Bargain Wedding

I Had A Headache

A few minutes later, Jona was looking around but he couldn't find his girl when Tetsuo arrived. "Hey," Jona addressed him as the former hugged him firmly.

"How are you?" Tetsuo patted Jona's shoulder.

"I am well. Thank you for asking. How are things with your agency?" Jona asked.

"Things are going well, hence I am busy," Tetsuo chuckled. "Where's Aku? He asked next.

"I have also been looking for her for quite some time."

"Did you check her room? She must have gone there with Cloudy, as always," Tetsuo suggested.

"Thanks, man," Jona patted Tetsuo's shoulder. "I will go check." He rushed towards the stairs, but suddenly his feet turned him around.

"Coco!" He hollered. "Oh good, I found you. Please be good company to Tetsuo," he commanded his best friend and whizzed past them after almost pushing him towards Axel's cousin, and Tetsuo positioned himself to help Coco in case he fell.

When Jona was out of sight, rushing past the crowd, almost jogging, Coco turned to look at the shorter male. He had extremely beautiful eyes and lips, and, as far as Coco could remember, a heavy voice too. "Hi. Let me guess... Tetsuo?"

"Yes," Tetsuo's eyes wavered. "You must be Coco." He chuckled as he offered his hand, which Coco accepted.

"Empty hands, I see. My best guess is Glenfiddich with soda?" Coco motioned Tetsuo to follow him to the bar.

"You got me," Tetsuo laughed at the ground and nodded as they walked together.

"You were the best man, right?" Coco asked.

☘

Axel found herself lying straight in the middle of her bed with her shoes on, her left hand circling the rim of a whiskey glass kept near her. One empty glass was on the floor as she stared at the ceiling while Cloudy sat on her belly.

Her stomach was bubbling with feelings not known to her, but she was curious to know. Do I like Jona? No, it can't be. I promised myself. I promised to never love him. But what is it that I am feeling? I like Minhaj. Do I not like Minhaj anymore? No, I still do. But how can I like Jona and Minhaj at the same time? It is not possible. I cannot like two people at the same time. It is just not me. Her mind was all over the place like a broken cassette.

Jona tapped his knuckles on the door, which was slightly ajar to sneak a peek. Axel sat up, carrying Cloudy. "Come in, Jona."

"Did you get bored?" Jona walked towards her and put his weight on the bed. He looked at the girl whose eyes were carrying an eenie-meenie bit of intoxication.

Axel stared at Jona for just long enough to make it not awkward. "No," Once done with staring, she spoke, averting her gaze and petting Cloudy, who was also staring at Jona with his doe eyes. Axel clutched her stomach and said, "I had a headache."

Jona gazed at her hand on the stomach before averting it back to her head.

"You don't have to conjure up a headache to hide the truth, Axel. Especially if the headache happens to be in your stomach," He was preventing himself from bursting out loud in laughter.

Axel cursed herself inwardly. "Why are you here?" She asked, picking up the glass and taking a sip carefully while her right hand kept caressing the furry little friend who closed his eyes and rolled at the sensation.

"To tell you that I am sorry," Jona smiled at the way the babies were playing with each other.

"Why?" Axel asked slowly with her eyes not leaving Cloudy.

"That I left you alone to get bored."

"Jona," Axel looked at the man. "Can I ask you something?" It all happened within a split second when Cloudy bounced off the bed and ran outside. Axel excitedly leaped toward Jona on her knees, causing the mattress to disbalance her, and Jona leaned forward to save the whiskey glass from falling on the bed as Axel landed herself in his arms.

Jona's left hand was now holding a whiskey glass and under the embrace of his right hand was Axel. Her chin rested on his shoulder. "Anything, Axel," Jona cooed as he slightly bent ahead after gripping his hold tighter on the girl, and put the successfully rescued whiskey glass on the floor.

