Chapter 11

Chapter 11

The rest of the week was madness.

On Tuesday, Axel texted me constantly. Time. After. time.

I replied, "I'm at work. I'm busy. Stop texting me." But he seemed to be so determined about irritating me that he kept on going. When he jumped on the cheesy station, I blocked him.

On Wednesday, Harper called me to her office. With no other avenue of reaching me, he really went out of his way and contacted my boss. She said Axel texted her, asking if I really am at work and why I'm not replying. I simply told her I don't check my phone at work.

On Thursday, a bouquet of flowers was waiting for me when I arrived at my desk. It came with a note: "Since you blocked me, I had to find another way. Looking forward to those dates. ;) -Axel."

My co-workers teased me throughout the day. It got so bad that I unblocked him and texted, "I'm not dead, please don't send me flowers at work. And besides, don't you have anything better to do? If you're worried about the dates, don't worry, I won't bail." then I blocked him again.

On Friday, I arrived to a box of red roses on my doorstep. I sighed and shook my head as I picked it up from the ground. Relentless, that's what he is. A note was placed in between 2 flowers, it said: "Well, you didn't say anything about flowers at home. And no, you're the farthest thing from dead. First date tomorrow. I'll pick you up at 2:00, dress casually."

And now I'm in front of my bathroom mirror, fixing my make-up. I opted for a light gray grid blouse and dark-wash jeans. He said casual, I'll give him casual.

I was putting on my light brown derby shoes when someone knocked on my door three times. I sighed. Oh, good Lord, am I really willingly going out with a child stuck in an adult's body?

I grabbed my mustard duffel coat from the couch and put it on before I walked towards the door.

I was taken aback when I opened it. He's too close. His right hand rested on the door frame supporting the way his body is leaned. He looked like he's posing for an ad.

"Hey." A lopsided smile formed on his face then he tucked his hands inside his coat pockets.

"Oh, no..." I shook my head. He's wearing a button-down mustard shirt and black jeans under a mid-length dark gray wool coat.

"What?" he asked, alarmed.

"We are not matching," I said then closed the door to him.

"But –" I heard him protest as the door closed.

I put the mustard coat back on the rack and looked for my brown suede jacket in the cabinet. I put it on as soon as I found it.

"So, where are we going?" I asked Axel as I opened the door.

"It's a surprise," he replied with a wink.

I narrowed my eyes at him. What is he up to?

"What?" his brows furrowed innocently.

"Nothing," I said as I locked up the apartment. I don't know what he's going to do but based on the way he's acting, he's clearly up to something. I have to keep my guard up, especially now that he made clear he's on a mission of making me fall in love with him. I have to keep in mind that it's all fake. He'll act all nice and chivalrous because of his sick inclination with games. Everything is a ploy, remember that, Lauren.

We walked towards the elevator in silence. When the doors opened, it didn't go unnoticed that we're the only ones in the elevator car. He knew how to pick a lean time for people traffic, I'll give him that. Guess that's on being famous.

He leaned towards me and whispered, "You look great, by the way." in a low voice near my left ear. My eyes widened and I felt the tiny hairs on my arms raise. I blinked it away immediately.

I cleared my throat then looked at him. He leaned on the elevator wall with a coy smile.

A game is what he wants, a game is what he'll get.

I moved dangerously close to him and forced a sultry smile. "You don't look too bad yourself," I said as I ran my hand slowly on the flaps of his coat.

His smile faded and his throat bobbed from a gulp. I smiled to myself.

The elevator dinged to a stop and the doors opened. I straightened up then walked ahead of him. Two can play at this game, Axel... Two can play at this game.

When I was about to reach the door, he picked up his pace. I smiled at the ridiculous thought. Was he really planning to open the door for me when I am so near to it? I shook my head slightly then opened the door before he can.

"Lead the way," I said gesturing he go out first.

He looked at me like his ego got hurt. Aw, that hurt wittle baby? Too bad my weak female hands can open doors.

