Chapter 49
Axel stood at a distance, observing the young woman as she walked towards a waiting taxi The tumultuous encounter still fresh in his mind. First, she had bumped into him, yelling in frustration, and then impulsively plunged her hand into the trash to retrieve a seemingly worthless ornament, resulting in an injury. He found himself strangely affected by her actions, going so far as to dig through the trash to retrieve her seemingly insignificant necklace.
Even after that he was still restless and had returned this time, with bandages in hand, he had even prevented her from almost falling, the clutched bandages still a visible reminder of the encounter, which he glanced down at with irritation.
He scrutinized her small, defeated figure, resembling a wet and bullied puppy.
Uncomfortable, Axel adjusted his glasses, then ripped them off in a moment of annoyance. With a sigh that mirrored his irritation, he turned away from the vulnerable yet doe–eyed woman who had exposed herself to harm. Clumsy women weren’t his usual preference, and he was unsure why he felt compelled to assist. In a wave of irritation he dumped the first aid. kit and bandages into a nearby bin as he walked by
She’s a grown woman; she’ll take care of herself Axel mused to himself.
With a determined stride, he made his way back to the bustling hall where Ethan lingered. The exhibition continued into the night, yet Axel’s thoughts lingered on the woman who had rummaged through the garbage.
In his contemplation. Axel pondered the significance of that seemingly cheap and damaged ornament to her. What hidden story did those large eyes, drawing him in with their intrigue, hold? Despite his resistance to being swayed by such encounters, Axel found himself genuinely intrigued by the mysterious woman. Axel couldn’t shake the image of her, helpless and small, sitting on the floor in that vulnerable manner.
“You’ve been out of it, absent–minded, Ethan remarked, his brow furrowed in curiosity. Axel had driven Ethan and Bella home after they finished at the exhibition. As Ethan. studied scrutinized Axel;his usually reliable assistant had made mistakes for the first time. He had disappeared from his side multiple times that evening, seemingly lost in thoughts. throughout the night. His attention was clearly divided, and he appeared preoccupied. Even when Ethan handed him a document, Axel took several minutes to register and move collect it.
“You’re probably just exhausted. Tomorrow’s a weekend. Take the weekend off. I won’t be needing you,” Ethan said, a calm dismissal of Axel’s services.
“I’m fine,” Axel countered, though there was a hint of tension in his voice.
“You’re moving into a new apartment, right?” Ethan inquired, seeking clarification.
“Yes, Axel affirmed, a slight nod accompanying his response.
“Okay. You’ll get this weekend to get yourself together. I expect you back fully by Monday” With those words, Ethan made his way toward the stairs, effectively dismissing Axel Axel felt a wave of relief; the weekend would grant him the opportunity to settle into his new apartment and address other personal matters. Given the unique nature of his work, he had chosen not to live as a member of the pack, opting instead for a residence in a high–rise building in the heart of the city. By Monday, he hoped to regain his usual composure: The dpe–eyed female who had occupied his thought would have left him mind completely. Or
BOLTE
so he thought.
Drained from a week of activities, Axel pulled into his driveway. The sound of a whimpering dog reached his ears, and a puppy, about three weeks old, walked by. Spotting Axel, it sat wagging its tail. Axel stared at the dog, wondering where it came from. He had never seen a dog like that on that street, and there was no one in sight either.
Axel didn’t like dogs, haunted by a childhood memory concerning them. Ignoring the playful puppy, he headed inside his house. Sighing, he stopped mid–way, glancing back at the dog. It now sat still, looking sad, its ears dropping and its back slouched. It looked miserable, much like she did. “Hopefully, she doesn’t trip over her own legs,” he thought with a snicker. But now, he found himself thinking about her again, and it annoyed him.
With an irritated sigh, he walked back to where the puppy sat and took it in his arms. The dog, already drenched in the rain, shivered, hovering closer to him for warmth. He headed inside, puppy in one arm, his tablet phone and car car keys in the other. Turning on the lights of his house revealed a well–furnished and spacious living room. The apartment was sparse; most of his things had already been moved to the new apartment.
