Bargain Wedding

All Of Her Sides

The four were attended by the hotel's luxury town car waiting for them outside the airport. Axel grabbed her and Jona called her to stop. The woman ignored him and waltzed ahead. An obvious smile started playing on Jona's lips as he looked at his wife strut forward. Nonetheless, his bag was taken by the driver, and as the three men lurked towards the door, Axel called Tetsuo. "This side."

Tetsuo was also salty at Coco, so he didn't mind sitting with Axel. The two best friends were left behind, rejected, as Axel and Tetsuo got in the car together. Jona sighed. "She really has a temper."

Coco shook his head while rolling his eyes. "You think?"

Jona guffawed and patted his best friend's shoulder sympathetically. The air was crisp, and they could feel cold from outside. Luckily enough, they didn't have to dread it for long as the ride started.

The hotel wasn't far. On arrival, they were exclusively welcomed as per the hotel's VIP guest protocol. Their luggage was carried by the concierge and Jona wanted to pay the man for his kindness, but he realized that he was missing his wallet. Turning around, he spotted Axel looking outside the window silently.

Not wanting to disturb his woman, Jona took out his international credit card from his pocket and handed it to the man. "I will approve the payment from my phone, please swipe it at your machine." He smiled brightly at the staff member.

The lackey happily bowed his head a little in response before leaving.

Jona's legs slowly trudged across the grand suite. The bed in the center of the room was freshly done. Behind the drawn-out, white curtains, there were floor-to-ceiling glass windowpanes overlooking the lake with blue water. It was almost evening, but the sun was still up and the water was reflecting its golden glow over Axel's face through the glass.

Jona cleared his throat as he inched closer to her. "Why is my woman angry at me?"

"Woman? You treat me like a child," Axel slammed Jona's wallet on his chest and waited until his hand grabbed it before skewing back to bed.

"Axel, no. I didn't want you to be unable to enjoy today. We have a time difference here and your sleep schedule... I didn't want you to be tired before we got to do something," Jona smiled, leaning his back against the glass pane as Axel slumped on the bed and crossed her legs.

"I am still not happy. What good did it do?" She let her upper body fall backward with her legs square on the rugged floor.

The doorbell rang and both of them furrowed their brows. "I'll check."

Jona advanced to get to the door and was met by the concierge with his credit card. "Thank you," he mumbled quickly, accepting the card. Just as he closed the door, it rang again.

Coco, in a black shimmering shirt, a teal jacket, and black leather trousers, was grinning at Jona when he opened the door the second time. "Where are you going?" Jona asked after looking at him up and down.

"Us. Where are we going?" He barged in after pushing Jona aside and Axel sat back up on the bed. "I still want to go clubbing." He held his hand up defensively as Jona followed behind.

"Let's rest for some time, Coco. We haven't even showered yet." Jona opposed.

"Then do it quickly," he pointed at Jona. "And I will help you choose the outfit." He told Axel and began to look around.

Recognizing her bag, he lunged at it and took it to the bed. "Open," he asked Axel, who was flabbergasted at the intrusion. "I won't be responsible if something unwanted comes out of the bag and I get to see it." He slurred and Axel looked at Jona nervously.

Albeit Jona knew Axel couldn't have anything questionable inside, looking at her face, his confidence evaporated into thin air as he grabbed Coco, thinking he didn't want his best friend to see his wife's underwear. "Give us fifteen minutes, and we will be there."

"You promise?" Coco moved too close to Jona's face and Axel's brows twitched as she looked at them.

"Yeah, yeah," Jona pushed the best friend out of the room and shut the door quickly before the latter decided not to leave at all. He walked back to bed and helplessly sat beside Axel. "Do you want to go?" The low tone wrapped in utter care made Axel nod slowly.

☘

Jona cradled his hand behind Axel along the club's entrance where people were all lined up for entry, pushing and pulling every time the bouncer let anyone in after opening the barricade. Jona was in an all-black outfit, a leather jacket, and Chelsea boots added to his s*x appeal.