"Why did you marry me?" Axel's chin which rested on Jona's shoulder was now in the crook of his neck, her breath was ghosting over, just like during their second dance at the reception party.

Jona still had no words that could explain his true feelings for her. He was afraid Axel would ask this question again after that one time in a bar where she was drunk, yet he did not prepare. If he told her he loved her, would she even believe it? "Because... I like you, Axel," he ran his hand up and down the younger's back to comfort her. He knew that his cutesy wife was drunk right now, hence he thought to have some courage to speak the truth.

"But you like Coco-San, too. Why didn't you marry him?" Axel broke the hug and dead-stared into Jona's eyes with confidence.

"True, but he is a friend, and he is not you," Jona replied as his hand automatically moved up, and he touched her cheeks delicately. He was brushing his thumb against Axel's skin so softly as if it would deform if he was to put a little more pressure. Axel closed her eyes under the feeling of the most subtle touch. She felt intricate and special with how Jona was touching her skin.

Her eyes opened slowly when she couldn't feel the touch anymore. Her gaze darted at Jona's withdrawn hand, clearly wanting more. To Jona, it felt wrong because Axel was influenced by alcohol. He wanted to love the girl, to tell her that the reason he married her was selfish, but now he was the most selfless person when it came to her. Jona wanted to kiss her, tell her that he fell for her the unhealthy amount, her little whims, her anger, her beautiful lips, and innocent eyes, how delicate her beauty was, and how her mole on the left cheek meant the world to him. How beautiful pain it was to love her from afar. What he chose to do was to be selfless. He stood back up.

"Let's go. Dad will make the announcement soon," he asked the girl, who innocently blinked at him.

She looked dejected, not wanting to get up. Jona couldn't see the frown she had on her face. "What's wrong, baby?" He crouched down again and cupped Axel's face, this time firmly, yet it was soothing, and he saw her lower lip coming out, wobbling.

"Hug me, please," Axel asked, and tried hard not to cry. She was trying not to break down, but somehow it went in vain, which made Jona feel worse than he already was feeling.

He pulled Axel up and hugged her tight.

She sobbed, resting on the man's shoulder. "Shhh. It's okay. Don't cry. Tell me what's wrong?" Jona trailed his right hand soothingly on her back while his left hand patted her head gently.

"Talk to me. Why are you crying?" Jona whispered softly, but Axel only sniffled more.

"Do you want something?"

Axel shook her head.

"Are you angry or sad?" Jona uttered, hands still running on her back.

Axel shook her head again.

"Baby, please tell me. How will I know if you don't say what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Jona asked again, but this time his tone came out stricter.

"Because I don't know how I feel," Axel finally told Jona and hugged him even tighter.

She had zillions of thoughts in her mind and she didn't know how to process them. How her feelings about Jona were complex inside her head. Learning new secrets about him added nothing good to her pre-existing dilemma. She reminded her for the millionth time about the promise she made to herself, to never love this man. But it seemed to be faltering now. What was it that she was feeling?

"Aku, honey..." They heard a voice when Mrs. Aoki barged in and caught her daughter and son-in-law in an intimate moment.

Axel was facing the door, her chin was resting on Jona's shoulder. She did not bother to break the hug. In fact, if anything, she made her grip tighter around Jona's neck and kept her eyes closed.

"Sorry, Jona. Get back down when you can. We will wait," Mrs. Aoki stated sweetly, probably content to see her daughter accepting Jona, which she was afraid wouldn't happen any time soon. Because who was she kidding? Axel was stubborn.

"Thanks, Mom. I will be there in a few minutes," Jona replied over his shoulders without breaking the hug, his back facing his mother-in-law.

Axel was taking in all of Jona at that moment, and she wanted nothing and no one to spoil it. She needed to know what she felt for him, and today, she would only think about Jona and feel him. She didn't know if what Coco said had something to do with how she felt, or even if she would feel the same way about him tomorrow. But today, she needed to know.

