Selene's POV
As days passed, I found myself growing softer around Axel. It wasn't intentional, but something about him made it impossible to stay guarded. Despite his arrogance and playful smirks, there were moments when he was just... Axel — the man behind the fame and fortune.
Today, we were finally heading back from Paris after completing his pending modeling assignments. The city of lights had been breathtaking, but the endless photoshoots and events left little time to enjoy it. Still, I couldn't deny the beauty of watching Axel work. His charm in front of the camera was undeniable, and the flashes of admiration from the crew were well deserved.
But sometimes, his flirting was unbearable. It wasn't just the occasional teasing remark — no, Axel knew exactly how to make me flustered. Every lingering glance, every whispered comment, and every brush of his fingers seemed designed to push me to the edge. And the worst part? He loved seeing me squirm.
Now, as the private jet soared through the clouds, I leaned back against the seat, watching him scroll through his phone. The familiar smirk tugged at his lips, no doubt reading something amusing. Even after all this time, he was a troublemaker through and through. And somehow, that fact didn't irritate me as much as it once did.
As I settled into my seat, the soft hum of the private jet was oddly comforting. Axel was still scrolling through his phone, occasionally smirking at whatever had caught his attention. I tried to relax, but a faint, unsettling sound caught my attention — a slight creak, followed by a low thud.
My heart skipped a beat. It wasn't loud, but something about it didn't sit right with me. I scanned the luxurious cabin, but everything seemed normal. Still, the uneasy feeling lingered.
Unable to ignore it, I stood up. "I'll be right back," I murmured, though Axel barely glanced up, still engrossed in his phone.
I made my way towards the front of the jet, my heels softly tapping against the plush carpet. Near the cockpit, I spotted one of the flight attendants. She was adjusting the neatly folded blankets, but her face seemed a bit tense.
"Is everything alright?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
The attendant straightened up, offering a polite smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yes, ma'am. Nothing to worry about."
But I wasn't convinced. "I thought I heard something — like a thud. Is there any problem?"
She hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "Probably just a minor air pressure adjustment. Happens sometimes in private jets. The captain has everything under control."
Her words were reassuring, but the flicker of uncertainty in her expression stayed with me. I nodded, though my instincts screamed that something wasn't quite right.
"Alright," I said softly. "But if there's anything, let me know."
As I turned back towards my seat, I couldn't shake the lingering unease. Axel was watching me now, his brows slightly furrowed. I forced a small smile, but the tension coiled in my chest remained.
Whatever that sound was, I hoped it truly was nothing. But something told me this flight might not be as smooth as I had hoped.
A sudden, deafening sound tore through the air, sending a jolt of fear through me. Axel and I instinctively shot up from our seats, our eyes locking in alarm. Without thinking, we rushed toward the front of the jet.
But the scene that awaited us was beyond anything I had imagined.
The pilot and the flight attendant stood near the emergency exit, their faces pale with fear. The door was already partially open, the wind howling violently. They were preparing to jump.
"What the hell is going on?" I demanded, my voice sharp with panic.
"Ma'am, the jet's compromised. We're losing control," the pilot stammered, his eyes darting away from mine. "In emergency protocol, the crew ensures survival first."
"Survival?" I scoffed, disbelief washing over me. "You mean you're leaving us behind?"
"Sorry, ma'am," the flight attendant muttered, unable to meet my gaze. And without another word, they leaped out of the plane, their parachutes deploying instantly.
My mind raced. Axel was tense beside me, his jaw clenched as we both scanned the cabin. Panic twisted my gut. Where were the safety kits? The parachutes? I ran to the storage compartments, but they were empty.
No. This wasn't just an accident.
"It's a trap," I whispered, the realization hitting me like a punch.
I bolted back to my seat, grabbing my personal safety kit — the one I always carried, just in case. Without hesitation, I ran to Axel, my hands trembling as I secured it around his shoulders.
"Selene, what are you—"
"You're wearing this. Now," I snapped, pulling the harness tight.
Axel's brows furrowed. "What about you?"
"I'll find another way."
I yanked the emergency exit open, the roar of the wind threatening to pull me out. The jet trembled violently, the ground below a blur of green and blue. Axel's worried gaze burned into mine.
"Do you really think I'd jump without you for my own safety?" he shouted above the wind.
My jaw tightened. "Then I'll jump after you."
He shook his head. "No! You jump first, Selene!"
"Where's your safety kit, Selene?"
"Axel, this isn't the time to argue!" My voice cracked, fear surging through me. "Jump!"
But he stood firm, his dark eyes fierce. "No. I'm not going anywhere without you."
"Axel, the plane is crashing!" My heart pounded. "Please! Jump!"
He stepped closer, his face mere inches from mine. "Then we jump together."
Tears burned in my eyes as the plane's alarms wailed. We were out of time. Without another word, Axel grabbed my hand, his grip steady.
"On three," he said, his voice low but unwavering.
"One…"
"Two…"
"Three!"
And together, we leaped into the sky.
The impact was harsh. The parachute tangled in the branches of a massive tree, leaving us suspended high above the ground. The air still smelled of smoke and burning metal. My heart pounded, adrenaline surging through me.
But even through the chaos, one thing was certain — Axel's grip on my hand. He held it firmly, refusing to let go.
"Axel," I gasped, struggling to steady myself. "Let go of my hand! You're making it harder to balance. If we don't act fast, we'll both crash down!"
His jaw tightened, his dark eyes locked onto mine. "No. I'm not letting go."
I felt the strain of the parachute cords, the branches creaking ominously beneath our weight. "You stubborn idiot," I muttered through gritted teeth. "We'll both fall if you don't listen."
"I don't care," he growled, his voice low but determined. "I'm not losing you."
The sincerity in his words made my heart ache. Even with the danger surrounding us, Axel's only concern was me.
"Fine," I huffed, my body trembling from the adrenaline. "But if we survive this, I'm going to kill you myself."
A faint smirk played on his lips. "Fair enough."