Bargain Wedding

A Shocking Truth

Axel was dancing in the studio. Dancing came to her naturally. She wasn't good at it at first, but it didn't take her long to find her escape from the world in it. Dancing made her feel a sense of purpose. Her mind would turn clearer than ever into the act. Every time she was tired, she danced. Miraculously, it didn't add to her exhaustion ever. Rather, it rejuvenated her body, mind, and soul. Expressing herself with her body was easier for her than with words.

When she danced, the clock stopped.

After having at it for more than an hour, she was drenched in sweat as she hit her back on the wooden floor, huffing. Strangely enough, a thought crossed her mind. She wanted Jona to be there while she danced. Maybe she could then tell him all the things she felt about him, through her dancing. "Jona's body language as a dancer is not that bad for the last two times I danced with him." She mumbled, thinking in a daze, eyes darted at the white ceiling panel lights as her chest fervently rose and fell.

She heard someone banging on the door like drums. The sound inside was faint, obviously, more like she felt vibrations because it was a soundproof studio, but to create those vibrations, she could imagine how the person on the other end must be going at it. Why was this person banging instead of pressing the bell switch? She got on her feet and opened the door to the one she was least interested in looking at. "What?" She asked.

"Do you know for how long I have been banging the crap out of your door?" Jussy barked at Axel.

"I am pretty sure you have a mind of your own. Don't be afraid to use it," Axel replied with a bored expression.

"You!" Jussy chided as she tried to grab Axel's drenched white t-shirt when the younger woman dodged her hand and curled down to pick the towel from the stand.

"Doorbell, Einstein," she pointed with her index finger at the switch, regaining her posture after picking up the towel.

"Mom is calling you," Jussy uttered bitterly.

"I will be there in ten," being done with entertaining Jussy, Axel shut the door on her face.

In the next moment, she heard the ringing of the bell, repeatedly at that. Axel scoffed. Not minding the sound, she went for a shower while the bell kept ringing.

After a shower, she changed clothes in a very relaxed manner to rile up Jussy more. The bell stopped ringing for some time and Axel giggled as she came out of the cabin, drying her hair, but then she heard the bell ring again.

"I swear to god if she rings one more time, she will get the second slap of her dear life from me," Axel pranced by throwing a wet towel on the floor and slipped in the process of opening the door on the same towel before landing in Jona's arms, who caught her before she hit the ground.

Axel's eyes were flinched shut as she waited for the pain, but it never came. She opened them to the dark brown ones, staring at her with affection and question. Her waist and back were supported by Jona's hold. His soft hands felt so good to Axel that she hated it. Her heart picked up the pace while her face was adorned with a hue of beautiful red.

"You need to be careful," the man uttered with a low tone of voice, causing a shiver to jog down Axel's entire body. She clutched onto Jona's shoulder to stand straight and Jona's gaze was disrupted from his wife's face to her bare feet.

"Were you ringing the bell a few minutes back?" Axel asked.

"I just did," Jona replied, making Axel sigh in relief that she didn't mistake him for Jussy.

"Did you need something?" Axel asked as they walked out of the studio after she picked the wet towel from the wooden floor and put it on the stand.

"We have a store manager here with catalogs. You should go and choose what you want to wear for the evening's party," Jona advised.

"Oh no!" Axel intoned, holding her head with both hands. "How can I forget about it?" Her eyes gleamed. After all, it was the party thrown by her family on the occasion of their business remodel.

Her feet picked up speed, and she spotted an executive sitting in the living room, carrying many catalogs by the designers. After careful consideration and discussion with Jona about what color he was choosing, Axel also chose an all-black, sleeveless, bodycon dress.

"Thank you, ma'am," the young man bowed at Axel. "The dress will reach you in a few hours."

☘

With a black dress hugging her body and black pumps, Axel chose a silver bracelet as an only accessory adorning her wrist. She looked no less than any beautiful model ready for her show. The room filled with musk and lilies' fragrance just as she walked out of the closet. Jona had his back on her. When he whiffed the fragrance deeply as he buttoned his cufflinks, turning around, his heart instantly felt wobbly with the way Axel had managed to carry herself.

