15 | Champagnes and Confessions
Emerald's POV
I could hear someone humming the melody of the song being played in the car. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see who it was. Axel. My heart skipped as he continued to hum in a deep voice of whatever the car's speakers were playing. The melody sweetly accompanied by his voice made it enchanting and I couldn't help but get bewildered at the man in the driver's seat. His fingers lightly tapped on his thighs, going to the beat of the song.
"You can sing." I blurted out and he immediately stopped, an intake of breath piercing the air between us.
"Oh. Did I wake you? Sorry. I didn't mean to be loud." He cleared his throat, scratching the back of his neck shyly. I smiled at him as he tried to avoid my gaze. I slowly sat up and looked outside the car windows. The parking lot was now full and it looked like it was already midnight.
"How long did I sleep?" I rubbed my eyes.
"Around 2 hours. Did you rest well?" He asked as he tapped on his phone and the music he was humming to abruptly stopped.
"I did. Thank you for letting me sleep for a while. My body couldn't take it anymore." He nodded at that and he cleared his throat again.
"So, should we go up? I have to cancel your massage appointment since it's already late. I can have it rescheduled tomorrow though." He offered, showing me my secretary's number on his phone.
"Yes please. I would love that. Let's go up. I don't think I have the energy to go back home now."
"Yeah. It's not a problem. Let's go." He got out of his car and went to open my door. The blanket was still bunched up on my lap and he helped me fold it.
"I'll have those." He began to take the pillows but I held on the blanket.
"Let me hold this." I told him and he didn't argue with me on that. Instead, he just nodded at me and he got the rest of my things before closing and locking the car.
"Are you going home after you... you know." I nodded upwards where my penthouse was on the top of the building. The elevator dinged and opened for us and I quietly followed him inside. He pressed the penthouse button in the elevator before he turned towards me.
"I'm your bodyguard. I won't leave you behind. We don't know what dangers you will be in especially with you being the mastermind of the next royal crown of Sweden." He was so serious when he talks and his eyes searched for mine. I cleared my throat and looked away. I could feel the tension burning between us. Awkward...
"Okay, dude. Chill. It's not like they are going to kill me. I won't be dying over here." I awkwardly laughed, before raising the blanket higher to my face to cover the heat spreading across my cheeks. I watched him clench his jaw.
Did he not like what I said?
It was the truth. I was sure no one was going to kill me. I have been living my life peacefully for the past few years and no one ever held me at gunpoint... except...
"You're really not that cautious with your safety, don't you?" He sighed, turning his back on me.
"Well, I always have Emil's bodyguards with me when he feels like I am not safe but I haven't really had any near-death or bleeding to death situation. Unless that time I was with my best friends..." I thought about it and he quickly turned to face me again. His eyes were alarmed and his brows furrowed.
"What do you mean? So there was a time? When was it? Where? How-"
"Axel," I sighed. I reached out to his chest and I could feel his heart beating fast.
"You really don't have to worry too much about me. I am okay, really. I am not like my best friends who have been in those situations." I blabbed about it, avoiding his eyes and I heard him sigh.
"Emerald... What happened that day?" He asked in a more gentle voice.
"It was nothing really. It was not that life-threatening."
"Emerald..." He warned about me beating around the bush and I rolled my eyes at him.
"Okay. Okay. Fine." I was about to tell him when the elevator dinged and the doors opened.
"Let's talk when we're inside." He said and he gestured for me to go first.
"Oh right. You don't know where to go." I caught up with him and led the way. The walk was short since I occupied the whole floor and when we got there, his arms immediately shot in front of me causing me to stop.
"What? What is it?" I whispered with worry, hiding behind him.
"Stay here. I'll take a look around." His voice was low and deep and his eyes searched across the living room. He gently placed the pillows on my gray couch before he began his surveillance. His leather shoes slowly tapped against the wooden floor, his body stiff and his figure looked like a moving shadow going from one room to the next in swift movements. I just let him do his job knowing he won't be satisfied until he knows it is safe for me to stay here.
"All clear." I heard him speak from my bedroom and then he emerged looking upwards where two CCTV cameras were placed on either side of the whole living room.
"Who has access to your cameras?" He pointed at the one on his right.
"Oh. My brother's bodyguard." I replied putting the blanket beside the pillows. He just hummed in reply and I ignored him while I went to open the rest of the lights in my home.
