Chapter 6

I was silent the whole ride. I can feel that Elijah is just observing and waiting for me to talk about what happened. I am grateful that he's just stay silent too until we got in front of the Madrigal Towers. Because I don't know how will I opened up with him nor looked directly into his eyes.

My brother is right about this. I should really need to have a bodyguard. To think that I can't defend myself in front of my schoolmate is the proof that I really need to be guarded. I felt ashamed that I argued with my brother weeks ago. I felt like he distant himself to me just so I won't really get mad at him.

I heaved a deep sigh as I went out of Elijah's car without looking at him. I can't face him though. I am really ashamed because of what I've acted few weeks ago. I was immature and childish. I didn't think that what my brother did was for my own protection.

Knowing that someone's after me, he's scared that something might happen bad again just like the last time at the bar. And when he'll find out about this again, that I was almost got harassed by my schoolmate, he'll do something I will never know. My brother may look friendly but when he gets mad, he's scary.

I type the passcode of my unit before it tinged, a sign that it's open. I felt someone at my back and glanced at him. My freaking heart beat immediately at the sight of Elijah in front of me. He looked bothered when I look at him. The seriously and playfulness on his eyes are now gone. I don't know why, but he looks like his defenses were shattered for now and all I can see is his real emotions.

I smiled at him to ease his worry. “I'm fine... No worries, Elijah.”

But the emotion on his eyes didn't fade. Suddenly, a clear memory showed up in my mind. It was him few years ago, wanting me to give him a kiss before I bid goodbye to him. I remember him being this transparent when he's with me. I can simply tell what he feels before. He maybe playful but he's a softy.

But it was before. When I was still his fling. The Elijah I met before was the opposite of him now. He was serious and mysterious when I met him again, but I know there's still playfulness in him. I just don't know if this soft side of him is still with him or will it just be temporary. This soft side of him just showed up immediately.

“I shouldn't have leave you there,” he uttered before he puff a deep sigh. He looked away. “I should be with you all the time.”

I don't know why he's like this. As if he's really worried of me. I don't know why he's so affected. He's just my bodyguard, but the way he's acting right now, he looks like a boyfriend to me.

“You did. You were there with Noah. You even beaten the team captain of the basketball team.” I said as a matter of fact.

His jaw clenched at what I said. “He deserved that.” He stared deeply at me as if he remembered something. “How did you know Noah?”

“He's my blockmate before.” I answered. That would also my question to him. By what I remember earlier, they talked. “Are you friends with him?” He just nodded. He mumbled something I didn't hear.

“I need your number.” He give me his phone eventually.

I nodded and put my number on his contacts. I also put my name into 'Rielle Rivera'. But when he took and check on the registered name, he frowned while looking at his phone.

“Don't put your full name here. I always register the first name.” He said. “Is Rielle your first name?” he asked.

I was taken aback at what he said. I bit my lips while looking at him then on his phone. I shook my head.

“A-arabella.” I cleared my voice. “Arabella Rielle is my name.”

He looked at me. The emotion on his green orbs recently are gone and changed into the usual emotions he always shows—Playful and amazement. I smiled at him to ease the fast beating of my heart.

“I'll call you.” He uttered after a while. I nodded as my smile widen. I'll just pretend that what happened earlier didn't bother me.

“Okay. I will order pizza later. If you want, you can come here.” I said. He nodded, still staring at me. I stared back.

I don't know what I was thinking at the moment, but I leaned forward and give him a peck on his left cheek. I moved back immediately. I can feel my cheeks burning while looking at him now. I cleared my voice as there's a lump on my throat.

“Thank you, Elijah.” I uttered and went back to my condo unit. I look at him when I was about to close the door. He's still standing there, unmoving. I immediately locked the door and run to my room. All I could think is to escape from him now. I feel like I want to be eaten by the ground because of embarrassment.

I shriek when I lied on my bed. The thought of kissing him on his cheek make my cheeks burning again. My Gosh! What are you thinking that time, Rielle?

That was just my 'thank you kiss' because he save me. That was just nothing but it made the butterflies in my stomach cheering for something I can't name. Also the fast pace of my heart didn't stop. And to add it up, I even invited him here.

I shouldn't do that if I wanted to stay away from him. But my body and heart are against my mind. It was like I am making myself be inside of a game in which I don't have an assurance if I'll win. This is no good.

But now, I accept that he's really needed. I need him to guard me. I need him not because I wanted to be with him but because he's just my bodyguard that my brother assigned. I should be clear on that. And I should put that in mind. Because once I lost track of his purpose on my life, I might fall harder that I can't get back again.

LATER that night, I ordered a pizza. Then my phone rang that made me stilled. It was unregistered. But since, I expected it to be Elijah, I answered it.

“Hello?” I uttered.

“I'm outside.” He huskily answered. I nodded and was about to end the call when the door rang. It must be him. I ready and fix myself. I tucked the loose hair that's covering my face and put it on the back of my ear.

I opened the door, only to see Elijah on his black shirt paired with board shorts. His still holding his phone near his ear. He looks so good even with a simple attire he's wearing. He has drinks with him. He looks like he'll drink here.

I smiled at him. “Come inside. The pizza is coming.”

I went inside the unit and he followed. He put the plastic full of soda drinks on the table and looked at me. I don't know why but I kept on smiling.

“What?” I arch him a brow.

“You look happy eventhough...” He didn't continue what he said. “Nevermind.” I just shrugged, still keeping a smile on my face.

“Did you register my number?” I heard him asked.

“Not yet.” I shook my head and fished out my phone on my pocket. I put his name 'Elijah' on the contact list but then he immediately grabbed my phone. I bit my lips while looking at him. He's seriously typing on it before he gave it to me. He stared at me longer than expected and lowered his gaze on my lips.

He cleared his voice before his eyes went up to.meet my eyes. He smirk at me. “Call me Sean. That's my first name.”