Trapped Between Two Alpha Enemies

School Visit

Felicity...

The men were keeping vigil outside my apartment. One of them came and gave me the latest model of a famous mobile phone brand. When I opened it, I read the message from Axel. "I’m sorry I can’t be with you tonight, sweetheart; something came up in business." I’m sad because I miss him, but part of me finds relief. This is the moment I need to be alone and think.

I can refuse these things; I don't need a new phone right now. I can be stubborn and insist on my independence and privacy. Axel is just a stranger to me, but he was right when he said we are bound for each other. I feel a strong connection, like we are fated for each other from the day I was born.

I am not a hypocrite; I am practical. I knew Axel wouldn't give up if I refused him, and why would I refuse? I needed him. My child needed a father. I want to know him more. I want to indulge my feelings for him by not making things so complicated when it was simple. I just need to go with the flow and take this kind of risk. I just hope that things will go smoothly in my mind.

At night, a food delivery service came from Axel’s hotel restaurant. I've never been this pampered before, and I can’t help but be pleased. I devoured the food and went to bed early. I woke up late and scurried to take a shower and get my bag. When I went outside, I forgot the men holding vigil in front of my apartment. It seems that they’re waiting for me. One of them opened the door of the black Mercedes. "We will take you to school, madam," the bronze-skinned good-looking guy in the black suit said. I felt like an old matron when he said it. "Just call me Feliz," I said.

"The boss prohibits us from calling your name only madam," he replied. I shrugged my shoulders; I didn’t want to make an argument, so I went inside the car. I didn’t reply to Axel’s message last night. I opened the phone he gave me and checked. I smiled when I read the three words he sent this morning. "I miss you."

The car stopped in front of the Fine Arts Building. I was about to open the car door when a man in black again opened the door for me. He’s from the other car. I sighed when I realized that the three Mercedes with two security personnel inside were my company from now on. My life has changed drastically since yesterday, and it has overwhelmed me.

Our professor gave us a deadline for our class art exhibit. Damian, my only friend, texted me that he had caught a virus and couldn’t go to school, but he promised to stay with us when he feels better. The thing I like about my class is that we are all so absorbed in our world that some changes just go unnoticed. Well, except for Melanie, whose eyes darted to the three Mercedes parked in front of our building and scowled when she realized those men in black had sent me to school.

I was preparing my things on the table when she approached me. "So, you've got your sugar daddy this time," she mocked me. I ignored her and continued arranging the tools and materials I needed for the art exhibition. Melanie waited a few moments for me to react, but I'm sorry, she’ll never get a reaction from me even if she stood there forever. I imagined Melanie’s eyes gazing at me with a murderous gleam. I didn’t bother to look at her. She stomps her feet and walks away from me, towards her table. Our classmates ignored her too. They're a bunch of introverted people, except for Melanie and Damian.

I became engrossed with my work when I realized it was already noon. I slid from my chair and did some stretching. I didn’t notice a tall figure coming in together with our adviser. "Listen, class. Mr. Garcia will sponsor us in our art exhibit this coming month. I want you all to thank him," he said happily.

I slowly turned to them as my back was to the door when he mentioned the name Garcia. I groaned when I saw Axel looking at them, at her in particular, with that familiar gleam in his beautiful, brown eyes. Melanie approached him and offered her hand as well as her flirty smile. I felt an unfamiliar prick. What? Jealousy?

I was hurt when Melanie snatched my boyfriend Jack from me, but I have moved on since that wild night. I didn’t even notice any red flags between them. Maybe I am just too cautious and sensitive now because of what happened. I sighed; if I had known Axel was coming, I should have worn something nice. I was just wearing a black sleeveless shirt and cargo pants, paired with my usual dirty white sneakers. I put on my cobbler's apron because I need to paint today. My hair was tied in a busy bun, using my pencil to hold it. I saw myself on the mirrored wall and saw some spots of black paint on my face. I was always messy when I did my art. Melanie is wearing a tube top and short skirt, and she has never been messy. I never saw her with any small specks of paint or dirt on her skin or clothes after she worked on her art.

I was hit with an unexpected spark of jealousy, and looking at Melanie’s flirtatious smile, I knew Axel would fall for her charm. I remember that day when I found her at Jack’s bed naked, and speaking of Jack, he just came out of the bathroom also naked. Melanie didn’t even show any remorse. She even gave me a mocking smile as Jack’s face turned pale. I closed the door and ran towards the entrance of Jack's apartment.