"Is Axel alright?" Mrs. Aoki apologetically asked, albeit knowing very well that she should not be standing there to pry. It was her motherly instinct to make sure her daughter was okay, especially teary-eyed.

"She is alright. I promise."

That did it when Mrs. Aoki turned and gingerly shut the door behind her.

"Axel?" Jona cooed in her ear.

"Hmm." Axel hummed in response, eyes still closed.

"Sit here," Gently freeing his hands and reaching out to grab Axel's hands which were around his neck, Jona caught them before unclasping them slowly and making Axel sit on the bed. He squatted down to meet her face before wiping the remaining tears from her soft cheeks. "You know that I am always here for you, right?" Jona asked calmly, cupping her face.

Axel locked eyes with him. "Are you?"

Jona nodded in confirmation with a smile.

"Whatever you want to share with me or ask me, do it without any hesitation. You are very special, Axel. Always remember this," he told her as she blankly stared at him with new tears pooling in her eyes. "Will you?" Jona asked.

"Do you love me?" Axel suddenly asked.

Jona's lips curved into a small smile. "More than you can imagine," he replied honestly.

"Is it okay if I don't love you back? Will you hate me if I can't love you back?" Axel's innocent and honest question made Jona chuckle lightly.

"Never, my love," Jona took courage and pressed his lips against Axel's head. "I can never hate you." He uttered, looking into her eyes.

"You do you. Be honest with your feelings." Jona lastly told her and the girl nodded.

"Good girl. Shall we go down now?"

Axel nodded again and smiled a little, causing Jona's heart to feel the warmth. "Let me fix your face first," Jona chuckled affectionately.

"Stay here," he went to the bathroom and brought a paper towel to wipe Axel's tears. With the last dab, he said, "all beautiful again." Ruffling her hair a little, he offered his hand to her.

☘

"I see you have met Coco," Mr. Aoki patted Tetsuo's arm as he found him at the bar.

"We did," Tetsuo replied as he stole a glance at the handsome man. "Did you talk to Axel? Is she still giving you the silent treatment?" Tetsuo asked Mr. Aoki.

"Yes, but I would say a little progress. Today we hugged and she asked me where Cloudy was?" Mr. Aoki replied as they chuckled.

"She is a nice kid. Reminds me of Jona in his older days. He was also an indignant and snazzy guy. Now he is just...snazzy," Coco remarked.

"Jona is a fine gentleman," Mr. Aoki was smiling. His remark resonated with the pride of his decision to marry his daughter off to him.

They looked at Jona and Axel descending the stairs. The young woman was a little droopy. Jona knew better, so he held her waist tightly and continued to walk down to the party hall. When Mrs. Aoki saw the couple, she smiled brightly, and soon, they announced Aoki's business remodel and extension in collaboration with Suzuki Corporations.

People were applauding after the toast. Jona spotted Lohan with his mother in the crowd, who was also clapping.

The party had just begun. The soft music played, making couples position themselves on the floor to dance. Jona wanted to ask Axel to dance as well, but he almost chickened out and that was when Tetsuo found him.

"Dance from the newest couple in the room?" He smirked, looking at Axel, who glared at her cousin fiercely.

"I say we all go," Coco meddled as he joined them.

Tetsuo looked at him. Coco could see flustered Tetsuo as he playfully pushed him aside, intentionally, making the latter more and more bewildered.

"Can I have a dance with you?" Coco asked Axel, who smiled and took the offered hand.

They walked past confounded Tetsuo and Jona. "I guess it leaves us. Do you mind?" Tetsuo asked Jona, who smiled and led the other male to the dance floor.

Mrs. Aoki was smiling brightly, looking at Coco and Axel. The sight of her daughter hugging Jona earlier was too soft for her. She was the happiest person in the room at that moment. "Mrs. Aoki," when someone called her, she averted her gaze to find Jimin's stepmother, Hana. "I say you also join them," Hana proposed.