"You look breathtaking," he complimented the girl, who, surprisingly, took it well.

She flashed a smile at the husband while tucking a strand of her hair behind her left ear, causing Jona Suzuki to gulp at first, and then his lips curved into a smile too. He did not need much, just this girl to always smile like that.

Axel wanted to say something, but proper words were scarce. She didn't know how to compliment the man who was the definition of slender. Not wanting to freak herself out, she worked with a shy, 'you too'.

"Shall we?" Jona asked. Axel nodded and he picked up his wallet from the nightstand along with the keys and a beautifully wrapped box. "This is for you." He handed the box to Axel, who stared at it.

"I know technology has advanced, but the box will still not open itself," Jona remarked, and the girl stared at him.

"What is this?" She asked and shifted her gaze back to the golden box.

"Tch... Open it," Jona gushed with urgency. "Something small, I hope you like it." He replied, hoping Axel would accept it without making a fuss.

The younger unwrapped the box delicately, afraid of tearing the wrapping paper, and flipped it open. There was a very fine diamond-studded necklace inside. She loved it, which was visible by the shine in her eyes that complimented her bright smile.

Jona was thanking God infinitely for her reaction.

"May I?" He asked. The brunette nodded and handed it to him to put it on her neck.

"It looks more pretty now that it is on you." Jona heaved a sigh, looking at it, flirting a little, and Axel smiled with a blush. Jona's brain stopped functioning right there. But, he had to keep moving.

The two left the room and Jona called out to his mother as they descended the stairs. "Yes, honey," the red-haired woman came out of her room.

"We will be off then. Please come soon," he requested politely.

"Don't worry, son. I am right behind you. Take Axel home first. She seemed excited." Ms. Suzuki commented, smiling at Axel, who was standing behind Jona.

"This is also her home, mother," Jona replied, earning two pairs of glances at him, which he ignored and gently motioned his adorable wife by putting his hand lightly on her waist.

"Can I drive?" Axel asked Jona when they reached the parking compound.

"I thought cars were your enemy," Jona accused wittingly, and Axel pouted a little, trying to glare at Jona but failed miserably.

"Wait a minute here," Jona rushed back into the elevator and Axel looked at him, specifically his back. Jona's perfect body was accentuated under the black embroidered designer suit.

Does he work out?"

Axel was in her thoughts, slumped against Jona's Audi, tapping her feet on the ground and humming a song. Not soon after, Jona returned as an elevator door opened to the basement. In his hands were Bugatti Chiron keys which Axel left to rust. "Here!" He bounced the keys over to her, who was quick to catch.

Jona walked up to her and gave her time to register the keys. He then held her wrist and nudged her gently towards the orange Bugatti resting at a distance. He walked around to the passenger seat and gazed at Axel, whose eyes were darting at nothingness, lost in thoughts. He tapped his two knuckles over the car's sturdy body, which bent Axel's ears enough to look at him. "What's the matter? Forgot how to drive?" He teased.

"Jona-"

"Yeah, yeah. I know. You hate me and my gifts. I will not ask you to keep it. You have made it quite clear the first time," Jona's smile vanished momentarily albeit he was teasing her, which Axel also knew, but somehow, Jona also spoke the tragic truth.

Axel took in the hurt expression on Jona's face. "I don't hate you," she mumbled slowly as she unlocked the car with a beep, but Jona couldn't hear her words.

Just as she started the car, she couldn't help but giggle.

She sped away immediately. It was not about the cost of the car or how cool she looked inside, though she did, it was rather the utterly fulfilling and satisfying experience of savoring the drive, even if it was for fifteen minutes.

The house gate was opened for Axel by home guards with the brightest smiles and respectful bows directed at her and Jona. The place was lit through and through. Axel didn't want to give the keys to the chauffeur, so she parked the car herself.