"Nice place you got." He commented and he awkwardly scratched his head. I just sent him a smile as I turned to my kitchen to check if my staff have stored food and drinks in the refrigerator. It has been a while since I was here.
"Oooh! There's wine! Want some wine?" I asked him loudly enough for him to hear and he appeared in the aisle with his arms crossed against his chest with a quick yes. I quickly avoided my gaze at him. He was so mouthwatering to see. The muscles on his arms are basically being stretched against his suit and it was sinful to see him like that.
"You're not going to rest?" He went around my kitchen opening drawers and cabinets trying to find the wine glasses.
"3rd cabinet at the top. On your left." I chuckled as he struggled to move around the small corner of my kitchen aisle.
"Why is your kitchen so small but your living room taking up so much space?" He grunted as he finally got the glasses. I couldn't help but laugh as I pulled him to go to the living room.
"I don't cook much around here." I shrugged. He was right about my kitchen being small. It was enough for me only and not for anyone else, especially big built guys like him.
"Go have a seat. I'll pour you a glass." He offered and I gave him the bottle of Moët & Chandon. He just smiled as he saw me sit down while he popped the wine open.
"You don't bring guests over here?" He continued to ask as he poured me a glass. I bit my lip.
"I do have guests. I just don't cook for them." I bit my lip, not wanting to sound impolite.
"Oh. You must be the kind to bring guests with takeaways." He nodded in understanding and gave me the glass of champagne.
"Then you offer them wine like this? Damn. You're a good host. Need improvement on your security tho. We don't want you being in here with your guests and just 6 cameras with no alarms whatsoever." He chuckled and went to sit on the opposite side of the couch.
"Well, I don't even usually offer them wine." He tilted his head in curiosity. Should I just tell him? I mean, he's my bodyguard so he must know. There was fear settling in my stomach with the thought. I don't want him reporting to Max that I was having guests here for pleasure...
"You don't? Please don't tell me you come here to work, Emeralda." He sighed before taking a sip on his drink. He leaned against the couch, relaxing, and his huge figure made my couch look so small.
"No! Absolutely not." I quickly shook my head in denial.
"Then, may I know what you do here? It's not only out of curiosity but to know what to do in cases like this. I'm your bodyguard and I need to know when and where you want your personal space." He explained. I guess I don't have a reason to keep it from him. I took a drink just to have the courage to tell him.
"Okay but please don't tell Max. I don't want him to have this impression of me. It's bad enough to be called a socialite in this day and age." I requested, clutching the stem of my wine glass out of nervousness.
"Sure. Your secret is safe with me." He reassured me and my heart beat faster. He needs to know...
"I-I bring guys here to... you know..." This was harder than I expected it to be. I tried to let him catch my drift and he just waited for me to continue.
"I bring guys over for pleasure, Axel. And the reason why we are here tonight even though I just told you what this penthouse is for is that I have a massage room near my bedroom that's why I wanted to be brought here today." I confessed and I buried myself in my hands, embarrassed to say those words out loud. It would have been fine for me to confess but he was the royal bodyguard and he's serving the royal family. It's unconventional!
Silence... Total silence. I wanted to be buried alive. What if he tells Max? What will he think of me?
"Oh." I heard him speak. I uncovered myself and stared at him.
"Oh? That's your reaction?" He looked at me like I just grew a second head and raised a brow at me.
"So what if this is where you bring the guys you date? You have consensual sex, yes?"
"Of course. I don't bring a guy over without their consent."
"Or yours." He added and I gave him a small smile. He picked up his champagne and took a drink before he looked at me again.
"Emeralda, there is nothing wrong with that. You are young and you are allowed to date whoever you like. Thanks for sharing with me. I'll know what to do now." I bit my lip again and fiddled with my fingers.
"What is it?" I heard him shift from his seat.
"It's just that..." I looked back at him and he leaned closer towards me.
"You can tell me anything, Emerald. Your secret is safe with me." He reassured me once again.
"What if you tell Max about this?" His eyes flickered with an emotion I couldn't read and he leaned back, settling on his seat.
"I won't. You can tell him that if you like to share it with him. He's reasonable for the most part." He chuckled and I gave him a dirty look.
"What did you just say about the prince?" He smirked, chuckling while shaking his head.
"He's a good guy for the most part. He's a prince after all. He's trained his whole life to rule one day. Whatever it is that you want to tell him, I think he'll understand."
"He has a bad side?" I began to worry that I was dating a spoiled prince that might hurt me one day. He just shrugged and took a drink again.
