CHAPTER 5: A Hella Gorgeous Bodyguard

"You almost get killed, Anna. I saw it. They pointed a pistol at your head!" Mr. Santiago exclaims. When the incident was over, they returned home. In addition to not letting the police pursue those men, Anna had no intention of bringing a case against them. They are not the actual enemy.

"I'm aware," She said inadvertently, while her complete focus was on the live S.S. news. The prior incident is already making its way around the nation and the internet. It's like a disease.

Silas declared decisively, "That's it. I'm going to hire you a personal bodyguard." Anna scowled in displeasure at this. Personal bodyguards? What? Even her manager Donovan is not someone she wants to interfere with in her life. Then, do they demand a bodyguard for her?

Anna stated obstinately, "Papá! I'm fine! I wasn't harmed, okay? I handled it well. No need to bring me more inconvenience in my life. I have personal matters. I don't want anyone to mess with them." Fuck! She doesn't want anyone bothering her. And a "personal" bodyguard certainly fits that description of bothersome.

"You were lucky. You fooled those guys with money. What if those people cannot bargain with plain money exactly as you did? You'd be dead by now." Anna rolled her eyes at the overwrought Father lecturing in front of her.

Annalia firmly declares, "Papá, I don't want a bodyguard. That's final," and switches off their television. Argh! She has to discuss this matter in front of the media tomorrow. What a nuisance. 

The next day has come, and Annalia has already prepared her outfit for today's agenda. Later, they'll meet at the company to discuss her next project and perhaps the recent incident that happened to her. She has a sleek bun as her hairstyle and is wearing a white Halter Neck Backless Bodycon Dress, thong sandals, and light makeup. A doorbell rang as she was getting her handbag ready. Since she already knew it was Donovan, she didn't bother to open it.

She shouts at Don, tapping her phone, "You don't have to use the doorbell, you know." However, Don remained silent, which was strange. When Anna hears another doorbell, she frowns. Even though she was a little anxious because of what had occurred the day before, she checked to see who it was.

She brought her eye close to the peephole and saw a glimpse of a man sporting a tuxedo suit, sunglasses, and the S.S emblem on his clothing. Anna rolled her eyes and opened the door. Gosh, Dad, you really don't listen to me. She swore violently under her breath. 

Anna rudely asked the man, "What brought you here?" 

The man stared at her for a few minutes before speaking, which Anna found suspicious.

The bodyguard remarked in a baritone accent, "Mr. Silas Santiago brought me here, Madam."  

Anna sharply sighs as though she wants the man to know how annoyed she is, and she doesn't want him here.

With a wry smile, Anna continued, "Tell him I won't go if he's bringing you with me." Anna closes the door, stroking her temples to relieve the headache her Father is continuously giving her.

She was ready to phone Donovan to replace the bodyguard, but the doorbell rang again.

"Argh! Why can't they listen to me?" Anna grits her teeth.

"Donovan! Come to my penthouse right now; I don't want anyone picking me up," she said fiercely.

"What are you talking about? I am at the company waiting for you! Just come with him, Ann," Donovan answered, murmuring, although his voice sounded agitated. Fuck this! Anna shrieked as she hung up the phone and grabbed her purse. Anna flounces back to the door, remembering she can get away with this guy by going to the restroom. Anna smiled mischievously and opened the door, seeing that the bodyguard was still present.

"I'll just go to the rest-" Anna didn't get a chance to continue her sentence when the bodyguard interrupted her.

"I'm sorry, Madam, but I was informed that you are not permitted to use the restroom."

Anna exclaimed incredulously, "You're not letting me urinate, a normal human function?"

"It was Mr. Silas ordered, Madam." Hearing from it, maybe her Father already knows what her method is to evade his command. As she left the penthouse, Anna rolled her eyes and walked past the bodyguard. Rolls-Royce was waiting for her as they got outside the building. Anna and the bodyguard stealthily make their from the penthouse building way to the S.S. firm. Anna is so annoyed that this man will serve as her bodyguard. With him, she doesn't feel secure at all. 

