Chapter 03

Kiss or Kill

“Oh, shit.” Asher whispered… he’s the only one who knows I know him. I glared at him.

“You’re an asshole.” I can’t help but say to his face and walked out from the dining table.

My mind raced and my breathing heavy every step. I could hear my father screaming my name and scolding me as I stormed out but I ignored him.

Frustrated, I stopped walking and scream when I reached the garden far from the dining table where no one could hear me… but oh, boy I was wrong, because when I turned and ready to go to my room, I faced Axel… I know his name now.

“What the fuck?” Was he there the whole time? I can’t help but close my eyes feeling frustrated and ashamed of what he just witness.. but then again, why do I care? He’s just my body guard and nothing more. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

He’s standing still, hands on the side, eyes not meeting mine and stoic expression… I can’t read his expression and he just look indifferent - yet also angry. “I’m here to protect you. Whether you like it or not.”

I can’t help but scoff. “In my own home?” I shook my head and stepped closer to him which he immediately took a step back.

“So, you played hero to make an impression that day huh? So my father could get you as my body guard. I’m sure my dad asked people who’s the person who saved me that day… and now you’re here, my new body guard, it looks like its planned not just a mere coincidence. That’s a hell of a strategy.”

“That’s not my intention.”

His answers were short and every time he speaks I get frustrated that I walked away, I couldn’t bear to look at him any longer cause I can’t help but remember the way he hugged the girl at the beach.

I went upstairs to my room, he followed me to my door. I was a bit taken aback because my guards usually just stay outside our house and me being inside my room while he’s outside is making me go crazy that I couldn’t sleep. I start to pace back and forth and realized I had to get out… party and get some liquor in my system or else I will stay up all night thinking of him… and the kiss we shared… it hadn’t left my mind ever since.

“Where are you going?” I jump, he’s awake and still standing tall… but I noticed there’s a chair beside him.

“None of your business.”

“You’re business is my business.”

I walked away… which he immediately followed me, I don’t care as long as I get to distract myself.

“You’re not supposed to leave the house at this hour, you’ll get yourself in trouble again.”

“Aren’t you suppose to talk? And just follow me? Most of my guards just do their jobs by protecting me… and they don’t have a say in what I want to do in my life.”

That made his brows creased, he didn’t say anything but glare at me as he follows. I smirk, and shook my head… that’s it, remember why you hate him, Val… and you’ll be damned by your own fantasies of him.

The colorful lights, the loud music, the smoke and the smell of liquor greeted us when we enter the bar. I immediately saw some of my friends and some familiar faces in the elite world, that distracted me from the fact that he’s standing beside me as I join the crowd, everyone confused and intimidated by his stance.

“Can’t you give me some space? I can’t have fun with you hovering over me.” I glare at him.

“I’m suppose to stay by your side. To keep you safe.” He said that like he meant it, not because it’s his job, and it almost got me.

I shook my head and roll my eyes on him. “Suit yourself then.”

My friends and I join the dance floor and he followed as I expected, but I ignore him despite some of my girl friends are giggling, while he’s just standing there, looking around and sometimes catching my eyes.

As I dance I can’t help but look over him from time to time, his presence is hard to ignore, and every time my eyes land on him, I notice how his eyes shift from concern when it meets mine and protective when looking around. His hands are on his pocket and despite him wearing a casual white shirt and jeans, he stands out among the rest, his eyes sparkle with the light and when he move his mouth I can’t help but notice how it shows his dimples. He looks like he doesn’t belong in this kind of crowd, and I just want to get out of here with him… especially that I notice some girls trying to shoot their shots to him.

“You look like you want to go home.” I snap back from reality when his hands reached my back, distancing me from the boy behind me who bumped my back.

I felt shivers down my spine and I close my eyes feeling the sensation, and when I opened my eyes I caught him smirking but looked away, when he met my eyes he’s back with being serious once again.

I cough. “I’m annoyed that you’re here. I can’t party and enjoy myself.”

“You’re enjoying this? Letting strangers touch you?”

I glare at him and distance away from his touch. “I hate you.” I whispered before walking away, finding myself a guy to dance with.

“I can’t believe the Valeria Elodie is dancing with me.” I roll my eyes at this random guy, who looks like a model, his face looks familiar.

