216: Unpleasant smell

Unpleasant smell

"Oh, Axel, you're here? Good morning."1

"Uh… good morning?" Axel smiled back awkwardly. "How... are you?"

"I'm fine." Heaven breathed out faintly, maintaining her subtle smile. "Have you eaten breakfast?"

"No, not yet."

"Then you should have breakfast here." Heaven cleared her throat as she peeled her gaze from him, carrying a basket of washed vegetables near the stove. "This will be done in a moment. Just sit there and wait for it."

Axel kept his gaze on her back as she prepared something for breakfast. He blinked and blinked, wondering if she would ever bring up what happened last night. 

It didn't seem like it. 

'She's acting as if nothing happened,'he thought, trudging to the counter to watch her up close. Axel sat on the stool, resting his arms on the counter. 'I'm not even sure if this is a good sign or not.'

What happened last night was something hard to shrug off. Hence, he was expecting Heaven to be a little different from usual. Much to his surprise, she was acting like she used to. 

'I should be relieved, right?' he wondered to himself. 'This is better than seeing her locking herself in her room again.'

His lips were drawn into a thin line, sighing. He convinced himself this was better and that he shouldn't bring it up anymore. For as long as she could move on from it and maybe completely forget about it, the better. 

"By the way." Axel snapped his brows up when Heaven spoke, watching her close the lid before facing him. "Have you decided when you should see a specialist?"

"Huh?"

Heaven smiled and sighed at the same time, marching to the counter. She stood right across from him, resting her hands on the edge of the counter. 

"You haven't thought of seeing someone or getting therapy?" she tilted her head to the side. "I told Dominic we just had a stroll last night, and that I was simply overwhelmed. But Axel Zhu, do you really plan on going by with your daily life acting as if nothing happened?"

"Well." Axel drew his head back slightly, scratching the back of his head as he pondered. "I'm okay now. So, I don't think there's no need for that."

"You're okay now, but what makes you think you are a hundred percent?" Her brows rose, watching him look back at her. Heaven sighed, extending her arms as she flicked his forehead. "A battle against your mind is the hardest battle you'll ever have. Trust me."

"Ouch!" Axel rubbed his forehead, pouting at her as she retrieved her finger. "Sis! What is wrong with you!?"

Heaven let out a weak chuckle. "Axel, don't be like me."

"Huh?"

"I'm saying this for your sake. You might be fine now, but I know how hard it is to go on with those memories in your head." Heaven bent over, resting her arms on the counter, eyes on the person across from her. "Those memories will take the form of the devil inside you. They will slowly eat you from the inside and you will never know it until they made themselves known."

Axel furrowed his brows, a little confused at her vague remarks. Although he knew what she meant, it still came to him as vague. 

"If you are still reluctant, then do it for me." She smacked her lips and huffed. "That is, if you want to put my heart at ease."

Axel stared at her warm smile, dropping his hand from his forehead. "Fine. I'm not into those sorts of stuff, but if that will put your heart at ease."

"Thank you." Heaven smiled warmly, nodding in satisfaction. "I'm going to check the food. Why don't you wash up while you wait for breakfast, hmm?"

"What?"

Heaven pushed herself away, looking at him up and down. "You hadn't showered since yesterday and, to be honest, you smell."

"I — what?" Axel immediately pinched his thick night robe to his nose. He then raised his arms to smell his armpit, scrunching his nose up. "I don't smell that bad."

When he raised his head, Heaven already had her back against him as she went back to the stove. "Sis, do I really smell?"

"Yes, Axel. If your brother sees you — especially Basti, your day — the three of you will be ruined."

"Sis, that's too much, you know?" Axel felt a little self-conscious. "This is the only time I didn't shower because I was worried about you."

Heaven cocked her head back to him. "Axel, your pretty face will not save your scent."

Axel frowned, a bit annoyed at this blatant insult. If this was before, he would go all defensive. However, he owed Heaven his life. Therefore, he had to bite his tongue.

"Good morning, Mommy." 

Just then, Sebastian's voice came in. They both turned to the little master, who was at the entrance, rubbing his eyes. 

"Good morning, baby~!" the side of her lips instantly stretched from ear to ear, putting the lid back on. Heaven hurriedly wiped her hand on the apron, meeting her son halfway. 

"Oh, baby, did you just wake up?" she asked as she squatted down in front of him. Sebastian only nodded, stretching his little arms to her. Seeing his gesture, Heaven happily welcomed him into her arms.

"Basti, aren't you too old for your mother to carry you?" Axel scrunched his nose up, watching his sister carry her son up. "Or maybe, too heavy?"

Sebastian blinked ever so tenderly, secretly casting his uncle a glare. 

"Mommy, why is Uncle here again?" he asked, resting his cheek on Heaven's shoulder. "And he seemed he hadn't showered for a week."

"Uncle is just accompanying me." Heaven chuckled, casting Axel a knowing look. "See? I told you."

"It's just one night!"

"He's so loud," Sebastian mumbled, only to frown when Dominic's voice caressed his ear. 

"Basti, you're too heavy for your mother." Heaven and Axel instinctively shifted their attention to the voice, watching Dominic come into the kitchen. "Good morning."

Dominic casually stroked Sebastian's back before planting a kiss on top of Heaven's head. Meanwhile, Sebastian rolled his eyes but stayed quiet, clinging to his mother like a koala. 

"Why are you here?" she asked, looking up at him. 

"I came to help." Dominic winked and then arched a brow upon noticing a figure from the corner of his eyes. The side of his lips instantly curved down at the sight of his brother. "Axel, even if you're already used to your scent, think about those around you."

"What?"

"What do you need me to do?" Dominic ignored his brother as if he just didn't insult him, facing Heaven squarely.

Heaven smiled. "I'm just letting it simmer. It'll be done in a moment."

"Then I'd set up the table."

Axel darted his eyes at the family of three, scoffing as they just ignored him after pointing at his smell. He sniffed at himself, pouting. 

"It's not that bad."

And just like that, the family of three and Axel started their day like usual. The only difference was that Axel, who usually antagonized Heaven, channeled his energy into pleasing her. Unbeknownst to him, by trying to be extra, he just earned himself a rival. Not just one, but two as both Sebastian's and Dominic's eyes burned every time he act cheesy around his sister-in-law.

As for Heaven, she could say it was mission complete. 

Axel was now on her side and thus, she was more than ready to attend any family gathering. 

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