Axel wore a peach-colored dress with a salmon-colored jacket, paired with salmon stilettos. As usual, her fragrance was of musk and lilies.

Coco was in a white t-shirt, a similar black leather jacket, and black jeans, looking like a dream, being ogled by many. Just as they passed through the rabble, they heard the commotion of dismay from people whining about how it was not fair to let them in, even when they arrived only now.

Coco smiled and kept moving forward. They were welcomed to the huge neon purple sign 'Pulse'. Faint bass that didN'T fail to make the three feel mighty vibrations, was coming from inside before even the thick black door pried ajar. A gushing cool, conditioned, and alcohol-mingled air made its way onto their faces as a breeze — enough to pep them for the night. "We are gonna get waste-ey-ey-ed." Coco was feeling it as he growled excitedly and Jona chuckled at him.

They lurked towards their pre-booked reserved seat through the crowd while Jona kept a hand behind Axel to not let anyone collide with her. Finding their VIP zone seat, Coco called a waiter.

The waiter followed command and removed the placard from the table which had the word Reserved written over it, and handed them menus.

"You guys choose the drinks. Order the usual for me," Coco directed the couple as his eyes peered through the crowd at a certain boy. When he spotted his DJ friend, he saluted him with his two fingers, who flashed him a grin in return.

Axel could only look around and take in the surroundings. It was still early and only a few people were present. A few were watching sports on mute screens while the DJ was testing his equipment. Coco quickly went and whispered something into the DJ's ear.

As he returned, Alone with you started playing. He smirked as he settled back on the sofa.

Without a word uttered, Jona knew that the lyrics weren't settling well with Axel, who looked flustered and was gazing at nothing.

Come fill me up,

I can love you crazy, baby,

Can't get enough, no

Just the feel of your touch can take me

Come take me

For the ride of my life

"Ahem..." Coco tried to press his lips together, but the force with which the smile was working its way, hurt his cheeks to not let it slide out. "What will you have, Axel?" He asked, distorting the younger's attention and gaze altogether.

"Uh- I think I'll not drink. I can't hold my liquor well," Her jab was directed at Jona and Coco confided himself behind the menu, to laugh.

Jona's head turned to the opposite side as he touched his nose again with an unequivocal smile.

"No one is going back home without getting wasted," Coco announced from behind the menu after he thought he could speak again. "Aren't you adorable, Axel? Why are we here? We will take care of you, and you should drink however you want. No holding back tonight." He pointed towards the menu.

"He is right. It is easier to get a hundred on your exam than getting Coco to treat you to food. Today is on him, so you shouldn't hold back." Jona stared at Coco, who rolled his eyes, unamused.

Axel nodded lightly.

Jona thought that she had a childish personality aside from her plomb persona, a woman who got hurt and angry often, but the child inside was a curious one. She surprised Jona every day with her emotions and actions. Jona smiled to himself when he looked at Axel's slight pout that popped out due to the confusion of choosing from a wide menu. "Let me help you," he leaned towards her, sliding a little to peer at the same piece of legible paper that Axel was holding, and the younger felt enchanted by the roses and cherry blossoms' fragrance she loved so much. "You love chicken more than seafood. You can have this orange chicken. It is delectable, and then we can order something else."

Axel nodded and then spoke. "Okay."

"What about the drinks?" Coco added, tapping his knuckles on the table impatiently, so it shouldn't be forgotten.

"Let her be, Coco...if she doesn't want to drink," Jona politely told his friend, who inwardly booted Jona. He needed Axel to be drunk tonight and Jona was throwing acid over his plans.

"I didn't book the place for nothing. We are all enjoying tonight and that's final," he curtly replied to Jona and then whipped his neck towards Axel. "You drink what I order. You are going to love it." He declared, c*****g his brows at the younger and snatching the menu from her.

