I don’t want that okay” Axel tries reaching out to her but Ash yells back. “stay back you poor thing, don’t you dare touch me” “What’s going on here babe?” Darius suddenly makes an appearance. Axel's heart squeezed at the sight of Darius, he wanted nothing but to punch out the perfection in the spoilt brat's faceAshley fell into Darius' arms, shivering vigorously. “He…He—” she stutters letting the crocodile tears stream.“What did he do?” Darius demands sending daggers at Axel.“He tried assaulting me” She stares bursting into a new set of tears.“The hell!” Darius curses pulling Ashley aside carefully and handing her over to one of his minions that stood beside them while the other one held a phone recording.“You dare lay your hands on my girl. Who the hell is this guy!?” Darius demands."That's Axel Storm, the poorest student on campus. He can barely afford three square meals a day, and his outfits never exceed $20. Despite his financial struggles, he's a scholarship student at EUNY, thanks to his exceptional academic record and intellect," John, one of Darius' minions, explains.Darius snickered, “You poor thing. For you to have the guts to lay your finger on my woman you think you could get away with it? Huh?” Darius states.“Put it on live John, I want everyone to witness this or gather
His eyes squint in pain groaning. He placed his hands on his forehead trying to steady his blurry vision.The beeping of the machine urged a growl out from him as he struggled to get up but the striking pain that hit his head had him yelling returning to his initial position.“Ugh!” He groans reaching for his forehead.He doesn’t know what was happening to him but his body felt different almost like he lost control of it.The pain he felt on his left pack intensified with each move he made causing a scream out of him.The hospital room door burst open, and a team of doctors and nurses rushed in, surrounding Axel's bed. "Okay, let's move, doctors! We need to stabilize him!" Dr. Smith called out, leading the charge.Axel groaned in pain, his body writhing on the bed. "What’s hap—" he mumbled, his voice weak.“Hang in there," Dr. Smith said, examining his charts. "You’re going to be fine."Nurse Johnson began inserting an IV, while Dr. Patel worked on monitoring his vitals. "BP's droppin
“I don’t want to believe you. How sure am I that you won’t harm me when I don’t even trust you? I mean, what if Darius sent you to finish me off–” Axel trails off.Mr de Storm laughed out inaudibly while Axel followed him with his stare mentally questioning if the old man was alright or not. He wasn’t even taking Axel seriously and that was beginning to frustrate him.“Just how much has that Mickelson traumatized you?” Mr. Storm couldn’t help but ask.Axel shrugged not finding it funny, “Please just let me go. I agree to have caused enough trouble but please do me this one favor”Mr de Storm shakes his head. “This is no manner of the Storms’ we don’t coward away our troubles, we stay and fight for ourselves. Look, Alex, I know it’s a lot to take in and I am not here for jokes–”Axel makes an attempt to chirp in but Mr de Storm manages to stop him before he can utter a word, “I am going to have the doctors move you back home now that you are awake, you’ve stayed here for too long and I
"We lost your parents after an attack that was made in the night at this same mansion. We believe there was an outsider amongst us that had led your parent's killer" Mr De Storm explained as they walked into his study room."You were barely a year old when that happened. Your mother had wrapped you in a show and locked you up in the drawers. Before we could get to save your parents it was too late, your cries were the only noise heard around" Mr De Storm continued to fill Axel in who was trailing behind him"I ordered that you be taken to the orphanage." he blurts.Three...Two...One...Before it finally registered into Axel's head, "What!? Why?" Mr De Storm stopped, "It was part of the test. It's one of the hardest decisions I've had to make Axel but it was what needed to be done, it's the only way you could live up to your potential and someday take responsibility." "What test?""Axel you're the sole owner of the Storm Corp." His grandfather announced.Storm Corp? He had heard of
It’s been almost a month since Axel reunited with his grandfather. These past few weeks have been hectic for him, getting to know and understand the family’s business especially now that he is in charge of it, is not something he’d ever imagined himself to do. He made up his mind to return to school today. Rumors have it that he was dead and he is well aware of who may have caused it and he’d make sure to keep it in mind that they pay for their mistakes. “Are you sure you won’t need any guards?” His grandfather asked for the one-hundredth time. Axel lets out a sigh dipping his hands into the pocket of his slacks. “Yes. I would like to keep a low profile in the meantime” His grandfather stared at him for a second skeptical whether or not to accept his proposition. “Very well then but I’ll have some undercover guards lurk around just to be on the safe side, I don’t want you almost killing yourself again” Axel growled at the end of his grandfather’s statement. He agrees he almost