"No," Mrs. Aoki blushed. "This is the time for kids to enjoy themselves. We feel so old in front of them."

"Speak for yourself," Mr. Aoki quipped. "Who are you calling old?" He held his wife by her waist. The woman yelped and tried to pry the strong hands away from her, but failed. Hana kept smiling widely as she looked at the Aoki couple go.

"What are you doing?" Mrs. Aoki asked her husband.

"I am flexing my beautiful wife to the world," Mr. Aoki replied, and his wife smiled shyly but widely.

Jona spotted his parents-in-law and he pressed his lips together to not laugh. Tetsuo noticed the expression, and he turned around to find the source of it. "Uncle is the most romantic person I have ever seen."

"I should enroll myself in his university then," Jona chuckled.

Tetsuo thought that Jona must be assuming that he was judging him, but it was not the case. He knew Axel was a handful, and it would take Jona some time to breach the barrier to get close to her. Three months was nothing.

"I know Axel could be a little too much, but trust me, she is a good kid. Give her some time," Tetsuo tried to persuade Jona, but the latter already knew that.

"Don't worry about Axel. She is just perfect the way she is," he assured Tetsuo that he didn't have to vouch for her credibility. They looked at Mr. & Mrs. Aoki again.

Mr. Aoki was spinning and holding Mrs. Aoki with poise and utmost care. The lady's beige gown adorned her with more exquisite dance moves. Their eyes were sparkling with fulfillment and joy. Everyone around seemed happy except two people, whose hearts were ablaze with new feelings.

Jona couldn't help but think about Axel's sudden behavioral change. The girl asked to get hugged by him, which alone was enough to explode the fireworks of giddiness inside his heart. He decided that thinking about this hug would be his practice every night before going to bed.

Axel's mind and heart were all over the place. She has been struggling for days. When she married Jona, she thought that the man was a monster who reigned over everyone and that he would also force her into things, but her notion changed right the next day. Jona was far from a monster. On the second evening of the wedding, at the reception party, she really started to admire Jona's beauty. She was drawn by the man, and she found herself getting closer to him during that dance. At that moment, she tamed her mind, and now that she was putting her guard down and thinking about it, she realized that she had always been attracted to Jona.

During that dance, she forgot everything, every promise she made just the night before, and got lost in Jona's embrace. Today was a similar situation. She wanted to put a stop to all other feelings and really focus on how and what she felt towards Jona. As she laid on her bed some time back, she thought about the last three months she had been married.

She felt nervous whenever Jona was too close to her.

She felt respected when Jona didn't sleep in the same bed as her.

She felt being taken care of when Jona came back home and looked after her when she caught the allergy.

She felt important when Jona apologized to her after he scolded her for fighting with Jussy.

She felt exquisite when Jona kissed her at the altar, when he held her close during the dance, the way he held her, whenever he asked her anything in a low tone of voice, when he informed the staff about her allergy, when he confessed that he never took off his wedding ring, when he caught her yesterday in his arms, or just now, when he held her in his embrace and wiped her tears softly.

After considering everything, she concluded. She now had feelings for Jona.

Tetsuo and Jona were dancing, but their attentions were completely locked on the people dancing in front of them. Coco was now having too much fun. Although he was careful not to get too close to Axel, he made sure to whisper something into her ear and smirked at Jona every time he looked their way.

Jona was silently warning with his eyes that Coco would be dead any minute now. Coco was also silently replying to those threatening glares that if he was too jealous, then he should come and take his woman away. He was asking Jona to decide soon, otherwise, he would get closer. His smug smile was placing Jona in a hard spot.

Coco raised an eyebrow at Jona with a broad grin, and when his best friend didn't budge, he put his arm around Axel's waist to pull her in and the lady gasped.

That did it for Jona.

"Tetsuo, do you mind?" He half-assed and left him without hearing his answer even.

"Not at all," Tetsuo replied to the thin air around him.