“Okay, buddy. Listen, I’ll only accommodate you for tonight. Afterward, I’ll go drop you at a shelter or we’ll find your owners. I don’t have the time nor the energy to take care of you.” Grabbing a towel, he dried off the wet puppy. Taking a bowl, he put some milk in it and dropped a bowl of water alongside. The puppy hungrily lapped at the water in excitement, raising one of its feet, then tripping right into the bowl, splashing water everywhere and now stuck awkwardly in it. “Oh, come on, Axel groaned. His floors now had wet paw prints. This was one of the reasons why he didn’t have pets; he hated being disorganized. Things like this would catch him unaware, and he had no space in his life for something like that. Holding the dog up, he cleaned the mess up and set up another bowl. This time around, he assisted the puppy in drinking. “You’re helpless too, just like that woman,’ he thought spitefully. Annoyed, his thoughts once more drifted to her as he turned on the TV to focus on other things. Then afterward, he hit the showers.
Coming back, he found the dog carefully wrapped on his sofa. Picking it up gently, he placed it back on the blanket he had set up. Then, dimming the lights, he headed to his bedroom.
Axel woke up later in the middle of the night, disoriented from cries. He got up groggily to check what the noise was. The sight of the hairy puppy scratching at his bedroom door made him jump from shock. It took him some moments to recall that he had brought the dog in himself the previous night. Bending to the level of the dog, he scolded it. “Look, Buddy. It’s past two am in the morning. I haven’t slept all week, and tomorrow I’ve got moving to do. Can you not cry this night?he pleaded desperately, needing sleep. “Please you can cry tomorrow, at your shelter or when we find your family,” he bargained with the puppy.
But the puppy continued whimpering, its baby yelling getting louder. Axel groaned out loud. Picking the dog up, it snuggled close and finally stopped crying. Sighing, Axel returned back to the living room with the dog in his arms; he couldn’t trust the dog anywhere around his bedroom. Settling on the couch, he drifted off to sleep with the dog cradled in his arms.
And so, a man obsessed with his well detalled and planned life with a strange dislike for animals, dogs especially took one in because it reminded him of a certain person. Although Asel would rather eat rocks than adimir it. Teehee
Ethan retired to bed that night with a sense of satisfaction and contenument. The successful
persuasion of Dr. Gomez to visit the hospital and assess Daisy’s case had provided him with a feeling of accomplishment that had been absent for quite some time.
“You seemed quite pleased tonight.” Bella observed as she sat at the vanity, removing her makeup. Ethan was settled on the bed, phone in hand.
“Did something good happen?” Bella quizzed, intrigued by Ethan’s demeanor.
“I noticed you werent at the exhibition. Right from when it started to almost the end of it. then we come back home, and you’re looking all pleased, she remarked, studying his reflection in the mirror.
“It’s business,” Ethan replied with fluid nonchalance.
“Business, Bella repeated, her eyebrows cocked. The eagerness and hopefulness emanating from Ethan intrigued her. She couldn’t help but wonder about the nature of the business that had him so eager and anticipatory. Bella continued to observe her husband’s expression through the mirror, a silent inquiry in her gaze
Ethan, sensing her scrutiny, felt bouts of relief. He had harbored doubts about the Doctor. but after their meeting, he felt a renewed hope concerning Daisy’s case.
“So some business deal could have you this hopeful and excited, Bella stated, seeking clarification.
“You seem pleased with your purchase. Ethan said, deftly redirecting the conversation. He gestured toward the exquisite paintings and vase Bella had acquired during the exhibition. She scoffed at his words. They’re just randoms The true value, to her, lay not in the art itself but in showcasing her husband and her wealth. Tonight, she had accomplished that goal, which reflected in her pleased demeanor.
Just then, Bella’s phone beeped. As she reached for it, her excitement turned to horror проп reading the message.
*Hello sister. Did you miss me?” The words sent a shiver down her spine, and she nearly dropped her phone in fright. Disbelief and anger mingled as she considered the possibility of a malicious prank.
There was no way it could be him; he had died over five years ago.
Checking the number, the familiar digits confirmed the sender’s identity, sending tremors through her entire being.
Send gift