Axel stood nervously outside the Head of Department's office, his heart racing with fear that nothing would go wrong. All calls came through that he needed to report to the HOD’s office. His recent appearance has left murmurs and rumors going around which is how the information reached the board and now he needs to clarify things and he hopes he does. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door and entered. "Ah, Mr Storm," the HOD said sternly, looking up from his desk. "You've been away for quite some time. Over a month, to be exact. We had the police investigate and they had concluded that you died off the cliff as they saw some of your items just before the death scene." "Yes, sir," Axel replied, his voice cold. "I know I've been away for a while, not dead just going through some family issue that had compelled me to be away for that long," Axel explains his voice dead and cold. The HOD shakes his head letting out a chuckle, “I am not stupid Mr Storm, I have your records and
Axel walked back into the classroom, his confidence and nonchalant manner drawing the attention of his classmates. They whispered and gazed at him with a mix of disgust and confusion. They heard about him being expelled then what on earth was he doing back here? He took his seat, his eyes fixed on the professor lecturing at the front of the class. Just then, the door burst open and the Head of Department rushed in, his face pale and sweaty. "Mr Storm, please, can I have a word with you?" he asked, his voice trembling. His sudden appearance has the whole class's attention drawn back to them. Axel raised an eyebrow, a smirk stealing its way to his lips. "What do you want, Professor?" he drawled, his tone dripping with irritation. He did warn him but he didn’t listen. They may have known him as the poor person he was but not anymore. He is more than that now. The HOD walked towards Axel's desk, his hands clasped together in a pleading gesture. "Mr Storm I know I s
Axel's eyes snapped open in the darkness, his mind racing with thoughts on how his first training was going to be. He hasn’t slept a wink. He lay still, listening intently, ensuring that his Asher and Collins were asleep. He wasn’t ready for yet another question session. He knew sooner or later that he’d have to tell them as they deserved to know. They’re the only people who have ever been nice and honest with him, they treated him well enough with no disrespect or disregard and that is why he’d never forsake them. The soft snores and gentle breathing told him that it was time he left. His eyes drew to the wall clock cheering the time. It’s 10min before his training begins and god knows what his grandfather will do to him if he ever finds out that he slipped any Axel threw off his covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed, his bare feet dangling in the air. He stood up, his tall frame towering in the dimly lit room, and padded silently to his closet. He pulled out
Axel stood in his penthouse, his eyes fixed on Liam. It was the weekend, and it's part of today's schedule to have training. Liam gazed at Axel with a critical eye. "You're getting better, Axel. Your strength is intensifying, and your movements are more precise." Axel nodded, his face set in doing the best he could. "I practice all the time. Too bad I haven't used my skills on anybody, but it's becoming very tempting, and I worry that sooner or later I will lose my cool." Liam smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Axel. You have potential—great potential. Sooner or later, your powers will be revealed, and you'll move into the academy. Before then, I suggest you keep your anger contained and not harm any civilians." Axel's eyes widened, his heart racing with excitement. "The academy? You mean... the Phoenix Academy?" Liam nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, Axel. You have the makings of a great warrior. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Use your gi
Raya sat in the corner of the dark room, her body wracked with sobs. Every inch of her ached, a reminder of the brutal hands that had dragged her here. The room was too dark and suffocating, making her feel like she was drawing in her nightmare even though she was. Slow and silent sobs escaped from her lips as she tried to adjust her sitting position, but she had to bite on her lower lip to stop the cry that threatened to slip. She couldn't see a glint of lightness, and the silence in the room was oppressive and scary; it made her heart skip every here and there. The only sound that was heard was her deep breaths.Her mind raced with the thought of Axel. She had tried so hard to warn him not to get involved with her uncle or Darius, along with his father; they are two dangerous men that one shouldn't dream of mingling with. She hoped that he had realized that, but he was too bullheaded for a poor person.He never listened, always so confident in his abilities, never realizing the d
Axel walked through the front door of his apartment, exhausted from the long day it had been. The martial arts session had completely drained the daylights out of him. He needed to get some rest, and part of him hoped that Raya was asleep, as he didn't have the energy to entertain any of her dramas, at least not today again. He knows she has so many unanswered questions, but when it is the right time, he will let her in on it, but for now, no. As he walked further into the house, his exhaustion quickly turned to shock. The room was in disarray—furniture overturned, vases shattered, and papers scattered everywhere. "Raya!" Axel called out, panic creeping into his voice. "Raya, where are you?" He rushed through the living room, eyes scanning the area for any sign of his wife. But she was nowhere to be found. His heart dropped as he let out a frustrating hiss, yelling out her name. "Raya, answer me!" Axel yelled, his panic turning to fear. He dashed into the bedroom, but it wa
