Chapter 1 CHAP. 1

As the hush of morning fell, whispers of mischief danced across the soft light filtering through the windows.

"Jasmine, breakfast is ready". Jade's voice cut sharp through the quiet, resounding across the house.

"Got it coming!" Jasmine responded chirpily while her voice still tinged with sleep. She stretched out lazily, feeling the cool air brush against her skin as she pulled herself up from bed.

"Let me shower now," she mumbled while removing her clothes and stepping into the bathroom, turning on the water before pouring soap into the bathtub.

The warm water surrounded her, washing away a tidal wave of calmness over her.

Finally, some peace, she thought while brushing her teeth as the hot water soothed the throbbing headache that lingered on her, her body drying with each part of her towel.

No sooner was she near the closet than the door swung open with a bang.

"Jasmine We have been waiting for so long. Come on so that we can finally have some breakfast!"

Jayla hastened in, frustration laced in her voice. "Almost done, be right there" Jasmine sighed, watching as Jayla exited, still fuming.

She headed downstairs already shifting to the day ahead where the rest of the family were seated in the dining room, waiting for her.

Her mom looked up, a trace of impatience in her eyes.

"Spurt ahead, We've been waiting for you so we can get started."

"Good morning, Mom and Dad. Sorry for the delay. I woke up with a slight headache," Jasmine explained as she took her seat ignoring the tension that hung in the air.

Her parents exchanged a glance before responding, "No worries. Hope you're feeling better now, much better, thanks," offering a small smile.

Jayla rolled her eyes; impatience was written across her face.

"Can we eat now, please? I am famished!" she said, already reaching for the toast.

She then turned to her father.

"Dad, can I have your credit card? I want to go shopping at the Louis Vuitton mall. They've got a new collection of bags that I would love to have."

Looking up from his plate, he nodded with a smile, "Sure sweetie, anything for my girls."

Jade, ever the thinker, suddenly spoke up, "You know, it just came to me; what if the Earth suddenly stopped rotating?"

Jasmine rolled her eyes. "Not this again, she said. Just stop. We know you're a nerd."

Jade shot back unfazed, "Being a nerd isn't a bad thing, you know."

The tension in the room thickened and Jayla quickly intervened, "Please, no argument. Let's not start this again. Want to come shopping with me?"

Jayla asked, turning toward Jade with hopeful eyes.

"Yeah, sure. I need a new top for next weekend anyway," Jade replied, as the earlier tension dissipated.

The sisters exited the dining room, headed to the Car, and turned on the sound system, playing a step ahead of Kygo's "It Ain't Me." It was their favorite-one that set them to have a carefree day.

They started singing, their voice harmonising to the upbeat melody as they prepped for a day of indulgence.

Later that morning, they pulled up to the Golden Oaks Mall, with its smooth, cream-colored marble floors reflecting the crystal chandeliers overhead, with lush greenery adding a touch of elegance to the opulent scene.

A security guard opened the door with a slight bow.

"Good morning, ladies," he greeted as the workers in the store nodded in familiarity, no doubt remembering them and their wealth from many other visits like this one.

"I'll catch up with you in a bit," Jade said as they entered the mall.

Jayla nodded and headed toward the Louis Vuitton store.

As she came nearer to where the sales receptionist was seated, the lady greeted her warmly. "Welcome, Ms. Jayla. How may I assist you today?"

Jayla smiled. "I'd love to see your limited edition handbags, please."

The receptionist nodded and went to the counter to retrieve the collection.

A tall, handsome man carrying an array of expensive dresses approached just then.

Jayla turned, and her breath caught in her throat as their eyes met. *Who is he?* she wondered.

"Woah, your girlfriend must be so lucky," Jayla blurted out, her voice barely above whisper level, unable to hide her curiosity.

He turned out a charming smile. "Why do you say that?"

"Because you're holding a lot of expensive clothes," Jayla replied, feeling slightly flustered.

He chuckled softly. "I work here. My name's Axel."

Jayla felt her cheeks flush. "Oh I'm so sorry," she said, her voice faltering.

"Not at all," Axel replied, his smile unwavering.

As she fumbled with her bag, it slipped from her grasp, and Axel was immediately down on one knee beside her reaching for the same strap.

Their hands touched and for a moment, everything seemed to freeze.

A jolt of electricity ran through her as their eyes locked, and her breath caught as she felt herself being pulled in-like metal to a magnet, by some invisible force.

Axel pulled back, his expression unreadable, but his voice was soft. "Sorry," he mumbled.

Jayla blinked through the moment. "No worries," she replied, trying to steady her racing heart.

The receptionist returned with the handbags, and Jayla took a forceful interest in him, though her mind could not leave Axel.

She studied the bags, peeping up at him, and wondered what just occurred-and what that might mean.

"Your bag is ready," the receptionist says to Jayla, still lost in her thoughts about him; she stares at him before heading out with her purchased item, trying to maintain her composure in a rush.

She had unknowingly left her phone behind as she reached into her bag to call Jade, realizing she left it on top of the counter.

She rushes back inside the Louis Vuitton store and runs into Axel.

She almost falls but Axel instantly catches her by the waist, their lips now inches apart. Axel's smile, a smug expression on his face.

"Two encounters in one day," he says, smooth and teasing.

Jayla struggles to keep herself in check as she nods and says, "Yes, it seems."

He slowly releases his grip on her waist, and she quickly retrieves her phone from the counter.

As she turned to leave, Axel called out to her, "Can I have your number? It seems the universe is determined to bring us closer."

Still cautious, She hesitated before finally giving him her number. "I'm Jayla, by the way," she says, realizing she hadn't introduced herself before.

"Nice to meet you," Axel replied, extending his hand before turning to head back to his job.

As Jayla walked away, her mind raced with thoughts of their encounter, imagining what might come next.

Just then, Jade appears beside her. "Jayla, I'm done shopping. Can we go now?" she asks, snapping Jayla back to reality.

Trying to conceal her excitement Jayla thought to herself, Let me get to know him before I tell her everything.

They exited the mall, to head home.

Getting into the car, Jade notices Jayla's unusual reaction but doesn't say anything, knowing her sister will spill the beans eventually.

Back at the mall, Axel finishes his shift and gets into a cab to head home, Jayla still on his mind, knowing fully well that he has caught another with his charms and good looks and this was just the beginning.

Finally, they arrive home, and Jade calls out, "We're home," but no one answers. "No one's home," they both murmur.

Jayla goes into her room to start typing around on her phone, still mentally shaken from what happened in the mall.

An onset of heat suddenly flushed her.

As Axel arrives home, he messages Jayla. With the buzzing, Jayla is so startled that she squints on herself. "Oh, fuck!" she murmurs, half embarrassed and half amused.

"Look what this guy made me do to myself," a smile tugged at her lips as she read his chat.

They quickly fell into an easy conversation, words flowing naturally between them.

Hours passed before Axel noticed the time; he swore to himself, knowing he hadn't washed off his face. "Good night Jayla," he typed, logging off for the night.

Jayla feels a surge of elation and excitement as she absent-mindedly touches her breast, thoughts of Axel lingering.

Meanwhile, Axel stood up as he was caught by the sound outside his door.

Knock knock. "Baby, I'm home." the voice called out.

A wave of panic washes over him, as his body becomes tensed, beads of sweat oozing onto his brow.