☘

Jona was drinking responsibly. If he was alone, he would have let loose, but now, he had a responsibility, his inamorata to take care of, and he would gladly uphold it.

Coco was bopping, immersed in the ambiance, but at the same time, he was also observing the couple concisely. After four drinks, Axel arched her head on the backrest of the sofa, and for Coco, it was the moment of Eureka. "Come let's dance." He immediately stood, taking Axel by surprise when she gazed at them.

She saw Coco pulling Jona away. "You go ahead, I will be here with Axel," Jona tried to bargain, but the friend wasn't willing to hear even one word.

"Wait till you see him on the floor!" Coco leaned down to scream in Axel's ears. His eyes carried a little intoxication and his body was now starting to sway back and forth carelessly, mimicking the music, raising the temperature.

Axel smiled weakly, feeling a little jealous of Coco and his proximity to her husband as she spotted the man dragging Jona to the dance floor. Within a few seconds, Jona's body started moving sinfully to the music.

The bass from the speakers was aggravating everyone's heartbeat. The floor was covered with passion, and the jolting and rocking bodies could make anyone dance under the color-changing glint, but two particular people stole the show. One refinedly handsome and another heartbreakingly pulchritudinous.

To Axel, Jona looked perfect. His proportionate body, his flowy hair, gleaming with the changing colors of disco lights like a chameleon, and his glass skin were no different. She felt many things, and intrigue was one of them. She didn't know Jona could dance, let alone dance that well.

Her shameless stare doted at Jona's deep eyes that always exhibited care, but at that moment, they were careless under the influence of absinthe. His warm aura now intimidating, his perfect lips sinful, his stance attractive, but above all, his timeless beauty, which should be secured in a shell of pearl, was now on display for anyone and everyone. She was jealous of people ogling her husband, both men and women, especially Coco.

A few pulled out their phones to capture their moves on the camera. Axel could tell that her husband's skills were second to none. His bright smile and loud cackles represented how ecstatic he was and Coco was no different. They were lost in their own little world. "He is mine," she uttered silently, and then her gaze peered at the floor, trailing off on everyone who was drooling over Jona.

Axel also didn't want to miss even a jiffy of grace and elegance right in front of his eyes, not knowing when she would see her man like that again. Her gaze burned with Jona's, who looked back at her, mostly to make sure she was okay, and spotted her smiling.

Axel didn't shy away from him, as she usually would. That only made the man ecstatic and the feeling was electrifying for both. She felt her heart squish and then suddenly the emotions switched to a higher form of jealousy as she saw a woman walk over to the two, distracting her husband's attention, and they all shook hands with the brightest beams on their faces.

The three began to dance together and Coco pulled Jona close. The crowd cheered for them. The girls went aww and the boys just ogled. Pulse was a renowned l***q+ club. The smile that played on Axel's lips adoringly, disoriented into nothing and her cheeks hurt a little. While it was still unknown to her who the woman was, she couldn't help but acknowledge that she was beautiful and Coco kept pulling her in.

At first you put your arms around me

With the lyrics, Coco pulled Jona's arms over his shoulders.

Then you put your charms around me

He flipped Jona and put his arms around Jona's thighs as they swayed their hips forth and back, Coco's crotch area rubbing on Jona's behind.

We stare into each other's eyes

Jona turned to face Coco and they laughed over it. His body picked up beats faster than people's cheers.

And what we see is no surprise

Got a feeling most with treasure

And a love so deep we cannot measure

On that, Coco held Jona by the waist and leaned down a little as their heads flipped to the sides, and they kept laughing as ever, carelessly.

Axel felt hot all over. She wanted nothing more than to join Jona on the dance floor and snatch him from Coco's grip, to let everyone know who he belonged to. She tried to get up, but an invisible force dragged her down. There was no obstacle, but her feet couldn't create movement.

She couldn't claim her man just because she was jealous of people. She wanted to do it without any external influence. "He's mine," She repeated the words quizzically and emphasized how they sounded. In the next moment, she was choking back tears.

