Fire Meets Ice

Chapter 36: Ruined Plans

After Megan introduced Alexa to Axel, an immediate sense of awe washed over her. Axel's charming looks, coupled with an air that seemed almost regal, left Alexa completely captivated. He was much better looking in person than he appeared during the times when she video called Megan. He resembled a literal royal king of a palace. Despite being more swept away by his charisma, Alexa attempted to restrain herself from getting completely dazed. Her loyalty to Marcus remained steadfast, but the encounter with Axel brought an unexpected admiration for his striking features.

Alexa: She told herself. No f**king way...Is this really him in person? THE Axel?

Alexa: On the inside. I never imagined I'd meet a hunk who's taller and stronger looking than fireball.

Alexa: On the inside. Men with his physique and height are rare in this world.

Alexa: She thought to herself. How he looks on camera is nothing compared to how he looks in real life.

Alexa: On the inside. Ok, Alexa...Stop staring at him for too long. You have Marcus.

In an attempt to break the silence and infuse the moment with warmth, Axel approached Alexa. With a confident and friendly demeanor, he swooped her up in his arms, twirling her around to give her a hug. It was a gesture filled with the familiarity of a warm greeting, and Marcus couldn't help but feel his jealousy and irritation of Axel growing every minute. Seeing Axel hold Alexa in a manner that resembled his own affectionate gestures, Marcus felt the heat of competition rise within him. The lion within him wanted to roar and confront Axel, but the presence of others around them urged him to keep his calm. Then Axel put her down after hugging her.

Axel: Whoa...You're so damn small and light, Alexa.

Axel: But it's a delight to meet you...Lovely to know you are my cutie fox's dear bestie.

Axel: She told me you guys went to the same high school, but met in uni right?

Axel: I must ask...How old are you again?

Alexa: She stuttered as she looked down. I-uhhh-umm... 22.

Alexa: And uhh...It's n-nice to meet you too, Axel.

Axel: Oh, so you're 2 years younger than my cutie fox.

Axel: I heard from her it's your first year studying at your man's grad school...What's your major again?

Alexa: Umm...It's uhh...Health Science. I'm pursuing a MS degree for it.

Axel: I must apologize for overwhelming you both during an early morning on a serene, chill beach.

Alexa: No...Uh, it's okay. I...uhhh...

Axel: What is it, Alexa?

Alexa: I just...I never thought you'd be Spanish.

Axel: He chuckled. You couldn't guess that? I thought I made it very obvious by my accent.

As Axel continued to make Alexa blush and stutter with his charming gestures, Marcus found himself locked in an awkward and intense stare with Megan. The eye contact felt like a silent contest, each participant trying to decipher the thoughts behind the other's gaze. Marcus was perturbed yet somewhat surprised by the intensity of Megan's stare, which seemed to pierce directly into his eyes. The tension lingered for a moment until Megan, being the playful and sarcastic character she was, decided to break the silence.

Megan: So...You're the Jackie Chan who swept my little bestie off her feet on her first day in your country, aren't you?

Marcus: Uh, Jackie Chan? What do you mean?

Megan: Seriously, you don't know your doppelganger?

Megan: It's the guy who acted in the famous Kung Fu Panda series and the Karate Kid movie, dummy!

Marcus: Hold it! Who are you calling dummy, huh?

As he responded defensively to Megan's sarcastic comments, Axel stepped forward with a fierce determination. Without hesitation, he yanked Marcus closer by his chain necklace, signaling that he wouldn't tolerate any slight altercation or childish attitude towards Megan.

Axel: Mind your tone and ego, pretty boy. The name is Marcus, isn't it?

Axel: That one ravenhead fitness youtuber who gained a massive amount of followers on Instagram over the course of the years, right?

Axel: Think twice before you speak to my cutie fox in such a pompous manner.

Axel: Your defensive attitude ain't it!

Despite the fun going on in the background of the beach, Axel made it clear that he was protective of Megan, and he had a line that shouldn't be crossed.

Axel: There are boundaries that shouldn't be tested. Got it?

Terrified by the sudden intensity in Axel's eyes, Marcus wisely chose to back down. The usually chill and relaxed Axel had shown a different side, and Marcus recognized that pushing further could lead to unwanted consequences. He had nothing else to say to justify himself.

Marcus: You didn't have to grab my necklace like that, geez.

Marcus: If you broke it, you'd be the one paying for it.

Marcus: And I wasn't being defensive! She started it.

Sensing the rising tension, Alexa attempted to diffuse the argument between Marcus and Axel. In a soft and calming tone, she redirected the attention by mentioning the people around them who were leaving the beach, gathering their belongings, and wrapping themselves in towels.

Alexa: Umm, guys? I see some people leaving the beach...

Alexa: I think we've been here for about 3 hours. Uhh, don't you think we should leave too, fireball?

Marcus: He made a sigh of relief. Yeah, kitty. I think we should go...

Marcus: Towards Axel and Megan. Sorry about putting a cherry on top of our latest argument, but we need to go.

Marcus: Me and Lexi planned to do more fun things after getting something to eat. So bye and good luck!

Not willing to let Marcus simply walk away after the tense moment, Axel intervened, stopping them in their tracks. A determined glint in his eyes conveyed that he had plans to address the situation in his own way. Despite the tension, there was a playful element to Axel's demeanor, hinting that he might choose to address the conflict with a mixture of harshness and humor.

Megan: Wait, what?! You're just gonna leave us like that?

Axel: If you don't mind sharing, what are you both planning to do?

Marcus: Well, we're gonna head back inside the hotel to dry ourselves and go somewhere to eat.

Axel: He raised his eyebrows. Go where to eat exactly?

Alexa: She decided to answer this time. Umm, we're gonna go to a-a-a restaurant called Brera...

Alexa: And then go on a free...uhh...free walking tour to visit the Gothic Quarter thingy...

Axel: Hold on...First off, what hotel are you guys staying at?

Marcus: Why all these questions, man? FYI, we're staying at the hotel with the same name as yours.

Megan: Hate to break it to you, but the hotel isn't the best and the food is average. 

Axel: My cutie fox is right. They still need to upgrade their standards of living.

Axel: A lovey dovey couple like you two shouldn't be staying in a place like that during a break.

Marcus: But I already paid for our stay yesterday. What's the problem?

Axel: Nah, you're not gonna stay there for the rest of your break. Plus, your plans sound boring.

Axel: Trust me, Brera has such boring meals on the menu and that free walking tour isn't that exciting.

Axel: We're coming with you back to that hotel and I'll do my job.