“This guy better be on his best behavior,” I mumbled as Adam and I walked down the stairs. After finally showering and getting rid of all those sticky junk from my body, I dressed up decently and dried my hair. Adam was waiting right outside my door so the both of us can feel the wrath of my mother together.

Adam chuckled next to me, running a hand through his wet hair.

We heard laughter from the living room and when we peeked through the entry way, my mother threw her head back as she was clearly amused at what Axel said.

First, I have to figure out why he’s here in the first place.

“That really happened?” my mother asked through her chuckles at whatever amazing story Axel was telling. He nodded which made her laugh a little harder.

Adam and I shared a look, obviously puzzled and suspicious at what Axel was secretly plotting against me. There is no way he could be this nice.

When my mother turned her head and saw that Adam and I were cleaned up, she stood up from the couch and examined me. She nodded her head and smiled in approval, “Better.”

I offered a look of gratitude before she turned me around to the door, “We better prepare dinner, we have two hungry boys waiting.”

Before she thoroughly pushed me out of the room, I gave Axel a warning look, silently telling him to just drop whatever he’s trying to do.

Soon enough, plates of food were on the table as I sat next to my mother, while Adam and Axel was sitting across from us.

I’m just glaring at Axel from across the table as he happily munched on the food my mother graciously served him.  

He better say something to mom before I strangle him.

“So Axel, what got you into Hollywood?”

The question my mother just asked piqued my interest. I focused my attention to Axel, curious on how the hell somebody as cocky and egotistical as him got into the big league known as the celebrity life.

He looked taken aback by this question, his body tensed but after I saw him took a few deep breaths, he replied, “Long story,” he replied vaguely, offering my mother a polite smile, “I’m just thankful that my manager found me.”

I blew a strand of hair that fell to my face as I let out a frustrated sigh. Here I was thinking that I could grab some materials for blackmail.

Mom still has yet to bring up the engagement problem, knowing her, she was just warming up Axel. In a few snaps, she’ll be bombarding the poor guy with so much questions he won’t be able to formulate a single answer for one of them.

“I’m just glad that my daughter finally has somebody to help her through this town,” she said, gratitude leaking in her voice, “I know that she’s struggling, it’s obvious that she’s not completely happy. Please take care of her.”

I bit the inside of my cheek as I looked away from all the occupants of the room. I could feel their eyes on me, watching as I fidgeted in the midst of this compromising situation.

She wasn’t wrong, but she didn’t need to point that out – especially in front of Brooks.

“Sophia?” my mother gently called, I slowly switched my gaze back to her.

When my eyes passed Adam, he had his face plastered with concern, his expression was clearly asking me if I was alright.

“Don’t worry,” we heard Axel say, turning our attention him, “I’ll take care of her.”

And I’m back to glaring and gritting my teeth right at him. I’m a minute away from poking his eye with my fork.

If he was just going to tease me all night, we might as well break the news to my mother right now so I can gladly kick him out of my house.

I guess he was still a good actor, because even if I knew that he was playing with me, he kept a serious façade for my mother.

Serious my ass, he has done nothing near taking care of me.

He should really stop making my mom believe that he’s a polite and caring man.

“That’s wonderful,” mom cheered, smiling with pride as she eyed Axel, “My daughter needs somebody like you.”

No, I need somebody like him to steer away from my life.

“Mom,” I started out, finally giving her the words that there was no wedding happening, “Axel and I actually hate-“

Axel looked at me, daring me to finish the sentence. I held his gaze with my own, he knew clearly well that I don’t back down from a challenge. Especially if he was the one I was competing with.

“They’re not engaged, Aunt May,” Adam deadpanned, casually forking his food into his mouth.

Well, that saved as from the stuttering that might happen.

Mom released the fork she was holding and it clattered on her plate. She quirked her head to the side, switching her look from Axel to I, “What?”

“It was just a rumor,” Adam continued on, “Something a magazine created.”

I smiled appreciatively at Adam, I knew very well for myself that I couldn’t break the news to my mother by myself.

“See?” I lifted my left hand to reveal the ring-less finger, “No ring.”

Instead of being mad, just like I thought, she turned to Axel, “Why didn’t you tell me when we were discussing wedding plans?”

They did what?

