Lingering Denial

Chapter 9

~Tuesday~

Aurora's P.O.V~

I couldn't think of anything but the Liam's words. And then there was the deal about the holidays. All of the guys except Axel had agreed pretty quickly. It wasn't much of a surprise though. He never really seemed interested in anything.

Once I was done with university, I arrived straight the gym, having changed into a crop top and trousers beforehand. He had said that the room where the lessons were held was always closed to public in the afternoons, so according to Axel, that's where we were supposed to meet.

Honestly, I was extremely nervous, considering, I would be alone with Axel for at least an hour every other day. But, I was prepared and ready to learn properly. Otherwise it wouldn't be effective, and he was willing to teach me. Strangely enough, he'd declined my pay saying that a lot of his lessons were given free of charge anyway, so private lessons would be no different. Even though I tried to argue, his stubborn personality was much stronger.

Walking in and towards the back, I found the gym to be swarming with people like expected, though less than last time since it was a weekday. Now alone, I squirmed when I found guys not so secretly looking me up and down, and was running to the room before I knew it.

I carefully poked my head in to find him there, stretching already, with his back facing towards me. He was wearing a different tank top again, showing his defined muscles. I sighed worried as I watched him, butterflies forming in my stomach. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. However, as I was contemplating all these thoughts in my head, his voice snapped me out of it. "You're here. Do some stretches before we start." I nervously nodded, recovering from nearly falling over from being discovered, before slowly walking in. "Hi, you're early..." I smiled shyly at him, quietly mumbling, before I eventually began stretching myself.

Axel finally looked over at me, gazing a lot longer than normally with his jaw clenched before he cleared his throat and gave me a tight smile. "So are you." I found myself blushing under his heated gaze, before he looked away both of us unknowingly letting out a shaky breath. After some stretching he turned towards me with a firm look, "OK, first thing's first. You need to know the basics."

Firstly, he lectured me a bit on the basics and what were some of the main threats to women. I realised how clueless I was as I listened carefully to how many dangers there actually were in reality. It all honestly it scared me, reminding me of the night a few days ago. Axel tended to say things pretty bluntly too. It was one of the things I had noticed about him, but it was useful, in way to make sure I understood everything and was properly aware.

~

After the whole talk, Axel lead us further in, through another door, where the noises of the gym were barely audible. It was quiet and seemed pretty secretive. I watched amazed when he turned the lights on to reveal a boxing ring in the middle of the room, with read, white and black colours covering all of the walls. There was also several pieces of boxing equipment and other extra things all around the edges. On the walls, some graffiti and basketball nets hung around making the whole place look even more alive.

"Wow... What is this place..?" I looked around in wonder turning to Axel as he spoke, "This used to be an empty storage room. But, since I know the owner of the place pretty well, he let me renovate the place... I enjoy boxing from time to time..." He looked at the place, adding the last comment a while after, with a thoughtful look.

I watched him in wonder, amazed at how nostalgic but wounded he looked. However he soon snapped out of it, putting on some gym music, before his eyes narrowed to mine, "Let's begin."

We had first started with jabs, and basic moves. Although, I was flustered at first, I became more and more serious every minute. His patience and encouragement seemed to help me too. "Duck. Left. Dodge. Right..." His voice echoed through the place, as I concentrated on matching the pace. Midway, Axel's phone had tinged twice, which he hadn't noticed. I thought he had just decided to ignore it, so I didn't mention it.

The speed increased eventually, with me amazed at how smooth his movement were, compared to hers. Yet, it only made me more earnest to improve. At the end of it, Axel grinned at me, high-fiving at the end. "You're a natural. You've got the hang of the basics already. We can start learning techniques next time." He said, grabbing some water for the both of us. Grinning at him, I nervously laughed it off, before I began to step out of the ring following him. I was in awe of his stamina; I was out of breath, and sweating slightly compared to his composed form.

Of course, like always, compliments brought out the clumsy side of me, and I felt myself trip while getting off the ring. Luckily, he turned around just in time to catch me without effort. I steadied myself as he set me down.

Looking up, I was about to thank him when I realised just how close his face was. I tried to even my tired breathing, while his eyes became darker with lust at it. My heart began beating as I became conscious of his hands still on my waist, and mine on his shoulders, tingling where we touched each other. The tension grew thicker, before we began to let ourselves fall prey to the pull.

