CHAPTER 46: NOT MY PROBLEM

Just then, Axel appeared in the hallway. "What’s going on here?"

"Who are you?" the landlord demanded.

"Someone you don’t want to mess with," Axel said coldly, stepping into the apartment. "Take your hands off her. Now."

The goon hesitated but didn’t let go of Erica. Axel moved faster than I’d ever seen him move, grabbing the man’s wrist and twisting until he released her.

"We’re leaving," the landlord said quickly, backing away. "But she can’t stay here. I want her gone by tomorrow, or I’m calling the authorities."

After they left, Axel checked me over. "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine, but Erica..."

Suddenly, Erica broke down completely. "I’m so sorry," she sobbed. "I’m so sorry for getting you both into this mess. I should have just stayed away. I should have handled this alone."

"Stop it," I said firmly, kneeling beside her. "This isn’t your fault."

"But now you’re both in danger because of me. My landlord is scared, and those men..."

"We’ll figure it out," I interrupted. "But first, you can’t be left alone, and you clearly don’t have anywhere safe to stay."

I turned to Axel, who was watching the situation with a guarded expression. "She can stay with us, right? Just until we sort this out?"

Erica shook her head immediately. "I can’t impose on you like that. I’ve already caused enough trouble."

"You’re not imposing," I insisted, then looked at Axel pleadingly. I could see he wasn’t thrilled about the idea, but after a moment, he nodded reluctantly.

"Fine. But we need to establish some ground rules and security measures."

Relief flooded through me. "Thank you, Axel."

Erica was still crying. "I don’t deserve friends like you. I really don’t."

"Yes, you do," I said, putting my arm around her. "And we’re going to keep you safe. I promise."

We took Erica back to our apartment, and I spent the next hour getting her settled in one of the spare rooms. She was exhausted, both physically and emotionally, and fell asleep almost immediately after I helped her change into some comfortable clothes.

I quietly closed her door and headed to the kitchen to get some water. As I walked in, I found Axel in there, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. And from his tight jaw, I could tell he was anything but pleased.

"We need to talk," he said in a cold and clipped voice.

I filled my glass with water, trying to gauge his mood. "What’s wrong?"

"What’s wrong?" He let out a harsh laugh. "Layla, you just brought someone else’s problems into our home... into our lives. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?"

"I saved my friend from dangerous people. I thought you’d understand that."

"I expressly told you I didn’t want to get involved in this mess, and what do you do? You went ahead to plead her case for us to bring her here."

I set my glass down harder than intended. "She had nowhere else to go, Axel. What was I supposed to do? Leave her on the streets?"

"That’s not my problem," he said sharply, "And it shouldn’t be yours either."

"Since when are you so heartless? This is Erica we’re talking about. She’s been nothing but kind to me."

Axel pushed off from the counter, his eyes flashing with anger. "You seem to be forgetting the terms of our contract, Layla. This arrangement is about business, not charity work."

I stared at him, taken aback by his sudden coldness. "Our contract doesn’t say I can’t help a friend in need."

"It also doesn’t say I have to welcome strangers with dangerous enemies into my home. You’re taking my leniency for granted."

"Leniency?" I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. "Axel, what’s gotten into you? Yesterday you were willing to help her, and now you’re acting like she’s some kind of burden."

"Yesterday, I offered minimal assistance to her, out of the goodness of my heart. Today, you’ve made a decision that affects both of us while placing me in a difficult position. Or tell me, what picture would it paint of us if you asked me to allow her to stay and I’d said no?"

"But I didn’t force you, Axel," I replied, running my fingers through my hair.

"You didn’t give me much choice either, Layla," he retorted.

A moment of silence passed between us, both of us heaving and taking deep breaths.

I felt tears of frustration welling up in my eyes. "I’m sorry, okay? I was scared for her, and I acted on impulse. But I thought you’d understand."

"Well, you thought wrong." His voice was ice-cold. "From now on, remember what this is. A business arrangement with a goal in mind. Nothing more."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the kitchen, hurt and confused by his sudden change in attitude.

I didn’t fully understand what had triggered his reaction, but I was too tired to analyse it further. I just left the kitchen and dragged myself to bed.

I lay down, thinking about our conversation and wondering if I’d be getting any sleep; thankfully, sleep came fitfully.

The next morning, I woke up early to check on Erica before getting ready for work. She was still sleeping, so I quietly made my way downstairs. That’s when one of the maids approached me with a worried expression.

"Ma’am, there are police officers at the door. They’re asking to speak with you."

My blood ran cold. "Police? What do they want this early in the morning?"

"They didn’t say, ma’am. But they have some people with them, too."

I hurried back upstairs to check on Erica. She was awake now, sitting on the edge of the bed and looking anxious.

"Good morning," I said softly. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, thank you. And thank you for uhm... taking me in and allowing me to spend the night."

"It’s nothing."

"But I can’t stop thinking about something."

"What’s that?"