A/N: I saw the news about the bombings in France last week. Let's all pray for the people who are still wounded and more importantly, to those who died (May their soul rest in peace.) I hope that no more tragedy like that will happen in the future.

I'm very sorry for the late update. I had some problems with my internet connectivity for a week now. I'll be posting 2 updates to make it up to you guys (a longer one if I might add). Thanks for reading and keep voting!

Chapter 20 – Insensitive Jerk

When I first saw Axel fast approaching my table, the first thought that clouded my mind is 'What is he doing here!?'

'To get you back of course!' My subconscious shouted. It's not even half a day since I left his mansion!

"How?" I gaped at him completely stunned. "What are you doing here!?"

"Why did you disobey my orders?" He spat venomously. Despite being in his usual calm and confident demeanor, I know deep inside he's battling all his demons to get unleashed. A chill ran down on my spine by just the mere thought of him getting mad at me. I don't want to be the receiving end of his anger but I still got a backbone to fight for what I think is just. I was about to answer his question when I suddenly remembered all the events that had occurred last week. The scene when he left me on top of the Eiffel Tower replayed in my head.

He broke his promise.

It's a promise that I didn't ask for. He offered it by himself. I'm not forcing him either when he told me that. He ditches me on top of the tower and left with that gorgeous lady. To make matters worse, he ordered me like a servant to never leave his mansion and left me rotting inside without even asking how I was doing. What does he thinks I am, his prisoner? I didn't left my luxurious prison cell, aka palace, for another one. If he thinks that I'll just obey all his whims then he's dead wrong. He's making a big mistake by basing my character to the reports he got from when I was still in Atlantria. I'm not as obedient as he thinks I am.

I shift my attention back to my food. "Hello to you too." I greeted sarcastically. Even though I'm not looking at his face, I'm pretty sure he's already squinting his eyes at me when he detects my sarcasm. "What brings you here?" I ask casually.

He didn't answer my question. Instead, he takes the spoon I'm holding midway to my mouth. "Hey!" I shouted and by instinct, I look in his direction. He's holding my spoon while looking at me impassively. That's also the moment I noticed that we also caught the attention of the people inside the café. I also saw Addie and Gustavo looking at us in confusion. I smiled to assure the two that I'm okay but I think my smile is not as genuine as I wanted it to look like. I shift my gaze back to Axel. "That's my spoon." I said glaring at him. "Technically, the owner of this spoon is the owner of this place." He said then I scowled. I shift my attention back at my coffee. "What do you want Axel?" I asked then took a sip on my cup. You need to calm down Tasha and don't make a scene. "I told you this before, I want you." He said straightforwardly making me cough the coffee that I'm drinking.

I don't know what I should feel about his words. I know he wanted me for a different reason. I suddenly heard someone squealed next to my table. When I saw who it was, my eyes squinted. It was Mason. Yes, you read it right. For a guy, I'm surprised that he knows how to squeal like a girl. He's sitting on a chair next to my table while enjoying his coffee.

How did he get there? I didn't even notice him.

"Damn Axel. I didn't know you're a romantic type." He teased. "Shut it Mason." Axel simply said. "How did you get there?" I asked him while looking so confused. "I'm wounded my love. You only noticed Axel while entering the café." He said while putting his hand on his chest, acting like he's deeply wounded. "What? You're saying that you entered this coffee shop with him?" I asked totally surprised. "Yup!" He said popping the 'p'. "I'm right behind him when I entered."

I look at Axel quizzically. "He did?" Axel just shrugged and refused to give me an answer. "That's not the point why we're here. Let's get moving. The car is waiting outside." He said. "Hold on. Who told you that I'm going with you? I never said anything about leaving this place." I shot back at him.

"I never did give you any choice on that matter." He retorted.

"You-" I started. Standing up on my seat, I approached Axel while giving him a glare. If looks could kill, he's already 6 feet below the ground by now. "-who gave you the authority to order me around?" I continued. I know both of us are already making a scene but I couldn't care less anymore. I feel very small while standing in front of him but I'm not backing down without giving a fight.

