Hours Later...
Everyone parted ways after the meetings and continued doing their normal tasks to prevent suspicion. The whole day was crowded with smiles and mafia tasks. As for Axel, it was much different, he felt guilt eating his flesh to his bones. He couldn't get past him hitting Alora with his car. He hadn't even cleared himself to the blogs since it hadn't reached the newspapers or television.
Axel couldn't really care less about his image or the public eye but his father did. He wanted everything to be swept under the rug not that it was a bad thing. Truth be told no one is perfect nor is anyone's life is perfect.
Axel lit a cigarette and inhaled the toxic smoke to hopefully soothe his thoughts.
Why am I letting this affect me so much? He thought to himself.
The Gravano's were surely his second home and another safe place for him ever since he was little. Farrell had trained him along with Annika and Rome a few times while growing up.
At Axel's Mansion...
It was nighttime now and everyone had gone into their bedrooms for another night of sleep. Axel on the other hand was lying awake in his room inhaling another cigarette. The news was alot for him considering what he had done and how badly he had injured her. On top of that, he had another secret resting on his shoulders. Alora's job at the club and her being Ruby.
How would Farrell and Irena even react about this? There's no way it would change their feeling toward her, would it? Axel tossed and turned in bed trying to fight his thoughts off with the night hush of sleep but his thoughts were way too loud. Axel took another inhale of his cigarette before putting out the little-death stick and deciding to take a shower.
Axel got out of bed and turned on the shower to steaming hot water.
"Shall the water burn my thoughts or my thoughts shall kill me in my sleep tonight?" he said before removing his clothes and getting in
Meanwhile...Alora
Alora was lying awake in the guest bedroom thinking about the rollercoaster events of her life. The horrible and stinging childhood she grew up in, the lack of money and having to take degraded jobs in society in the means to survive and now getting struck by a car. How did I even deserve this life of mines? She wondered to herself
A tear escaped her bruised eyes, she worried about getting back on her feet once this hospitality would come to an end. Where do I even start? Nash would probably be furious with me not showing up. She trusted Nash but he was a man who lived for the business he didn't like anyone f*cking around with his money or job.
Alora sat up and wiped her eyes with the sleeves of her shirt. Lilith had been so kind towards Alora throughout her stay here and even went shopping for her. How do I even pay them back for their kindness? Alora thought adding fuel to the fire of her worries.
She got out of bed taking a stretch. Alora's ankle felt alot better and it was only a mild sprain. Lilith is still very cautious about her walking around but Alora doesn't seem to mind her injuries.
Alora snuck out of the room quietly and went down the steps keeping her feet light as feathers in fear she'll wake someone. Little did she know someone was already awake; Devine.
Axel's daughter Devine was rummaging through the fridge for a night snack. When Alora got to the kitchen for a glass of water. She was startled to see Devine.
"Oh my god!" Alora says in a high pitched whisper
"Hi," Devine says smiling
Devine had no idea about Alora but didn't seem to mind the stranger's presence.
"Hi, You're adorable," Alora says giggling
"Thank you! Daddy calls me adorable too!" Devine says
"What's wrong? Isn't it past your bedtime?" Alora asks placing a hand on her hip
"I really wanted ice cream," Devine says with a pout
"I don't know, I wouldn't want you to get hyper or make your father upset"
"He's nice! Please can I have ice cream?"
Devine pouted and stared into Alora's eyes.
"Okay fine, only because you're adorable," Alora says giggling
Alora helped Devine off the floor. Devine took ahold of Alora's hand while she scanned the freezer for ice cream. Grabbing the tub of vanilla ice cream with her free hand Alora placed it on the dresser.
Alora reached for a bowl from the dishwasher and a spoon. Devine watched while clinging onto Alora's arm.
