~Chapter 3~

The cool evening air gnawed at my exposed skin as we walked and I silently wished that I had borrowed one of Winter's coats. "Where to?" I asked Axel, my body starting to get used to the temperature.

"Well, I just checked and the movie starts in a little under half an hour. Do you think we can make it?"

Winter and Liam didn't live that close to the centre of the city because they wanted a bigger place but they weren't so far out that it took ages to get around. "There's definitely no point in calling for a taxi, getting one at this time is a nightmare. Add that to traffic time and we'll never make it but I think we can get there if we walk," I told him, starting our journey in the direction of the cinema.

Axel fell into step next to me as we made our way down the busy New York streets, standing close enough for our arms to occasionally brush past each other as we walked.

There was a comfortable silence between us but I couldn't help myself from asking him a few questions after a few minutes of quiet. "Axel," I started and he hummed in recognition. "How did you meet Liam?"

He chuckled lightly, clearly enjoying a fond memory. "On a family trip to Cornwall when I was sixteen. I'd been learning how to surf when a giant wave came in and I lost control of my board. I accidentally crashed into someone, wiping us both out. Turns out it was Liam who was on holiday there with his family too. After we got back to the shore we hung out for a bit and just clicked. We became instant friends and have kept in contact ever since," he smiled lightly. "How did you meet Winter and Maddison?"

"Winter and I have been friends since childhood 'cause our mums know each other. We were never super close because we lived in different continents but when I moved here we grew closer. As for Maddie, I met her at one of my first shoots since becoming an adult.

"My mum is a fashion designer so I'd modelled for her a lot as a child but this was right after I left and I was actually pretty scared and alone. Something about Maddie seemed to put me at ease. She made the whole experience way better and after that day we became fast friends," I told him as we turned a sharp corner onto a quieter side street.

He smiled at me, our arms brushing past each other as we reached another traffic light. "That's nice. It's always hard to tell who your real friends are in this industry. Everyone always wants something."

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah. That's why I'm glad I've got Maddie and Winter. I know they're my friends for real. And I'm guessing it's the same for you and Liam. Any other friends you're really close with?"

He grinned just as the green man lit up and we crossed the road. "Yeah, a couple mates back in London but not many. It's crazy how you can have so many 'friends' yet have almost none at the same time," he mused.

That statement was painfully accurate and I almost grimaced when he said it but held back. It was nice to know that I wasn't alone and that he understood this lifestyle, most just didn't seem to realise. They thought it was an easy life and job but they were so very wrong.

Don't get me wrong, I loved what I did and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I'd be forever grateful for how lucky I was but sometimes you just wanted a bit of peace and security.

Our conversation continued but regarding much lighter topics as we carried on walking, reaching the cinema with a few minutes to spare. Since we didn't have much time, we agreed that I'd get the snacks and Axel the tickets to save time. "Sweet or salty popcorn?" I asked, praying that he made the right choice.  This was going to decide if our friendship worked out.

"Sweet," he said, not missing a beat and I grinned.

"Smart move, Knight. I think we might just make good friends."

"Glad you think so, King. You've just passed my test," he said with a wink, walking away. I internally laughed as I went to grab our snacks at the fact that we both had the same friendship criteria.

When I was at the front of the queue, I was about to tell the girl what I would like when she squealed, the sound ringing in my ears and it took everything within me not to grimace at the noise. "Oh. My. God. You're Harper King! I absolutely love your work. The way you model with such confidence.... I just.... wow. I've been following you for years and can I just say I love your style. It's such an honour to meet you. Could I please get a photo?" she gushed and a smile broke out onto my face.

Although it could sometimes be annoying to have people constantly asking for photos and autographs, I honestly didn't really mind it much. In fact, I loved being able to give back to the people who had given me the career of a lifetime. If I could make them but a fraction as happy as they'd made me then it was all worth it.

"Of course. But please don't tell anyone that I'm here. The paparazzi are so persistent and I've been dying to watch this movie," I told her honestly, pleading with my eyes.

She nodded frantically, moving around the counter so she could take a picture with me. "No problem, your secret is safe with me."

I sighed in relief, taking a few pictures with her. "Thanks for being such an great fan. Tell you what, since you've been so awesome and helpful, give me your dress size so I can send you something from Winter's new line."

Her eyes widened in disbelief and the shocked look on her face made me chuckle. "As in Winter Fallow? Seriously? You're for real right now?"

"Yep," I said, popping the 'p'. "It's the least I could do for such a dedicated fan. Mind giving me your address as well?"

