CHAPTER 22: TOGETHER AGAIN

"Are you going somewhere?" I asked as I watched him carefully fold another shirt.

Axel paused, glancing up at me. "I have some business to attend to outside the state. I’ll be gone for a few days."

My heart jumped. "Ohh... uhm... where?" I asked for no particular reason.

"Oregon," he replied, returning to his packing. "Why?"

Oregon? That’s the same state where Erica lived. This couldn’t be a coincidence. This was fate!

"Can I come with you?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them.

Axel looked up sharply. "Layla, you’re in no condition to be travelling. You can barely walk without those crutches."

"But I’d be with you," I said quickly, moving closer to his bed. "I’d be safe. And I want to learn more about the business. I’ve been stuck in this house for days, and I’m going crazy."

"This isn’t a vacation. It’s work."

"I know that," I insisted. "But maybe I could observe some meetings, and learn how you handle things. I want to understand what you do."

Axel studied my face for a long moment. "This is sudden. Yesterday, you could barely make it down the stairs."

"I’m feeling better today. Much better." I shifted my weight on the crutches to prove my point, though my leg still ached. "Please, Axel. I promise I won’t be in the way. Please." I pouted my lips.

Axel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "The meetings will be boring. It’s long hours of negotiations and contracts."

"I don’t care. I just need to get out of here."

There was something in my voice that must have convinced him because he nodded slowly. "Fine."

"Yes! Thank you!" I pumped my fist in celebration.

"We leave tomorrow morning at eight. Pack light."

My mind raced as I practically bounced out of his room on my crutches. I could see Erica. After all these years, I could actually see my best friend again.

The next morning, I was ready and waiting in the foyer by seven-thirty with a small suitcase beside me. Axel appeared at exactly eight, dressed in a nice business suit, looking every bit the powerful CEO he was.

"Ready?" he asked, taking my suitcase.

"More than ready."

The ride to the private airfield was nice, and though we didn’t talk much, it was still better than the silence we were used to. When I saw Axel’s jet on the tarmac, I couldn’t help but be impressed. It looked clearly expensive.

"Nice plane," I commented as he helped me up the stairs.

"It gets the job done," he simply said.

Once we were airborne and the seatbelt sign turned off, I pulled out my phone. I had texted Erica last night about the trip, and she had been over the moon with excitement.

"I can’t believe you’re actually coming here!" her latest message read. "What hotel are you staying at?"

I quickly typed back: "The Grand Portland. Do you know it?"

"Are you kidding? I live like three streets away from there! This is perfect!"

I smiled, typing: "I can’t wait to see you. It’s been too long."

"I’m literally counting down the hours. We have so much to catch up on!"

"You’ve been staring at that phone for the past hour," Axel’s voice interrupted my thoughts. "Everything alright?"

I looked up to find him watching me with curiosity. "Oh, it’s nothing. Just reading some articles."

"Articles?"

"About Oregon. The business climate there," I lied smoothly. "I just want to be prepared."

I knew it was a dumb lie. But I didn’t want Axel to know the only reason I followed him was because of Erica. I mean, I’m interested in business too, right?

He nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer, and returned to his own work on his laptop.

I continued texting Erica, making plans to meet up while Axel was in his meetings. The excitement was almost overwhelming.

As we began our descent, I felt the plane shift, and I decided to get up to use the bathroom before landing. I grabbed my crutches and carefully made my way down the narrow aisle.

But just as I reached Axel’s seat, the plane hit a patch of turbulence. I lost my balance, my crutches clattering to the floor as I fell sideways.

Right into Axel’s lap.

"Oh god, I’m sorry," I gasped, trying to scramble up, but his hands came up to steady me, holding me in place.

For a moment, we just stared at each other. His face was inches from mine, and his dark eyes were intense and unreadable. I could feel the heat from his body, smell his cologne, and see the flecks of gold in his irises.

My heart was pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it.

"Are you hurt?" he asked quickly.

"No," I whispered, suddenly very aware of how my body was pressed against his. "I’m fine."

His hands were still on my waist. Neither of us moved to break the contact.

"We’re landing," the pilot’s voice crackled over the intercom, breaking the spell.

Axel cleared his throat and helped me back to my seat, retrieving my crutches from the floor. But I noticed his jaw was tighter than before, and he avoided looking directly at me.

The rest of the flight passed in charged silence.

An hour later, we were standing in the lobby of the Grand Portland Hotel. It was elegant and modern, with marble floors and sparkling crystal chandeliers.

"Reservation for O’Brien," Axel said to the desk clerk.

The young man typed something into his computer, then frowned. "I see the reservation, sir, but it appears only one room was booked."

"That can’t be right," Axel said, his voice taking on an edge. "My assistant specifically arranged two rooms."

The clerk checked again. "I’m sorry, sir, but I only see one suite reserved under your name."

"God," Axel groaned as something seemed to dawn on him.

"Then book another room," I said quickly, trying to help him out.

"I’m afraid that’s not possible," the clerk replied apologetically. "We’re completely booked. There’s a big tourism festival this week, and we don’t have any availability."

Axel turned to me, running a hand through his hair. "We can try another hotel."

"Sir," the clerk interjected, "I should mention that most hotels in the area are fully booked due to the festival. The suite we have for you is quite spacious, with a separate sitting area and..."

"It’s fine," I interrupted, feeling my cheeks burn. "We’ll take the room."

Axel looked at me questioningly. "Are you sure?"

"Like he said, it’s a suite and should be spacious. Moreover, e’re adults, Axel. It’s not like we can’t control ourselves."

"Right," Axel nodded half-heartedly. He didn’t look entirely comfortable with the arrangement.

I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. Why does it seem like he was wary of me instead? I can control myself. It’s not like I’m lusting over him or something...

The clerk handed us our key card with obvious relief. "The penthouse suite on the fifteenth floor. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call."

The elevator ride to our floor was awkward, as we both carefully avoided eye contact. When we finally reached the suite and Axel unlocked the door, we both stepped inside and took a look around.

It was beautiful, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, a spacious living area with elegant furniture, and one bedroom, with one very large bed.

Axel surveyed the room, then turned to look at me with an unreadable expression. "Well," he said slowly, "back to where we started."