"Are you eating ice cream too?" Devine asks
"I'll just drink water," Alora says smiling
"But I thought you said adorable people can eat ice cream," Devine says
Alora laughs at Devine's words
"Adorable people sure do eat ice cream," Axel says cutting in
"Daddy!" Devine lets go of Alora's arm and run to Axel who lifts her up and throws her into the air catching her
Alora's eyes widen realizing that Axel has a daughter. She would have never guessed.
She scanned Axel's shirtless body noticing a few scars on his torso.
Axel meets Alora's eyes and stares into the waterfalls of honey and gold. He could realize what made her so special. Her eyes were surely precious.
"Ice cream," Devine says interrupting the silence
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry sweetie," Alora says adding three more scoops to the bowl.
Alora hands Devine the bowl of ice cream along with the spoon.
"Thanks!" Devine says taking a mouthful of vanilla ice cream into her mouth
Alora giggles at Devine's remarks.
"What's your name?" Alora asks Devine
Devine who's busy eating her ice cream,
"Devine" Axel says answering for her
"What a lovely name," Alora says closing the tub of ice cream and placing it back into the freezer
"I can see your leg is feeling better," Axel says
Alora nods and reaches for a cup from the dishwasher filling it up with water from the tap.
Axel placed Devine down and takes the cup of water from Alora.
"There's water in the fridge it's much cleaner than drinking from the tap," Axel says placing the cup into the sink
"Oh, thank you," Alora says taking water from the fridge
"All done! Can you read me a bedtime story?" Devine asks handing Alora the empty bowl and spoon
"Okay, sure!" Alora says
Devine takes ahold of Alora's hand and ushers her to follow behind.
"Daddy you follow too," Devine says
Axel takes the bowl from Alora and places it in the sink chuckling her follows behind them.
Devine stops into her bedroom revealing her princess bed that looked big enough to fit four people.
In the corner was a bookshelf decorated with sparkles to match.
Devine climbed into bed and laid down waiting for the story to start.
"Which story should I read you?" Alora asks
"Which story did your parents read to you? I wanna hear" Devine asks
"Oh, " Alora says
"How about grandma's favourite story instead?" Axel asks
"Okay! But can she read it?" Devine asks
"Of course," Alora says smiling weakly
Devine claps excitedly
Axel searches the bookshelf and hands Alora a book. Alora accepts it and walks over to Devine's bed and sits down gently. Axel sits down on the opposite side of Devine.
Alora opens the book, scans the words and reads them aloud to Devine who falls asleep within minutes.
The Next Morning...
Lilith had awoken earlier to get ready and do her daily check-up on Alora. Knocking on the guest bedroom door there was no response.
"Alora?" Lilith calls out
Lilith twists the doorknob and opens the door with a gentle push. The bed was empty and so was the bathroom. Lilith was confused about where Alora had gone.
Growing with worry Lilith decided to notify Axel. Knocking on his bedroom door there was no response as well. Lilith opened his room door cautiously to find his bed empty as well.
"Maybe he stayed with Devine," Lilith whispered to herself.
Walking down the hall to Devine's bedroom, Lilith opened the door carefully not to awake Devine. Lilith was heartfelt warm as she saw Alora and Axel sleeping next to Devine.
So cute! Lilith thought to herself
Taking out her phone she took a photo of the three sound asleep and sent them to Axel and Alora.
Lilith left the room quietly shutting the door softly.
Alora is the missing piece to the puzzle. Lilith thought to herself
ONE HOUR LATER...
Axel opened his tired eyes and sat up taking a morning stretch. He looked over at Alora asleep beside his daughter Devine. Pecking Devine on the forehead he looked at them in awe.
She's so beautiful. He thought to himself.
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Authors Note
AWWW! DEVINE IS SURELY ADORABLE! WHY DOES DEVINE TRUST ALORA SO MUCH? IS AXEL STARTING TO ACCEPT HIS TRUE FEELINGS? HOW WILL THIS AFFECT ALORA?
FIND OUT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!
REMEMBER TO VOTE AND COMMENT ANY THOUGHTS IF YOU'D LIKE
THANKS FOR READING XX