Mason quickly left his table and approach both of us. "Woah Tasha my Love. Calm down." He turns his head towards Axel. "That's not how you ask a lady out." He said while shaking his head lightly. He pats Axel's shoulder and continued "You should ask them nicely. Not ordering them what to do."

I frowned at the two men in front of me.

"Well, I still got a date so I better go. It's nice to see you again Love." He said cheekily as he spun me around and gave me a hug. I was surprised by his sudden gesture but nonetheless, I hug him back awkwardly. When Mason let go, he's smiling meaningfully while looking at someone behind me. "Bye boss. Take my advice. It works 100%." He said and takes his leave. "Let's go."

Oh come on. Seriously? Didn't he heard what Mason just said?

"You didn't listen to Mason's advice." I stated. He just shrugged and that made me sigh. I give up. I don't think he's really up for that. Besides, just thinking about Axel acting nice is totally not him at all. Him being insensitive is part of his character. "Okay fine I'll go with you but...can I at least say good bye?" I asked hoping he'll allow me.

He looked at me, one eyebrow raised.

"I got to know the owner and employee of this place." I said looking hopeful while pointing at Addie and Gustavo who are now both standing in the counter. "They gave me this food for free. I should at least thank them." I explained.

"Make it quick." He made his turn to leave and left me standing just like that. I grinned when he's finally out. I didn't know it'll be that easy. When I approached Addie in the counter, she suddenly squealed making me cover my ears for a moment.

"Oh my gosh!" Addie exclaimed. "I didn't know you got a handsome man for a boyfriend. Who among the two is your guy? Let me guess, the one who left last?" She started to bombard me with questions in her language making me cringe. "Oh no, you got it all wrong. We're not like that. Actually, we're far from that. " I said defensively in nglish. "Anyway, thanks for the cake and coffee earlier."

Moments later, Gustavo appeared holding a sack of coffee beans. "You're leaving already?" He asked while carefully putting down the sack.

"Yeah but can you guys do me another favor?"

"Sure. For as long as I can do that favor, why not?" Addie said smiling.

"Where's the back door of this place?"

Both of them looked at me in confusion. "Why do you need the back door for?" Addie asked. Confusion is written all over her face. Gustavo on the other hand is looking at me suspiciously but he still pointed at the white door in the corner. "Just go straight at this door. You'll see the exit." He said. He probably figured out what I'm trying to do unlike Addie who's still confused. "Thanks! I owe you." I thank them with a big smile on my face.

"Why do you need the back door?" Addie asked again.

"Escaping." I said. Addie just looked at me like I've grown another head but I didn't elaborate further what I mean. "Well, I got to go before the monster comes back looking for me." I said before give Addie a big hug. "Come visit sometimes alright?" Gustavo suddenly butt in making Addie drop her question. "Yeah. You should." She said.

"Of course I will. By the way," I paused when I saw a worn out scarf and hat hanging on the wall. "...can I borrow this?" I said while holding the items. "Sure. We don't need it anymore." Addie said.

I smiled. "Thanks!" Now everything is going according to my plan. "Au revoir!" I told them and immediately take my leave.

When I'm finally out of the café, I sighed in relief when I saw no one's around. I tie my hair in a pony and put the hat and scarf on. Once I'm done, I walk my way out of the alley. I saw Axel's familiar black limousine parked in the corner. I walk like a typical passerby and hail a cab. They didn't seem to notice that it was me who's walking so I mentally cheered.

"Where to?" Asked the driver in French.

"To Louvre." I said as I fish out a black leather wallet in my jeans. I smiled when I remembered how I got this. When Mason hugged me earlier, I saw that as an opportunity to solve my financial dilemma. I saw his wallet sticking out of his jeans pocket. I know what I did is bad and so unlady-like but I also got the feeling that Mason purposely made that on purpose. I'm positive he felt it when I took out the wallet in his pocket.