She, again, nodded frantically, reaching for a pen and paper from behind the counter and scribbling furiously, her dark brown hair covering the paper she was looking at. She appeared to be about my age, had sparking green eyes and was honestly stunning. She was quite short but only slightly smaller than me and although she was in her work uniform you could tell from her shoes and trousers alone that she had killer style.

She handed the paper to me and I slid it inside my phone case so I didn't lose it. "Thank you so much, Harper. This means so much to me. You're honestly one of the nicest people I've ever met," she said sincerely and I blushed involuntarily.

I was being more caring towards her than I would be to most. I'd never normally go this far out of my way for a fan but I felt inclined to look after this girl and in my gut I knew why.

Shaking off my thoughts, I replied with a small smile. "It's nothing really, I'm just glad that I've made you happy. By supporting me you've given me so much you've no idea. By the way, Winter's line doesn't launch for a few months and she'd kill me if I sent it out early so I'm sorry that's it's going to take a while," I said sheepishly. "But I've already got an outfit in mind that'd suit you perfectly."

She flashed me her pearly whites, dismissing my worry immediately, getting back behind the counter and clasping her hands together. "Right, I've held you up long enough. What can I get you?"

~*~*~

"That was actually really good," I remarked as we left the cinema and began the journey back to Winter's house.

"Obviously, I picked it," Axel grinned, snatching the popcorn from my hands, a mischievous twinkle is chestnut eyes.

I scoffed, reaching to swipe the popcorn from his unsuspecting arms but he noticed and lifted the container way out of my reach which made me huff in annoyance. "No fair. You're playing so dirty right now."

"All's fair in love and war," he said with a wink, popping another piece of popcorn into his mouth.

Deciding to let the matter drop, I carried on blabbering about the movie and my thoughts on the plot twist right at the end. "I mean, I had no clue whose side she was one. They both thought she was working with them. What a great double — no, triple — no, just overall badass agent. Like shit, Axel, it was fucking genius," I gushed at him gleefully as we step outside into the evening air.

He chuckled at my clear joy. "Glad you enjoyed it, and I've got to agree it was bloody fantastic but... I take it you've not been out in a while."

I halted in my tracks and glared playfully at him as he finished the last of the popcorn, tossing the empty container away. "What makes you think that?" I asked curiously, recovering quickly from my slight shock at his very true words.

He shrugged, shoving his hands into the deep pockets of his black jeans. "It just seems that way from what I've observed."

"Never took you for the observant type."

He quirked an eyebrow at me, turning to look at me in question as we waited for the traffic light to change colour. "What type did you take me for?" There was nothing hostile or bitter in his tone, only genuine curiosity.

"I'm not too sure," I told him, letting my mind run back to when we had first met. "The tabloids made you out to be this brooding bad boy type with a devil-may-care attitude. Always in black and leather and drowning in danger. You know, the classic stereotype? But we both know you never trust a word those bullshitters spew so I didn't know what to think. Then I met you and, well, you definitely proved them wrong. You're actually a pretty nice guy and not a conceited jerk."

Axel smiled at me as we turned a corner, a look of content in his eyes.

"Who would've thought?" I mocked jokingly, unable to help myself.

He rolled his eyes and nudged me playfully as we reached Winter and Liam's apartment building. They lived over twenty floors up so we took the lift. I breathed in deeply as the metal doors closed, counting to ten in my head to calm down.

Axel must've noticed my discomfort because his soothing voice filled my ears. "You alright, Harper?"

I hesitantly nodded my head, threading my manicured fingers together. "Yeah I'm fine. Just not the biggest fan of elevators."

He nodded, sending me a comforting smile as the elevator doors opened. "I had a lot of fun today," he said as we reached our friends' apartment door.

I turned around so I was facing him and sent him a small smile, suddenly feeling slightly shy at our close proximity. I ignored the abnormal feeling, gaining my confidence back as I replied. "Me too. Who would've guessed I'd actually enjoy your company."

He flashed me a sarcastic smile but the humour was evident in his eyes. "Come on, we better get inside before Mrs. Davis from across the hall hears us and starts chasing us with her frying pan."

I nodded my head solemnly in response to his incredulous look before I turned and unlocked the door with the key Winter had given me.

I almost dropped my key when the door swung open and I could hear Axel gasp from beside me. Winter and Liam were nowhere in sight; there was a random brunette girl passed out on the sofa; and the coffee table was smashed but none of that was what shocked me.

Maddie was shaking in the corner, sobs ringing loudly through the air with a half full bottle of gin in her hands and an empty bottle by her feet.

~*~*~

So, how'd you find the chapter?

Let me know what you think and please don't forget to vote and comment! 💜

Until next time guys,

Bye 👋