Shooting up from my chair, I shot my mother an apologetic look as I took hold of the back of Axel’s collar, dragging him out of the room with me.

“What the hell, Brooks?” I scowled at him, crossing my arms over my chest, “Explain those wedding plans that my mother was talking about?”

He shrugged, looking down at me, “I didn’t say anything, she just kept on rambling and I found no room to stop her.”

What a pathetic excuse.

“Get out of my house,” I muttered, looking up into his eyes, my posture became rigid, giving him the full knowledge that I’m serious, “I was allowing the fact you’re acting weirdly nice because you made my mom smile, but you just made her sad all over again.”

“I did?” he let out in disbelief, “Your pathetic buddy in there was the one who bluntly told her the news.”

I glowered at him, reaching out to slap him when he caught my hand in midair, “You see that boy as a fucking angel!”

This guy is seriously going to die.

Somebody stepped into the room and grabbed me by the waist. Adam pulled my body to his, my back colliding with his chest. I struggled in his hold, ready to hit Axel but he kept me locked in his arms.

“Aunt May wants to talk to you two,” he informed us, giving Axel a warning look.

Realizing the position, my body relaxed. My glare was still prominent on Axel, but Adam’s presence was calming me down.

The dear Hollywood’s Prince stared at us, his sneer showed that he was getting more annoyed by the second. His hands balled into fists at his sides, gritting his teeth as he tried to sooth his anger. I know for myself that he won’t hit the both of us, but his fury was just unexplainable.

I get that he’s annoyed, but he shouldn’t be this furious. I had the right to be angry here, that was my mother there.

 With one final mad glance at the two of us, he stomped back into the dining room. Adam finally released me when he knew I wasn’t going to lash out on the famous dude.

“You alright?” he asked sincerely, scanning my body to make sure there were no damages during the time he was gone.

I nodded my head, offering him a small smile. He wasn’t convinced but he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and led me back into the room.

Axel was still scowling, my mother was on her seat, giving the three of us a stern look; I gulped and I lost my comfort when Adam finally let go of me and stepped back to his chair.

“Are you mad?” I asked, practically shrinking on my spot. Instead of a harsh scolding, she wrapped her arms around me and engulfed me into a motherly hug.

“No,” she answered quickly, stroking my hair, “The question is, are you okay with everything?”

As if she needed to ask. How many times have I ran to her crying because of some rumors people made up? When I got a backbone, and I no longer have to lock myself in my room as she comforted me. Hollywood is hard, and if you’re a celebrity, you can’t walk two steps without people speculating something from you.

Oh she’s wearing all black, she’s now an emo. She got a veggie burger, she’s now a vegan. She was admitted into the hospital, she’s now in dire need of treatment.

The hell people, can’t I just do something normal without being questioned?

“She just needs a tub strawberry ice cream,” Adam chuckled slyly, making the both of us grin at him. He was attempting to steer the conversation away from the topic I’m sensitive at – good thing, it’s working.

I can never say no to strawberry ice cream.

“Maybe…” I trailed off sheepishly and my mother laughed at this.

“Adam, get the ice cream,” she commanded my best friend, fishing her car keys from her pocket and tossing it to Adam.

He did a mock salute before heading on his way to the nearest convenient store to grab the biggest tub of strawberry ice cream that he can find.

Turning to Axel, my mother slowly approached him and pulled him into a side hug, “Even if you’re not engaged to my daughter, take care of her.”

“I hate him,” I deadpanned, “And he hates me,” my mom seemed to become extremely amused by this, reaching out to pinch Axel’s cheeks.

He looked uncomfortable with the gesture but kept his mouth shut, accepting whatever she did to him.

“I also hate your father,” she sighed softly, “But I still love him.”

My face fell and Axel froze, clearly stuck in a compromising position.

She still had that look, an expression of complete adoration. This is the reason why I started to hate my father so much, he had no idea how much he hurt my mother. He was stuck in la la land with Kate, while she’s here, asking herself what made him let her go.

Axel’s face lit up as he slowly walked his way to the door, “I left something in my car, I’ll be right back.”

Coward.

He scampered away and I looked back at my mom. She smiled sadly at me, clearly reminiscing the days when my parents were happily in love.

