“I’ll give you a ride home,” he said when she threw a puzzled look at him.
“Oh, I’m actually headed to the shopping mall,” she replied as the elevator doors closed again.
“No problem.”
Axel was cursing himself by the time they got in his car. He shouldn’t be doing this and he sure didn’t want to admit that he enjoyed their little moment in the elevator and a small part of him even wondered if he would get a repeat.
His mind was in turmoil throughout the drive to his home. He’d dropped Samantha at one of the bus stations at her insistence. He couldn’t afford to think this way. Deep down in his mind, he knew that he didn’t want to get hurt again.
Chapter – 3
Axel seemed withdrawn to himself for the next few days and Samantha let him be.
She’d worked on the reports he’d asked her to look into and she’d found out that the head of their Human Resource department, Grace was indeed taking her work privileges for granted. Grace has taken time away from work, getting her work done by her assistant, who signed in for those days on behalf of Grace, which was purely unethical and unprofessional.
If there was something she hated with a passion it was the misuse of the employer’s trust. Axel always paid his staff well. The benefits provided by Finlayson Corp were much better than compared to the leading companies in the market and she couldn’t believe that people could be this deceiving.
When she tried to talk to Axel that morning, he’d told her to meet him for lunch so they could discuss in details.
"I am famished. We should go and have some real food. What do you say?"
Samantha jumped up from her seat, startled by the unexpected intrusion of her boss, who totally acted like it was a formal occasion. He was leaning casually over her desk, wearing a blue formal shirt that complimented his eyes, the top two buttons of his shirt were undone teasing her with the view of his smooth skin underneath.
"Um… Sure?"
Her answer sounded more like a question to herself. She was totally confused with how he was behaving around her for the past couple of weeks, especially today. He was never the person for sweet words or endearments. He’d started calling her Sam, saying thank you and has been polite.
"All right then, just get your mobile and notepad. We will walk to the nice restaurant five blocks down the street," he said in a casual tone making her eyes widen once again in surprise.
"Okay."
Samantha watched as Axel walked back to his office.
She worked for him for the past one year and never once he took her for lunch outside. He had started taking her to the meetings he went for the past couple of months saying that she needed to learn everything about the business so that she can attend the future meetings on his behalf.
She knew that he was training her and he was planning to give her more responsibilities. He’d told her last month when he was really in a good mood. If anything she looked forward to that day. It also felt like he might have softened up to her a bit.
Her mobile rang and her lips broke into a huge grin on seeing the caller's name.
"Dad!"
"Don't call me dad, young woman!"
Ah... Oh... She was in trouble.
"You missed the family dinner last week. No calls, no visits. I was thinking of sending a search party after this call."
Samantha laughed out loud at her father’s rant. Her father could be terrifying for the others, but on the inside, he was just a huge teddy bear and loved to cuddle with his kids.
"Dad, we just talked two days before. And, I had work last week," she said in between her giggles.
"That was two days ago and you missed your mom's birthday!"
"Mom's birthday isn’t until the next month and will you stop exaggerating?"
"I was testing you. All right, I miss you already Sam. How is this old man supposed to live if his daughter is going to ignore him forever?"
"I will come home this weekend. Happy?"
"I thought you would come today."
"If you are so adamant then why don't you pick me up from the office this evening?"
"You're sure?"
“Yeah, I get off at five."
"All right then, I will send Tony to pick you up."
"It doesn't work that way dad. I am not getting in the car if you are not inside."
"But I have a meeting at four-thirty, baby girl."
"Well, then I hope you better be in the car, papa bear." She said, disconnecting the call and she did not miss her father's groan on the other end. Turning around she came face to face with a smiling Axel who held an amused expression. He wore his blazer again much to her dismay, she thought he looked better without it.
"Daddy's little girl, I see."
"You could say that." She nodded with a fond smile.
Axel couldn't help but stare at her when he stepped out of his office. She was talking over the phone animatedly and the happiness on her face was not something he had often seen.
She wore a pair of slacks with a loose-fitting green half-sleeved chiffon top which cinched under her breasts and flared around her waist, completing her outfit with a matching pair of green shoes with four-inch heels.
"You should smile more often," he said, making her eyes widen for a moment. "Come, let's get going." Axel was quick to mask his emotions, all the while scolding himself for talking to her like that.
The walk to the restaurant was silent, both of them not saying a word. The summer air was warm against their skin, giving a pleasant feeling. The different aromas of food engulfed them the moment they stepped into the homey restaurant which only increased their hunger.
Considering it was a weekday, the restaurant was full. Occupying one of the free tables by the window, Axel browsed through the menu quickly.
"Place this order for me. I will be right back," he said, pointing an item on the menu before heading to the men’s toilet. Samantha nodded once and she continued to browse the menu.
"Well, well, well if it isn't for our sweet Samantha."
Samantha stiffened at the sound of the devil. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face the one and only Dylan Kendricks.
Gosh, how much she hated that smirk.
"What is it, Dylan?" She hissed, not wanting to gain attention.
"Why are you avoiding me?" He asked nonchalantly as if he had known her for years.
