After a few more seconds of uncomfortable silence, Alita decided to speak again.
"Look, I'm sorry abo —"
"You don't have to replace or pay for the shirt, Alita," Axel said after sighing inaudibly.
What he said caught Alita off guard and her face twisted in confusion. Was he really letting it go just like that? She was about to breathe out in relief, but another thought stopped her from doing that. She suddenly became suspicious. Why would he let it go unless he has something up his sleeve?
"Yes, I have to pay for it. I'm grateful to you for saving my life and I truly am sorry for trying to kill you earlier, but I don't know how to pay you back. The least I can do is to pay for your shirt.
Axel was astounded. Why was she insisting on paying for the shirt? "What if I say I have written off all your debts?"
"No!" Alita exclaimed immediately without any sign of hesitance. "I insist. Let me at least pay for the shirt." Her suspicion doubled or maybe tripled. He was definitely up to something and whatever it was, she was sure she would regret it if she agreed.
"Okay. Let's do it this way. I'll take you to the place I got it, then you can pay for it there." Axel suggested, hoping she would agree and not insist on him telling her the price of the shirt. It was baffling to him why she didn't want to let it go and no matter how much he tries to get her reason, nothing sensible was making it to the list of things he came up with in his head.
Fortunately, Alita agreed. "That's fine." She nodded. She knew it was risky trusting him, but she also believed she would be able to handle him should he try anything suspicious.
Abruptly, Axel stood up, causing her to take several steps back to get away from him. She lost her balance in the process, but Axel caught her just in time before she could hit the floor. With his hand wrapped securely around her waist, he pulled her up, steadying her until her two feet were standing firmly on the ground.
Her eyes stretched wide, heart hammering hard inside her ribcage due to the shock of almost falling down. What was he thinking standing up so suddenly like that? It shouldn't have startled her but his body lightly brushed against hers because she was standing right in front of him.
"Already falling for me huh? I don't mind catching you anytime you fall." Axel's voice rang out as a wicked smirk curved on his lips.
"Let go of me." She shrieked the moment she realised his hand was on her waist. He was holding her so close she could feel his minty breath fanning her face. Her entire face turned as red as a ripe tomato. Dear Lord, what is wrong with her... No, it's not her, it's him. She was not one to be moved by flattery or cheesy words, but it seems this man had coated his lips with something – something that her delicate heart had no immunity against. And he didn't even seem to be putting in much effort yet all her defense systems were crumbling one after another.
Axle let go of her and took a step back so that she wouldn't go jumping away from him and hurting herself in the process. "Grab a jacket. The temperature outside has dropped and it will take an hour to get to the store by car." He informed her and he watched as her expression turned into one of confusion.
"You sound like there is another way to get there faster." She voiced, but her expression changed when she remembered that they could actually get there faster by running.
"Indeed there is, and I would so much love to travel that way, but I'm afraid you'll faint before we get there." He answered, mischief dancing in his eyes even though he looked serious as he spoke.
"Why would I faint from running?" Alita asked innocently, failing to understand how running to the store would make her faint. She suddenly felt that Axel was underestimating her and she got annoyed. Who the hell does he think he is to look down on her?
"Not running, sweetheart. I wouldn't want you to exhaust your pretty legs." His eyes traveled down slowly to her legs and she suddenly felt the need to hide her legs despite knowing that they were hidden under the jeans she wore. She felt like he was slowly striping her with his gaze alone.
"And you will faint because I will need to hug you really tight if we decide to travel that way. So would you want us to use that means or..." He trailed off, looking at her meaningfully.
"The car is a better option." She decided and Axel chuckled silently when she turned around immediately to go pick up her jacket and bag.
Axel led her to the spot where his car was parked and she saw another vampire there. He was also another extremely beautiful creature and from the aura he was exuding – which was almost similar to Axel's – she could tell that he was the second hooded man in the forest that day.
He was standing by the driver's side of the car looking at her while she and Axel approached. A smile adorned his face when they finally reached the car and she noticed that his smile was less sinister when compared to Axel's. Rather it was warm and welcoming and before she could even stop herself she had already returned it with a small smile of her own.
"Hello, Alita. it's nice to finally meet you in person. I'm Asher. Hope he wasn't too hard on you his pleasant voice rang out and Alita couldn't stop her smile from growing wider.
"He's a jerk." She responded. He was friendly and easy to talk to compared to the teaseful demon beside her.
"I wouldn't agree less." Asher chuckled as he climbed behind the wheel.
Axel moved to open the rear door for her and she climbed in while he joined Asher in front. Asher threw Axel a questioning gaze asking where they were going and the latter answered, "Starlet."
When they arrived at starlet, Alita's jaw dropped as a magnificent clothing store came into her view. The building was beautiful even from the outside, but she seemed to realize something and her eyes widened. How the hell would she be able to pay for a shirt gotten from this store?
Vee's Note: Thanks to my dear readers who are voting for this story... Your vote means a lot and we are gradually moving forward. Please do not relent. Keep Voting.