I stared at the wallet on my lap. When I opened it, I was surprised to see a huge sum of cash and a piece of white paper. There's a letter written on it.

Love,

Let's tease Axel. Use it well.

From Hot Mason.

I laugh after reading it. I knew it! I don't know why he did that but no matter what the reason is, I'll definitely pay him back.

Looking outside the window, I can finally see the pyramid of Louvre. Excitement filled my system. I've been in this place before but it was only for a short notice. We left right away after the event ended. Basically, this will be my first time touring around this museum. I take out a sum of cash when the cab finally stop and give it to the driver. "Merci." I thank him and get out of the car.

I approached the main entrance of the museum. I gaped at the long line that I'm seeing. "They have got to be kidding me." I said totally shocked. "I'm afraid all of this is real." said someone who suddenly whispered on my side. I was so startled to the point of losing my balance. Axel is quick to catch me and I was able to regain my footing.

"You again!? You're starting to creep me out Axel." I told him. I'm positively sure that I manage to escape him earlier. How come he's here? "You're underestimating me too much Ms. Tasha."

"Oh come on." I scowled. "Seriously, how did you find me?"

He didn't answer my question. Instead, he takes my hand and walk straight towards the entrance of the Louvre. Not minding the long line, Axel walk pass the front door pulling me along with him. He showed the guards something and they just let us in without even asking for a ticket. The people are looking at us, probably cursing us because we're not following rules or they're just star struck at the alpha male on my side.

"What did you do?" I asked him. Curious on how he manage to make us pass the front door without any difficulty. "They just let us in just like that." I said. "I made reservations." He simply said and continued to walk along the hallways of the museum.

"Where's our tour guide?"

"We don't need one."

I raised my eyebrows at his statement. "Why?"

"Because I'm here. I'll answer all your questions." He said proudly.

I look at him suspiciously. "Ms. Tasha, I've been in this museum for a lot of times already. I'm sure I can tour you in this place without difficulty."

"Truly?"

He suddenly stop dead on is tracks and face me. "Do I look like I'm a liar?" He asked. The moment he asked me that question, I wanted to scream to him 'Yes' but decided to keep my mouth shut. I averted my eyes away from him and decided to pay attention at the painting hanging in the wall.

He sighed and let go of my hand.

"We are lucky that we're able to find that right away." He said pertaining to the painting I'm looking at. It's the famous Monalisa with her mysterious smile. "They usually move that painting around this museum every once and a while." He supplied.

I didn't say anything and just look at the painting.

"Look at me Tasha." He ordered. I didn't obey him and stared at the painting. I do not like how he uses his words at me. It feels like he's treating me like I'm one of his servants or underlings. If he thinks he can order me around like he usually does to others, then he doesn't really know me.

'Of course he doesn't. You barely know him and vice versa.' My subconscious screams.

Yeah. I almost forgot about that fact.

"Please look at me." He suddenly says making me turn towards his direction and look at him. I made a huge mistake when his black orbs greeted me. He's looking at me intently.

Did I hear him wrong? He said please. Yes, PLEASE. A word that I rarely heard from him ever since the day we met.

"Look, I'm sorry." He said and turns on his back and walk away.

Hold on. Did I really hear it correctly? He said Please and then Sorry. Saying that I'm surprised to his choice of words is an understatement, I'm stunned beyond belief. When I saw Axel walking away, I find myself back in reality and run towards him.

Maybe he's not an insensitive jerk as what I branded him to be.

♚End of Chapter 20♚

Thanks for reading and again, sorry for the very very late update. If it wasn't for my poor connectivity I would've updated a chapter last weekend. L

CHARACTERS INTRODUCED SO FAR....

MAINPROTAGONISTS:

Tasha Romano (Anastasia Genevieve Strauss Romanov) Axel Montblanc

OTHERS:
Al
Mason
Christopher Bellamy Alastair
Mr. Reeves
Dianara
Mia
Addie and Gustavo