That's exactly when Axel's phone began ringing. We suddenly moved away from each other, me trying to calm my irregular heartbeats, blushing red as I looked down. What the hell was I doing? I have to stop this before I begin to have feelings for him...

I heard him curse under his breath, as he talked to the other person on the phone, ruffling the back of his hair looking distressed before he ended the call. I watched him, taken aback as a look of worry and desperation appeared on his face. "s**t, I have to go. How're you getting home?" I watched him, curiously with slight confusion before replying, "Uh.. Oh, I'm heading to a nearby café to meet Ava." Quickly grabbing my stuff nearby, I slung it on my back as I watched him hurrying to gather his own.

"Hey..." I found myself murmur, cautiously walking closer, with a worried expression on my face. When I stopped right in front of him, he paused for a moment.

Straightening up, he met my eyes with his own dejected grey ones. His jaw was clenched, as he studied me. His eyes were filled with so much stress and sorrow, that I found myself reaching my hand forward. Gently placing it on his jaw, I whispered, "Is everything alright...?"

At my soft touch, and steadily fixed gaze, I felt him put his hand on mine, and lower his guard, until the look of vulnerability appeared again. Before I knew it, he snaked his other hand around my waist and pulled me into his chest.

Slightly dazed and my heart thumping, I froze for a while. "Axel...?" I whispered, but that only made him tighten his strong hold on me, nuzzling his head into my neck, and exhaling out. He seemed to loosen up a bit.

I blushed a deep scarlet red, the butterflies multiplying tenfold, before sighing and hesitantly putting my arms around him tighter. He seemed like he needed a hug right now.

I couldn't deny it...he gave warm hugs...

I don't know how long we stayed like that, but, soon he had begun to loosen his hold on me, breathing out. He looked drained already, but at least better than before. I warily watched him, before he managed to smile at me; though it looked half-hearted.

"Thank you..." He whispered back, which I smiled back to before he turned to finish packing. Once he was done, he turned to me, "OK, you good to go?" He headed towards the exit, waiting for me to follow.

I nodded. When I reached him, he grabbed my hand before leading us out of the gym. All the way, he held it tight, as though he needed the secureness to help calm him down. I bashfully let him, trying to hide my blush.

On the way, he nodded to several staff in acknowledged or goodbye, while they just outright ogled at us in shock. I shied away from their gazes to look up at Axel's back. It just gave me a feeling of being safe.

When we were out, he reluctantly let go. "I hope everything goes well... Text me after." He tightly smiles at me, nodding as he watches me walk away. Once I was at the corner of the street, I waved at him, smiling warmly, while signalling him to go ahead. He observes me for a while, before jumping in his car and zooming out.

I stared after him thoughtfully, until I heard my name being called out by Ava. "Rory!"

I couldn't help but wonder about where he would hurry off to, as I turned around to smile and wave back at Ava. My curiosity wouldn't let me let it go. I internally groaned as I remembered that I had to question him during the lesson. I let my thoughts wander over the mystery of Axel Cohen. So, that's why I ended up distracted, the rest of the time I was listening to Ava babble on about Isaac.

"Aurora! Are you even listening to me?" I looked up at to find Ava looking at me irritated, "Oh, sorry, just a bit distracted..." She rolled her eyes at me, sighing before smirking, "Gosh, is it lover boy again?" I threw a piece of tissue was was fiddling with at her, "Oh, shut up. Look who's talking." Yet, I blushed a bit as I accidentally remembered the situation a while ago. Ava smirked at me, suddenly excited. "Oh, something happened. Didn't it? Tell me now!" I kicked her under the table, alarmed at her volume to which she yelped. If Ma overheard ... I shivered as I remembered Hazel's situation.

~

~Thursday~

Tuesday night, Axel had texted me, saying how things were alright...for now. Although I was slightly relieved and questioned him on the details, he wouldn't really tell me, managing to avoid the topic.

The days went on with me running here and there. Since the holidays were nearing, Satan all of a sudden wanted to use it to her advantage and set us more work to do. Her reasoning was that we didn't have to deal with any other work during our internship afterwards. This meant that I had lazied off doing exercise in the morning for the last few days. Well, at least I didn't have to see Liam.