We’ve been friends since childhood; our grandmothers are friends. I also considered him my friend, but he betrayed me easily. Instead of taking fine arts, he took architecture, and he always came to fetch me. Melanie always entertained him when he visits me, but I never saw Jack flirting with her. His treatment of Melanie was always casual.

Jack tried many times to talk to me, but like the b***h beside Axel, I gave him the silent treatment after that horrid event. I never gave him the opportunity to explain himself because what I saw explained itself. The memories bring back the pain of betrayal, and it registered on my face as I saw myself on the mirrored wall. I took some deep breaths and shut my eyes firmly to control the shaking of my legs. I sit on the stool and look down, pretending to arrange the materials on the table, but my hands are shaking.

"I’m also giving away a free lunch today," Axel announced. My classmates made a loud chant, pleased by the simple act. I am giving him zero attention, like I did to Melanie a few hours ago. His men came with takeout in their hands. They started giving my classmates food on their table. I couldn’t help but turn toward the direction where Axel was standing. I saw him whispering in Melanie’s ears. I remove my gaze immediately and wait for the food to arrive at my table. I am so famished. I noticed that I ate a lot this past week. But as my classmates gave their thanks, my food didn’t arrive at my table.

Embarrassed to the core of my bones, I took a deep breath and swiped at my tears. I took off my cobbler's apron and grabbed my bag. "Where are you going, my queen?" Axel was in front of me all of a sudden. My eyes widened with surprise. Damn! I don’t want to be ignored, but I also don’t want too much attention like this either. My classmates' attention is focused on us, but discreetly.

Jack came to join us or maybe fetch Melanie for lunch, but he stopped when he saw Axel and me. All eyes were upon us with interest for the first time. I groaned, I moved my face closer, and I whispered, "What are you doing?" I asked, trying to warn him not to pay attention to me. But Axel just laughed and, to my surprise, gave me a quick kiss on the lips.

"Forgive me; my fiancée here is not fond of surprises," he said. I saw Jack and Melanie's shocked faces.

"Come, sweetheart, I know you’re famished. I don’t want you and our baby... I placed my hand on his mouth.

"Don’t say anything," I warned him.

He removed my hand and grinned. "As you wish, my queen," he replied, winking at me.

Melanie and Jack approached us. "May we join you?" she said, smiling sweetly at Axel. He scowled like he didn’t want us to be bothered by them.

"Sure," I answered on his behalf. Axel was arranging food on my table; I smirked when I saw fresh milk instead of soda. I realized that he remembered the food I liked when we had our meal yesterday. I smiled for paella again, and as if he read my mind, he smiled when he opened the food pack. He took all the peas on top first and placed them on his food.

I appreciated what he did; I gave him my sweetest smile.

"You’re allergic to seafood," Jack reminded me. Axel turned his head toward Jack and glared at him.

"Me and Feliz grew up together; our families are friends," Jack said uncomfortably.

"He’s my ex from just recently," I added without looking at them as I concentrated on the food. Axel made a deep, animalistic growl, and his eyes slanted dangerously. I know he moves with finesse, but something in his aura speaks danger, and I witness it now.

"Why?" he said, gritting his teeth.

"I found them together in bed," I said as I sipped the milk from the straw and looked at Melanie, who was embarrassed by my declaration.

"You found her on the bed naked and me coming from the bathroom," Jack corrected.

I just shrugged my shoulders and continued eating.

"You never gave me an opportunity to explain Felz," Jack said painfully.

"There's no need to explain yourself; she didn't want it. She's mine now, and what's mine I keep. I won't let anyone take her away from me." Axel said as he snatched the milk from me and sipped it.

"Felicity is not only my girlfriend but my friend. We've been together since childhood. We shared many memories together. You can't take it away from us. It's ours." Jack said as he looked straight at Axel.

Melanie gave me her usual mocking grin. "So, you're not being honest with him. You didn't tell him about Jack. Whatever your memories with Jack are, forget it; we already f****d each other."

It was brutal, but I didn't feel any different than before. Maybe I didn't love Jack at all. Maybe I love him as a friend.

"I know, and I am not interested in him anymore."

"Feliz!" Jack protested.

"I f****d her too, and I intended to f**k her more and more often. Now, please excuse us; you may return to your own table, Ms. Harris. I want to be with my fiancée alone," he said loudly and rudely to them.

His words are more brutal, and I gasp with surprise. As I looked around, my classmates were looking at me in awe.