11. Secret Admire: Are We Lovers?

"Axel, why did you ask to meet here?" Olivia's question came out in a hissing tone as soon as she arrived in front of Axel. Olivia really didn't expect that Axel asked to meet in the alley a few meters from the cafe. Earlier, Olivia immediately went to the place Axel told her, saying goodbye to Reyva. Axel, who was wearing a hooded jacket and a mask, slowly lowered his mask. His pair of eyes watched the surroundings first, because beside them was a highway. "You really came alone?" asked Axel in the middle of looking around. Olivia slightly looked back and frowned in astonishment at Axel. "Yes, I came alone. You haven't told me why you asked me to come?" After looking around, Axel turned to look at Olivia. "It's okay. I just wanted to meet you." "You don't have anything scheduled?" Shaking his head, Axel took out another mask from his jacket pocket. Axel handed the mask to Olivia. "Put this on. I want to take you somewhere." Olivia looked at the mask Axel handed her confusedly. Then her gaze turned to Axel, raising both eyebrows as if questioning what he meant. Understanding the meaning of Olivia's gaze, Axel immediately replied, "I'm not going to mess with you at all. Just take it easy. This place I brought is a place I know." Although hesitant, Olivia finally accepted the mask offered by Axel. "Aren't you afraid of being caught by the media? I've heard that they often go undercover." "I look like Axel, don't I?" asked Axel pointing at himself. Olivia watched Axel through her narrowed eyes. For a few moments to find out if Axel looked like Axel. "Because I know this is you, so..." "I mean if you were someone else," Axel chuckled at Olivia's reaction. Joining in the chuckle, Olivia shook her head briefly. "No, I'm not. It doesn't look like Axel at all." Axel chuckled as he gestured with his fingers in a V shape. "My disguise always works. Let's go." Olivia couldn't understand Axel at all. She also did not expect Axel to ask her to go somewhere. This was something Olivia had always imagined for a long time. And now it came true. What dream did Olivia have to be this close to Axel? *** It turned out that the place Jungkook was referring to was a not-so-big shop. Luckily, it wasn't too crowded today. Even those who came were only two forty-year-old visitors. Axel immediately lowered the hood of his jacket and mask. When he entered, Axel deliberately rang the hanging bell. A person who looked focused behind the counter a few meters away from Axel immediately turned his head. Seeing Axel's arrival, both corners of his lips immediately smiled broadly. "Hey, Axel!" The man who looked just as young as Axel waved. Briefly. "Good afternoon, Mr. Kimbert. Are there any new menu recommendations today?" asked Axel, deliberately making a heavy tone in the style of a royal commander. Olivia, who was watching Axel and the man, was provoked to chuckle. I don't know why Olivia's behavior that immediately changed her expression to a smiling smile was ridiculous. "I knew you'd come," replied the man whose name was Mr. Kimbert. He walked around the counter to the height of an adult's chest. "How could you not come here for so long?" Axel spread his hands and walked over. He and Mr. Kimbert embraced like men, patting each other on the back. "I've been busy, Mr. Kimbert," Axel replied after their hug was over. Mr. Kimbert just wanted to respond to Axel's words. But his intention was aborted because he accidentally saw Olivia's presence a few steps behind Axel. Mr. Kimbert's brows furrowed in astonishment. With a smile that implied curiosity, Mr. Kimbert asked, "Who are you bringing? Your lover?" Axel followed the direction of Mr. Kimbert's gaze. Seeing Olivia who felt awkward, Axel stuck out one hand and waved it several times. As if giving a code for Olivia to come to his side. Once Olivia came and stood next to Axel, Mr. Kimbert spread his hands. He wanted to walk closer to Olivia "Woah, hello, welcome. We need to get together!" Mr. Kimbert was instantly pushed back again after Axel held back his advancing body. Olivia was dumbfounded when Axel suddenly stood in front of her while keeping Mr. Kimbert away. Her awkwardness intensified. "Who told you to act like that?" asked Axel who looked at Mr. Kimbert annoyed. Mr. Kimbert put on a scowl and lowered his hands limply. "I just wanted to get to know her, Axel. Is that okay?" "No," Axel replied quickly. "Don't hug like that." Looking at Olivia, Mr. Kimbert then looked at Axel and Olivia in turn. Meanwhile, the one being looked at was only confused by himself. Gradually, his eyes narrowed. Showing suspicion. "You two..." Mr. Kimbert hung on his words for a moment, making Axel wary. Before long, Mr. Kimbert gaped while covering his mouth. "Are you... lovers?" Mr. Kimbert's question suddenly provoked Axel and Olivia's surprise. Both of them were wide-eyed, then looked at each other. "No, no, it's not what you think," Olivia said quickly. Shaking her head while waving both hands, she denied it. Seeing Olivia who immediately denied quickly made Mr. Kimbert squint. Mr. Kimbert was provoked to smile amusedly, but still tried to hold back. "Yes, that's right. We are not lovers. Do we look it?" Axel replied to Olivia's words. Olivia snapped her fingers. "That's right, isn't it? We've only just met." Axel nodded his head. "Right, right. We're just friends." Mr. Kimbert now focused his gaze on Axel who looked nervous. There was something off about Axel's gesture. For some reason, Mr. Kimbert noticed that the way Axel looked at Olivia was different. Even though Jungkook only looked at Olivia occasionally, it tended to be like a stolen glance. "I see," Mr. Kimbert nodded, "there really isn't any relationship?" Axel and Olivia nodded their heads in unison. It wasn't long before Mr. Kimbert gestured for the two of them to follow him. But in between steps, Mr. Kimbert deliberately moved closer to Axel. His sense of humor increased. "You like her, don't you? Be honest with me," Mr. Kimbert whispered, deliberately provoking Axel's annoyance. Axel widened his eyes and turned his head quickly. "It's you," Axel hissed. "Why are you saying such ridiculous things?" Olivia's attention immediately turned to Axel and Mr. Kimbert. Confused. Axel and Mr. Kimbert immediately fell into awkward silence. Including Axel who then threw a grinning smile. "It's okay. We were just involved..." "A misunderstanding," Mr. Kimbert cut in. "But a small one. Take it easy." Olivia slowly moved her head to look forward again. A tinge of astonishment was evident, even more so than before. How could she be dealing with people like these two? "You, don't say anything to her," Axel said to Mr. Kimbert after Olivia no longer looked at him. Mr. Kimbert just gave a grinning smile. As if he didn't feel guilty for teasing Axel. After all, he could already catch what Axel was hiding. Mr. Kimbert did not expect that Axel had new feelings.