Chapter 7

STORM

Once Aelle was out of sight, Storm turned to her chef and waited for him to say something. She watched as the man fidgeted nervously but did not say anything."I-uh, I was hoping to give Aelle my last name. I've been wanting to adopt her for a while but I wasn't sure if she'd want me to."

"Did you talk to her?" She asked.

Travis shook his head," I wanted to talk to you first seeing as she means a lot to you. I will talk to her later."

Storm nodded," You are a good man, Magnum. You've lost a lot and I'm glad to see you bonding with Aelle, you two need each other. I don't have a problem with you adopting Aelle."

Travis' eyes widen in shock, " You'd really let me do that?"

"Magnum, everyone in this house knows how much you love that girl and she adores you. She just called you dad for crying out loud, why should I take that away from you or her?"

"You do realize if I adopt her then I'd be your future father-in-law?" He teased.

Storm shook her head," Magnum, you're like my father. I've told you this before and I still don't get why you insist on calling me 'Ms Anna'." She said sarcastically.

Travis chuckled, it was true, Storm was like his daughter too yet he loved to address her formally just to annoy her. He stepped forward and kissed the girl's forehead, he knew that even though she seemed tough on the outside, she still was fragile on the inside. She was still the little girl who craved for her parents' love and attention. She had been craving someone to call her own, she had found a father figure in Travis and love in Aelle.

The other helpers were like her family too but they were all a little apprehensive around her. But they respected her, Travis was happy when Storm found Aelle. It was refreshing to see the girl bring down the walls around her." I hope you two stay together forever." He told Storm.

"I hope so too. I wouldn't know what to do without her and the triplets." She murmured.

Travis smiled,"You already are in love with her, aren't you?"

"I've loved her from the moment she looked at me with those beautiful purple eyes of hers. The pain and loneliness I saw there made my heart hurt, Magnum." Storm admitted,"I never wanna see her like that again."

The old man nodded,"As long as she has you by her side, she never will. Now stop worrying and go to work or you'll be late, I'll take care of everything here."

She gave him a nod before leaving the kitchen. She got ready then went to the study to find Aelle. Her tutor was already there, the two were engrossed in whatever they were discussing. It was always a sight watching Aelle focus on her school work. She had this serious look on her face that showed her dedication. Her tutor was a good looking man, he had never met Storm in person though since he was hired.

Storm had asked her PA to find a good tutor for Aelle, all his payment were handled by her PA and accounted. If he had something he wanted to discuss regarding Aelle's progress then he was to talk to Travis who would then pass the message. Now that Storm was in the same room as the man, she could not believe her eyes. This man was someone she knew very well and who she had not seen in a long while.

"Anastasia Rivera, fancy seeing you here." The man smirked when he noticed her.

That made Aelle stop what she was doing to look at the said person. Storm did not utter a word, her face remained blank as she looked at the man." Still a mute, I see." The man taunted.

"Don't talk to her like that." Aelle glared at the man.

"And who the hell told you to stop writing?" The man lashed out with a glare.

Storm stepped into the room, she strolled over to Aelle silently. She looked down at what the girl had been writing before turning to the man in front of her." Get out." She ordered in a cold tone.

The tutor shuddered in fear before composing himself, it was clear he feared the woman but was trying to act all tough. " Who do you think you are? Mr Magnum hired me to tutor his daughter so you have no right to kick me out of here. If anything, you're the one who should be leaving, slut." The man hissed.

Aelle gasped in shock, before anyone knew what was happening, a loud slap echoed through the room." Watch your mouth, Alex Jenson, I don't know what your problem is but you do not talk to my woman like that!" The girl hissed.

Alex stood there holding his cheek in shock but then fury replaced it." Why you ..." He raised his hand to hit Aelle only to have someone grab it.

"Do not touch what's mine, Jenson." Storm warned calmly.

"W-what?"

Storm did not say anymore, she turned to Aelle whose eyes were wide with terror. "It's ok, little moon. No one will lay a hand on you as long as I'm around."

Aelle nodded just as Travis entered the room with a tray of snacks. "What's going on?" He asked as he looked between the trio.

Storm was glaring at Alex so Aelle rushed over to him, " Mr Jenson tried to hit me."

"He what?!" Travis' voice boomed as his eyes filled with fury. " How dare you try to lay your hands on my daughter?"

Alex's eyes widen," I apologize, Mr Magnum, I did not mean to hurt her but she slapped me first for this bitch..."

"First you try to hit my daughter and now you have the guts to insult her lover who is also like a daughter to me. Not to mention your boss?" The man fumed.

The tutor stood frozen in shock as he looked between Travis and Storm. He knew he was screwed, he had gone to school with Storm after all. No one knew anything about her except her name but they knew that she was not to be messed with. Anyone who had dared to cross her had suffered greatly. The only reason he hated Storm was because she was the only girl he wanted but never got. It was a known fact that Alex Jenson was a player and still is, he had tried to seduce Storm. Even attempted to drug her but that ended with him being in jail for half a year which ruined his life.

"Magnum, show this filth out of my property." And the old man was more than ready to drag the filth out. Once they were gone, Storm turned to Aelle," I will hire a new tutor for you before the end of today. Spend some time with the boys, I'll be back later."

"Ok. How do you know Alex?"

"We used to go to school together." Storm grumbled.

Aelle shrugged, " I'm glad he's gone. I did not like him, he was always trying to make moves on me."

Storm's eyes darken in anger, " Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I thought I could handle him. I was going to tell you if it got worse..."

Storm glared at her, " Aelle Magnum, you do not have to deal with things alone anymore. Next time tell me as soon as possible because things might get worse and I might not be there to save you, understand?"

Aelle sighed," I understand but like you said, you can't always be here. I need to stop depending fully on you and start learning how to defend myself. "

" You're right. I'll teach you self- defense from tomorrow then. But I still want you to tell me if something ever troubles you. " Storm said in a pleading tone.

The younger girl smiled and hugged her," I will, I promise."

After that, Storm kissed the girl and left the house.