We stay cuddled up in silence until Ian returns. He said half an hour but there's no way it only took him half an hour to buy half the store. "Ian! How much did you spend? This is all unnecessary. Well, I mean all food is necessary but you know what I mean!"

He is currently carrying around ten bags on each arm, followed by Dante's driver, with another ten bags on each arm. There are only three people and you would have thought he was going to feed a country.

"I had to get extra just in case one day we run out. Plus, I didn't know what flavour chips you eat. Also I had to make sure I got a lot of drinks. Then there's the popcorn, some different chocolates and I got some lollies as well. I didn't want to leave anything out for you because I know you won't tell us what you really want." He really just said that as if it were normal. Sorry to break it to you buddy, but this is not normal. I'd hate to think how much this cost.

"Also don't worry about the cost. It's barely our spare change. Yes we all share the money between us," Ian elaborates.

"Ok now you're just boasting," I say, "I'm serious though, how much was it? I will pay you back."

"If you seriously think that that's going to happen then think again, love. Sorry to break it to you, but we will be spoiling you for the rest of our lives. So you better start getting used to it. Which reminds me..."

I get up off Axel and sit beside him as Ian puts down all the bags next to the sofa and takes out a card from his pocket. A gold card. At this point, I wouldn't even be surprised if it was real gold. He reaches out to give it to me but I don't take it. And I won't.

I'm not a materialistic person and I never will be. I know what it's like to not have a lot but still be content and I enjoyed that way of living. It makes me a more real person and that's what I want to be. I want to be real.

"Please don't give me that. I don't want money to change me and I don't want to turn into a materialistic person," I explain.

"We've always wanted someone to spoil and when we finally get someone, she doesn't want to be spoiled. Couldn't have asked for someone better. Leave this with you in cases of emergency. You never know if you'll find something-"

"-that I need which costs more than this house? I don't think so. I've got my own cash which I need to transfer onto my own card. No, don't pout at me. You're cute but I'm not changing my mind. Can we watch Barbie now?"

"Fine. I'll talk to Dante when he comes back."

Ian takes out a few bags of chips and throws them to us before taking his seat beside me. "Here are your glasses."

"Thank you." I put on my glasses and reach for the remote to unpause. The movie begins and I internally squeal from excitement. Axel opens up some packets of chips and chocolate while Ian gets up to microwave some popcorn.

One movie turns into two, then three, then four.

"One more movie," Axel begs.

"No. We need to eat proper food. What do you want to eat, love?"

One of my favourite foods. "Cheese pizza please, if it's not too much trouble."

"Only cheese? Base, sauce and cheese?"

"Umm, yes please. Only if it's not too much trouble."

"If this is about money-"

"It's not. I just don't like a lot of foods. I'm a simple eater." It's true. I don't like a lot of different foods. For pizza, I don't like toppings. I don't like pepperoni, pineapple, anything. Well, I do like ham sometimes, but cheese pizza is my favourite.

"Do you want to eat something else with it?"

"No thank you."

"Ok. Axel, your turn to make lunch. Get up. I'll have the usual, thanks."

Axel huffs and gets up, imitating Ian, "Your turn to make lunch. I'll have the usual." Ian hits the back of his head and I try to suppress the smile from breaking out. They are such children, it's cute.

"I can make lunch if you want," I suggest.

"Ok then."

"No."

They respond at the same time and this time, Ian actually shoves Axel. "Is there something wrong with you? Go make lunch and stop being lazy!"

"Ok relax man, it was a joke." Axel rolls his eyes before sending a wink my way. He totally wasn't joking. "Hey Lex, wanna watch me make pizza? Is that a yes? Ok let's go." Ian starts chasing him around as Axel scoops me up and runs for his life.

"Get back here you asshole! I swear you're going to cop it if I catch you! And be careful you don't hurt her!"

Axel only laughs as he dashes past many doors and I cling to him like my life depends on it. The adrenaline coursing through me is so thrilling. I like this rush. It's exciting.

"The scary part is, he's not joking," Axel says. We manage to make it to a room and Axel locks the door before Ian reaches us.

"What's going on?" Dante's back home. Home. It sure feels like it.

"Ax couldn't keep his mouth shut and tried making Lexi cook lunch."

"Axel! Where are you?!"

Axel genuinely looks scared. Loud knocks on the door cause him to hide behind me, crouching down. "Tell them you haven't seen me. Say I went to the bathroom or something."

"Or we can trick them," I say triumphantly, "pretend they scared me and I'm upset. Then we can make a break for the kitchen or bedroom."

"You smart, smart girl. I like it. Try not to laugh."

"Impossible. I'll just hide my face. You've got to carry me though. And if you drop me I swear I'll hand you in to them."

"I'll never drop you, babygirl. I'll always be there to catch you."

"Cheesy much, ayy? Come on."

The knocking is persistent as Axel picks me up and I cover my face with my hands and lean on his chest. "Guys stop!" he yells, "You made her cry! You scared her!"

Apology after apology floods through as he unlocks the door and walks out. Struggling to keep my giggle silent, I throw my head back and burst out in laughter as Axel bolts away from the other two.

"I told you not to laugh!"

"And I told you it's impossible!"

"Off to the kitchen we go! Once I start cooking, they'll leave us alone!"

"Why are we yelling!"

"I don't know!"

I'm dropped onto a kitchen stool in front of a black marble bench with Axel in front of me, taking out the ingredients as quickly as possible. He begins chopping some onions just as Dante and Ian make an appearance.

