Chapter 4 – Testing Patience

William

Once she was close enough, she threw her bag at me. Looking in the direction the bag had taken, I was nearly sure she had aimed for my head. My reflexes kicked in, and I caught the bag mid-air, turning to look at her, confused and angry by her sudden action. What in the world was she thinking?

"You can take it to your car," she said, crossing her arms on her chest. Some of the girls behind her tried to hide their giggling, but it was quite obvious. She was mocking me; the smirk on her face was clear evidence of it. The spoiled brat was back.

I let go of the bag in one swift motion, hearing it as it fell to the ground loudly. I didn't bother to look at Harmoni and turned around. I'm her bodyguard, not her butler. It was about time she learned to treat me with respect. I controlled my breathing as I walked to join David and Benjamin.

"You okay, man?" David asked.

"All good for now, but my patience is wearing thin," I admitted, frustrated. They nodded as understanding flashed through their eyes.

"We've all been there. Somehow it feels like Harmoni tests all of us and tries her best to make us quit. A lot of her previous bodyguards couldn't handle her attitude and did just that. David, Logan, and I are the only survivors," Benjamin said, laughing at the last part.

"If she thinks for one second that she can win against me, she has another thing coming," I answered, looking back in her direction. I guess she was just like a deadly siren, beautiful on the outside yet hideous on the inside. I groaned internally, hoping her 'testing period' would be over soon.

Harmoni stormed past us visibly upset I didn't carry her bag. ~Well, suck it up, Princess!~ We walked slightly slower, letting her have some time with her friends. Can't believe I was kind to her. The ginger girl she was talking to earlier fell into step with us.

"Hey, guys!" she started. She seemed sweet. "You're William, right? The big shot, Sergeant,” she directed at me. Although she phrased it as a question, I could tell she knew exactly who I was.

"And you are?" I asked, lifting my eyebrows curiously.

"I'm Emily, the official best friend of the stubborn and uniquely awesome Harmoni," she introduced herself, extending her hand forward as an attempt to shake my hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Emily," I said, chuckling at her answer and accepting her handshake.

"I just wanted to let you know not to take anything Harmoni does to heart. She's not good with strangers. It takes a while for her to stop acting like a... well, like a bitch,” she explained, apologizing for her friend.

I had to admit; I was rather done with people apologizing or making excuses for her. Harmoni kept saying she was a big girl already. She should be able to deal with her actions by herself. I nodded to Emily. She took it as her cue to leave, and I watched her as she walked to her car.

Harmoni didn't know which car was mine, so she casually waited in the middle of the lot.

"Are you ready to go?" I asked once I reached her.

Harmoni nodded. I got in the driver's side of the car while she sat on the passenger side.

During the ride, Harmoni lifted her legs while leaning her head against the window. Something was clearly bothering her.

"A penny for your thoughts?" I asked cautiously, hoping she would accept this peace offering.

"You can keep your pennies and stay out of my business," she said coldly. Shaking my head at her response, I once again focused my attention on the road ahead. As the car slowed down to a stop at a red light, she unexpectedly opened her car and stepped out.

"What the fuck?" I couldn't help but voice out. Quickly making my way out to her, I was about to ask her what she was playing at, but barely had the time to say a single word before she bolted. She was smart enough to take narrow alleys so that David's car wouldn't be able to follow.

I didn’t hesitate to chase after her, knowing the others would take care of my car, but damn did she know how to run. Her little stunt had surprised me enough to give her a brief head start. I could feel myself grow angry each minute I was running after her. Did she think all of this was a joke?

Harmoni

My heart raced in my chest with each step I took. Thank God for cheerleading practices or I would have already been out of breath.

Hopefully, this would help him understand that guarding me was not worth the trouble.

Turning my head around, I looked behind to see if I had finally lost his tail. Watching the empty street, I smiled to myself. Harmoni 1 Bodyguards 0.

I slowed myself to a jog and crossed another alley that would lead to another street. I’ll admit I had no idea where I was anymore. All the twists and turns had me completely lost.

Looking around, I noticed for the first time the run-down houses and messy lawns. A shiver ran through me as I realized I had run into a part of town that I should definitely not be in. The worst part was that I was completely lost and didn’t have any way of contacting my bodyguards. My hands grew moist as I tried to figure out how I would make it home since no cabs would ever venture to this side of town.

As I was about to step out of the alley, I was frightened by the gunshots that rang through my ear. Someone had fired mere meters away from where I stood. Before I knew what was happening, I was pulled back roughly and pushed hard against the concrete wall. A hand was placed above my mouth before any scream for help could be emitted.

Shit!

“Shut it,” I heard a male voice whisper.

My eyes raised to meet the silver ones of my attacker. Yet, these eyes were familiar. William stood before me, blocking me from view with his body. I guess he was my savior rather than my attacker. “I’m going to remove my hand from your mouth but only if you promise me to stay quiet,” he explained.

I silently nodded.

“Thanks,” I murmured, still under shock from having heard gunshots nearby. My eyes were still fixed on his face, which allowed me to easily decipher the anger he was feeling against me. Rightfully so.

He was about to speak when his body went rigid. Footsteps were getting closer to us. My heart rattled in my chest as my throat tightened. What if the gunman was coming our way and still felt trigger happy?

William stepped closer to me, as we both waited in anticipation for the man to pass.

