Chapter Eight: Is Making Out Part Of The Contract?

Eveline's POV

Before I continue the story, be warned that the content up ahead is too embarrassing to be read in public so please do yourself a favor by hiding your screens and reading in secret. Although I doubt any of you will do so. In any case, it is better that I inform all of you beforehand.

Carrying on from where we last left off, Axel and I were sitting on my velvet couch, shoulders touching briefly which went to show how close the both of us are. The cheesy scene folded in front of both of us. Might I add that Axel and I may be recreating those cringing make-out sessions shown on the television later? Right now, Axel and I were just staring into each other's souls, no signs of any bold moves being made.

"So?" Axel inquired, "Do you want it or not?"

I gulped. Do I? I was not very sure myself.

I found my pupils tracing back to Axel's chiseled face, absorbing the beauty plastered across his face which resulted in me finding myself lost in a trance. The question was left unanswered due to my uncertainty however whenever my gaze landed on Axel, the yearning for this handsome man was strong. So strong that it almost swallowed me whole.

No. This simply won't do. This was a contracted love, fake love binds us together with the thought of money, fake affections, and displaying to the public lingering in our brains. I mentally smacked myself for my lovesick thoughts.

However, again. Why would he ask such a question if not for true love- never mind, perhaps this was all another act again. Perhaps he was testing me again.

"Nope. I want nothing to do with your lips unless it's necessary for our public image." I declared proudly, transferring all of my attention to the screen before me, trying too hard to not frown upon the shameful acts the actors and actresses were carrying out. I silently applaud them for daring to do this in front of cameras, knowing full well that this will be recorded and uploaded onto the internet.

Axel sighed in defeat. I won this time. This boosted my confidence.

"What if I wanted to do it. Not because of keeping up an act..." Axel mumbled under his breath. I turned towards him.

"Did you say something?" I tilted my head in confusion. I heard a soft voice emitting from Axel's mouth.

"No. Nothing. I think you misheard me. I'm going to check the oven alright? Wait here." And that was the end of the matter.

As Axel rose to his feet and strolled towards the kitchen, I could not help but feel that Axel was keeping something relevant to this fake love from me. There goes my brain, overthinking everything as usual. Sometimes I wonder whether it's even possible for it to just pause all its overthinking and live a simple life.

I watched Axel's back until he was no longer visible. I then finally picked up the remote control and offed the dramatic drama, changing it to a documentary that I found quite interesting.

"The pastries are done. Do you want to come to help me apply cream and strawberries to the baking or do you want to wait for me to finish?"

"I'll help you."

"Thanks."

Silence filled the air once again as I also got to my feet and walked towards the kitchen, purposely taking large steps in an attempt to quickly get to Axel without looking suspicious.

I peeked at Axel through the doorway. He was wearing an apron and a silver tray occupied both his hands. Carefully, the male rested the newly baked goods on the marble counter. He blew the top of the pastries and I watched as the steam emitting the delicious pastries frantically flew in the opposite direction of Axel. Axel took off his mittens and hung them next to the cabinets.

"Can you grab the cream and strawberries?" Axel requested. I nodded and did as told.

"Here you go," I said, passing two bowls to Axel. My fiance nodded, seemingly pleased, and then proceeded to bring the pastry out of the confined tray and onto a plate he had prepared.

Just at that moment, my stomach grumbled once again impatiently. We both stared at my loud stomach for a second before bursting out laughing. We did not sound like adults at that moment but how I loved it.

"You're that hungry? Okay, I'll quickly finish up here and then we can enjoy this together." I smiled and agreed.

Axel kept his words. He quickly spread the cream all over the pastry, creating small swirls using leftover cream, and arranged strawberries elegantly on each swirl. He instantly took off his apron and admired his work. I took the utensils and we both walked toward the dining room.

We sat across from each other. This was exactly like when Axel had interrogated me at the matchmaking event hours ago but this time we were together in our house and the 'boyfriend' in question is Axel Draven himself.

We were going to share a cake.

Was this love? I doubt so.