Axel walked through the front door of his apartment, exhausted from the long day it had been. The martial arts session had completely drained the daylights out of him. He needed to get some rest, and part of him hoped that Raya was asleep, as he didn't have the energy to entertain any of her dramas, at least not today again.He knows she has so many unanswered questions, but when it is the right time, he will let her in on it, but for now, no.As he walked further into the house, his exhaustion quickly turned to shock. The room was in disarray—furniture overturned, vases shattered, and papers scattered everywhere."Raya!" Axel called out, panic creeping into his voice. "Raya, where are you?"He rushed through the living room, eyes scanning the area for any sign of his wife. But she was nowhere to be found.His heart dropped as he let out a frustrating hiss, yelling out her name."Raya, answer me!" Axel yelled, his panic turning to fear.He dashed into the bedroom, but it was in the
Axel stood in his penthouse, his eyes fixed on Liam. It was the weekend, and it's part of today's schedule to have training.Liam gazed at Axel with a critical eye. "You're getting better, Axel. Your strength is intensifying, and your movements are more precise."Axel nodded, his face set in doing the best he could. "I practice all the time. Too bad I haven't used my skills on anybody, but it's becoming very tempting, and I worry that sooner or later I will lose my cool."Liam smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Axel. You have potential—great potential. Sooner or later, your powers will be revealed, and you'll move into the academy. Before then, I suggest you keep your anger contained and not harm any civilians."Axel's eyes widened, his heart racing with excitement. "The academy? You mean... the Phoenix Academy?"Liam nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, Axel. You have the makings of a great warrior. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Use your gifts w
Axel trudged through the front door, exhausted from a long day of work. He expected to find Raya asleep, but instead, she sat in the parlor, her eyes blazing with anger."Where have you been?" she demanded, her voice low and menacing.Axel sighed, too stressed from dealing with Darius all day to engage in a fight. "I've been working, Raya. Where else would I be?"Raya's eyes narrowed. "Don't lie to me, Axel. I know you've been leaving early in the morning, before I wake up, and returning late at night, when I'm asleep. What are you doing?"Axel shrugged, trying to brush her off. "I'm just working, Raya. That's all." He responds, wanting the conversation to get over real quick.He didn't want to get involved in an argument, and he wouldn't tell her about working for Darius, but he knew he had to tell her about it, not just that it had to do with Darius.But Raya wasn't having it. She stood up, her eyes flashing with accusation. "You're cheating on me, aren't you? That's why you're neve
Axel's eyes narrowed as he waited in line at the cafe, his mind still reeling from the morning's events. Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder, and his ex, Ashley, stood before him with a smug smile on her face."Well, well, well. Look what we have here. The poor, worthless Axel," she sneered, her voice dripping with venom.Axel ignored her, but Ashley wouldn't let up. "Hey, I'm talking to you. You're not too good to respond, are you?"Axel's eyes flashed with anger, but he remained silent."Oh, I see. You're still as mute as ever. No wonder you're stuck in a dead-end job, working for my sweetheart, Darius," Ashley taunted.Axel wanted so badly to ignore her, but no matter how much he wanted to resent her, she had been his first lover.He can still remember when he made things official with her and how she showed him what it meant to be loved.She made him believe in love; they had plans for each other, and he wanted to fight the world for them just so he could give them a decent li
Axel's eyes fluttered open, his gaze falling on Raya's peaceful face. She was lying on his chest, her body warm and soft against his. A chuckle slid out of his throat as he gazed at her, finding her adorable in her sleep.He gently placed a kiss on her forehead, not wanting to wake her. She stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open, but then closing again, her body relaxing into his.Axel smiled a guilty one, knowing that he was responsible for her current situation.He felt a sense of pride wash over him. want to protect her if it's the last thing he's been doing.But as he gazed at her, his smile faded, replaced by a scowl. He remembered where he was going and who he was working for. Darius.His anger palpitated, and his heart raced with resentment. He didn't want to work for Darius; he didn't want to be at his mercy. But he had no choice.With a heavy sigh, Axel carefully removed himself from Raya's embrace, not wanting to wake her. He disappeared into the bathroom, his mind alrea
Axel trudged through the front door, his feet heavy with defeat. He felt like he was surrendering, like he was losing himself. The thought of working for Darius and being at his mercy made him feel cold and numb.He went straight to the bedroom, seeking to clear his mind. As he walked into the room, he came into view of her lying on the bed, her eyes closed and her face pale. Axel's heart ached with what he couldn't fathom. He wanted to talk to her, to tell her everything, but he couldn't find the words.He stood there, frozen, his eyes fixed on her face. He wanted to say something, anything, but his voice was trapped in his throat. He felt like he was drowning, like he was losing his grip on reality.He watched here's split open, knowing that she was never asleep but was only pretending, and he didn't make any attempt to wake her up or anything. Their eyes clocked as she sat properly, her eyes roaming around his face, which had bruises that had already begun to heal due to the ring