"What's the matter?" I ask innocently.

"Don't do that again Lexi. It wasn't funny," Dante scolds me, then turns to Axel, "and you are not off the hook."

"Uh, uh, uh. I've got a knife in my hand. And I'm right in front of our babygirl. We wouldn't want anything happening to her. Also, she came up with the idea so blame her." Did he really just give me up? Oh he's getting what's coming for him.

"Dante? Ian? Can we hang out in the bedroom until Axel is finished? I wouldn't want to slow him down or anything." They are way too happy to take me away from the traitor, whose mouth is currently hanging wide open. "Karma." I stick out my tongue at him, which only makes him stick out his as well.

"Stop acting like a child or I'll spank you," Dante growls. He did not.

"It's not a punishment if she enjoys it," Ian snickers.

"I volunteer!" Axel shouts from the kitchen.

This is so embarrassing. "Guys! Can we... not talk about this? It's so weird," I say.

"Aww, is our princess shy? We were only playing with you... or not," Dante smirks. I shove him to the side and take a seat on the same grey couch.

"You're talking like you have experience," I shoot back.

"Who says I don't?"

"Axel."

"That guy never shuts his mouth."

Axel continues making the pizza, chopping the ingredients and arranging it on the pizza base. His muscles flex back and forth as I just admire them. It's so satisfying to watch.

The house is not that big, which is ironic considering the amount of money these men make. I'd prefer a smaller house though. There's no need for extra rooms for no reason. Plus, it won't feel so empty all the time. They even only have one car per person and a shared limousine which doesn't even amount to a fraction of the money they make. At least they don't flaunt their money.

"Pizza is done! Couch or table?" Axel calls from the kitchen.

"Table!" I shout before anyone can say anything. I love sitting at the table with people, nothing to distract us from having civil conversations. I enjoy the whole vibe of eating with people at a table.

Ian helps Axel take the four pizzas to the room next to the kitchen, which is the next room from here. We all sit around the table and wait for each other to sit comfortably. Then they all turn to look at me. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

"Soon," Axel mumbles under his breath. I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that. "We're waiting for you to take the first piece and tell me I'm the most amazing chef."

"Sorry to burst your bubble Axel, but it's literally a cheese pizza. Anyone can make it."

"Are you still mad at me?"

"No," I reply too quickly. I'm not actually mad, but he did dob me in. That's not nice at all.

"I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you. I'll hug you for as long as you want after we eat, ok?"

I love hugs. "Fine." I could never stay mad at people for something like that. I'm not that extreme. I pull out the first slice of the cheese pizza and blow a bit before biting into it. The melted cheese combined with the sauce and base explodes with flavour in my mouth.

"Yuuuummmm... I could live off this. It's amazing. Axel, you're the most amazing chef. Ever thought of opening a cheese pizza place?"

"I'm quite happy owning a club. It's more my style. Told you I'm the most amazing chef. You owe me. You're taking my spot for cooking for the next month. Actually, you're my slave for the next month."

Dante and Ian are out of their chairs within a second, Dante dragging Axel away and Ian taking Axel's pizza. "You're sleeping in the spare room and don't you dare think about coming out until you can learn to control that mouth of yours, especially in front of a lady! For once in your life, just shut your mouth!"

Nice to know that they can keep each other in line. I think it's very cute and responsible that they look out for each other, it shows that they truly are the best of friends.

Dante is the most serious one. He always seems to be on top of everything and taking charge. He always tries to be better and work harder and probably takes things personally. He blames himself for what happened to me and he walked out a couple of times out of anger for himself. He's like the older brother, trying to protect the others from harm and taking the blame himself. Sometimes I think he withdraws himself so he doesn't get too attached. Maybe he's lost someone close before or someone has betrayed him.

Ian is not so serious, but has a grip on life. He reasons for everything. He'll assess both the good and the bad in a situation before taking his point. He understands the need to break rules sometimes and remembers that humans make mistakes. He tries to protect Dante from being guilt ridden but ensures that Axel doesn't do irrational things. I have a feeling he's learnt from a past experience where someone made a serious mistake from trying to be perfect and flawless.

Axel is more instinctive and carefree. He doesn't think before he acts but he's a people's person. He seems to get along with everyone and he truly cares for his loved ones. When he wouldn't let go of me and held me the whole night, I knew he felt the need to care for me and make sure I was as comfortable as possible. He puts others before himself. It's easy to tell that he can't trust people. Being around so many people who only like you for looks or money means that he hardly meets someone who is actually real and genuine. All he probably wants is someone who loves him for who he is and not for what he has.

Even their jobs are reasonable according to their personalities. Dante providing shelter for people by renting hotels, Ian helping people find jobs that are best for them and Axel owning a social club full of people.

This is what being a psychologist is like. I can already outline the strengths and weaknesses or insecurities of people after knowing them for a short time. I like understanding people and I want to get the help that I never could. No one could ever heal me so I want to heal others.

One day, I want to truly be happy, as in, not have to think about my past or let it affect me. Maybe meeting these men was a good thing. But I dread the time I have to tell them about my past. It is so painful to actually put into words because that means I have to admit just how broken I am.

I'll have to show my weak side to people. I'll be vulnerable. I'll feel like I'm out of control of my own life again. And the scariest part is seeing their reactions and whether they'll accept me or not.

Because if they don't accept me for what happened to me and what it's caused me to be, then the tiny flicker of hope I have left will be diminished. I will die.

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