Chapter 49

Axel stood at a distance, observing the young woman as she walked towards a waiting taxi The tumultuous encounter still fresh in his mind. First, she had bumped into him, yelling in frustration, and then impulsively plunged her hand into the trash to retrieve a seemingly worthless ornament, resulting in an injury. He found himself strangely affected by her actions, going so far as to dig through the trash to retrieve her seemingly insignificant necklace.

Even after that he was still restless and had returned this time, with bandages in hand, he had even prevented her from almost falling, the clutched bandages still a visible reminder of the encounter, which he glanced down at with irritation.

He scrutinized her small, defeated figure, resembling a wet and bullied puppy.

Uncomfortable, Axel adjusted his glasses, then ripped them off in a moment of annoyance. With a sigh that mirrored his irritation, he turned away from the vulnerable yet doe–eyed woman who had exposed herself to harm. Clumsy women weren’t his usual preference, and he was unsure why he felt compelled to assist. In a wave of irritation he dumped the first aid. kit and bandages into a nearby bin as he walked by

She’s a grown woman; she’ll take care of herself Axel mused to himself.

With a determined stride, he made his way back to the bustling hall where Ethan lingered. The exhibition continued into the night, yet Axel’s thoughts lingered on the woman who had rummaged through the garbage.

In his contemplation. Axel pondered the significance of that seemingly cheap and damaged ornament to her. What hidden story did those large eyes, drawing him in with their intrigue, hold? Despite his resistance to being swayed by such encounters, Axel found himself genuinely intrigued by the mysterious woman. Axel couldn’t shake the image of her, helpless and small, sitting on the floor in that vulnerable manner.

“You’ve been out of it, absent–minded, Ethan remarked, his brow furrowed in curiosity. Axel had driven Ethan and Bella home after they finished at the exhibition. As Ethan. studied scrutinized Axel;his usually reliable assistant had made mistakes for the first time. He had disappeared from his side multiple times that evening, seemingly lost in thoughts. throughout the night. His attention was clearly divided, and he appeared preoccupied. Even when Ethan handed him a document, Axel took several minutes to register and move collect it.

“You’re probably just exhausted. Tomorrow’s a weekend. Take the weekend off. I won’t be needing you,” Ethan said, a calm dismissal of Axel’s services.

was

into a new apartment, right?” Ethan inquired,

slight nod accompanying his

the stairs, effectively dismissing Axel Axel felt a wave of relief; the weekend would grant him the opportunity to settle into his new apartment and address other personal matters. Given the unique nature of his work, he had chosen not to live as a member of the pack, opting instead for a residence in a high–rise building in the heart of the city. By Monday, he hoped to regain his usual

BOLTE

so he thought.

of a whimpering dog reached his ears, and a puppy, about three weeks old, walked by. Spotting Axel, it sat wagging its tail. Axel stared at the dog, wondering

dog. It now sat still, looking sad, its ears dropping and

warmth. He headed inside, puppy in one arm, his tablet phone and car car keys in the other. Turning on the lights of his house

then tripping right into the bowl, splashing water everywhere and now stuck awkwardly in it. “Oh, come on, Axel groaned. His floors now had wet paw prints. This was one of the reasons why he didn’t have pets; he hated being disorganized. Things like this would catch him unaware, and he had no space in his life for something like that. Holding the dog up, he cleaned the mess up and set up another bowl. This time around, he assisted the puppy in drinking. “You’re helpless too, just like that woman,’ he thought spitefully. Annoyed, his thoughts once more drifted to her as he turned on the TV to focus on other things. Then afterward,

Picking it up gently, he placed it back on the blanket he had

that he had brought the dog in himself the previous night. Bending to the level of the dog, he scolded it. “Look, Buddy. It’s past

close and finally stopped crying. Sighing, Axel returned back to the living room with the dog in his arms; he couldn’t trust the dog

a man obsessed with his well detalled and planned life with a strange dislike for animals, dogs especially took one in because it reminded him of a certain person. Although Asel would rather eat rocks

retired to bed that night with a sense

assess Daisy’s case had provided him with a feeling of accomplishment that

pleased tonight.” Bella observed as she sat at the vanity, removing her makeup. Ethan was

something good happen?” Bella quizzed,

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