Chasing the Void (Magnates Series #3)

His POV

His Point of View

"Axel Dimitry Laurel,"

The guy the same age as the interns started introducing himself in the group. He was smiling widely, shaking hands with the interns like some politician before the election. The interns find his friendly atmosphere warming that they also smiled back.

I remained separated from the group, I don't want to interact, it felt tiring. I am also not fond of talking much, it felt obligating to join their conversation even though it's unnecessary.

"May joke ako," that Axel guy announced like we were all required to hear it. We were inside the engine room, supposed to be taught about the structure of the machinery but the instructor left for a bit.

"May joke ako!" he repeated.

A few people chuckled, having fun at his attempt of throwing a joke out of nowhere.

"Ayan ka na naman, Axel! May baon ka na naman!" said Tristan, one of the interns.

"Dali na! Bago dumating si Engineer!"

He even cleared his throat, expecting that everyone was anticipating whatever joke he'll throw.

"Anong mangyayari kapag nahulog mo ang pulang sumbrero sa asul na dagat?" everyone waited for his answer. He was just glancing at them, looking excited to tell his joke.

"Sabihin niyo muna 'ano'!" he demanded.

"Grabe, required ba 'yon?"

"Oo! Para mas maganda 'yong joke!"

"E 'di ano?"

His smile grew more. "E 'di mababasa 'yong sumbrero!"

He's the only one who laughed at the joke. There was silence before the others began laughing because he's the only one who reacted. I was dumbfounded. I never understood why it was funny.

Why are they laughing? Isn't that what was supposed to happen since it was dropped in the ocean?

Was it that funny?

I've known him as that talkative guy who'd throw useless and humorless jokes randomly. But the other interns and instructors liked him because of his optimistic and approachable personality.

I have always thought of him as someone who'd do anything for people to get closer to him to get his way with things, to build forced connections, but I was wrong. That's just the way he is. That's just his nature. 

"Draisen!" he called me. "Tayo raw ang naka-assign sa bunkering ngayon."

I nodded and followed him. Captain Burgos was there as an instructor. I could see the glint of adoration in Axel's eyes as he watched everything in awe. Like a kid who saw magic for the first time.

"Ang galing talaga ni Captain Burgos, 'no?" he commented when we were heading back to the dock. "Mukhang alam na alam niya lahat ng operasyon sa barko. Parehong engineer siya tapos naging kapitan pa!"

He idolizes him so much that he talks about it every time Captain Burgos was the one handling the interns.

I don't get it. It's just normal that he knows a lot about the operations since he chose that path? What's so good about a person who's doing his job?

And besides, I don't like that man much. He makes it look like he's doing everything for Navis when in fact he hasn't done much.

"Dad!" he greeted Captain Laurel who came to visit Navis. He cleared his throat, embarrassed how loud he was upon seeing his father. "Captain Laurel,"