CHAPTER 10 : ALIVE AND SAFE

MIDNIGHT

When Dexter said he was throwing a party, I thought ten people would come, and everything would be okay.

 But Axe's penthouse was full of people shouting and drinking.

They are all either high or drunk. 

I adjusted my short green dress in the bathroom mirror and smiled at myself.

My grey eyes were full of life, and my blonde curls bounced on my shoulders. 

The bathroom door swung open and closed again.

 Jasper stood looking at me.

"My apologies", he said, wandering to the sink and undoing his top button.

He looked like he was having some kind of panic attack, so I walked towards him. 

 "Are you okay?" I asked.

He glared at me with a deep scowl, his face twisted with anger.

 He took a deep breath, and the air seemed to escape him in a heavy sigh. 

"Does it look like it?" he spat back at me.

 Despite his hostility, I didn't give up on him. 

"Hey Jasper, don't push me away," I pleaded, trying to reach out to him.

But he turned abruptly and shoved me against the shower wall, his frustration boiling over.

In one swift move, I gasped, shocked, as he pressed his forehead against mine.

 He touched his lips against mine, and then Jasper Underwood devoured me. 

Our mouths clashed together wildly in the fight for dominance.

He grabbed at my hair, tugging his mouth closer to mine. 

A sudden exclamation interrupted the moment between Jasper and me.

"What the fuck,". Jasper immediately pulled away from me, and I turned to see a confused-looking Dexter staring at us.

Despite the interruption, Dexter looked stunning in his blue shirt and jeans, but his nose was crinkled as he tried to make sense of the situation.

Dexter was clearly angry.

"Seriously, Jasper," he spat out angrily.

 "I kissed him, Dex," I lied.

Jasper watched me intently, and I knew I had to convince Dexter to believe my story.

 "He told me he didn't like me and could never like me. I told him a kiss could change that," I fabricated the whole story in a matter of seconds.

 Whatever was going on with Jasper, I knew he needed his friends.

Dexter watched me, and I felt a pang of guilt for lying to him.

"Okay, go join the party, princess," he said quietly, and I nodded. 

As I walked into the living room, I was hit by the sight of people dancing and the smell of weed in the air.

 It made me cough a little, but I pushed through and tried to enjoy the party.

I made my way to Axe's room for some peace and quiet.

As I entered, my eyes darted around the room, taking in every detail.

 I walked over to his wardrobe and pulled out some of his clothes, bringing them close to my face to inhale deeply.

 The scent of woodsmoke and warmth filled my nostrils, and I couldn't help but smile.

 Axel was always so kind and protective, and the smell of his clothes was comforting.

As I continued exploring his room, my eyes landed on a framed photograph sitting on his shelf.

 It was a picture of a young Axe with a girl who looked strikingly similar to me.

 She had long, blonde curls that were just a shade lighter than mine, and her eyes were the same steely grey as mine but with dark green flecks that made them sparkle.

 Axel had his arms wrapped tightly around her, and they both looked so happy and carefree.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice Axe entering the room until he spoke.

"That's Dehlila," he said quietly, his voice laced with emotion.

 I turned to face him, taking in the sight of his dark hair tied back and his amber eyes watching me intently.

 I couldn't help but wonder where this girl was now and what had happened to her.

His eyes blazed with an intense fire like they were about to burst into flames.

He shut the door behind him and strode ahead, his hands nestled in the pockets of his black jeans.

As he spoke, a sense of melancholy hung heavy on his rugged, handsome features, "Dehlila was a girl we all loved a long time ago. She was stunning, much like you in that department, but she loved us all, and that caused a lot of trouble."

He took the photograph from my hands and gazed at it sombrely.

 When I asked him where she was now, his response left me speechless.

"Dead," he murmured, his eyes still fixed on the picture. I looked up at him, but he seemed lost in his own thoughts, haunted by the memories of a girl he loved.

"She killed herself, and it was down to all of us", stated Axel, finally placing the photo at the back of his shelf.

"What did you do?" I whispered. A part of me was hesitant to know. 

"She made her choice, and it wasn't me. I was a kid and stupid. I said some things I didn't mean. Turns out it pushed her over the edge," he managed. Guilt shined on his face gloriously as he glanced at me.

 "You didn't mean it, Axe. She knows that, but I'm curious who she chose." I quizzed curiously.

 "Jasper," he whispered, stroking my face sweetly. 

Shock ran through me, and Axe laughed.

Suddenly, three shots rang out, and people began screaming.

 Axel grabbed me, he pulled out his gun and pushed me into the wardrobe.

 "What about Jasper and Romeo or Dexter and Cal," I cried out worriedly. 

"Princess, it's going to be okay", he said, kissing my head and closing the door.

 I sat in the small closet for what felt like hours until the door swung open, and Romeo stood, blood covering him.

 I pushed into him, gripping him tightly.

 Then I met his big green eyes round with emotion. 

"What's wrong?" I quizzed, confused.

"Someone's taken Cal", he whispered, and my whole world shattered.