"I haven't seen him like that. I mostly work behind the shadows so I don't really work beside the prince 24/7. I don't know him on a personal level that we can share our opinions with one another. I just do my job, that's all." I nodded at him and sighed.
"Look," He leaned close to me again and there was determination in his mossy green eyes.
"I promise you. I'll protect you no matter what. Don't be afraid of him. If he's an ass, I'll deal with him." He promised. A laugh burst out of me.
"Did you just call the prince an ass?" I laughed more and he gave me boyish green and my laughter faded away like a bubble.
"Well, if he will, he would be called that. Right now, enjoy yourself with him. It's rare to see him date behind closed doors." He emptied his drink.
"It's rare? Why? Is it because whenever he dates, the media is already chasing him for a story?" I asked and he nodded.
"Yeah. I read reports on his dating history and it's the first time to not have his Royal Highness be bombarded when he will settle down." I held my breath at what he said. Marriage. I fear the ocean for reasons I cannot explain but I also fear the concept of settling down.
"Oh sorry. I didn't mean to scare you like that. You have to understand that his title is something that needs heirs as soon as possible. If he becomes King of Sweden, he needs someone as a partner and his Queen."
"I...I never thought of that, actually. I like his company but that idea of being with him on royal duties scares me, Axel." I told him and he nodded, placing his glass on the mahogany coffee table.
"It's okay. I understand how that would make someone run for the hills and never come back. But it's also good that you are dating him because you like him as a person and not for his title." His words were like a comfort blanket that enveloped me warmly. It gave me a sense of security that he will be there when things start to get sour. He spoke like he knows what he was telling me. He spoke like he was in my shoes.
"Axel?"
"Yeah?"
"Have you loved someone before?" I asked softly and he sighed, a ghost of a smile upon his lips.
"I once did." He didn't hold back. There was warmth in his eyes and I felt like he was remembering whoever he loved.
"May I ask where she is?" I was cautious asking him such a risky question but I was curious about him. He seemed so cold and distant over anything other than for my safety and I wanted to get to know him more. He gave me a sad smile as he stood up from the couch and went to face the big glass window overlooking the city. I heard him release a breath.
"She's not here."
"Oh? I'm sorry. You haven't seen her since?" It was sad to know the love of his life isn't with him. He seemed like a genuine guy that would be good for any woman he would date.
"No. Not when she's gone in this world." My heart dropped at his reply. I quickie stood up and walked towards him. My hands itched to touch him, wanting to bring comfort and an apology but as I got close, I stopped.
"I'm... I'm so sorry." That's what I could only say. I looked down on the ground. It must have been painful. I saw my best friends and my brother almost lose the love of their lives and I couldn't fathom the feeling of him actually losing her.
"It's okay. It's not your fault. I failed to protect her and it's my burden to bear. There's nothing you can do." I saw his shoes facing me as he reached me and I looked up from the ground.
"Just enjoy life when you can have it, Emeralda. It's the best thing in the world." He smiled and I melted at that. Releasing a breath of relief, I smiled back at him.
"Thank you, Axel."
"You're welcome. May I know why you asked?" He began to get curious and I took a step back.
"It's just that..." I hesitated and he chuckled, his laughter booming against my walls echoing.
"You can tell me anything. You already told me about your fuckpad." I gasped at his downright honesty and he earned a playful slap from me on his shoulder.
"Say a word about what I do here and I will cut your balls." I dared him and he laughed some more. Damn this man!
"I won't. I promise. So, why did you ask?"
"I'm curious about it."
"What? About love? You dated before, right?" He was too ignorant about my life.
"I don't date, Axel." I gave him a look hoping he understood what I wanted to say.
"Ohhh..." He nodded slowly, now understanding what I was implying.
"So no strings attached relationships, huh?" He was so casual about it that I found it irritating that we were talking like we were the best of friends. How can I be so comfortable with him when it comes to these things? For fuck's sake, I cannot even confess the proclivities I have done here to my best friends!
"Yeah. Is that bad?"
"Again, if there's nothing wrong and you're not breaking the law, why would I judge you?" I smiled at how relaxed he was about this. I began to like his company. He was like a comforting friend I needed with everything that is going on with my life right now. He looked at me with a smile but his eyes didn't have the glow that I usually see whenever he teased or annoyed me. I couldn't place it so I just let it go.
"Find your peace and happiness in this cruel world, Emeralda."
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