Ch. 65
Raze held out the helmet to her, his grin still teasing.
Selene stared at it, blinking.
In her entire life, she had never ridden a motorcycle let alone a massive bike like this. She was far more comfortable in buses or taxis. Before high school, she had tried learning to ride a bike but an accident had changed everything.
A speeding motorcycle had collided with her. She still bore the scar on her chin. Bruises marked her arms, and her wrist had broken. That was why piano and violin had remained hobbies, not careers her hands had never fully trusted themselves after that day.
She bit her lip, her composure tightening.
Raze might be reliable... but riding a bike? That meant confronting old fears she didn't want to face.
"I'm not a pushover," she reminded herself. And so, without hesitation, she shook her head.
Raze tilted his head, confused by the sudden shift in her mood. Her hands trembled slightly as she refused the helmet something about her told him that something was off.
"Hey... you okay? Feeling dizzy?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice.
"Nope," Selene replied immediately.
"I just... don't feel like riding a bike, Raze. I hate big bikes," she said firmly, handing the helmet back to him.
"Is it because you're wearing a skirt?" Raze smirked, teasing lightly.
She shook her head quickly.
"It's not that. I... uh—have a bad memory regarding bikes," she admitted, avoiding his gaze.
He sensed her discomfort and sighed silently.
I would probably just commute. Selene thought.
Raze shut off the engine, respecting her decision.
Of course... Selene isn't used to this. She's a pampered heiress... cars are her thing, not poor, loud bikes like mine. The thought tugged at him in a way he couldn't explain.
She's really out of my league. He shook his head, frustrated with himself. Why did he get so worked up around her? She was just a schoolmate because of music, and they weren't even friends.
"Okay, no forcing it. So... what's your plan?" Raze asked, leaning casually against the bike.
"I'll just take a taxi. Still, thank you for the kind offer," Selene said, smiling politely.
"Haha... still my fault for not having a car. Next time, I'll make sure you sit in mine," he teased.
"Yeah, right," she replied, raising an eyebrow.
Raze followed her to hail a taxi, making sure she got on safely. She raised her hand in a formal little gesture, and he saluted back, his face momentarily disappointed but still managing a small, rueful smile.
Once the taxi window closed, Selene immediately gave the driver her destination and settled back, relieved to finally be moving without confrontation or panic.
Selene arrived at the location her father had given her. It was a construction site.
She quickly texted her father's secretary to let them know she had arrived and waited for someone to fetch her. While standing there, her eyes roamed over the site.
Steel beams, scaffolding, workers moving with purpose looked like they were building an industrial complex. The hum of machinery, the smell of cement, and the constant rhythm of construction made her take in everything like a CEO inspecting a project.
"Selene?"
Her name drew her attention. She turned slowly, almost in slow motion. The soft sunset filtered through the scaffolding, catching her face. It was still a little pale, but the light made her look radiant.
He saw Jaxen wearing a safety helmet and a blue polo shirt with the top three buttons undone, he looked effortlessly hot despite the sweat glistening on his skin.
Safety gloves covered his hands, but his black pants and safety shoes didn't quite match the office vibe he was otherwise giving off.
A smudge of dirt on his collar and neck only added to the rugged charm.
Jaxen smiled at her, the kind of smile that made Selene's heart stutter and... well, sent shivers she tried not to acknowledge.
She blinked, caught between reality and distraction, before noticing he had removed his gloves and was checking her forehead with his hands.
"You look pale. Are you sick?" he asked, his touch gentle, concerned.
Selene stepped back instinctively, her face flushing. Fortunately, the sunset behind her hid most of the color.
"I'm fine. I'm not sick," she said, trying to sound composed.
"But your face doesn't look healthy. Was the exam hard?"
"How did you know we had exams?" She frowned, confused. Jaxen chuckled, a teasing glint in his eye.
"Of course I know. I have my ways... babe," he added casually, letting the last word linger.
"I told you to stop calling me that!" she snapped, flustered.
"I can't help it. I love seeing that annoyed face of yours." He laughed outright.
Selene's cheeks warmed further, she only managed to say.
"Shut up!"
Jaxen laughed again.
"But what are you doing here? Did you come for me?"
"Delulu," she murmured under her breath.
"Hm?"
"Nothing! Excuse me, I didn't come here for you," she said, trying to sound authoritative. She even huffed and crossed her arms.
"Oh really? I thought you came for me. Well, at least I finally get to see you. You've been way too busy with school since New Year," Jaxen teased, his tone playful as ever.
Selene was about to fire back with her usual sharp reply when she noticed someone behind Jaxen.
Her father.
Like Jaxen, he was wearing a safety helmet, gloves, and boots. Selene immediately straightened up and walked toward him.
"Dad," she greeted softly.
Her father reached out, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. His eyes scanned her face and noticed her pale complexion. Though fair-skinned naturally, it was clear she was tired and a little fragile. He also saw the faint red marks where the IV had been earlier at the clinic.
"Did I disturb you? What happened to your arm? You should have told me you were unwell," her father said, concern threading his voice.
Jaxen's expression shifted instantly, becoming serious. He caught sight of the marks and his jaw tightened. His intuition screamed that Selene was not okay.
Selene quickly shook her head. "Don't worry. I'm fine. I just rested at the clinic for a bit, that's why I have the IV drape."
Her father sighed, still worried, but seeing that she insisted she was okay, he respected her. Of course, he already knew Selene well enough especially from their time in the U.S. to understand how important her health was and how fragile she could be.
He gestured to his secretary. "Give Selene a safety helmet," he instructed, before starting to explain why her presence was needed on the site.
Meanwhile, Jaxen stepped aside, calling his assistant quietly. He gave a sharp instruction, eyes narrowing.
"Investigate why Selene had IV drapes this morning."
The assistant nodded and left immediately, understanding the gravity of the assignment.