CHAPTER FOUR
1064 Words
Bella alighted from the car, still shaken. She walked slowly inside the house. It was quiet. She guessed everyone was out. She went upstairs, her thoughts all over the place. She curled up in a corner, replaying the last few hours, and suddenly she felt a wet sensation between her legs. She paused, then gasped.
"No, no, not now," she muttered. She quickly unlocked her phone and checked her period tracker. Today was marked.
She groaned. "Why hadn't she checked?"
As she tried to stand, the first bite of cramps hit her. She clutched her stomach, gritting her teeth in pain. She struggled to the wardrobe to get pads but realized she had forgotten to restock after the wedding.
"Gosh," she clutched her head in frustration.
The cramps hit again. She stumbled in pain and lay on the bed. She did not know how, but before she could stop herself, she dialed Axel's number.
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Axel was in a meeting when his phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the screen.
"Unknown number," he muttered but picked up anyway.
Bella's voice came through.
"Axel," she called weakly.
He stood up, alarmed at first, then gently dropped back into his seat and motioned for his presenter to stop talking.
"What is it?" His voice came out rather coldly.
"I…I…" she stammered. "Sorry I called."
"Say it. What is it?"
"Could you buy me pads?"
"Pads?" Axel repeated before he could stop himself.
The workers gasped, covering their mouths. Realizing what had happened, he dismissed everyone with a wave of his hand. They quickly scurried off.
"What do you need pads for?"
Immediately the words left his mouth, he regretted it. What was he even thinking? But wait—she would need them if only she was on her period. He suddenly realized it.
"I… uhmm, you know what? I'm sorry I called. I'll just order online," she whispered quickly and hung up before he could say anything.
"Steve," he called. His assistant moved to get the car ready.
"Sir, it's already ready."
He nodded and left, with Steve following closely. "Steve, get me pads from the supermarket."
"Pads?" Steve repeated hesitantly.
Axel stared at him coldly. "Do I need to ask twice?"
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Bella curled up on the floor, writhing in pain. "Why was it always this painful? Almost new—she hadn't been here last month," she whispered tearfully.
The door opened, startling her. She looked up weakly and almost shrank when she saw Axel. "Wait, why was he home? I thought he was at work," she pondered.
She tried not to show discomfort. She sat up, but the cramps hit again with double force. She couldn't help but let out a light moan.
"Does it hurt?" Axel asked, almost coldly, his hands tucked in his pockets.
"What? Why would he ask her that? Of course it was painful, and damn, she was almost losing it." She glared at him but did not say a word.
He turned and left the room without saying a word.
"Yeah, perfect," she muttered. What was she expecting? Comfort? Maybe a hug? She rolled her eyes, clutching her stomach as another cramp hit. She leaned against the wall, tears streaming from her eyes.
She heard the door open. She did not bother turning. She knew it was him. He tapped her shoulder. She looked up. He stood in front of her with pads and a hot water bottle.
She watched in amusement as he picked her up. She was too weak to protest. He placed her on his lap, not minding the blood that had already stained her clothes.
"What are you doing?" she muttered weakly.
"Taking care of you," Axel said simply.
"Ouch," she winced.
"Sorry," he said quietly.
She leaned against him. This was the closest they had been. She did not know why, but she felt safe.
Moments later, the pain intensified. She clutched her stomach tightly. The now-warm water did nothing to help.
"Does it still hurt?" he asked.
She nodded pathetically.
He watched her for a moment, then carried her gently and laid her on the bed. He left the room. When she heard the door open again, he stood there with aspirin and the stained cloth she had bled on.
Her cheeks heated. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
He ignored her. "Take this," he said, stretching it towards her.
"Sorry… my doctor said—" she tried stammering through the pain.
"Just this once," he cut her off calmly.
Hold on—was this Axel? She batted her lashes in shock. Why was he suddenly being so nice? She collected the pills and took them, then returned the water to him.
They both sat in silence—Bella curled up on the bed and him just standing and watching. Without thinking, she said the most absurd thing.
"Cuddle me."
She was not asking. She was not requesting. She just said it, and she did not make an effort to try to take it back.
Axel stood, shocked. Surprisingly, he complied. He sat and placed her on his lap, patting her back slowly. Bella clung to him, exhausted. His breathing, hot against her neck, made her quiver. She started feeling calm and unconsciously slept off.
Axel patted her head calmly, then, before he could think, he planted a kiss on her forehead.
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Hours later, Bella's eyes fluttered open. Her stomach hurt, but not as much as before. The room was pitch dark. She tried to stand, but the strong arms wrapped around her waist obstructed her. Then she remembered. She flicked her forehead.
"What have you done?"
Axel stirred awake, then turned on the light switch. "How do you feel?" he asked warmly.
"Better," she mumbled.
"Good. Go take a shower. You stink."
"Geez," she rolled her eyes at his bluntness. Did he really have to say that?
She stood awkwardly and walked into the bathroom. When she came out, there was no Axel—just clean sheets and a tray of food with aspirin waiting.
She smiled without meaning to. It was the first time someone had actually cared. She dressed up and padded herself properly with the pads he had given her. As she lay in bed, she couldn't help reminiscing about what had happened.
Somehow she knew something had changed. Or maybe not yet. She was going to wait till tomorrow.
- Writer