I put my arms around his neck and whispered. “Shut up, and just dance with me.” He chuckled.

I sway my hips while his hands travel around my body and I close my eyes feeling the rhythm of the music but I opened my eyes abruptly when I caught myself imagining that it was Axel’s hands on me.

“You’re hot.” He whispered, face slowly nearing mine and I close my eyes but a hand suddenly pulled me away from the guy which made me shocked.

Though I wasn’t shocked who pulled me away, I glare at him. His jaw flexed. His eyes flickering with something unreadable… anger? Frustration? Want? Before I could protest he guided me way out of the bar.

“Are you crazy? You’re now interfering with my own life! How can I have fun with you by my side guarding every move.”

“I’m doing you a favor. You’ll thank me for saving you from a regret you’ll end up hating.” We’re now out of the bar.

“Like I regret kissing you that night?!” I screamed at him, he stiffened, his face unreadable as he put a distance between us while our eyes locked to each other.

“You shouldn’t have said that.” His eyes darkened for a moment but sighed, his eyes soften. “Valerie… You have no idea how hard this is for me.” Axel whispered, his voice low.

Before I could react I look behind me as I heard a car shriek from a sudden break and a van stopped in front of me, before Axel and I could react, the door opened.

My feet rooted to the ground and my brain screaming to run, but my body wouldn’t move. Axel was panicking as I was being dragged inside but they were too many.

While I was still dumbfounded of what’s happening I saw Axel running after the van. That’s when I snap back from reality, I screamed at their faces. “Get the fuck away from me you filthy fuckers!”

I scream from the top of my lungs as they tied my hands and feet. I pushed them and I kick their faces that made them even more annoyed. “What do you want from me!” I scream more, my throat starting to hurt.

I was drunk earlier but now I’m sober due to my heart beating fast from nervousness and irritation that I haven’t even finished my conversation with Axel, and I don’t know where they’re taking me… and oh, I’m sure my dad would kill me when he finds out about this.

“Shut the fuck up, little princess. You’re going to get yourself kill when you continue to scream.” The guy said with an eerie tone that sent shiver down my spine.

I tried to get away but they’re holding me tight and they tied my hands and covered my mouth with tape. I can fight but they’re just so strong that I can’t fight back… that’s when I realize that this is serious and not just some silly prank… and I might really get myself killed, and with the silence I can’t help but wonder that this is the second attempt… this hasn’t happened before. It’s like they’re really are targeting me… or my family, the thought gave me goosebumps.

The car suddenly stopped and when I look around every corner of where I looked at is dark… they grabbed me by the arms and guided me outside, there’s about ten people around talking and laughing about the success of what they did.

“He’ll be proud, we finally succeeded.” That sent shivers down my spine.

We enter an abandoned warehouse and they tied me to the chair while they’re in the corner drinking and smoking. While the other guy is near me making a phone call telling about their success, and their plan to use me against my parents while I’m shivering with cold and fear… I’m an adrenaline junkie but this is on another level… all I want is to get home, I immediately thought of Axel but shook my head, I want to grab onto the hope that he’ll arrive but at the same time I know he won’t be here.

“You can come and get her. Don’t forget about the money.” He ended the call and smiles at me. He put his hands on my cheeks that made me gasp.

But a loud roaring sound from a motorbike caught our attention and my eyes widen when I saw Axel when he removed his helmet. My heart beat fast as I watch him take down every men that comes his way, the way he moved - his body smooth and precise, my eyes glued to him… in that moment all the worries inside of me vanished away.

He moved like a weapon. Controlled. Deadly. Beautiful.

His eyes looked to mine while he was fighting them all at the same time and didn’t realize that tears fell from my eyes, he took them down effortlessly and made his way to me, and I couldn’t help but gulp at the sight.

His brows are creased and there’s blood on the side of his lips and the bruises on his fist is evident as he untie me. My breathing is heavy every time I felt his hands to my skin. The image of him earlier made me forget about the fight we had earlier… and all I could think of is kissing him.

He successfully untie me, that’s when I grab him in the neck and kiss him. I didn’t care how wrong it wass. In that moment I needed him. Then, he kissed back, we’re both moaning but in the midst of the kiss he pulled back.

“Don’t make me lose control.” He said, his face turned into stoic and cold.