I'd finally finished my design for one of the pages of my coursework, before deciding to pack up. A lot of people had left already, and I'd told Ava and Hazel to not wait for me. Being one of the few remaining, I waved shyly to some people who were in the studio with me, earning several dead goodbyes in response. "See you guys tomorrow."

I headed to the front to hand in my folder to the awaiting Satan, who only raised an eyebrow in surprise. After viewing my work, she smiled at me lightly before nodding that I could go ahead. No one seemed to be really surprised at the fact. Where a lot of them would get glares, or questioning, I had somehow gotten into her good books. My designs apparently had the 'spark' that every fashion editor needed, and she would often use them as an example, much to my apprehensiveness.

My shy personality clearly did not go well with being centre of attention, and I would always manage to make a fool of myself, but she didn't get that. Honestly...

Once I was out, I checked the time quickly. I was definitely running late for the lesson. Maybe I should just skip for today, especially considering the situation they ended up in last time... No. I was never one to go back on my word. Plus, I just had to ask him about what Liam had suggested.

My thoughts were interrupted by someone calling out to me. Noah stood straight after leaning against the wall, while he waited for me outside. The fact that he's been showing up a lot more lately, confused me. Whether it be lesson time, or lunch times.

'You don't know him...'

'...there are always thorns among roses...'

I looked at him warily which he seemed to notice but didn't comment on confusing me. He grinned when I looked up, "Hey, you just finished?" I nervously nodded, waving at him before asking, "Hey, what're you doing here? Didn't your class end a while ago?" Noah chucked nervously before saying, "Yeah, I needed a favour..."

Standing up straight, he beckoned me over, "You look like you're in a rush. Come on, I'll drop you off." He smiled at me, before I shrugged the feeling off and nodded with a smile back, following after him. "Thanks." At least I would save up on some time. I quickly texted Axel saying that I might be another five or so minutes late, apologising. The thing I failed to notice was Noah watching me text, clicking his tongue, annoyed when he read it.

~

After a while, I was outside the gym. Apparently, Noah needed help with his project, but he told me he'd just give me the details later. I walked to the back like usual to find not only Axel there but Lucas there with him. It seems that he would be helping us with showing me some techniques today. I wondered if that was the only reason behind him being here, though, it made me lose the chance to question Axel. Again.

Lucas saluted at me with a smile, earning one back, while Axel just questioned me irritated, "What took you so long?" I apologized as I explained to him about what happened. "You what?!" Both me and Lucas looked up, alarmed at his outburst, before he narrowed his eyes at me, lowly saying, "Didn't I tell you to stay away from him?"

I looked at him, annoyed at his demand, "You can't tell me what to do. Plus, I don't see what the problem is, he's perfectly fine..." I mumbled sounding unsure of the last part myself. Axel sighed frustrated, his hand going through his hair, while Lucas's eyes widened in recognition as he turned to him. "Wait dude. Noah? As in-"

He got cut short by a cold glare by Axel, and a blanket shifting at the side. I glanced to the side, to find little Aaron sitting up, while rubbing his eyes. Puzzled, I looked at Axel questioningly, while he just sighed "He found out I would be meeting you today, so he insisted on tagging along..." Axel looked at him with slight worry and thoughtfulness in the eyes, while Aaron looked around, coming to his senses.

Aw, my heart. I smiled at him, until he spotted me. I waved excitedly, grinning, "Hey buddy." He beamed in return, before running up to me and hugging me. "I missed you sis..." He buried his face in my neck, over my hair. I could hear his voice wobbling, making me frown a bit. I rubbed his back gently, whispering "Hey, lil'man... You alright?" That just made him hug me tighter, and soon I heard a sniffle. Lucas quietly watched, while Axel just stared at us, with a crestfallen expression.

What in the world is going on? This did it. I needed to know, and I wouldn't let it go.

After a while, Aaron had pulled away wiping a few tears and sniffling. After some distraction and chatting with him, he was alright, even giggling at the lame jokes I pulled here and there. Even Axel watched amused, but with a genuinely warm smile. And with that, Lucas put his hands together, before announcing, "Anyway, should we start?"

~