Chapter 11

Gertrude waggled into the classroom with a scowl on his face. He knew that Hayden and his pals were up to some unscrupulous acts again which he strongly detests.

His presence caused the cacophony to halt succinctly.

He honed in towards Hayden with his intense eyes as the whole class got ready for the lecture.

Drew, Quinn and Charmaine returned and waltzed into the class from the meeting they had in the group.

Hayden's lips stuck out playfully because he knew the mischief he had created.

Gertrude seethed through clenched teeth and hissed with disgust as he flipped open his textbook to start with the class.

His tone was laced with coldness as he skimmed through on revision of what they did in the last class.

When he was done with the class, he waltzed out in a caveating manner to Hayden and the rest of the hardy Boyz...

Axel was gleeful to return home, then towards the hospital to inform his foster mom about everything that had happened.

Oaklynn growled with exasperation after Axel had narrated everything to her.

"This is such a deplorable act coming from that Hayden of a child. I just can't believe how one would raise such a monstrosity," Oaklynn gaffed where she lay on her bed.

"Mom, I don't want you to worry about it at all. I have to come up with a surreptitious plan to uncover all Hayden's dastardly acts," A broad smile graced Axel's lips.

"Alright, although am glad you are back at school because since I finally got the surgery done, I pondered about when you would be able to return to school," Oaklynn huffed.

"That's already sorted out, it's a good thing you have been cleared and you will be discharged tomorrow so that you can finally visit Madam Ottiline," Axel chuckled.

"Of course, I can't wait to see your grandma," Oaklynn's stomach tickled with excitement.

Oaklynn knew that Axel meant that she would stay and live at his house where Madame Ottiline stays.

"Just be careful son," Oaklynn fluttered her eyelashes in concern as she gazed at Axel.

"Of course Mom, when was I not careful? Besides, with everything I was being told, I have to be focused on investigating who killed my real parents and bringing them to justice," Axel stiffened.

"Of course, that's unassailable," Oaklynn added and Axel rose after cupping his hands on Oaklynn's cheek and exited the room...

Charmaine was still getting ready to exit the school premises, when Drew and Quinn waggled towards her in the classroom where she was alone.

"Hey!" They rumbled playfully. "Hey!" She replied with a perfect smile.

"So, why haven't you gone home to prepare for today's evening fresher's party?" Drew's lips twitched upwards in curiosity.

"Ooh, it's because I had some assignments to complete and because I knew I would be too tired to complete them after the party," Charmaine mumbled.

"Besides, I guess Axel has gone home to prepare and I wonder for him and how he is going to evade Hayden's new deplorable acts," Charmaine's expression fell into a sudden despair.

"Well, we all know Axel, so if he says he's got a plan, then he's got one," Quin rumbled with sheer optimism.

"By the way, when are you going to tell Axel about your feelings for him," Quinn's roguish eyes twinkled roguishly.

"What!" Charmaine's heart thudded. Her heart was pounding hard against her ribcage and she could feel the blood thrumming through her ears.

"Of course, you can't beguile us since we have been close friends for a long time, even though Axel doesn't know about this, we do," Quinn added as he felt his smugness reaching its peak.

"Wait a minute, what do you mean by us? Drew, are you supporting his claims?" Charmaine's jaw dropped as she darted her gaze towards Drew.

"Of course, it wasn't hidden from us. Just confess it, your secret is safe with us," Drew's lips curled into a broad smile.

"What's the use, I mean, then he was in love with Ryan and now she has broken his heart, he wouldn't be ready to love again and that's why it's pointless pursuing such feelings into a reality," Charmaine seethed with distress.

"I get how you feel, but you have to go and claim him now that he is single. I mean, I see no stumbling block now that Ryan is out of his life, and with the way I see it, I think he feels something about you, even if it's a shred of feeling, we notice it when we are all together," Quinn advised.

"Yeah, this party is a chance for you girl to tell him how you feel!" Drew screeched gleefully.

"Hey! Lower your Voice," Charmaine's stomach flipped in embarrassment.

"So, go get him," Quinn said before he and Drew exited the classroom...

The party was bustling with the noise from the sound of music and there was loud thumping of shoes because of the dancing.

Axel was dressed in a brown suit and with a glass cup of wine when he gazed at Charmaine when she walked into the hall for the party in her long cream, beautiful gown, looking so svelte.

He was enthralled by her beauty and couldn't help admiring her beauty.

"She is pretty isn't she?" Drew disrupted his thoughts and he jerked out of his reverie.

"Ooh, yes, of course, as usual," Axel said.

He and Quin had waggled towards him together in their black tuxedo.

"Na, not just as usual, I mean you have feelings for her," Quinn teased.

"What! You guys would never cease to amaze me. Come on! Charmaine is my friend," Axel retorted succinctly.

"Of course, we don't dispute that, but she can also be your girlfriend," Drew's shrewd eyes popped open.

"Come on, you know that I just got out of a vying relationship, and besides she might not feel the same way I do," Axel said.

"I understand, but you need a good lady in your life, I mean you deserve a good lady and point of correction she feels the same way you do," Quinn added.

Axel was speechless and mulled over all that they had said and took a cursory glance at Charmaine in a musing manner.

"So come on, just go and meet her and dance with her, who knows you could finally tell her how you feel about her," Drew advised and Axel waggled towards Charmaine.

His heart thudded when their gaze met each other.

They both stuttered when they tried to talk at the same time and paused.

They were a wave of emotions as it churned and choked them all up they almost had no control all over.

"You look beautiful today. Can we dance," Axel spoke finally.

"Ooh, thanks. Of course, we could dance," Goosebumps prickled and danced throughout Charmaine's skin sending shivers throughout her body as Axel took her hands and they went on to dance slowly on the dance floor.

The music was slow and loud and it was enough to provoke many emotions from the both of them towards each other.

Axel held her waist with his left hand and her hands with his right hand as they swerved to the music.

Tingles erupted over Charmaine's fingertips while she rested her right hand on Axel's rib cage.

Her heart thudded against her rub cage and she knew she was completely mesmerized.

"There is something I have to tell you," Axel said and her ears perked up in curiosity...