Axel's eyes fluttered open and he shut them back tightly then opened them slowly and closed them again, blinking several times to adjust to the lighting.
He looked around, wondering where he was and how he got there. Memories of before he fainted started flowing through his head. He could still feel the pain in his jaw where Raymond had punched him.
He didn't understand why Raymond punched him in the jaw, or could it be that Raymond didn't remember him?
He wondered.
He raised his right hand and massaged his temple, to avoid the headache that was trying to consume him.
He sat up on the bed, with eyes closed, still massaging his temple. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Raymond by the door, staring at him, with hands folded on his chest.
"Look who has finally decided to wake up". Raymond said in a dull voice.
Axel grew angry when he saw Raymond. He still didn't understand why Raymond punched him when he knew who he was.
Raymond walked slowly towards Axel's bed. He knew that Axel had several questions running through his mind right now and he also knew that axel was angry with the look on his face.
"Don't look at me like that". Raymond started. "I only hit you because I didn't want Hannah to know that we knew each other. By the way, what were you doing there?"
Axel was getting angrier by the minute. Raymond was acting as though hitting him was a normal thing. The scowl on his face deepened when he heard Raymond's question.
"I own that estate!" Axel said in a matter-of-fact tone. He was still so weak so his voice sounded low and weak.
"I know you own the estate but what were you doing there? Last time I checked, you are a workaholic who stays in the company till closing hours". Raymond said and Axel narrowed his eyes at him.
"So you are keeping tabs on me now". Axel said. He couldn't believe that Raymond would keep tabs on him like that. Heaven knows how much he knows!
He glared at Raymond and the man chuckled.
"Don't look at me like that Mr Millers". Raymond said. "I know that you are upset about all this but don't worry, if you do as I say then I will help you with whatever it is you want". Raymond promised, his face looking serious.
Axel's eyes widened.
With the way Raymond spoke, it was clear that he knew something about him, about his entire plan.
"What are you talking about?" Axel asked, trying to sound indifferent.
"Oh common Mr Millers, I know everything about you. You were right, I have been keeping tabs on you. I know why you have been doing all this but as I have said I would help you". Raymond told him with a confident look in his eyes.
"Why would you help me?" Axel asked, "What I'm doing may likely affect you, aren't you worried about that?"
Raymond nodded.
"I know more than anyone else, including you, how much it would affect me. I may even lose my life because of this but I will help you if you do as I say".
"Fine then! If you wish to help, then I have no problem with that. But why are you doing all this if I may ask? Is it because of that girl?" Axel inquired. He wouldn't believe that someone would put his life at risk just because of a girl, unless…
"Is she your girlfriend?!" Axel asked, slightly alarmed. That was the only thing he could think of right now. He didn't believe that Raymond would be willing to risk his life for someone unless they are in some kind of relationship.
"Think whatever you want". Raymond said, " Just do as you are told and we won't have any problems".
"Okay, what do you want me to do?" Axel asked.
"Nothing much," Raymond started, "just treat her like you would any employee. Don't think of her as an assassin, teach her the things she should know, and scold her when she makes a mistake. Just make sure you treat her like a normal human".
"Is that all?! Axel asked with eyebrows raised. What Raymond was telling him to do was so easy, so why was he going to risk his life for this? By the way, why could Raymond do it by himself, why send someone else?
"That would be all for now. I know that you must be thinking why I didn't do it myself. Even though it looks and sounds so easy, it is a very difficult task, and I chose you because right now, it is only right I choose you because you are with her annunciator and she has no choice but to listen to you".
"Fine, I will do it, just do your part and I will, mine". Axel stated. "By the way, where is she right now? She didn't come to the company today, I will have to punish her for that".
"She is somewhere around. And yes, when she returns to work, punish her all you want. Give her the worst punishment you can think of. I don't mind. I won't cover up for her. She should have filed for leave if she was going to miss work". Raymond said.
Axel nodded at Raymond in agreement. If Raymond wanted him to punish his girlfriend, then he would do so without questioning him. After all, he was already thinking of ways to punish her.
"I will get going now". Raymond said, "the doctor said you haven't been eating well for some time, that was why you were so weak. Don't think that you fainted because of my blow, believe it or not, I didn't put much pressure on it.
Axel's scowl returned. He could still feel the pain in his jaw and he even felt that his jaw bone had dislocated, yet Raymond said he did not put much pressure?!
"And yes, if you are going to do as I said perfectly, then you need to be mentally and physically healthy. As I said, it may look easy but it's very difficult. Make sure to take good care of yourself". Raymond said and walked out of the room.