Chapter 7
Ihaven”t slept in days. Every time I close my eyes, I”m back in that moment—the terror of believing someone was in my house, the frantic race to Axel”s door. He didn”t hesitate; he was by my side in an instant, checking every room, every closet, until I felt safe again.
He”s been there every night since, a watchful presence outside my bedroom. The paparazzi caught wind of it, of course. Now, the whole world thinks Axel Creed and Sasha Cruz are an item.
But the truth is far more complicated. Having Axel so close, knowing he”s just outside my door, stirs up emotions I”ve tried desperately to suppress. The memories of what we once shared, the way he made me feel—safe, cherished, loved—they all come rushing back, no matter how hard I try to push them away.
And now, as I sit here, listening to Simon’s plan, I”m torn.
The suggestion hangs in the air, a live wire sparking with danger and something that feels perilously close to excitement. Simon’s words cut through the quiet of my fortified living room, ”We could make it seem like you and Axel are together—publicly. It might throw your stalker off, make him think there”s someone close enough to keep you safe.”
I”m staring at Axel, my pulse thrumming in my ears like the aftermath of a drum solo. Shock is my first reaction, and a knee-jerk “no” that sticks in my throat. The thought of pretending to be with Axel of all people sends a jolt through me that”s half fear, half something else entirely.
The others in the room might as well be furniture for all the attention I”m paying them. This is about Axel and me. Always has been.
I remember his hands on me, the way they felt, the safety and heat they promised. My body betrays me with a shiver even as my mind screams caution. The intimacy we once shared was real; to fake it now feels like a desecration of what we had, yet here he is, ready to use our past as a strategy.
”It’s not a bad plan,” I say, my voice stronger than I feel. ”I think it could work.”
Axel nods, his eyes never leaving mine. ”I agree,” he says. ”It”s the best way to keep you safe and to control the narrative.”
I cross my arms over my chest, trying to shield myself from the vulnerability that comes with even considering this plan. ”And what happens when this is over?” I ask, voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
Axel”s gaze doesn”t waver; those blue eyes of his are a challenge. ”We go back to our lives.”
It”s so simple when he says it—like flipping a switch off after it”s all done. But emotions aren”t circuits; they don”t work on command.
I can feel everyone watching us, but they”re background noise. It”s his presence that fills the room, suffocating and familiar all at once.
”Fine,” I say finally, each word pulled taut as a high E string. ”We”ll do it.”
The relief on Simon’s face is almost comical; if only they knew how this pretense slices right through me.
I stand up because if I don”t move, I might just fall apart right here in front of them all. My legs carry me over to the window where night has fallen—a cloak of stars against an indigo sky.
We attendour first event as a couple, the red carpet stretching out before us, parting the sea of flashing cameras and shouting reporters. It”s a familiar scene, one I”ve navigated countless times before. But tonight, everything feels different. Because tonight, Axel is by my side.
We step out of the car together, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. To the outside world, it”s a gesture of protection, of professionalism. But to me, it”s electric, a current that runs straight to my core.
I plaster on my signature smile, waving to the cameras as we make our way down the carpet. Axel stays close, his eyes constantly scanning the crowd, ever vigilant. I can feel the tension radiating off him, the coiled energy ready to spring into action at a moment”s notice.
”Relax,” I murmur, my lips barely moving. ”You”re making me nervous.”
”Good,” he replies, his voice low. ”You should be nervous. This is a high-risk situation.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Ever the protector, even in the midst of a glamorous Hollywood event.
As we pose for photos, I can”t help but be aware of his presence, the heat of his body so close to mine. It”s a delicious torture, being this close to him and yet so far away.
The interviews are a blur, a series of practiced responses about my upcoming album. I give statements about my struggles breaking into the music industry because of my appearance and how I’d like to become a voice for those who are so often overlooked. Throughout it all, Axel remains a constant presence, a silent sentinel watching over me.
It”s not until we”re inside, away from the prying eyes of the public, that I allow myself to breathe. I turn to face him, ready to make a quip about his overprotectiveness, but the words die on my lips when I see the intensity in his gaze.
”What?” I ask, suddenly self-conscious.
He shakes his head, looking away. ”Nothing. It”s just... you”re good at this. The whole public persona thing.”
I shrug, trying to ignore the way my heart skips at his words. ”It”s part of the job.”
”Right,” he says, his voice oddly distant. ”The job.”
There”s something in his tone, a hint of bitterness that catches me off guard. Before I can respond, he”s moving away, his attention focused on the crowd.
I watch him go, a sinking feeling in my stomach. It”s a reminder, a painful one, that no matter how close we may seem in public, in private, we”re still worlds apart.
The afterparty is in full swing, a glittering array of celebrities and industry insiders. I”m in my element here, mingling and networking with ease. But even as I smile and laugh, I can feel Axel”s eyes on me, a constant presence that both thrills and unnerves me.
I excuse myself from a conversation, making my way to the bar. I need a moment, a breath of air away from the suffocating crowd.
As I wait for my drink, I feel a presence beside me. I turn, expecting to see Axel, but instead, I”m greeted by the smiling face of a fellow musician, a rising star in the industry.
