Unusual friendship

Chapter 4

"Yes, what do you want, baby?" Axel is with his current girlfriend, Miranda. He's accompanying her on a shopping spree.

Coquettishly, Miranda leans her head on his shoulders while she clings to his arm. She smiles sweetly at him, but to the eyes of the ladies in the store, it's a triumphant smile, saying, "This man is mine."

Axel is a well-known playboy, but this is the first time he has accompanied a girlfriend to personally shop. Miranda has been his girlfriend for four months, the longest relationship he has ever had.

To him, she's the perfect girlfriend. Sexy, intelligent, feminine, elegant, and beautiful. Miranda stands at 5'11, and her body has all the right curves, a slim waist, and wide hips. Her legs go on for miles, slim and flawless.

"She's everything that Louise can never be," he thinks as he watches her change clothes.

Her blonde hair is like a waterfall, flowing perfectly. It frames her small face. Most of all, he likes kissing her red, luscious lips. In short, Miranda is the type of woman any man will want.

A womanizer like Axel found his match in a woman like Miranda. She and Louise are worlds apart. How can his fiancée compare to Miranda?

He smiles helplessly as he thinks of Louise. What is she doing right now?

The woman only calls him when she needs something or when trouble comes knocking on her door. Really, Louise is a headache he can't get rid of. Throughout the years, they have developed an unusual friendship.

"Axel? Axel?" His attention returns to the present when Miranda pinches his arm. "I've been calling you. Why are you not listening?"

Miranda pouts. "Did you think of another woman?" she jokingly asks, but the sharpness in her voice betrayed her real feelings.

Sadly, Axel's absentmindedly gazing at her face, failing to hear the knife in her tone. If he did, he would stay far from her. He hates women who cling to him like leeches.

He likes Miranda for her beauty, but what he appreciates most about her is her attitude. She's not clingy and will only playfully whine about it. Also, she comes from a formidable family— the Sloan's. They have produced senators for decades, and one is a strong competitor for the presidential seat.

Miranda looks around. The attendants leave one by one as they notice the subtle change in the atmosphere. She whispers in his ears while caressing his arm, "I want you, baby."

Axel's eyes glint with desire. He likes this about her, too. He says, "I'll give you anything you want, darling."

Their gazes lock, scorching with passion. Axel wishes they are in a more private setting.

Miranda licks her lips and says, "Really? Introduce me to your parents."

Seeing the hesitation in Axel's eyes, Miranda's hands clench, and a sharp look enters her eyes, disappearing quickly.

She embraces him shyly, burying her face in his chest.

Axel sighs, frowning. "What's the hurry, darling? There's no need for them to know. You're perfect for me. They don't have a say in my relationships."

Miranda frowns. Does he take me for a fool? She bites her lips in anger, but she doesn't show him any of her real emotions. "Axel, you have a fiancée," she weakly states, her body seemingly boneless as she brushes against his.

Guilt eats at Axel. She's the best girlfriend but bringing her to his parents isn't possible. For now.

He grabs her hands and kisses them, coaxing her, "I promise I'll introduce you to them in the future. Just… not now. How about we go buy pieces of jewelry that will go with your clothes? Let's buy anything you want."

Miranda pouts and crosses her arms. "Do you think money can appease me all the time?"

"I'll buy you a new car," he tempts her. Miranda likes cars. Her eyes lit up, but she hesitated.

"I… I… okay! But you have to buy me a new car now," Miranda makes him promise."

Axel nods, grinning. "Of course. Now… give me that kiss," he whispers.

Miranda giggles, playfully slapping his arm. She tiptoes and softly kisses him on the lips, but he captures her waist and nibbles on her lower lip, not letting her go. She clings to his neck, moaning in satisfaction as she deepens the kiss.

Things heat up between them, the kiss burning with desire, but Axel's phone rings like a pail of cold water poured over them.

He ignores it, but it keeps ringing— second, third, and fourth. Miranda tells him to turn a deaf ear to it, but he pushes her away, running his fingers through his hair. What is this time? He thinks in irritation.

"What?' he growls as he accepts the call. This person interrupted his good time.

"Axel…" Louise's voice reaches his ears, freezing him for a moment. He checks the number, finding it unfamiliar.

Axel turns to Miranda, says he's going to take the call, and then walks away.

"Hey," Axel says. "This isn't a good time for a conversation, Louise. You better have a good reason for disturbing me."

He languidly leans on the wall. What trouble did she get into this time? He asks himself, unaware of the slight smile on his lips.

