Chapter 8

I woke up early the next morning and my head is throbbing right now. It's been a while since I last went to a bar. I didn't see my friends often and always staying in my condo unit for the whole three weeks. And inside that weeks, I am always guarded by Elijah. The thought of being guarded make me smile while taking my way towards the bathroom.

I don't know why I've agreed to have a bodyguard like Elijah. At first, I really don't like it. I am confident that I can protect myself. That I won't need someone else to protect me. It just that, some times, I am lack of self defense. One of these days, I should start to learn it.

One of the reasons to why I needed to learn how to protect myself, is maybe because not all the time, Elijah is with me. In fact, I am not his responsibility. I will just stick to myself that his service is just temporary for me. That after few months, he'll left me.

I should ready myself for that. But for now, I should enjoy myself being with him. I should pretend that I am his friend, but not as close as before. Because I don't know how will I can consider him as my friend even though I treat him more than just his friend. I shouldn't depend my happiness to him just like what I did before. I was so naíve back then. And because of that, I didn't protect myself. It shattered into pieces. And I don't want that to happen.

After I took a bath and change into comfortable clothes, I went straight downstairs. Someone is cooking at the kitchen and the smell of hot coffee lingered around. I walked straight to it and saw Elijah on his phone while facing the stove. He still didn't saw me.

I bit my lips when I saw him only wearing his board shorts. The black shirt he wore last night was hang on the chair next to me. His back is well-defined and looked so sexy. He has tanned skin that matches his masculine body. He maybe always visits gyms.

“Yeah, he shouldn't be... Get him out of the team. Yeah, yeah... Thanks, bro.” He chuckled before he put down his phone. That's when he looked at me. “Oh, morning, my lady.” he smiled. His hair is messy but he still looks good.

I just smiled back and nodded at him. I helped him put the plates and prepare a drink for me. After that, I eat breakfast with him. He cooked fried chicken this time.

“Do you have plans for today?” He asked.

“I have a date for today.” I shrugged, completely lying. I just want to make an alibi so that he won't opened up what happened last night. Thinking of what I did made me want to be eaten by the ground. I can even feel my cheeks blushing.

He frown at that. “Date? Blind date?”

“Yup! Well, my friend recommended him so it's not bad. I'm really curious to know him. Maybe he's hot.”

Well, half truth. My friend set me a blind date after my birthday. I should have met him last week but I refused him though. I was so distracted with Elijah that I can't keep up with somebody. But this is the right time to escape from the embarrassment I did last night while we're having a drink. This is the right time to make an alibi.

I finished my food and looked up to Elijah only to see him staring at my direction. It was like he's lost in his thoughts. I drink on my coffee which he added with milk while still observing him. What is he thinking right now?

“Sean? You still there?” I snapped my fingers in front of him to get his attention. He blinked before looking up to me. “You can follow me if you want, but don't show yourself.” I pleaded.

I also need a distraction from him. I shouldn't focused my attention too much on Elijah because it's really bad for my sake. I always do blind dates, hoping that I can divert my feelings to someone else. But still, no used. It's still him after years. I'm still into him.

“Or you can date someone too. Busy yourself.” I almost stuttered at that one. I should accept that he can't reciprocate my feeling. I should expect that he will find someone other than me. I shouldn't expect that he'll love me back. I have my limits.

“Yeah,” he just nodded, he looks bored as he says that. I stared at him for a while before I stood up.

But then he called me. I immediately looked at him. “How about the rules and conditions you were saying last night. Don't tell me you forgot.”

My cheeks reddened with that. I remembered what I did and said to him last night. How I leaned closer to him and touched his face. I bit my lips to hide my embarrassment. I shook my head.

“B-but...” I thought I could escape nor forget it. But he just reminded me about that. My only alibi, being on a blind date didn't work. But I need to push harder if I really want to avoid this topic.

“No buts, Arabella.” He uttered. He even suppressing his grin.

“Did I told you last night that we don't need that?” I said, pushing my luck. “You're my f-friend slash bodyguard. We don't need that. We exactly knows our limitations.”

He shook his head. “Na-uh. We need to talk about it. Now.” There was an authority on his voice. “I know my limitations, but still we need something just so we are reminded by it.”

I sighed. “But after this, I'll go out.” I said. He nodded and scoffed.

“Fine.”

Minutes after eating breakfast, I washed the plates first and busy myself cleaning my condo unit. Elijah went back to his condo which he bought next to mine. I don't want to assume that he really want that or was it my brother's request to him to live next to my condo.

After doing the chores, I went to the living room with a pen and paper with me. I jot down notes about my conditions while he's being my bodyguard.

Soon enough, Elijah rang the doorbell so I opened the door for him. He's now wearing a purple long sleeves and jogging pants. He already took a bath too based on the hair gel smell on him. I walk back to my sit and got startled when Elijah sit beside me. He's so close!

I looked at him and he was looking at what I am writing. I cleared my voice and give us a little distance.

“Hey.” I called.

“You already have your conditions?” He said, smirking.

“Well, yeah. There's only three.” I said. He creased his forehead.

“Oh?”

“First, I want to have my privacy sometimes. Second, you shouldn't be really close to me, like inch closer. Third, treat me as someone you trust. That's it.”

He fell silent for a moment. He was just looking at me as his eyes are scanning my whole face. I felt intimidated specially on his green eyes.

“Are you sure?” He asked, arching his brow. He bit his inside cheeks means that he's having his self control.

I nodded. “This can be easy for you. I'm much more comfortable being your 'friend'.” I want to sigh but I stopped myself. This is no good.

“You can add it, I'll wait.” he said. I furrowed. What does he mean by that? “It looks like you didn't think it thoroughly. Are you really wanted to be in that blind date?”

“Huh?”

He cleared his voice before he smirk. “Don't get me wrong, but what I see about your condition is not that serious.” he added.

“Then what are you saying?” I asked, still confused.

“What I mean is, make conditions that you and I will both follow. Not just for me alone. It should be for the both of us.”

I scratched my head. “I don't think I can do any that as of now.”

“You can start by being with me 'always'.” He added, still has a grin on his lips. He even emphasizes the last word. “In that way, I can guard you and you can have me who will always accompany you.”

I just nodded, he's right. “Then?”

“You can also 'use' me.” His grin widen more.

“What?!” I shouted.

“You can call me your 'boyfriend' when someone's annoying you. And vice versa.”

I stared at him and he looks playful while saying that. I don't know if I'll be serious with what he said.

“Okay. If there's any annoying guys, I can call you my 'boyfriend'. But if there's none, you'll just be my friend.” I said. He put his hands on the counter table and put his face on it, still looking at me.

He nodded. “Lastly, you can't get close to any guy.” His voice became serious all of the sudden.

“Why is that? I have a lot of male friends and they're all nice to me.” I uttered. He didn't respond immediately but his jaw clenched at what I said.

“Didn't you remember why your brother assigned me to be your bodyguard?” He asked. “Your life is at risk, Arabella Rielle.” My heart pounded loudly when he said my full name. It gives a big impact inside of me.

“Those gangsters that you heard can't be easily recognize. They can be someone with a good personality but behind their mask is something hidden, dark and full of hatred.” He added. “You shouldn't trust so easily.”

I just nodded. There's already a warning within his voice. I should remind myself that he's doing this because my brother asked him. I sighed with that thought.

“Okay.” I timidly smile. He nodded before he stood from his sit.

“I'll be on my unit if you need me.” He uttered with his serious voice before leaving me with many thoughts in my mind.