Just as they got out, they were welcomed by Mr. Aoki. He hugged Jona first and hesitated to hug Axel, even though, awkwardly, they did manage to pull it off.

They walked inside and spotted Mrs. Aoki talking with a group of people. Axel rushed towards her and from behind, she snaked her arm around her mother's waist the moment she caught up with her.

Mrs. Aoki gasped at the sudden invasion. "Mom!" Axel spoke excitedly.

Mrs. Aoki excused herself from people as she turned and hugged her girl. "Aku, I have missed you so much. You look like an elegant woman," the mother glanced at the lady proudly, looking at her all starry-eyed after breaking the hug. "Where is Jona?" She asked as she peered through the crowd and spotted Jona with her husband.

When her gaze met with Axel's again, she was frowning with a pout. "Is that how much you missed me that you only asked for Jona?"

Mrs. Aoki chuckled fondly. "Don't you worry, baby. You are still my favorite child."

"Bro, I am your only child," Axel corrected her.

"Jona is my son, too," Mrs. Aoki stroked Axel's hair, smiling wide.

Just as the two were talking, their husbands caught up to them. "But who do you love more?"

Jona and Mr. Aoki heard Axel and smiled.

"Of course you, honey." Mrs. Aoki cupped Axel's right cheek in her palm and nudged it a little before turning to Jona.

"Hi, Mom," Jona bowed to greet his mother-in-law. It didn't fit well with Axel when Jona addressed her mom as such. It was a bit awkward for her. A stranger got into their lives and now the alluring stranger was her husband and son-in-law to their parents.

"Jona, my favorite son-in-law," Mrs. Aoki beamed and leaned toward Jona to hug him.

"He is your only son-in-law," Axel mumbled, and Jona's heart swelled in pride at the statement as his cheeks gained color, but he continued smiling while embracing the older woman respectfully and gently.

"How have you been? Did Axel give you any trouble?" Mrs. Aoki asked, eyeing her fluffball in the process.

"No, mom. She is a peach," Jona replied, locking eyes with Axel as he pulled away from the hug. His gaze was so engaging that Axel couldn't look away until Jona averted it back to her mother. "The party is a bop. I love the decoration." He praised, looking at Mr. Aoki.

"Oh, no, no... If I was in charge, the place wouldn't look..." Mr. Aoki thought of the right word for it and then said, "so pink." He pointed to the ceiling.

Mrs. Aoki glared at her husband. "Which looks wonderful, by the way." Mr. Aoki hurriedly added with a meek smile and pulled his wife close by holding her waist, at which, both young people laughed.

"Come, son, I will introduce you to a few people." Mrs. Aoki offered Jona, thinking about letting Axel have some time alone with her father to talk. Jona followed his mother-in-law after excusing himself, leaving the awkward two behind. Well, awkward with each other.

People were standing in circles in small groups as they talked. The waiters in white shirts, black pants, and bow ties were serving food in white trays covered with silver sequin covers. At the center was a bar where people were flocking, their laughter echoing.

"Where is Cloudy?" Axel asked her father.

"You know how he doesn't like large gatherings. He is with maids in his room," her father replied, hoping Axel wouldn't make an excuse to see Cloudy and leave.

Axel nodded and looked at Jona. She couldn't help but wonder how different and elegant Jona was from her. From the way he dressed, walked, and talked with respect and etiquette, or even the way he smiled politely and never raised his voice, she pondered if this dainty Jona had even punched anyone in his life, which made her smile while her father trailed her gaze and also smiled.

"I will go to Cloudy. I miss him," Axel told her father, who nodded and wished she would talk more, but he could be patient.

Everyone was in their world and Axel felt lonely in her own house. She was the only one there who wasn't involved or knew anything business-related, and talking to her father was a no-no. So, she wandered around because Cloudy wouldn't come out in a clamor, and she didn't want the dog to be groggy. Suddenly, she heard a frolic voice calling her. Turning around, she found Coco. "Coco-San," Axel's face lit up. At least someone to talk to.

