Mysterious Chime (Book #1)

C H I M E 10

¹⁰| ORDINARY ISN'T FOR ME

To say I slept like a log would be an overstatement because the sleepiness refused to weight upon my eyes since my head was in too many places starting with the fragments of memories I saw in the mall earlier today. The one thing I captured dearly was of a small girl whom I could point out was a replica of me from my childhood swinging underneath the blessed rays of sunshine. I wasn't alone for there was a man with a cheerful smile etched on his face. It was my father.

Dawn broke through the clouds of dusk where the moon of silver bowed to the rising of the golden Sun. Fascination ran through my bones as I watched the nature in action for hours through the window and for once it felt nice to be in a bed even-though I had zero sleep. The show outside consisting sweet singings was livelier enough to rejuvenate me.

"Do you know why birds sings early in the morning?" I snapped my head at the direction where Axel's husky tone filled my ears. I sat up straight thankful for the sheets that wrapped tightly around my figure.

"Your apology is accepted for invading my privacy," I spoke sarcastically rolling my eyes to which Axel surrendered with raised hands.

"It's not my fault you were enthralled in that over my knocking," he chuckled nodding at the serenity outside the window, crossing his arms making the muscles look buff twice in size.

Whatever.

Fixating my eyes at the swaying pine tree in the distance I questioned, "So why do birds sing early in the morning?"

Even-though my eyes were somewhere else I could hear his expressions and currently he was wearing a cocky smile on his face when he answered all too quickly. "It's done by males mostly to mark their territories from enemies and to attract the lady birds out there."

The mention of 'lady birds' enticed a laughter out of me yet the knowledge he spewed mostly flabbergasted me.

"How do you know these things?" My eyes shone with interest. Axel on the other hand looked rather shy instead of proud as his palm rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm a Curious George afterall."

"Alright Mr. Sherlock Holmes slash Curious George I suppose you can take the hint and leave," I signalled at my still-in-the-bed self which resulted in, Axel eyeing me amusedly from head to toe. He stated, "Remind me again who the owner of this house is."

"Last time I checked the owner went all Spanish and said 'Mi casa es tu casa.' So I guess we both know the answer for that," I giggled as he stared at me wide eyed probably taken back by my comeback. Feigning a heartache he clutched his chest and said, "It pains me to see you taking advantage of my vulnerability, love."

I yelled "Out," throwing the pillow -that laid peacefully next to me- at Axel who of course dodged with ease along with a loud cynical laugh.

"I'll go, I'll go," he replied quickly when I grabbed the second pillow in fury yet playfully. "This isn't the way to treat a person who just came to inform that breakfast's ready, young lady."

"Oh is it the same person who randomly barged into a girl's room talking about manners now? I think you have no say in this."

"You are unbelievable," he huffed after struggling to come up with a counter point.

"And you are leaving. Now."

"Women and their ways of saying they enjoy male company," He grumbled before leaving.

The kind of mornings I live to. Shaking my head with a stretched smile I headed to the bathroom.

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"Don't you have a job to attend, Axel?" I questioned biting onto the chocolate ganashed pancake which, by the way, made me choke on my own saliva at sight.

Passing a wink in my direction he answered,"This is my job now." I groaned not inspecting any seriousness coming out of him whenever I bring up a personal question. "You know what I meant."

"I do in fact I've taken a break for at-least a month or so until I get something done."

I wanted to ask what it was but went against it knowing its only fair for him to have his share of secrets while I keep mine. Maybe it's not that big of a deal as I overthink.

Cleaning my dish literally I got up to place it in the dishwasher. "How did you learn to cook? Please don't say that your 'curiosity' got you into cooking."

Axel threw his head back and laughed before replacing it with a smirk "Curiosity is the answer for everything, love. One day you could be curious on how your brain works and the next thing you know, you are a genius."

"Ha- ha funny," I rolled my eyes and waited for him to answer. Well?

"After sixteen, I had a life to myself so filling the stomach to keep me alive came first since I couldn't afford luxuries like fast food at that time. Hence Voila! the chef I am today," he did a dramatic twirl before bowing down earning a clap from me. I appreciate him for who he is, honestly, for he didn't complain at what life threw him. Instead he embraced all his problems off and thrived. Such an exemplary person.

"I see the wheels in your head turning, love. Hope it's all the good things about me." I playfully smacked his arm before replying, "And this is how you loose respect from me."

Axel was about to say something when he was cut off by the ringing of his phone. Is this how the routine is going to be? With us having our meals and a cellphone interrupting? Thankfully this time, Axel finished with me.

"Excuse me, I have to get it." With that Axel left the room. One thing I couldn't point out exactly is what's in the call that gets his nerves so riled up every time. Is he in trouble for something? Assuring that it's nothing to worry about I entered the TV room and instead of grabbing the remote my hands automatically gripped the 'Horus' as though the action was similar to a moth drawn to the flames. Marvelling at the box filled with ancient drawings I turned it slowly. Out of nowhere the blood curdling sound burst through my eardrums causing the box to slip off my hands as I jerked myself to the corner of the couch.

"Nora," Axel called out from the kitchen. I heard footsteps making their way to where I was. "Nora!" Axel rushed to me with a look of concern plastered on his face. The sound continued making me scream in pain, my body shaking violently. "Make it stop! Make it stop!" I repeated, until I couldn't pick up the words, eyes welling with pathetic tears. I felt Axel's weight on the couch and the next thing I know is that my head in placed on his chest with his hands running across my hair soothingly while he whispers comforting words softly.

Seconds turned to minutes; minutes to hours. Having been in Axel's arms felt like home- a place of comfort and security. No one would ever make me feel this safe and I wonder what I would do without him. Raising my head slowly I looked up to see Axel already staring at me. His heated eyes that held so many questions melted my own that were filling with emotions I couldn't possibly put a finger on.

"What's happening to you, Nora," He asked running his thumb across my cheek.

"I'm not sure myself," I whispered staring at our reflections from the blacked out TV. It was as though we were being watched as we unfold our dramatic lives.

"The way you screamed,"he paused inhaling a deep breath of air like his oxygen supply was being constricted, "I thought you'd end up getting sick or I don't even know how to explain it. I was scared for you and I wish nothing but an end for this. I wish there's a way to console you. I'm sorry I couldn't do much." The way his head bent down in defeat told me he's disappointed with him. Disappointed that he couldn't help me. But he didn't know how much having his presence next to me meant.

"You holding me helped me calm down, Axel. You are like the bandaid that holds the wound together and protect until healed. My entire life will be spent thanking you," I answered honestly running my hand across his smooth hair. He raised his head taking both my arms before squeezing them gently, sporting a sad smile.

Shouldn't he be happy?