He got out of the building first then continued walking on the sidewalk.

I smiled to myself triumphantly as I walked behind him. This day is going to be interesting.

He stopped next to a black car.

He pressed a card on the passenger door handle and opened it. He nodded that I get inside. I glared at him before getting in. He just smirked at me and closed the door. He's enjoying this. I sighed in defeat, I guess this time I can't protest on him opening the door for me because it's his car.

He got on the driver's seat and keyed in something on the big iPad-ish screen attached to the dashboard before going into the streets.

Wait, is this a Tesla? I'm not very knowledgeable about cars but I know Teslas have this kind of big ass consoles.

I looked at the steering wheel and there's a 'T'. Okay then, that confirms it. I mean the key card should've been a giveaway.

I don't know why I'm shocked; maybe it's because it's not what I expected but I'm also not at all surprised, I mean he's a celebrity. He can afford these kinds of things.

Maybe I still just can't wrap my head around the fact that this is the same person who's been pestering me for a couple of days.

I eyed the console to look at the GPS – it's kind of hard to see when I'm not leaning. I need to know where we're going.

"It's okay. You can look." he chuckled, looking at me a second longer to my liking.

"Hey, eyes on the road!" I warned.

He shook his head playfully, "Don't worry, this thing has an auto-pilot feature."

"Yeah, well, I don't care. I don't trust those things. Eyes on the road."

"Yes, Ma'am." he grinned then went back on driving. I leaned over to look at the GPS and check for his inputted location.

"We're going to an orchard?" I asked, unable to hide my excitement.

He smiled proudly.

I bit my bottom lip to hide my smile. He can't know my deep regard for all things Fall.

"Yes, I figured it's the best season for apple picking," he replied with a smile.

Oh my God, can he please just go back to his arrogant self? We're not even 30 minutes into this date and I already need him to do something that would make me hate him if I want to win at this game.

I decided to focus on anything but him so I ended up staring out the window as we pass by all the buildings and into the highway.

"Want to listen to some music?" Axel said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, sure," I replied casually.

He's about to click on the console to look for the music, I swatted his hand away.

"I told you, focus on the road," I said.

"And I told you, it's safe... but alright." he shrugged.

I browsed on the music and played Can't Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Axel's eyebrows raised in delight then began lip-syncing and making exaggerated facial expressions as the song progressed. I laughed at him.

It took us about an hour before getting to the countryside. Well, kind of. It's still New York.

The car slowed to a stop when Brandy by Looking Glass started playing. It's almost 3:30 when we arrived at our destination. I got out of the car immediately and took everything in. The sun was bright but the wind was cold and the greenery from the orchard was swaying to the breeze. I closed my eyes and breathed in the fresh air.

I opened my eyes when I heard a camera click. It's Axel.

"Hey, what's that for?" I protested, coming closer to him to take a look.

He brought his camera close to his chest. "It's for evidence."

"What evidence?"

He blinked a few times, "For Harper." I raised my brows at him. Did he really expect me to believe his poor excuse?

"She said I have to take pictures of every date or it didn't happen," he added.

"Oh. Well, let me see." I said.

"No, we'll review the pictures later." he smiled. "First, we need to buy tickets."

I rolled my eyes at him, "Whatever." then I continued to walk towards the orchard entrance as I heard another set of camera clicks from my back.

I looked back at him in realization, "Wait. You didn't call to save your tickets in advance?"

"Nope." he said popping the 'p'. "I guess you should know by now that I intend on keeping my end of the bargain. I'm talking about the beer pong bet, that is," he added.

We continued walking side by side.

"Okay? Even though I have already expressly told you that I condone that obligation..." I shook my head, "Fine. But how exactly do you plan to do that?"

He stopped in his tracks. I stopped to face him. "All 5 dates, I wouldn't pull my quote 'Axel James' card," he said proudly.

I scoffed at him, "As if that would work."

"Watch me."

"I'd love to see you try," I said then continued walking ahead of him.