I tried to give her every luxury she wanted, but now I understand the phrase that you just can’t buy love.

“You got his looks, you know that?”

Everybody who could see the both of us know it. I got his blonde hair, his blue eyes, and his pale skin, practically everything is from him. I resembled my mom in a few aspect, but it was clear as day that I got most of my features from my dad.

Maybe that was the reason she convinced me to the idea that I was better off in England when they divorced – I reminded her too much of him.

“Forget about him,” I finally squeaked, telling her to move on, “Please.”

She shook her head. As much as she wanted, she just couldn’t, “I love him.”

I plan to lock her and dad inside a room until they finally talk. I know that the possibility of them getting back is slim to none, but I just want everything to be over. Dad will go happily live with Kate in a place extremely far from me, and mom will finally be completely happy again.

Now I need a cool operation name for this plan.

Axel came back with a box, and he waved it to us, “I bought brownies on the way here.”

The best comfort food, guess he was thinking the same thing I was.

One thing about May Almond, she has a weak spot for brownies.

The solemn look she had on was morphed into enthusiasm, making her act like she reverted into a child stuck in a candy store.

Maybe Axel Brooks has a single kind bone in his body.

He handed the box to my mom she smiled gratefully, disappearing into the kitchen to transfer them into a plate.

Shaking my head in amusement at her excitement, I laughed.

“Mother or father?” he suddenly asked, making me look at him, raising a brow in question. He further explained his question, “Who do you like more?”

“Both,” I told him honestly, “But I’m just on my mother’s side right now because she needs the comfort.”

“Noted.” He muttered, making my eyebrows scrunched up in confusion.

“What do you mean by noted?”

He shook his head, dismissing my inquiry. Rolling my eyes, I huffed – this guy can’t be decent for more than five minutes.

We heard the front door slam close and Adam emerged with a plastic bag that was translucent enough to show the tub of ice cream inside of it.

“Yes!” I squealed, taking the bag from him, “You’re seriously the best!”

He chuckled at this as he shrugged, “I know.”

My mother came back with the brownies safely on a ceramic plate, she giggled at the way I was practically hugging the ice cream to my chest, “Looks like Adam hasn’t failed to get you your favorite.”

Grinning, I nodded at her statement as Adam stared at me with amusement, handing the car keys back to my mother.

Axel then quickly spoke up, “I’m leaving.”

Mr. Grumpy is back, good to know.

“Oh,” mom frowned at his statement, “Why don’t you stay? Sophia got her ice cream so that means she’ll start watching a movie soon.”

He placed his gaze on her soft features before he averted it to me, then finally at Adam. He pressed his lips into a tight line as he shook his head, “I don’t think Valentine wants me here.”

My mother gave me a reprimanding look and I sighed. Well, he did cheer my mother up a little so he deserves a little reward.

“Stay,” I mumbled, not really sure of my decision, “We can’t possibly finish all these food by just the three of us.”

He looked shock at my answer, his eyes widening as I made sure not to meet his eyes. I’ll only get a lengthy teasing if I did. I puffed my cheeks out childishly, showing to everybody that I wasn’t really in favor of this.

I was pretty sure he would leave anyways. I mean, he loathes me; why would he want to stay in my house in longer? He did what I asked him to do, and that is to have dinner with my mom.

“Sure.”

Snapping my gaze at him, I was surprised by his stoic expression. He’s really up to something, I just can’t place my finger on what it is.

My mother clapped her hands in glee, “Great!”

Eyeing him suspiciously, I grabbed Adam’s hand and started to drag him to the living room, “Let’s go choose a movie.”

All the while, I could still feel Brooks’ steeling gaze burning holes at the back of my head.

----------------------------

It's been two weeks, not two years so calm your horses people.

Told you that May was going to be a busy month for me and I'm going back to school next week so you can only expect what will happen to me. 

Anyways, you've got your update and I have this thing to tick out of my to do list of the things I want to do before I go to school.

Question: Why did Axel go to Sophia's house, what is he up to?

Oh come on, my hint on the last chapter was amazing, give me credit here! No? Okay...

Comment, vote, and follow even if you hate me already. Love you guys!

P.S. We have a trailer made by one of my favorite people on wattpad, storytellr135. Check it out on the multimedia on the side!