Anna arrives and immediately notices the reporters waiting for her in the blazing sun. When Anna landed at the S.S. firm, Donovan immediately dialed her phone.

"The security guards are on their way, so just wait inside the car."

Anna let out a weary sigh. If only she hadn't been kidnapped, she wouldn't have to deal with this hassle. Ahh, AMA Entertainment. You tried so hard to drag me down that you want me dead. After a short while of waiting, Annalia can already make out the security officers swarming around her to avoid the media coming too close. This is her signal. The man, who had been with Anna the whole ride, jumped out of the car. He opened the door and escorted Annalia toward the entrance of the building. 

"Ms. Davis, is it true you didn't file a case for those kidnappers?"

"What happened before you were kidnapped?"

"Why didn't you attend the celebration party for your movie, Ms. Davis?"

"Someone took a picture of you and Bennet Crapp. Are you finally dating him?"

The moment Annalia stepped down, the media began to badger her. Thankfully, she was well-protected by the guards. Together with the other security staff, she entered the building, and they promptly walked to the fourth floor for the meeting that had likely already begun. High-ranking workers and senior management in the organization focused their attention on Anna the moment she arrived. On the other hand, Mr. Santiago was glaring at her, and Anna could see he was upset. 

Mister Santiago hailed Anna, "You're late." She did not seem to care and sat down next to Donovan. Their meeting started when Anna took the proper seat. At that meeting, everyone discussed the massive issues they would need to resolve before Anna's new project was revealed to prevent controversies. This pertains to the incident of her kidnapping, Anna's photo with Bennet Crapp, and her decision to non-filing the case against the kidnappers. The organization must devise a strategy to convey that significant choice to her. Also, Silas declares that those responsible for the kidnapping of Anna are being investigated. Even though Silas occasionally asked Anna for comment throughout the discussion, she remained silent the whole time. Annalia, Donovan, and Silas were the only ones who remained in the room when the long meeting ended.

"You seriously hired a bodyguard, even if I don't want to," Anna began in the conference room's stillness. Silas frowned, but as he understands what Anna meant, his mouth curved into a smile.

"So you met him," Silas remarked with a grin. Anna looked at him, irritated.

"Dad, I really don't need a bodyguard; besides, you won't allow it to happen to me again; even if it's just your agreement that I won't refuse the security guards, I'll approve it, but don't give me a personal one," Anna complained gravely.

"That's why I'm sending you a personal bodyguard, so nothing horrible happens to you again, and I'll make sure that guy doesn't lose to you so you can be properly watched," he explained.

"I'm not a kid."

"Your reputation and career are rising, Anna; you have a lot of rivals, and given what occurred yesterday, it appears they've already commenced," Silas commented. Annalia instantly remembered the organization that conducted the kidnapping. They definitely capitalized on her celebration. They seem to be aware of Annalia's movements based on their actions. Anna fell silent when her Father said that and suddenly remembered what she had long planned and why she entered this industry.

Delatorre has likewise long since departed the Philippines. This contributed to Anna being more prepared for her plans and herself if she faced the Delatorre family again after three years. Anna had been silent and deep in thought for a minute when the door abruptly opened. Silas cracked a broad smile as he recognized who it was.

"Your bodyguard has arrived, Anna." When Anna watched the old gentleman's excitement, she rolled her eyes.

"I've already met him," Anna hissed under her breath.

"I'm sorry, I was late." The moment Anna heard that voice, her eyes widened with familiarity from it. She remembered the voice of the man she had been with earlier not being like that. That voice...I've heard that before...three years ago. A heavy and rich baritone voice. The voice is warm and enticing. Its tones are calming yet conjure up ideas of sensuality and shivers.

No way.

"Welcome, Mr. Adam Delatorre." 

Shit! How could she have forgotten that voice? The only voice she found to be oddly alluring and addictive from the moment they met. No, no. No way is this happening!