"Me? Why would I want to speak to you?" Samantha questioned. "I have told you several times to leave me alone, Dylan. Why don't you get it? If a girl doesn't like you back, you gotta leave her alone," Samantha hissed in a low whisper.
She was getting pissed off with his cocky attitude. Dylan might be a handsome man, but he was a branded jerk. No offense. It was a mistake she went out with him once. The blind dinner date ended terribly with either of them having nothing in common.
She slapped him when leaving her handprint on his cheek when he tried to kiss her forcefully that night. After that incident, he’d made it his mission to stalk her wherever she went, always sending flowers, cards, gifts which she tossed gladly into the bin.
"Oh baby, I can't leave you like that."
"For God's sake leave me alone. I am getting that restraining order and I swear Dylan, if you don't back off I won't hesitate to put you behind the bars."
Samantha yelled not bothering to hide her displeasure. She didn't care if others would hear them. She was angry. Dylan happened to get under her skin no matter how hard he tried to impress her.
"You will do no such thing," Dylan hissed as his eyes darkened. It was not that he loved her, but the bitch played hard to get. Most women fought to gain his attention, and yet here she was fighting him at every turn.
It was not even like she was an epitome of beauty, or had a killer body. She was what he called chubby, short with a curvy body and huge ass. She was a challenge, and he just wanted her on his bed, to prove that he can have anyone he wanted.
"We don't get along and I hate you. You can'
t force someone to like you, Dylan," she said in a calm tone.
"Do you think I am after you because you are beautiful? I mean, look at you. You are not even attractive in the least. Who would even want to date someone like you? I am being kind enough to give you a chance."
His face contorted in anger as he shook her by holding her shoulders and she struggled to break free of his hold.
"Well, I don't want that chance Mr. Dick face. I would rather spend the rest of my life as a spinster rather than getting involved with you."
"Oh, you are going to regret this bitch."
"Take your filthy hands off her!"
Axel's bellow startled Samantha and Dylan's hands fell off her shoulder as he turned to look at him.
"Oh, is that why you don't like me anymore Samantha? Is his dick bigger than m–“
His words cut short when Axel's strong fist connected with his jaw.
“You shouldn’t talk to her like that!” Axel continued to punch Dylan until his knuckles were bloody, and stopped only when a distant voice of Samantha reached him. A few other customers and the staff had finally managed to break them apart.
"Axel!" Samantha shook him. It was the first time Samantha addressed him using his first name, and even in the state of anger, he seemed to like the way his name rolled out her tongue. Axel breathed harder trying to control his rage.
"Why would you hit him?" She was panicking, her eyes held fear and most of all, concern. For him.
"I would do it again in a heartbeat. Here, take my car and call a lawyer," Axel said, handing her his car keys as he noticed a cop car pulling in front of the restaurant.
The restaurant had called the cops at some point, and he was soon loaded into the back of a police car with his hands cuffed leaving a baffled Samantha at the restaurant. Axel had broken Dylan's nose, and he sported a large purple bruise on his jaw. Samantha glared at him with disgust as the medic loaded him into an ambulance before pulling her phone out and call the first number that came into her mind.
"Dad!"
∞ ∞ ∞
Axel paced the dusty floor of the small holding cell, waiting for his lawyer to show up. The anger simmered within in, and he did not regret his action, not for a bit.
When he returned from the toilet, he saw that bastard near Samantha. At first, he thought they knew each other and upon noticing her expression he understood that she didn't like that guy.
He didn't like him touching her and the words he spoke about her infuriated him. He agreed that he was not thinking when he decided to hit him, but once again he did not regret any of it, he did the right thing by defending her and he would gladly do it again.
"Mr. Finlayson!"
Axel turned to look at the officer, who addressed him.
"Yes."
"You are free to go."
Axel was taken by surprise by his words and watched with confusion as his cell was unlocked. He met his lawyer, Jerry, in the office to sign some paperwork and when he stepped out of the police station, he noticed Samantha talking to someone who was sitting in an expensive car.
"Your secretary, Samantha has filed a complaint against Mr. Dylan Harrison. Let's say that the man in that car, pulled some strings. He made a few phone calls during his time here and five minutes later, I was informed that you were free of the charges," Jerry informed him.
"Okay."
Axel watched as Samantha finished talking and faced him. Her tired face lit up immediately on seeing him and she hurried towards him.
"Hey, you okay," she asked as she gave him a once over, her smile being replaced with concern as she took note of his injury. "Come, we will have to check your hands," she said pointing his bloody knuckles.
"No, I'm fine. Who was that?"
"Oh, that was my dad. I called him when the cops took you in. I got scared."
Her dad? Her dad owned a car worth two hundred thousand dollars!
He was distracted by his lawyer before he could ask further about her dad. Samantha hadn't paid any attention to his refusal and instead, dragged him to a doctor. The good doctor ran a few tests and informed him that he had a hairline fracture before wrapping his knuckles.
"Thank you. Jerry said that your father pulled some strings," he said as Samantha drove his car.
