Chapter 7: The Karaoke Night

When the hostess slid open the door to their reserved room, the ceiling flashed with shifting colors—blue, violet, then pink. Axel paused at the entrance, one hand tucked into his pocket as he scanned the room.

"Is this the something else you wanted to do?" he asked, his tone half amused, half skeptical.

"Yes," Maya said, grinning wide enough for her eyes to crinkle.

Axel raised a brow, and she already knew what was coming next.

"Oh, please, Axel," she said, grabbing his hand before he could speak. "I haven't done this in forever, and I'm actually happy today. Don't ruin it"

Axel scoffed playfully “ okay Ma’am” he said dryly, making his way to the couch.

Maya burst into laughter just as the door opened again. A waitress stepped in carrying a box of fried chicken and six cans of beer, setting them neatly on the low glass table before giving a polite bow and leaving.

The moment she was gone, Maya hurried over and plopped down beside Axel. Without hesitation, she tore open the box, grabbed a piece of chicken and took a big bite, savoring it with a hum of pleasure.

Axel chuckled quietly, shaking his head. Some things never change.

She might be a CEO now, feared by board members and business rivals alike, but when it came to chicken, Maya was a child

"You're going to eat everything, aren't you?" he teased.

She ignored him and handed him a small wing. "Eat."

He took it, biting half in one go. Before he could even finish chewing, she was already handing him an opened can of beer.

They clinked cans together

Maya drank nearly half of hers in one go, then leaned back.

"Do you want to know why I'm so happy today?"

Axel nodded slowly, though he already knew.

“I now have fifty-one percent of Kaelston Innovations," she said proudly "And guess what?"

Axel stayed silent, watching her with a faint smile.

"I kicked Noah out," she said, laughing softly "I never knew being this powerful could feel this good"

Axel's chest warmed at the sight of her genuine joy.

"I'm proud of you, Maya"

"Well, you should be" she said, her tone turning softer as she looked at him. "I learned from the best— my mentor”

She raised her can in a mock toast, then finished the rest in a single gulp.

For a moment, silence lingered between them. But Axel's voice broke it

"Do you still love Noah?"

Maya's smile faltered. She stared down at the can in her hand. "Love?" she murmured. "That love died the moment he threw my luggage out and walked inside that house with Venessa"

Her eyes lifted to meet his "I don't love him anymore"

She didn't wait for his reply. Instead, she stood up abruptly and walked over to the karaoke machine.

Music burst to life, a fast pop song with flashing lights that bathed her face in gold and pink. She grabbed the mic and started singing, her voice slightly off beat but full of life. Then she danced, jumping around the room as if shaking off every heavy memory that had weighed her down.

Axel leaned back on the couch, watching her with quiet amusement. He reached for another piece of chicken but stopped….the box was empty. A low laugh escaped him. Of course.

Maya twirled, her hair flying, then suddenly stood in front of him, breathing hard. She thrust the mic toward him.

"Come sing with me."

Axel shook his head, lips curving. "I'm too old for that”

"Who says you're old? You're only thirty-five, Axel" she teased, giving him a look. Then she grabbed another can of beer from the table.

"Maya, that's enough" he said, standing to stop her. "You are already drunk."

She laughed, stepping back, her balance slightly off.

"I'm not drunk. But even if I am... I'm safe with you"

Her voice softened at the end, almost childlike. Then she turned back to the mic, singing another chorus.

Axel watched her quietly, her flushed cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes, the freedom she rarely allowed herself to feel.

Later, when the music faded and her steps began to falter, Axel wrapped an arm around her to steady her as they walked out of the karaoke bar.

Outside, Maya pulled away slightly, swaying on her feet. She stood a few inches from him.

"I don't want to go home," she said, pouting like a stubborn child.

"Maya.." he began, but she raised her hand, cutting him off.

"Enough," she said, taking a shaky step closer. "Why are you so handsome, Axel?" Her finger pointed at his chest, then his nose.

Axel blinked, caught off guard by her question. He knew Maya could be a handful when drunk—reckless, unpredictable yet somehow, he couldn't help but smile. There was something disarming about her like this.

"Am I handsome?" he asked, pretending not to know.

"Yes" she said firmly, though her words slurred slightly. "But you act so old. Always strict. 'Maya, don't drink. Maya, behave!" She mimicked his voice and then burst into laughter. "You sound like my dad”

Before he could respond, a motorbike zoomed past them, close enough that the wind brushed her hair.

She stumbled backward, but Axel caught her in an instant, his arm wrapping tightly around her waist.

For a second, everything stilled.

Her heartbeat pounded against his chest. When she looked up, his eyes weren't cold or distant, they were soft and worried

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.

Maya didn't answer. Instead, she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her head rested against his chest.

“I’m tired." she whispered

Axel didn't move, he simply held her.

Moments later, a hurried voice cut through the silence

"I'm sorry, Mr. Langford, I got your message late," said his driver, panting slightly.

Axel tossed him the car keys without a word

Then, he scooped Maya into his arms, and placed her gently in the back seat. He draped his jacket carefully around her shoulders and settled beside her, guiding her head to his shoulder.

"Drive slowly." he told the driver.

The car pulled away, the city lights reflecting across Maya's sleeping face.

Axel glanced down at her, his gaze gentle yet guarded like he was feeling something he wasn’t ready to name.