MWB CHAPTER 7: Will Axel Open Up?
To answer the Choi siblings questions, we decided to hang out first in a cafe before buying clothes.
"Pfft." Hazel was trying to contain her laughter after I just explained the whole situation with Axel. Her litte brother glared at him. "What? It's kinda funny!"
"How is that funny? She's literally stuck with this stranger." He said, referring to Axel who just stared at him blankly
"Well, it's funny for me!" Hazel reasoned out. "And besides, I'm sure that this handsome man is no stranger to her parents if they trust him that much, right?"
She looked at Axel with questioning eyes, and Axel nodded.
"Mrs. Thindrel and I are close acquaintances." He answered
"You're close with my Mom?" I asked with my voice full of confusion. "That's kinda weird."
"It's not, though?" He replied with the same tone of confusion. "She's just really kind and always helps out. She's like an auntie to me."
"Uh-uh." I simply said
And silence begun to engulf the four of us. No one was speaking all of the sudden. I couldn't handle the awkwardness and decided to speak up.
"So.." I started and cleared my throat. "I need help for buying stuffs."
"Stuffs like what?" Hazel asked
"First, his clothes." I pointed at Axel
"Ooh, we're gonna fill his wardrobe. Interesting." She was obviously excited at that idea. "I'm so in."
"And second, uhm.. everything else that a household needs, I guess?" I sounded unsure
No, erase that. I really am unsure.
"Like cleaning and cooking stuff?" Theo asked, also sounding unsure
"Yes! Exactly those kind of stuff!" I exclaimed because that's what I exactly meant. "Necessities!"
"Thea, can you even cook?" Theo asked in a mocking way
"I- well-" I stuttered
I don't know how to cook. I have no idea what happens in a kitchen.
"I can cook." Axel intervened
"A man who can cook, huh?" Hazel said and smiled cheekily. "Seems like your parents gave you a future husband, Thea."
"What the hell?" Theo didn't like that
"That do sounds like hell." I followed, because I didn't like that either
"No, my relationship with her is purely professional." Axel handled it pretty well
"It better be."
Theo's expression looks like he have been wanting to punch Axel in the face. He seems really upset.
"Okay, okay! Next topic!" I tried to stop the atmosphere from being heated. "I also need help with teaching about living in a city. Or something. Yeah."
"I can also help with that." Hazel smirked. "Like, I can teach him how to make out with someone, how to have se-"
"Hazel!" I shouted and she just laughed at me. "Seriously.." I shook my head in disbelief and turned to Axel. "I'm sorry about that."
"It's okay." He nodded. "Although, may I ask something?"
"Another stupid question? Go ahead." I said
I'm so done with his questions that I'm used to it at this point.
"Okay." He said and looked Hazel. "What do you mean by 'make out with someone'?"
"Eh?" I reacted
What did he just say?
"Huh?" Hazel reacted late, but she was also confused like I am
"Watch what you're asking to my sister, jerk." Theo said in a threatening tone
"Oh, no. There are things that he doesn't know." I immediately said to Theo to avoid misunderstandings. "Though.." I looked at Axel, still damn confused. "I didn't expect this to be one of those things."
"What do you mean?" He questioned
"I mean.."
I was struggling with words to answer, so I looked at Hazel for help. Lucky for me, she got my message and cleared her throat, taking Axel's attention.
"Uhm, what exactly do you know about life?" She asked to Axel
Axel was baffled with the question. I get him though. Even I will be weirded out by that kind of question.
"We need air to live?" He answered with hesitance
"..."
We didn't know how to react at his answer. He's not wrong though.
"He could be just pretending to be stupid, you know." Theo was still doubting him
Axel was visibly offended by his statement. Jeez, what is it with these boys?!
"I am no pretender, and I am no stupid." He said with all seriousness. "Just because I don't know things that you know, it doesn't mean that I'm stupid. Because if that's your basis, then that makes all three of you stupid for not knowing what I know. Am I right?"
Now the atmosphere is really heated up.
"Calm down, you guys." Hazel tried to lighten it up
Thank God that Hazel is with us.
"So, uhm, back to what we were talking about?" I suggested
"Yeah, let me change my question." Hazel quickly followed. "How did you live your life while growing up?"
My mind automatically heard him answering "secret". I hope that's not his answer.
"Is it really necessary for you guys to know that?" He asked
Well, that's a change. I guess. At least he didn't say that it was a secret.
"Yeah, it is." Hazel nodded. "Because we won't be able to help you if you don't tell us."
"Yes! Exactly!" I whispered, but my whisper got all their attention. "Sorry."
Axel chuckled. Did he just laughed at me?!
"My sister taught me everything I know. In our place, our family is bloodline of leaders." He finally started opening up. "So my sister taught me how to fight so that I can defend my people. However, intelligence is also needed to be a great leader. Thus, she made me read hundreds of books that gave me most knowledge that I know. She also honed my thinking in practical ways that you won't be able to imagine."
He smiled. His eyes are saying that he's reminiscing about his memories of his place. With his sister.
"I think that sums it all." He finished
"Wait, what?" Hazel reacted as if she was left on a cliffhanger. "How about marriage? Passing the bloodline is important, right?"
"Men are only able to learn about romance when they turn 30. We believe that that's only when they will be fully responsible." He answered
"Nonsense." Theo disagreed
While me? I'm just watching them because I'm speechless. Like, seriously?! Mom is acquainted with these kind of people?!
I focused my attention on Axel. Well, it's not like they're bad people anyways.
"What a weird bodyguard." I muttered under my breath and sighed