Chapter 4

“William...”

My brother walked near me and hold my arms both sides. He abruptly scanned my face as if he's searching for something. His brows were furrowed before he gently put down my arms.

“You look fine to me,” he uttered, still has that seriousness on his voice.

“I-i'm fine...” I sighed before I looked at Elijah who was in front of me. He still kept silent even my brother is here and still gazing at me. He should tell my brother what happened last night.

“'The Hawk' is still on the chase. And they are after your sister.” Elijah calmly said that made me avoid my gaze at him.

“You what?!” My brother yelled that made me flinched on my position. I moved away a little as I know that he's freaking mad right now. “Tell me what happened, Rielle. Now!”

“William.. I-uh, went to the bar and kinda celebrated my birthday. And then, someone caught me gossipping. I didn't know that they're dangerous. I heard that they are looking for someone. Until Elijah came that made them knew that I heard them. They shoot bullets at us even after we're inside the car. T-that was happened.” I abruptly explained to him.

I know it's not that detailed but the main point here is, he needs to know what happened. He's so protective of me that he always wants to know what I am doing. He even doesn't want me to party before but then he agreed when I keep on persuading him that I'm on the right age to party. And I also know he's really mad right now based on how his face reddened because of what I just told him.

“You know that you should call me first to check on you. You don't know who's been after you, Arabella Rielle!” He started to become rigid. I just looked down to avoid his intense glare. His veins are completely showing on his arms.

“I know, but you're always busy this past few days. I don't want to disturb you.” I said.

“You will never be a disturbance to me, Rielle. You're my responsibility, and you're my sister.” He sighed as he also shut his eyes close. “Elijah.” he called.

“Yeah?” Elijah answered him boredly.

“Keep an eye on her.” My brother instantly commanded as if he knew the guy he's talking with. Elijah won't agreed on that. I am sure of it. “Don't let her go to parties without my approval. That's an order.”

“William! I don't need him!” I seconded. I don't need a bodyguard. I shook my head while looking at my brother's serious face.

I looked at Elijah who simply glanced at me. But what caught me was his smirk plastered on his face.

“Sure.” He simply said which made my eyes widen in shock. He agreed?

“Good.” My brother uttered. “It's settled now. If you don't want me to guard you, then I'll let my friend be your bodyguard.”

“But—”

“No buts, Rielle. That's final.”

“I'm already an adult, brother.” I sighed, feeling surrendered. “I don't need someone to guard me nor protect me. I can handle myself.”

“I know, but you can't protect yourself when someone will harm you. Especially that guys you bumped with at the bar. They're not just dangerous people. They're gangsters. They will do everything so that they'll get what they want.” My brother explained. I looked straightly at him. He did the same too. I shook my head. I don't want to hear this anymore.

I walked out even though they're calling my name. I went straight to my room and locked myself up. I don't know why this is what I'm feeling. I felt like a prisoner who doesn't have her freedom to choose what she wants to do.

I understand that my brother's been very protective of me but to limit myself from doing what I want, is not acceptable. My life is in danger knowing that someone is searching for me just because I overheard their plan. My brother is just worried that I might harm myself. But I still don't want to be guarded. I am already 23, for Pete's sake.

And Elijah... He even agreed to be my bodyguard. The fudge is he thinking? The last time I know, he doesn't want me to be with him. He doesn't want me to be near him just because I confessed on my 18th birthday that I am into him. He rejected me and shoved me away as if I was a trash.

I am doing him a favor by being away, hiding from him as if it will help me stopped my feelings on him. He forgot me already. And my little sympathy for myself is all what I have now. I can't face him anymore after he dumped me in front of many people. I will never forgot that night.

I didn't slept straight as I still need to think what will be the consequences of my actions. Maybe Elijah will also stay here. I don't care for now. Suits themselves here. I'm very annoyed at my brother on making decisions for myself eventhough I can do that. I woke up late afternoon and saw my visitors already having their lunch.

I silently sat on the chair next to my brother. I felt him look at me but I didn't mind him. I eat in silence too and only the sound of the utensils are the only noise I could hear.

Call me stubborn for disobeying my brother, but I am not that someone who will just be nice to everyone after arguing. I have a higher pride. They should talked about it first.

I heard someone cleared a throat. I looked at my other side and saw Elijah is already looking intensely at me. I arch him a brow. He smirk before proceedi on his food.

“Did something happened?” I heard Ziena asked. I shook my head eventhough I feel the atmosphere right now is really awkward. “Something did happened. What is it?”

“It's nothing, Z.” My brother uttered at her. I rolled my eyes and finished my food first.

“I am not a dumb to know nothing,” she bitchily said to my brother. I almost smirk at that. “Oh, wait. Your birthday was on March 12, Rielle? Am I right?”

I looked at her and simply nodded. I heard someone snorted.

“That's why you're being grumpy today. I thought you're having your period.” She casual said. “Who celebrated with you?”

“By myself.” I shrugged my shoulder. Even I didn't celebrated it.

Suddenly, Ziena smacked my brother's arm that made my brother groaned. “Why didn't you celebrated with your sister that night? I really thought you're just making excuses to me.” she scolded my brother. That made me smile a bit. There's no one ever did that to William. Only Ziena.

“I'm so sorry, Rielle. I didn't know that your brother isn't with you in your special day. Don't worry, I'll always remind him next time.” she apologize. I just nodded. It's better that she doesn't know how my brother scolded me last night too. William was really mad that time.

I finished my food and asked to leave first. Still, their eyes are on me. I didn't make a fuss and went back to my room. But I stopped when I heard Elijah spoke up.

“Starting today, I am now your bodyguard, lady.” He even has that timid smile while his eyes are focused on me as if it's reading what's on my mind.

I glared at him and immediately answered a big “NO.”