Axel sat at the head of the boardroom table, his piercing gaze roaming the room as the team presented their new deals. His expression was stern, his jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed. Almost like it wasn’t his first meeting as the new CEO. He watched as they all presented listening to their point of view on how to make the company better and secure deals. He wasn’t use to this guy for some reason he could relate and comprehend the words they kept exchanging. His grandfather had filled him up on everything he needed to know and for some reason no information seem to have slipped from his mind. He could remember each and everyone of them. His brain is sharp and collective. He got up walking out with Collins tailing behind him. This takes him back to when he had dropped the bombshell at first it was almost unbelievable but it was too easy to convince them. Axel knew that they were happy for him, at least now he had the chance to experience the luxury of life. Axel had ma
Axel growls for the umpteenth time finding it so hard to convince Asher to be the grandson of Alexandra Storm. “See I just need you to take that position while we are in school. I can’t handle the scandal if they find out that I’m the rich one, at least till I figure things out. And don’t worry I will handle things at work and my name still stands there” he reasons. Asher's expression was incredulous. "You're crazy, Axel! If your grandfather finds out, he'll kill me!" Axel's annoyance increased. "He'll never know, I promise. And I'll owe you one, Asher. I just need you to do that for me in the meantime.” Asher tried to shake him off, but Axel held fast. "Axel, think about what you're asking. I can't just pretend to be you” he tries to fight back. Collins, who had been watching the exchange, chimed in. "Asher, it's not a bad idea. You're smart, capable, and charismatic. You could pull it off." Asher turned to Collins, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You're not serious, are you, Col
Axel growled at Liam as he fought to get a hit but to no avail. Liam was too good and calculating, no match for Axel yet he wanted to push through. Liam hovered on Axel launching him down with a thud causing a growl to escape from Axel's lips. A frustrating growl. "Rule number one, always stay focused your mind should be strictly on your opponent Axel" He warns with a chuckle. Axel hissed pushing him off with sweat strands whirling down. "What time is it?" He questions instead. He has a meeting with the stakeholders by 2 pm and he's very sure it's almost time and he didn't want to be late. He was strictly warned by his grandfather to make sure he attended. He canceled all his classes for today to catch up with the martial arts classes he had been missing for a few days due to the never-ending work that kept coming his way. "Twenty minutes to 2. Why?" He responds with a question too. Axel shakes his head as he gets up gathering his stuff. "How's that going?" Liam asked pointin
"So it's like a date or--" he stopped halfway due to the glare Axel shot him. Axel had informed them about Raya's offer and he knew that it was one of the parties he had to attend cause not shortly after Raya had left did he go through his nails to see the invitation. For now, Asher was going to take the place of Mr Storm. The few people who knew Axel's identity had been warned to seize shut or face the consequences. "For the last time collins, this isn't a date" Axel states irritatingly letting out a groan. Asher laughed, "Stop messing around. So when did you say the time is?" "It's starting by 8 pm," Axel announced. "So you're only going there as Raya's date and nothing else?" Asher asked wanting to be sure Axel knew what he was doing to which Axel nodded in response. "Yes. Once you're done with your presentation Asher and Raya introduce me to her uncle as her date, you will cook up a reason to explain that we have to leave" Axel states pinching the brick of his nose. A
Axel adjusted on his tye staring at his reflection through the mirror. His hardened look was still masked on his face. His eyes were deemed dominance one that could scare you off just by a glance. His jawline hardened making his nose pop out and look outstanding. Memories of what had happened earlier had his nose flaring as he thought of the person involved in it. For some reason, he felt overprotective of Raya. Whoever that man was, because with his actions and words it does dim him fit to be her uncle Axel made a me-talk note to have Felix run some security checks on him. He needed to have the information on Raya's family. But the call, Raya may have called to call off the date or whatever they regard it as but he wasn't going to change his mind. Axel has never wanted to go now, he may have had a little intentions of bailing out a while ago but not anymore. The need to go there and be there for Raya burned with him. Darius Mickelson. He sure does have a way of messing wi
She laughed, "cut the crap Axel Storm, what are you doing here? You don't belong here and slums like you shouldn't be welcomed." She mocks with a sneer. Axel growled unsure of how to respond to her. He didn't want to do anything that would create a scene as it wouldn't be good for his reputation. "Fuck off!" He hissed getting up but she pulled him back. "No, you don't get to walk away from me while I'm still talking. You are nothing Axel Storm, you don't deserve to be here. I still regret the fact that I wasted my time on you" she states with meaning. Axel is taken aback by her sudden actions urging him to get more infuriated and irritated. "What the hell is wrong with you?" He managed to keep his voice low but for some reason failed wearfully. "I'll ask the guards to escort you out as you can see filthy people like you aren't supposed to be here. I still wonder how I was so stupid to have let you take so much control over me, I regret wasting my time on you Axel Storm "she st
Their lips moved in sync as they went deeper each of them giving the same energy as the other. Axel bit on her lower lip seeking entrance which she gladly accepted encircling her hands over his neck as he kissed her harder. She slipped her hands through his hair drawing him further causing him to let out a satisfying growl. Short of breath they pulled out with Axel nuzzling his head on her neckline and dropping sloppy kisses. Raya moaned the sound being like music to his ears as he sucked on a particular spot leaving a mark as though he had marked her as his very own. Seeing as things were beginning to get heated he snapped out of it pulling back. He stared at her shut eyes with her chest heaving up and down before she soon broke into sobs. Axel's brows furrowed feeling a pang in his chest. He moved closer to her yet she seized him waving him off. "What are you doing? Just step back" she blurts as a lone tear slips. "What happened wasn't supposed to" she states her voice
"Axel" Collins calls out drawing my attention to the files he has in his hands. "Take a look at this" He offered placing it on the table. Axel had Felix run some checks on Raya's family and what they are up to, which he knows he shouldn't have cause it's more or less an invasion of privacy yet for some reason he couldn't help but prey. His curiosity got the better of him and now that Collins had approached him with the papers he knew there was more to it than Raya normally shows. "Are these the papers?" Axel asked for confirmation to which Collins nodded. "You won't like what you'd see though" he states just for a heads up. Axel's brows furrowed in confusion as he took them in his hands. Collins excused himself walking out of the office leaving Axel to himself. Axel roamed his stare around the papers deeply getting engrossed as he read more and more about Raya. His jawline hardened as he got into her uncle's dirty business in which he was involved. The part that got his a
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