My Baby Daddy Isn't Human-Chapter 81: Under the Surface

As Raelynn's figure slowly vanished down the sunny path, Axel's smile faded, replaced by a more serious look. The warmth in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a calculating glint as he stood rooted to the spot for a moment. He exhaled slowly before turning and heading toward the parking lot nearby.

His steps were focused as he searched the lot, stopping at a shiny black car. He opened the passenger-side door and slipped inside, pulling the door shut behind him with a firm click.

A woman lounged in the driver's seat, her blonde hair glowing in the sunlight. She had a lollipop in her mouth, the bright red candy rolling lazily between her teeth as she tilted her head to glance at him.

"Well, well," she said with a smirk. "She's pretty, even from this distance." Her hazel eyes sparkled with mischief as she gestured vaguely toward where Raelynn had walked away.

Axel didn't respond immediately. Instead, he settled into his seat and reached for the seatbelt. Axel's face stayed calm, though his eyes betrayed a hint of frustration. "What do you want to say, Thalia?"

Thalia smirked, pulling the lollipop from her mouth with a soft pop and twirling it between her fingers. "Easy there," she teased. "Can't a big sister ask about her brother's date?"

Axel's lips twitched downward. "It wasn't a date," he replied, throwing her a quick side-eye. "It was work, Thalia."

"Right," Thalia replied, dragging the word out as she leaned forward to fiddle with the radio. The static crackled briefly before she found a station playing upbeat pop music. She wrinkled her nose and switched it again, landing on a mellow jazz channel. "So, how'd it go?"

Axel sighed, resting his elbow on the car door and rubbing his temple. "Clear," he said after a pause. "I'm 90% sure she's not one of them."

"90%, huh?" Thalia raised an eyebrow, popping the lollipop back into her mouth and leaning back against her seat. "That's a solid number, I guess. What about the other 10%?"

Axel glanced at her, his expression hardening slightly. "Nothing's ever absolute," he said sharply.

Thalia chuckled, shaking her head as she pulled the lollipop out again, pointing it at him like a scolding finger. "Careful, little brother. That kind of thinking's how you end up in trouble."

Axel didn't bite but clenched his jaw for a second. "It's about doing it right."

Thalia shrugged, twirling the lollipop again before tucking it into her cheek. "Thorough, huh? Alright, Mr. Thorough. How thorough were you today? You spent lunch with her—did you learn anything useful?"

"She's not working right now," Axel said, leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms. "She used to work at a restaurant. Downsized."

"Compelling," Thalia said dryly, rolling her eyes. "You can put that in the report: 'Not currently employed. Likes Mexican food.'"

He gave her a blank stare. "You wanted an answer. I gave it."

Thalia let out a deep chuckle. "Relax, I'm just messing with you." She switched the radio again, landing on a station playing soft rock. She nodded approvingly and leaned back, one arm draped over the steering wheel. "Still, you've got to admit—this isn't exactly your usual approach."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Axel asked, narrowing his eyes.

Thalia smirked, her gaze flicking to him briefly. "You're usually more... detached. Efficient. But today, you're having lunch, making small talk. She's not just another assignment, is she?"

Axel's gaze darkened slightly, and his lips pressed into a thin line. "She's part of the assignment, Thalia," he said firmly. "Nothing more."

Axel leaned back in his chair, trying to shake off the weight of Thalia's words, but they clung to him. He'd repeated it to himself countless times, convincing himself it was true.

She was just an assignment. Just an assignment. Assignment.

"Sure, sure," Thalia said, waving her lollipop at him. "If you say so."

They sat in silence, the engine's purr and faint guitar strums from the radio the only sounds. Staring out the window, Axel couldn't shake Raelynn's smile or her laugh—or the thoughts that kept pestering him.

Thalia's voice broke the quiet. "You're overthinking again," she said, her tone lighter this time.

Axel shot her a small frown. "And you're not thinking enough."

She laughed, not holding back. "Good one. Guess that's why we make a good team."

"Debatable," Axel muttered, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward briefly.

Thalia leaned forward, tapping her fingers against the steering wheel. "Alright, Mr. Serious. What's the next step?"

"Observation," Axel replied without hesitation. "And patience."

"Patience, huh?" Thalia tilted her head, the lollipop now firmly lodged in the corner of her mouth. "Not exactly your strong suit."

Axel didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the street ahead.

Thalia sighed dramatically. "Fine, I'll give you credit where it's due. You've got good instincts. If you're 90% sure, that's good enough for now."

"It has to be," Axel said quietly.

Thalia shot him a look, her usual teasing tone mellowing a little. "Hey," she said, her tone more serious, "just... don't get too close, alright? You know how messy that can get."

A quick nod from Axel was all he gave. Thalia studied him for a moment, shrugged, and put the car in gear. The car rolled smoothly out of the lot and merged with the traffic on the main road.

As they drove past the Mexican restaurant where Axel and Raelynn had shared lunch, Axel's gaze lingered on the colorful building for a moment. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, fleeting but genuine.

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Thalia noticed and raised an eyebrow. "What's that about?"

"Nothing," Axel said, the smile fading as quickly as it had appeared.

"Uh-huh," Thalia said, her tone dripping with skepticism.

Axel didn't respond, his gaze fixed ahead as the cityscape blurred past the windows.

They drove on, the radio's gentle tunes and the engine's steady hum the only sounds filling the quiet. Thalia shot Axel a quick look before focusing back on the road.