She knew Coco was Jona's childhood friend, and most importantly, her husband wasn't gay. Her terms with Coco were also notable. She had no reason to be jealous of Coco, or so she thought. But the drunk mind was never rational. She didn't like it a bit that Coco was imposing the other woman on Jona. Who was she even?

"Coco, I think we should go get Axel," Jona implied to Coco as he leaned to yell in his ears, but the latter captured him in his embrace.

"She is perfect. Look at her. She is enjoying her food. Come on! Dance with me. You have Axel all to yourself once you go back," Coco retaliated as he hugged Jona tighter and moved his body with his own.

Jona's body slowed down, and his face couldn't help but display concern. He wanted to run to Axel, but he also thought about how Coco had arranged the evening. He was excited about this for weeks, and finally, when it was time, he wanted his best friend to have the best time.

This little action from Coco left Axel in a fit of pique. It was overwhelming. She didn't know what to do, but one thing was for sure as hell, she wanted to spill the blood out of that woman and Coco right there. Wanting to tamper herself down as a strong gush of nausea mixed with jealousy and anger threatened to engulf her, Axel got up. She let go of the glass she was holding and rushed toward the bathroom.

Jona saw that as his eyes never left her. "Coco, let me go," he curtly said, but the woman held him back again.

"I will go check, you stay right here."

With the biggest smirk, Coco saw the woman follow Axel to the bathroom.

Jona couldn't stay on the dance floor, and he made a beeline towards their table, leaving people disappointed who were obsessing over him.

☘

The woman heard Axel puking inside the closed cubicle. "Axel? Are you okay?" She asked.

Tumbling, Axel bashed the door open, causing the woman to flinch for a moment, and before she could see the younger, there was a blur when she was grabbed by her neck and pushed back to the wall beside an air dryer.

"What the hell, dude!" The woman chided, holding onto Axel's arms tightly.

"He is mine. Do you think I can't see what you are trying to do?" Axel breathed heavily.

"What am I trying to do, Axel?" The woman kept gripping Axel's arms tightly against her collar, letting the cherry-haired woman blow out some steam.

"Axel?" They suddenly heard Jona calling.

As Axel's attention swaggered for a moment, the woman took the opportunity to push her back a little and straightened out her shirt's collar.

"Jona."

"Are you okay?" Jona approached the two. Not getting any verbal response, the man desperately looked at his pale wife. "Say something, Axel."

Axel's teary eyes blinked and she looked down. Jona was quick to cup her face between his palms as he spectated. "Are you feeling okay? Do you want to go home?" He asked softly.

Axel clasped Jona's hands that were on her face and held them there as she drifted her gaze. Her lips stretched into a small smile when her eyes locked with Jona's worried ones. But then she felt a sudden urge to vomit again, so she rushed to the sink. The other lady took the opportunity to get out of the women's bathroom.

Jona rubbed his hands up and down on Axel's back. "It's okay. Let it all out," he uttered sweet nothing and shot a glare at Coco, who was standing outside the bathroom, holding the door.

Rinsing her mouth with mouthwash, Axel sighed and looked straight in the mirror while gaining her composure. She looked at the worried face of Jona and, slowly, she turned her frame to her husband. "Party starts after throwing up. Isn't it?" She asked Jona rhetorically with a smile on her soft, pink lips, and intoxication in her glassy eyes.

Jona smiled at that, c*****g his brows at her in a questioning manner.

"I wasn't feeling well before... So I puked. Ergo I am feeling better now," Axel clarified, tilting her head to the far left. "So much so that I can go out there and get the party started." Her last words came out egoistically with a glint of superior arrogance in her eyes.

Jona was surprised yet again. He loved this confident side of Axel. He loved every side of Axel. "Let's dance." She added. Taking Jona's hand, she led him out, leaving Coco alone by the door.

The best friend jumped in ecstasy as he'd finally triggered what he meant to.