Chapter 47: Bossy Bodyguard: Part 4 – Chapter 47

“Shouldn’t you be in bed and resting?” Mia asked, crossing her arms and trying to intimidate me.

“No. I got bored.” I closed my locker and looked over her shoulder. “Who’s that?”

The man was tall, dark-skinned, with broad shoulders. And he was glaring at Cillian, who was standing across him with his arms crossed.

Mia sighed and rolled her eyes. “That’s Jacob, my bodyguard. James hired him because of… you know. How’s your hand?”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I replied, “It’s okay. It will heal soon.”

“When will my time come?” Summer drawled, walking beside us to our first class. There were lots of stares and whispers from students, their eyes pinned on our guards.

Cillian had warned me that everyone would know what had happened. About the accident, Zayed, and the stalker. That was one of the reasons he wanted me to stay at home for a week, but I would not sit in my room all day and sulk.

“Time for what?” I asked, eyeing her soft chocolate brown eyes.

“To get shagged by a billionaire or ex’s dad. Heck, I’m open to both at the same time.”

Mia patted her shoulder, pursing her lips. “You need to get laid, love.”

“For an asexual, you sure as hell are kinky,” I said with a smile.

“Asexuals can be kinky and besides, my libido is off the charts these days. The only wet dreams I have include six vampires—”

“We get it, Summer,” Mia stopped her when we entered our first class. She leaned in and I huddled closer when she whispered, “I know a sex toy shop where you can explore very interesting toys.”

I smirked. “Did James take you there?”

Her cheeks reddened, and I knew the answer. We stopped talking when Miss Laxmi entered the class. I could feel stares on me, but I didn’t let it bother me because all I could think about was a certain tattooed man who was scorching me with his gaze.

Before the next class, I needed to use the washroom and forced Cillian to stay in the hallways. I didn’t want other students to get scared to use the loo because of him.

Just as I was done with my business, I heard the door open and three pairs of shoes entering. I held my breath and stayed in the stall. The girls were laughing and my ears perked up when I realized that one voice belonged to Claire.

“I swear to god, Emma doesn’t deserve the pity looks,” one of her friends said.

I rolled my eyes, hoping they’d leave soon and I wouldn’t have to listen to their gossip.

“Or Caleb’s dad. He’s too hot for her,” Claire said. “I have a theory that she banged Caleb just to get to his dad and then dumped him on her mom’s funeral so she could have sympathy points to fuck his dad.”

I clenched my hands into a fist and calmed my breathing.

“Girl, that’s too much of a mean girl shit, don’t you think?” her other friend said.

“It’s just a theory. For now.” Claire continued, “I think she’s doing all this for attention. We get it, your mom died and you’re sad, but walking around so close with your bodyguard is too much. Not to mention the entire stalker thing sounds fake as hell! The marketing team for the Sheikh of Azmia could have been more creative than someone stalking Emma Moore out of all people.”

Okay, that was enough.

I opened the door and walked out of the stall. I didn’t look at them when they scattered around as I washed my hands. I checked my makeup and flipped my hair over my shoulder.

“You need to grow up, Claire,” I said in a bored tone, eyeing her clothes and face. “I don’t care if you believe that I’m being stalked or not, but gossiping about my life when you hate my guts seems out of character. And you two should stop hanging around her. She’s bad news.”

“You’re just jealous,” Claire said, crossing her arms.

I laughed at her. “Me? Jealous of you?” I leaned closer to her. “I didn’t know you were delusional as well. Stop spreading rumors and touch some grass.”

I didn’t wait for whatever bullshit she wanted to spew to get attention from me and walked out of the washroom. If others think that I’m faking having a stalker, then let it be. They weren’t the ones dealing with the inner turmoil I was going through.

Cillian walked beside me to my next glass and brushed his knuckles with my hand. Tingles shot up my spine as I looked up at him and saw a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Good job.”

“What for?”

“For standing up to bullies.”

I looked away, biting my cheek when warmth spread over my body.

“Emma?”

I met his eyes. “Yes?”

“What does touching grass mean?” he asked, his face serious.

A soft laugh bubbled out of me and I took my notes from him. I patted his hand and wiped a tear from my eyes. He looked adorable when he was confused.

“I forgot you’re old, boomer,” I teased him and walked into class. I didn’t miss his glare and knew he would later ‘punish’ me for calling him that.

Maybe the stalker won’t interrupt my life again and I’ll be able to keep Cillian by my side forever.

Just maybe.