Chapter2
1213 Words
A little present
Axel's pov
Axel had woken up that morning to a gentle tap on the door. It was their house assistant. She had come to inform him that his bathing water was set and ready.
Axel's room gave off the impression of a very successful middle-class family. The room was large with a big bed at the corner adjacent to a magnificent glass window. A mini balcony lay outside this window, with plants and shrubs adorning it. The wall interior of the room was covered in tiles. And up on the ceiling was the room's light source, a small chandelier-like structure containing three light bulbs.
A wall fan whirled at the corner, creating a soothing air current.
The room also included a round table with three chairs around it and a vase of synthetic flowers. On one of the chairs hung a worn pair of pants, laying there tossed carelessly.
On the east end of the room, a large wardrobe sat. Big brown and polished. One of the doors ajar revealing a collection of expensive items of clothing. Trousers, shirts, and some thick outerwear hung in the constitution.
The floor, covered in black tiles sparkled from the bright bulbs in the room.
Axel was bare-bodied with the only clothing on being a pajama trouser. His bare chest had a muscular build with tightly packed abdominal muscles.
When the assistant had left, he went on to change into a pair of loose shorts.
With a towel draped around his neck, he made his way downstairs to the bathroom.
After a slow and unrushed bath. He went back to his room to change into a pair of striped shirts, with black trousers.
He left the shirt untucked giving himself a casual appearance.
In the dining room, he ate in silence with his parents.
A breakfast of bread, ham, and eggs. With coffee to go. In a few minutes, he was done eating.
He threw on a scarf around his neck. It was getting a bit windy outside.
He walked into the street whistling a song. He was in a gay mood.
He made his way through the streets to the market. It was early and most of the stores were closed. Of the open few was a jewel store. He strode casually into the store, slowing his pace and looking around scrutinizingly. There were show glasses of different structures containing vast designs of jewels. Some were bulky, while the others appeared simple and a bit casual. Plenty of choices to confuse an unprepared mind.
He stopped in front of a showglass. A thin piece of silver necklace with a pearl pendant nestled in a box. It was beautiful.
The shop owner appeared from behind
"It's a nice piece isn't it?"
Axel turned, said nothing, and then stood at a different angle to look at the jewel.
"Someone special?" The shop owner raised one brow. And then grinned exposing a set of stained teeth. Probably from cigarettes or poor hygiene.
"My girlfriend" came Axel's reply, still focused on the necklace.
Thirty minutes later he was at the Wells residence.
He sighted Jasper from afar, he was busy gathering and piling up dry leaves that littered the yard.
A thought crept into his mind. He tiptoed over to Jasper who was concentrating on the leaves he was raking.
He waited for a few seconds and then pounced on him.
Jasper leaped in fright.
"Oh come on" he whined. Then he saw the box clenched tightly in Axel's grip. "What's that? Is it for Hazel? Can I see?"
"Easy bro" he smiled at him.
He looked ahead and saw hazel through the translucent window. She was busy and moving around the kitchen. Then she stopped and started chopping something on the table by the window. He smiled softly to himself.
"I got a present for your sister" Axel beamed a smile.
"Show me, show me" Jasper waved his arm in a frantic attempt to grab the box.
"Chill bro" Axel raised his hands straight above his head out of Jasper's reach.
He looked back at the window and saw Hazel in a frenzied motion across the kitchen.
Though he couldn't see what she was doing, he smiled at how quickly she darted and bolted around.
Then she stopped. She was looking at something on the table.
"What are you smiling at?", Jasper tugged at Axel's shirt.
" Nothing ", Axel said, not taking his eyes off the window. Hazel was looking down on something and her hair fell forward in front of her and across her shoulders." let me go talk to her".
He walked towards the building with Jasper ranting along.
By then Beatrice was already in the kitchen and looking over towards them.
Axel felt a lump in his throat and swallowed hard. He slowed down for a few steps and then with courage marched up to the house.
When he got to the kitchen Beatrice had left.
He smiled lovingly at Hazel.
" How are you?" She asked him, wiping her hands on her clothes.
He looked at her and then at her hands and back at her.
"The towel was far from me" She rolled her eyes at the obvious but unspoken reprimand.
"I didn't say anything" he rolled his eyes back at her.
They both laughed.
"What's in there?" she motioned at the box.
Axel didn't reply; he simply put the box into his pocket.
He enjoyed keeping her in suspense. The pleasant feelings the torture of her curiosity gave him were otherworldly. He feigned distraction. Looking elsewhere as if lost in thought.
When he looked back she was still staring at him.
"I'll show you later " he tried to sound as casual as possible, but when she still didn't take her eyes away he burst into laughter.
She smiled. A sweet smile. Her eyes squinted from the smile. She looked beautiful already, smiling made her look aggressively beautiful.
He shifted his gaze from her eyes down to her lips and rested them there. He wanted to say something but all he could utter were inaudible gasps.
She was inching closer to him!!.
One step, two steps until they were only a few centimeters apart.
He lowered his head towards her.
She shut her eyes tightly.
His lips drew closer to hers. And then in a last-minute resort, moved past, across her flushed cheeks to her ear.
"Up for a meeting at our spot?" He whispered.
"Oh....." She pulled away. "um, yeah, our spot"
He smiled at the situation he had caused.
"Come, help me set the table, " Hazel said as she took some plates out of the counter.
Just then Ava busts into the kitchen. When she saw Axel, she stopped for a moment and then proceeded to the counter.
"Guess what?" She said, Then pulled up her dress to reveal her lap, "I got stung by a bee while kissing Milo"
She squealed excitedly, "Milo said it's a sign from the universe that we were meant for each other".
Axel looked at Hazel and they both stifled their laughter.
Jasper barged into the kitchen, " did you kiss her?" He said loudly to Axel.
"Jasper!!" Axel shouted when he saw Beatrice from the corner of his eyes.
- Writer