"How are you, buddy?" The best friend of her husband extended his hand towards her which she accepted with a chuckle.

"I am okay. How have you been? You don't visit us at home often," Axel complained.

"What can I say? I am not very fond of the plastic lady," Coco chuckled.

"Doesn't Jona mind when you call her that? You always call her plastic lady," Axel noted in a hushed voice, looking over her shoulders as if she didn't want Jona to hear, otherwise he would scold her, again.

"Jona also knows everything. He is just nice to them because his father took them in. Uncle Suzuki took Lohan and Jussy's responsibility and the Suzuki men are true to their words," Coco was now dragging Axel to the bar. He took two whiskey glasses on the rocks and offered one to Axel, which she accepted. Coco then motioned for her to walk away from the bar, and they ended up in a corner under the staircase. "When Jona's mother died a few years ago, the plastic lady used to be her nurse. She took care of her leniently, but sadly, Mrs. Suzuki couldn't make it. Nonetheless, Mr. Suzuki was impressed by her work, so he offered her a job and she cried in front of him. Begged him to help them."

Coco looked around, making sure nobody was hearing whatever he was going to say. "Don't tell Jona I told you about this because it is not my truth to tell you, but I want to," he continued. Axel nodded in curiosity and also felt wrong because Jona was, after all, her husband. She should not know anything about him that Jona wouldn't want to share with her himself. Coco was determined to plant a sapling of Jona's love into Axel's heart, but no one knew that it might already have been there for some time. All that was required for that sapling to bloom was a little nudge. "She never got married to Mr. Suzuki," Coco spoke fast. "He just took her in and gave her the Suzuki name so that her life becomes easy."

"WHAT?" Axel's big round eyes were now rounder and on the verge of falling out.

"She was on a string of being homeless and Uncle Suzuki was determined to help her. He took her in and Jona opted not to treat her as a servant because she was, after all, someone who took care of her dying mother. The rest you know."

It was not Coco's place to say anything in this regard, but he wanted to help his best friend out. He knew there was still nothing between Jona and Axel except that they were two acquaintances who shared a room and were on talking terms. He thought if Axel would get to know a little more about him, then maybe, just maybe, she would think about him or look at him differently.

Axel was beyond bewildered.

"Only me and Jona knew about it till today. Welcome to the club," Coco clinked his glass with Axel's and winked as if he hadn't just dropped a nuclear bomb on her.

"Why does Jona call him mother?" Axel asked, her face scowled as though she was losing sanity. She poured the bitter liquid in her mouth to make sense of anything that Coco had just told her.

"That's for her protection. If outsiders get to know that she is no one, then she will get attacked. She was involved with local gangs, offenders, and drug traffickers in the past. If the news gets out, her game is over. She remains untouched as long as she has the protection of their mansion and Suzuki's name," Coco explained.

Axel looked toward Jona, who was talking to a few people and his usual polite smile was on the display. She could never have suspected otherwise, judging by the way he treated her, a total stranger. The respect Axel had for Jona increased a hundredfold instantly. She knew for a long time that Jona was a good man, but he was other-worldly, Axel didn't know, an angel disguised as a human. A foreign feeling invaded her heart all of a sudden, filled with warmth.

"Sorry, Axel, but I have to go now. I will catch up in a while," Coco pointed at Jona, who was calling him, and rushed towards him with a mischievous smile on his face.

Axel sighed.

All around her was a cacophony of noises, but she heard nothing and saw nothing. She needed someone to talk to.

"Where the hell is Tetsuo-San?" She mumbled as she took out her phone to text her older cousin.

Bro? WTF? Where are you?

Sorry, Aoki. On my way. Might be thirty minutes. Save me some beer.

Axel huffed.

"What am I supposed to do now?" She looked around and picked up two more glasses to take them to her room, rather than being the pretty mannequin for the crowd that kept ogling her.