Surprisingly, the man went by without even noticing us. Thank God. I released a breath I had been holding, as relief washed over me.

With the threat level finally lowered, I suddenly took note of just how close William was to me. His chest was pressed against mine, as his elbow leaned against the wall, making his head only inches above mine. He had entirely covered me from sight but had in the process invaded my personal space.

My heart sped up for an entirely different reason this time. What in the world was going on with me? Seeming to realize the same thing I had, William took a step back, clearing his throat.

He didn’t say a word as he grabbed onto my elbow tightly and maneuvered through the streets to where the others had parked his car. Stepping back into the car.

I didn’t dare speak up as I noticed the waves of anger still present in William. His knuckles were white from the amount of force he was using to grab onto the steering wheel, warning me away. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was slightly bent by the time we arrived home.

“Selena! I’m home,” I yelled through the house once we had finally made it back, before walking up the stairs to my room.

I threw my bag on my bed and started getting my books out. I had a lot of homework to do. I sat at my desk to get a move on it, but somehow my mind keeps wandering back to my new bodyguard.

William.

I hoped he would quit after the way I had been towards him, but he hadn’t.

~Step 2~ hadn’t worked, hell I would even go as far as to say it backfired in my face. Now I was waiting to see if Step 3 worked. Hopefully, the remark I made in the car would be the last strike for him, and if that didn’t do it, then the stunt I pulled later should. Right?

I hated acting the way I did, but if that's what it took to lose a bodyguard, then that is what I would do. I didn't need him, but I couldn't deny the fact that he was one of the most handsome men I had ever laid my eyes on. His hair was long enough that I could imagine myself running my hands through it but not long enough to tie up.

His silver eyes always gave me the feeling he could see straight through me and into my soul, not even bothered by the walls I built most of my life. His thin beard gave him a more manly look, making him that much more attractive. Bringing my hand up to the corner of my mouth, I checked whether any drool had escaped my mouth.

~No!~ I needed to stay focused on the mission.

I didn't know how much longer I could keep up the act.

My father had always taught me the importance of money and respect for hard work. I had grown up knowing money didn't grow on trees and hated anyone who just threw their money around thinking money was everything. Yet, that's exactly how I behaved each time I got a new bodyguard. In my defense, it worked a few times in getting rid of some bodyguards.

I guess I might have to start getting used to the fact that William might be here to stay, at least for now. I had tried being rude, I tried being spoiled, and I tried being mean. There wasn't much else I could do. I mean, I could prank him, but that would be crossing a line.

William was different from the other bodyguards. For some reason, he wanted to get to know me. Something I couldn't allow. Why, you may ask? Well, that's simple. I get attached really fast. If I open up to someone, then let's just say it hurts a lot more when they decide I'm not worthy anymore and leave. Believe me, they always leave. The only people I trust are Emily and my father. Everyone else was just temporary.

I learned to build walls around myself. I wouldn't let myself get hurt like that again. Will was trying to break down these walls, and I just couldn't let that happen.

Perhaps a shower would help me clear my thoughts.

Later that evening, I heard the door downstairs.

“Honey, I’m home,” I heard my dad say. I closed the book I was currently working on and went downstairs to meet him. As usual, I gave my dad a big hug before we both headed to the kitchen.

“What's for dinner Selena? It smells amazing,” I asked, hopping onto one stool.

“Mushroom risotto,” she said, smiling from ear to ear. She knew it was one of my favorites. Hopping off the stool, I crushed her with a big hug.

“Thanks! You're the best,” I said. Selena had been here for most of my life and was the closest thing to a mother I had ever had.

My mother walked out on us when I was around five, but that was a story for another time. My father never spoke of her, and her memory slowly faded. The only reminder of her I had was a picture I kept in my room of her holding me and the recollections of the day she left.

Snapping myself out of these gloomy thoughts, I looked around to see that my dad had already taken a seat and was typing something on his phone. He was probably answering some last few emails.

He was a busy man, but he always did his best to be with me once he came home. Occasionally, like today, he would finish up some last emails before dinner and then chat with me while we ate.

I went to join my father once again, and Selena brought our plates out. As always, the food was delicious. Selena was a fantastic cook. I hope she would one day teach me some of her secrets.

After asking me the regular questions: how is school? What have you learned? And reminding me of the gala I had to attend this Friday, he proceeded to ask me about Emily, kindly asking how she was doing. This was as good of a chance as I would ever get.

“Emily asked if I could go to her house for a sleepover next weekend. Can I please, dad?” I asked. I purposely omitted the fact that we had planned on going to a party that night because that would earn me an immediate ‘no’.

“Under normal circumstances, I would have said yes, but after the scene you pulled when meeting William, I’m going to say no. Consider yourself grounded for a week.” ~Fucking karma!~

“What?! Come on, dad, this is so unfair!” I protested. Deep down, I knew he was right. I had been rude to him when I met him, not to mention what I did today. But this would make everything so much more complicated, and I had already told Emily that we could go.

“Harmoni,” he sternly said. “You should deem yourself lucky that I am still letting you come to the fundraising Gala this Friday. This is final.”

“Fine,” I said, crossing my arms. My dad rarely changed his mind once he had made a decision. Obviously, I didn’t get my stubbornness from thin air, and although I wasn’t fond of strict social events like the gala, I was still excited to attend it.

We finished our dinner with light conversation. There was no way in hell I would be missing this party. How would I get out?