"I...Hi, Axel. Uh...you see...I have a problem," she says in a shaky voice. Axel sighs.

"What did you do this time?" he asks, pinching his forehead.

"You see—"

"Get to the point," he snaps when he sees Miranda looking worried and disappointed.

The more Axel talks to Louise, the guiltier he feels toward Miranda.

"I'm in jail. Bail me out, please!"

"Bail you— motherf—" he stops himself from cursing. "What the hell did you do!? Are you crazy?!"

Damn. My morning has taken a 360-degree turn—from great to worse.

"I beat up a senator's son, and they're pressing charges. I can't afford to be involved in this, Axel. I have a championship to attend," Louise's voice cracks.

Jailtime is terrible news for Louise. The championship is right around the corner, and a lousy rep won't do her any good.

"Are you in the city jail?" Axel reigns in his anger, even though he wants to shout at her.

"Yes. I've been here the whole night. I borrowed this phone from a policewoman. They confiscated my things."

"Okay. I'll… ugh… just behave yourself." Axel hangs up. When he turns around, Miranda's standing behind him.

"Was that your fiancé?" Miranda asks.

"What? Uh... well, yes," Axel replies, absent-minded. "I'm sorry, babe. I need to leave. I have to help her. I promise we're buying a car tomorrow."

Axel kisses her on the lips and rushes outside. Miranda stares at his back with a crazed obsession, her face contorting with insanity.

"You're mine."

*******************

Alex runs to the front desk as soon as he arrives. Many people walk in and out of the station, but he doesn't care. "Where is Louise Archer?" he asks.

"Louise Archer?" The police officer acts nonchalantly. "She's here but not accepting visitors."

"I'm her lawyer," the man in a suit behind Axel interrupts. The officer checks him out but continues to ignore him.

Axel slams his palm on the table. "Officer!" He glares.

The officer glowers at him back. "This is the police station, not your house."

"And you're ignoring me, officer! You should do your job."

The lawyer intervenes and explains to the officer that he wants to talk to his client, Louise Archer.

"I'm sorry, but we're not accepting bail for her. She's being pressed for grave charges, and her case is being reviewed," the police answers, his eyes full of warning.

"What grave charges? Who's involved in this? The senator?" Alex snaps." Tell me who it is?"

Alex's angry voice catches the attention of the whole precinct.

"Sir, please refrain from causing a commotion here, or else we're going to place you behind bars," the police officer says in an authoritative voice.

"Sir, we need to-" Raising his hand, Alex stops his lawyer from talking. Then, he fishes out his ID from his wallet and places it in front of the officer. He gestures for his lawyer to shut up as he tries to intervene again." Surely, this will be enough to make bail for her?"

The officer glares at my ID before he checks it out and goes pale a beat later.

"I'm Axel Rossi, Sen. Rossi's only son. He's the head of the senate, and my grandfather is the retired general Rossi," he emphasizes every word. Now, choose between that other senator's son or me?

He doesn't like using his identity like this, but since the other party is playing hardball, he's willing to play the long game.

To the officer's ears, it sounds like: I can erase you from this city. You'll never find work in this field again. Now, choose? Me or that other senator's son?

"Sir... I'm gonna go and see the head." The officer scrambles to hurry. Alex taps his finger on the desk.

"I can't wait!" Alex walks in, and no one dares to stop him.

Checking the cells, Alex finds Louise at the last one near the corner. She's hugging her body while lying on the corner of the cell, sleeping.

Sleeping in this kind of place? Axel shakes his head. There’s no heater, and the floor is probably damn cold. Also, what’s up with her clothes? He frowns.

Axel turns around when he hears hurried footsteps. The head of the station is trembling beside him, smiling apologetically.

"Open it," he orders in a freezing voice colder than a freezing cola in winter.

An officer opens the cell, and Alex walks in. He touches her shoulder, shaking her awake.

"Louise… Louise…"

She opens her eyes, stares at him for a few seconds, then smiles, "I knew you'd come."

He stares at her for a moment, feeling his heart skip because of that innocent smile.

What the hell, Axel! He shakes his head, trying to erase that smile from his head.

Louise stands up and, without hesitation, jumps into his arms. Axel stiffens, almost stumbling back because of the sudden weight.

What should I do? He asks himself, hesitating. Her body's trembling. Was she scared? Louise, the troublemaker is scared? Unbelievable! He glares at the officers as he hesitatingly taps her back.

What did they do to her? He wonders, embracing her. His anger flares up, but he reigns it in. They're going to pay for this.

"Let's go home," he whispers, assuring her that everything will be okay. "I'm here."