Axel was in his office. He sat uneasily as if he was waiting for someone.
Open door.
Axel immediately straightened up and put on a cold face. It can be seen from the hands tightly clenched in the middle of holding back the emotions about to explode in his head.
Marco and Carlos came dragging a young man in a black jacket and hat. The young man continued to rebel, fight, and curse. He asked Carlos and Marco to let him go.
The two bodyguards had no intention of letting him go. They gripped the young man's arms tighter and dragged him to Axel. The young man was forced to kneel in front of Axel.
Axel got up from his chair. He stood with his hands clenched and stared at the young man so sharply.
The young man was indifferent. He casually massaged his stiff jaw. His face was bruised, and fresh blood was still coming from his cracked lips.
"Fuck!" cursed the young man. "What do you really want? I will sue you for assault and kidnapping."
Axel grabbed something from the table and threw it right at the young man's face.
The young man gasped when he saw several sheets of photos scattered on the floor. His hands were shaking. He held his wrist to disguise the shaking. He took one of the photos and smiled sarcastically.
"Andrew White!" shouted Axel. "I know you're the one who keeps on terrorizing and trying to blackmail Blair!"
The youth was unmoved. He remained hidden behind his black hat. His face continued staring at the photos scattered on the floor right before his knees.
"It seems you took advantage of Blair's innocence. This is just a warning for you. If you still bother her, I will get rid of you for good!"
Andrew laughed loudly, which made Axel even more furious.
Carlos and Marco stood swiftly and alertly behind Andrew. They stepped forward to secure Andrew, but Axel ordered them to stay there.
"Axel Barney, it looks like you're being conned by Blair right now," said Andrew.
Axel slightly bowed. He grabbed Andrew by the collar of his jacket until his neck was stretched, and he almost choked. Their threatening gazes met.
"Andrew, you have no idea who you're dealing with now. You better stay out of Blair's life. Because I would not hesitate to get rid of you."
Andrew just grinned. He didn't do anything or reply to Axel's words.
Axel released his grip and pushed Andrew's chest until he fell to his knees.
***
That night, Axel returns to his beach house in a mess. He was still riled up and unsettled by the fact that Andrew White was still hanging around Blair.
Axel sat pensively at the dining table in low light. He drank alcohol alone.
Blair was still awake. She had just finished writing the synopsis and went to the kitchen for water.
Blair was shocked to see Axel sitting alone with alcohol in hand without the light on. Blair also dared to pull the chair before Axel and sat without speaking.
"You're awake?" asked Axel. "Could you accompany me for a moment? There's something I want to tell you. Even if you don't mind it."
In the dimly lit kitchen, Axel stared at Blair intensely. Maybe Blair didn't realize it. Because the girl was busy with her own thoughts.
"Blair?" Axel said hoarsely.
"Yes?" Blair answered nervously. She sat up straight, holding the glass with one hand.
Blair thought Axel was drunk. The man sounds and looks sad.
"Protecting someone means loving them, right?"
Blair's attention suddenly caught on Axel. She placed her empty glass on the table.
"You really wanted to protect the baby in your belly. Because you love her, right? So, I will protect you."
"What?" Blair was a little taken aback. She still needed to understand the direction of Axel's conversation.
At that moment, Axel lifted his face and looked Blair in the eyes.
"I think I'm in love with you, Blair!"
For a few seconds, it was silent. Blair just kept silent and stared back at Axel. She wanted to see the expression on the man's face.
Then suddenly Blair burst out laughing right then and there. She had to hold her stomach from laughing so hard.
Axel felt embarrassed and awkward because Blair laughed at his sincere and honest expression of his feelings.
"Is this a new dialogue? To express your feelings of love for the previous girl who rejected you? You never give up, too, huh? I'm so curious about what kind of girl you like. If it wasn't Clarissa, would she be even more powerful and prettier than her?"
Blair still couldn't stop laughing. Occasionally she still chuckles even though her voice is not as loud as before.
Meanwhile, Axel just kept quiet and looked at Blair seriously.
"Is it funny?" asked Axel flatly.
"Yes!" Blair replied enthusiastically. "Actually, this looks sad. Because you keep getting rejected by her. But, you constantly struggle to get her back."
"I don't know how many dialogues you have practiced to win her heart. Axel, instead of wasting time chasing this girl, you should focus on your future and your job. Find another girl who can accept you."
Axel was still silent and seemed to be holding back disappointment.
"I don't understand anyway. Why do you want the girl who rejected you so badly? Even though there are lots of women out there who want you."
Axel's face hardened. It looked like he was holding back the turmoil.
“If you want, you can get any girl easily. Initially, I thought that way. You are rich and handsome. But when I realized you were rejected by a girl, I started to think something else about you. I don't think you're as good as I thought."
"I am crazy!" Axel hissed very softly.
"What?" asked a slightly surprised Blair.
"I have no common sense!" Axel shouted so loudly. Then he got up and left Blair alone at the dinner table.
"Hey, Axel! Clean your drink first. You can't just walk away!" protested Blair.
Axel didn't care. He continued to walk faster toward his room.
"Base!" grunted Blair. "He always makes a mess in the house. Just because he has money and everything, it doesn't matter even if I'm pregnant; I have to do all the housework alone."
Axel slammed the bedroom door and threw his jacket and shirt on the bed. He ruffled his hair and rubbed his tired face.
"I'm really crazy! Why was I so reckless that I told her my true feelings? Why should I reveal it without preparation? See, she's laughing at me! This is embarrassing!"
Axel kept pacing back and forth in his room, holding back his annoyance. He was so embarrassed and disappointed with the reaction shown by Blair.
"What exactly do I expect from a little girl underage like her?" Axel kept grumbling.
"I'm a grown man! And I fell in love with a teenager? Yes, it's a little embarrassing and outrageous! But I can't lie. My feelings are really sincere. See what she did to me in return?"
Blair kept thinking about Axel's words while washing the glass that Axel had just left.
"What about him? He came home and was suddenly drunk alone in the kitchen. Then say nonsense? Is he really in a mess because he keeps getting rejected by that woman?"