Chapter 4 Dark past

His bright blue eyes moved from her head to her toes, observing every feature of her. An almost invisible smile appeared on his lips when he spotted a butterfly tattoo on her left wrist.

"How have you been, Becca?" His voice was low and smooth. It was slow and deliberate, as if he was choosing each word with care.

Rebecca's skin prickled with goosebumps as soon as she heard his voice. For the first time in six years, she was hearing his voice again.

Her eyes moved shakily around him. He was no longer the cute young innocent boy she used to know, he had transformed into a dangerous handsome man.

He looked dangerous in the black tuxedo. And he had a dark aura around him. He had changed in those years, and she easily noticed it.

He took a step forward, and she moved back immediately. She couldn't believe he was the same man she used to love. He was looking so dangerous, and for some reason she was scared.

Axel's eyes darkened when he noticed the fear in her eyes. His expression remained stoic, but a hint of disappointment flickered in his eyes.

"Becca." His tone was soothing, almost reassuring, yet laced with subtle longing.

"My name is Rebecca!" She snapped, trying so hard to fight back the tears rushing down her cheeks.

Seeing him after those years brought back the memories of the past which she had buried in the deepest part of her heart.

She wanted to show him she had moved on from the past, she wanted to shove it in his face that he meant nothing to her anymore and didn't have the right to call her that, but her emotions betrayed her.

Her heart ached as she recalled what happened six years ago.

FLASHBACK

Sixteen years old Rebecca was seated on the swing with her grip tightened against the two ropes. She wasn't swinging it, she was just there.

That was the only calm place in the orphanage, the other places were filled with kids, and she didn't want to be in a noisy place at that moment.

She had a sad look on her face, and one could tell something was bothering her.

She spotted the matron coming towards her direction and she immediately faked a smile.

"Rebecca, what are you doing here all alone?" The matron asked as soon as she got to where Rebecca was.

"Nothing, Ma'am. Axel and his dad are supposed to come visit today. Why aren't they here yet?" She questioned.

"I received a call from Mr Thomas saying he wouldn't be able to make it today. Axel will be traveling out of the states tomorrow, he's going to study abroad." The matron answered.

Rebecca chuckled. "I don't think you heard what he said well. Maybe he's talking about Axel's brother." She said.

"No, Rebecca. Axel is travelling for real, didn't he tell you?" The matron asked in surprise.

She shook her head slowly, trying to digest what she had just heard. "He didn't." She replied lowly.

"That's sad, considering the fact that you were at his house two days ago to visit his sister. I wonder why..."

The matron hasn't finished talking when Rebecca rushed away.

The matron shrugged her shoulders and continued her walk.

***

Rebecca went to the head Matron's office, and she found the woman talking to other children of her age.

"Can I go out please? I promise not to stay out long." She pleaded, ignoring the presence of the other girls.

The woman didn't reply to her immediately. She took a stare at her wristwatch before staring back at Rebecca.

"It's past six, try to be back before 8." The matron instructed.

The other girls there frowned. If it was them, the matron would bombard them with questions about their whereabouts before allowing them leave the orphanage, but because it was Rebecca, she was given the permission without many questions.

"Thank you ma, I promise to be back before then." Rebecca thanked the lady and rushed out of the office, going to take a cab.

It didn't take long before the car halted in front of a big building.

With the only cash with her, she paid the cab driver.

Different thoughts filled her mind as she stood in front of the tall white building.

Taking a deep breath, she placed her thumb on the sleek silver scanner. The device hummed to life, its bright blue light enveloping her finger. After a brief pause, the scanner beeped, and the gate opened.

She entered the building and the gate automatically locked.

She was welcomed by the security. They didn't ask how she was able to open the gate because they knew their young master had her fingerprint scanned to the smart gate, and she could open it anytime she wanted.

"Where is Axel?" She went straight to the point.

The men were a bit surprised. She was a calm and respectful girl, she normally greeted them whenever she arrived, but today was different.

"In his room, but he is quite busy right now." One of the men informed her.

Rebecca scoffed. She marched into the main building and headed straight to Axel's room.

She had been to the house several times, she knew her way around. After all, Axel's sister was her best friend at that time.

She got to his room, and without bothering to knock, she pushed the door open and didn't find him inside.

A feeling of shock overshadowed her. Clothes were scattered all over the bed, with small luggage in the middle and it only meant one thing. The matron was right.

She shook her head, not wanting to believe it was actually true.

The door opened and Axel walked in, he had a surprise look on his face.

"Becca?" He called questioningly.

"Are you leaving?" She went straight to the point.

"Yes." He didn't hesitate in replying.

"Yes?" She scoffed in tears. "Did you even think of telling me?"

Axel looked away from her. "I didn't tell you because you had no reason to know." He replied.

His words pierced through her heart like a dagger. "I have no reason to know?... Axel, what am I to you? What do you take me as?" She questioned.

"You are nothing to me, Becca. Stop trying to make yourself a priority in my life!" Axel snapped.

Rebecca stood dumbstruck, she didn't know what to say. He had never for once raised his voice at her.

"I have to pack up quickly. If you don't have anything to say, kindly leave." He said.

Rebecca couldn't believe what was happening. She and Axel were cool, they spoke last night on the phone he had given to her secretly. Why was he acting strangely?

"Axel, look at me." She mumbled.

Reluctantly, he turned to her, and their gaze met.

"You are talking to Rebecca, your Becca. Not someone else." She reminded, calmly.

She saw something like regret flash across his eyes, but then his facial expression remained stony.

"You are not mine, Becca. Whatever happened between us was just for fun. We did it for the moment." He stated.

Rebecca's jaw dropped. "Axel". She stuttered in shock.

"I wouldn't be talking to you if it wasn't for my sister. You are just a less privileged kid my parents are helping. Don't think I'll fall for someone like you." He rushed his words.

Rebecca couldn't move or say anything, she was too shocked to.

"You have overstayed your welcome. Please get out of my room." Axel muttered.

As if that wasn't enough, he opened his room door and pushed her out.

She fell in the process, but he didn't care. He slammed the door against her.

Tears dropped from her eyes.

END OF FLASHBACK

Rebecca didn't know she was crying, not until she felt something warm on her cheeks.

She recalled how she had cried for days, she even tried to commit suicide, but her friends were the ones who saved her.

As she stared at him, her hers darkened, the hatred in her heart rose and the fear she had for him disappeared.

She moved closer to him, and when she got to his front, she landed a slap on his face.