"Oh, that's nothing. In fact, thank you for defending me earlier," she replied without taking her eyes from the road ahead.
"Who is he?"
Axel bit his tongue the moment the question left his mouth. However, he didn’t understand why his heartbeat picked up speed, anticipating her answer. This was new to him.
Too late. Why would he even want to know about some random guy?
Chapter – 4
Samantha didn't answer Axel’s question for a moment as she contemplated his question. This was the longest conversation they ever had, excluding their professional conversation and she could feel that something was changing between them with the cold walls Axel erupted around him was now coming down.
For once, Axel was not wearing the cold exterior, he always sported with. Though he appeared calm, her eyes didn’t miss how his jaws clenched or how his shoulders remained stiff as if he anticipated something worse.
"Last year, my sister-in-law set me up on a blind date, which ended terribly. The jerk wouldn't take no for an answer and I punched him in the face when he tried to kiss me without my consent. He was stalking me ever since, always sending flowers, cards and you know the rest."
"Why didn't you file a petition before?" Axel was curious as he visibly relaxed.
"My father is not a forgiving man, especially, when someone messes with his family. Dylan is a successful business person. Going to dad meant I signed Dylan’s demise."
Axel chuckled, his expression more carefree. "That jerk deserves that."
"After what happened today, I think so too. I just feel bad to think that I am behind someone's fall. I didn’t want you to be dragged into this issue either. My dad would ruin Dylan’s business and the future. When this is over, he will have to start all over again."
"Who is your dad?" Axel wondered. He’d remembered how Jerry spoke highly of her father, his tone held admiration of some sorts.
"It's -"
"Axel!"
Axel whipped around to see his parents rushing towards his car, both mirroring concerned looks. He didn't even notice that she had parked the car in his driveway.
"We got the news. What happened?" His mother asked as she frantically looked for any injury and her eyes watered when she noticed his bandaged arms.
"It's just a hairline fracture, mom. I'm okay," he tried to comfort her.
"No. You're not okay. Come on in, we're going to talk," she said in a stern voice, only the mothers possessed as she led them both inside their living room.
She never pegged Axel to live in a comfy home like this. She thought that he would be living in a penthouse apartment or a posh villa that would be loaded with modern interiors. Instead, warm colored walls and a comfortable warmth blanketed her as soon as she stepped in, making her feel home.
Their living room was perfect, just how she preferred with less furniture and lots of space carpeted with a fluffy rug that made her want to remove her shoes and feel the softness against her bare feet.
Photos of Axel, his parents and a few others, she didn’t recognize hung on one side of the wall, while a flat screen television perched on the opposite side. Samantha spotted a few pots of plants near the stairs and the walls that drew a small smile on her lips.
"I know who you are. My son speaks highly of you," Sara chirped, smiling warmly at her as she stepped forward to embrace the young one. "Jerry told us what happened earlier. We really appreciate what your father did for my son."
"Oh, no Mrs. Finlayson, it's actually nothing. Mr. Fin - ah, your son got into trouble by defending me," Samantha replied, returning her smile.
"You can call me Sara and this is my husband, Henry. Mr & Mrs. Finlayson are his parents," Sara chuckled softl
y.
"Oh, okay." Samantha smiled nervously as she tried to recover from the awkwardness.
"Now Axel, tell me what happened?"
Samantha watched as her boss's I-rule-the-world expression turn into that of a child caught with his hand in a cookie jar.
"Um... There was this guy who was talking badly about Samantha and I lost it when he implied that she was sleeping with, ah – you know. He was just being an ass and I taught him not to talk ill of any women."
"Huh... Now, that's my son," Henry clapped on Axel's shoulder with a proud smile.
"That’s my boy! Come here and give your mama a hug," Sara gushed, engulfing him in a warm hug. "We are so proud of you, Axel."
Axel smiled as he relaxed in his mother’s embrace. Samantha watched their conversation in awe. She couldn’t help but wonder how differently her boss behaved to his parents. He looked so relaxed with a genuine smile, gracing his lips. His parents reminded her of her family and she knew as a fact that her mom and Sara would click right away if they met each other.
One day her brother had come home with bruises one night after a college party. Apparently, he beat down the son of a bitch, who was trying to force himself on a drunk girl. Her mother had embraced him after hearing his side of the story and told him how proud she felt, at the same time warning him against his partying and drinking habits. Eric had come a long way since then.
"Oh, apologies, dear. Where are my manners? Sit down, please. I will get you something to drink." Sara pulled Samantha to the couch and made her sit.
"I'm fine, Ms – ah, Sara. Actually, Axel hasn't eaten since morning," she informed his mother.
"And, what about you, Sam? I don’t think you ate anything either," Axel piped in with a concerned look.
"Huh!" His question took her by surprise for a moment. She was definitely not expecting Axel to ask her if she had eaten or not.
"I-I was busy," she drawled as a slight blush crept into her cheeks. This was getting awkward and she wished her expression didn’t rat her out.
Sara and Henry shared a knowing look, a warm smile spreading on their faces. She liked the new girl Axel had brought home.
Perfect Revenge (Revenge Series Book 1) Page 3