”Sasha Cruz,” he says, his voice smooth as silk. ”I”m a big fan.”
I return his smile, falling easily into the familiar rhythm of small talk. But even as we chat, I can feel Axel”s gaze burning into me from across the room.
I try to ignore it, focusing on the conversation at hand. But it”s like trying to ignore the sun, a searing heat that refuses to be denied.
When the musician leans in, his hand brushing mine as he reaches for his drink, I instinctively pull away. But it”s too late. I can see Axel moving through the crowd, his jaw clenched, his eyes blazing.
He”s at my side in an instant, his hand on my elbow. ”We need to talk,” he says, his voice low and urgent.
I nod, allowing him to guide me away from the bar and into a quiet hallway. The moment we”re alone, he rounds on me, his eyes searching mine.
”What the hell was that?” he demands.
I blink, taken aback by his intensity. ”What was what?”
”You know what,” he says, his voice tight. ”That guy, the way he was all over you.”
I scoff, pulling my arm from his grasp. ”He wasn”t all over me. We were just talking.”
”Right,” Axel says, his tone dripping with sarcasm. ”Just talking. With his hand on you.”
I stare at him, incredulous. ”Are you serious right now? He barely touched me. And even if he did, so what? It”s not like it”s any of your business. I thought we were pretending.”
His eyes flash, a muscle ticking in his jaw. ”It is my business. I”m here to protect you, remember?”
”Protect me from what?” I snap, my own temper rising. ”From having a conversation with a colleague? From living my life?”
”From putting yourself in danger,” he fires back. ”From being reckless and naive.”
His words hit me like a slap, stinging and sharp. I reel back, my eyes widening. ”Naive? Is that what you think of me?”
He sighs, running a hand over his face. ”That”s not what I meant.”
”Then what did you mean?” I ask, my voice shaking. ”Because from where I”m standing, it sounds like you don”t trust me to take care of myself. Like you think I”m some helpless damsel who needs you to swoop in and save her.”
”That”s not it,” he says, but there”s a hesitation in his voice that speaks volumes.
I shake my head, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. ”You know what? Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe we”re just too different now.”
His eyes widen, a flash of something raw and vulnerable crossing his face. ”Sasha...”
But I”m already turning away, my heart cracking in my chest. ”I need some air,” I mutter, pushing past him and out into the night.
As I flee the party, the cool night air hits me like a balm, soothing my flushed skin. But it does nothing to ease the ache in my chest, the swirling mess of emotions that Axel”s words have stirred up.
I find myself in the garden, a secluded oasis away from the glitz and glamor of the party. I sink onto a bench, my head in my hands, and let the tears come.
I”m not sure how long I sit there, lost in my own thoughts, before I feel a presence beside me. I look up, my vision blurred by tears, to see Axel standing there, his expression pained.
”I”m sorry,” he says softly, the words seeming to cost him. ”I didn”t mean to upset you.”
I wipe my eyes, sniffling. ”But you did. You act like I”m some fragile thing that needs to be protected. But I”m not. I”m strong, Axel. I”ve had to be.”
He sits beside me, his elbows on his knees. ”I know you are. It”s just... seeing you with that guy, it brought up some old feelings. Some old fears.”
I look at him, my heart clenching. ”What do you mean?”
He sighs, his eyes distant. ”I am always scared of losing you like the way I lost my team. Of not being enough for you. And seeing you tonight, so confident and beautiful and in your element... it just reminded me of how much I stand to lose.”
His words steal my breath, a revelation that shakes me to my core. ”Axel...”
He turns to me, his gaze intense. ”I know I have no right to feel this way. I know we”re not together. But damn it, Sasha, I can”t help it. I look at you and I...”
He trails off, his eyes searching mine. And at this moment, I see it. The vulnerability, the longing, the fear. All the things he”s been trying so hard to hide.
I reach for him, taking one of his hands in mine. ”I”m scared too,” I whisper. ”Of letting you in again. Of getting hurt. Of you leaving again.”
He leans into my touch, his eyes fluttering closed. ”I would never hurt you. Not intentionally.”
”I know,” I say softly. ”But that doesn”t make it any less terrifying.”
We sit there for a long moment, lost in the raw honesty of the moment. And for the first time since he walked back into my life, I feel a glimmer of hope. A chance for something real, something true.
But the moment is shattered by the sound of my phone buzzing, a harsh reminder of the reality we”re facing. I pull away, reaching for my purse.
It”s a text from Simon, a reminder of an early morning interview. I sigh, the weight of my responsibilities crashing back down on me.
“We have to go,” I say, standing. ”I have an interview in the morning.”
Axel nods, standing as well. “OK, let’s go”.
As we make our way back through the party, I can feel the eyes on us, the whispers and speculation. But for once, I don”t care. Because in that moment, with Axel by my side, I feel stronger than I have in years.
And as we step out into the night, his hand finding mine in the darkness, I know that whatever happens next, we”ll face it together. Not as bodyguard and client, but as two people who have found their way back to each other, against all odds.