03.

Chapter Three

NaTHaLie

I trail behind dad, following him outside curiously.

"Having five bodyguards following you everywhere gets overwhelming at times, doesn't it?"

"Yeah..." I mumble not knowing where this conversation is leading to.

"That's why your mother and I decided to cut down the number of your bodyguards to just one." He concludes with a small smile.

"What?" I ask tossing my head in his direction in surprise. "Really?" It is too early to get excited, what if it is just a joke? "You aren't joking right?"

"No, I am not sweetheart." He assures, stopping in front of my bodyguards who are waiting beside my car.

"He got hired yesterday and damn, he's really good. I still can't believe he defeated Zachary in physical combat, he's also good with firearms." Dad says, clearly impressed.

If this guy really managed to impress him then he must be really good since dad is hard to impress.

"Meet Lou, your new bodyguard." Dad points at him. "You may not have noticed but he started work yesterday, he was the only one who didn't get tricked by your little disguise last night and it was through him we got to find you."

I gulp, my mouth is hanging open in shock, and my eyes are almost popping out of their socket when I spot a familiar face staring at me emotionlessly.

"Lou, I believe you are already aware that this is my daughter, Nathalie." My gaze is still locked on his, barely listening to what dad is saying. Unlike other bodyguards here who are always dressed in black suit, he stands out in his faintly faded blue jeans and white t-shirt. Is it possible for him to look any hotter? "I'm entrusting her in your care, so make sure you do your job well." Dad concludes in a firm voice.

"Yes sir," Lou replies, maintaining his firm posture.

"He underwent some tests personally handled by me and I was able to confirm that he's capable enough to protect you." Dad murmurs into my ear while patting my back softly. "The rest of you can go to Zachary, he'll assign you your new duties." He addresses my bodyguards -ex-bodyguards- and they chorused a 'Yes sir' before waking away.

Turns out that the hot jerk who saved me yesterday is Lou, my new bodyguard.

....~....

After bidding mom and dad farewell, Lou and I got into the car and off we go...to my place.

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, thinking of how to thank him for last night.

I clear my throat awkwardly, turning to face him. "Hmm, about yesterday..."

"If you are about to thank me for yesterday, there is no need. I was only doing what I was hired to do." He cuts in sharply.

I flinch, his rudeness catching me off guard.

"Thank you? No!" I huff like it's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

"No?" He asks in a bored tone stopping at a red light.

"No, why do I have to thank you I thank you for doing your job?" I roll my eyes glancing at the vibrating phone on my lap.

I pick it up and it's a text from Betsy.

Why are your bodyguards packing their stuff? Are you okay?

Yes, I'm fine. I'll explain when I get home.

I squeeze my fingers around my phone in anger when a text from Ethan comes in. I turn it off, not bothering to read it. I fight back my tears, still finding it hard to believe that he did that.

The sound of a door slamming shut brings me out of my reverie, I wait for Lou to come to my side to open the door for me but he instead makes his way to the car booth, carrying out stuff. What a jerk! I stomp out of the car not leaving behind my brand-new Louis Vuitton bag.

I am about to walk in, my gaze lands on a luggage bag beside him and I pause. Oh my! My eyes widen. Oh my! How come I haven't thought about this? If he is my bodyguard where is he staying? I hope it's not what I'm thinking.

"Wait! What are you doing with a luggage bag?"

He narrows his eyes at me. "Isn't it obvious? Your father hired me to protect you, he asked me to remain glued to your side always."

"And?"

"And to do that, I have to live with you."

"What?"

He ignores me, walking into the house with his luggage. I clench and unclench my fist, forcing myself to take a deep breath. He ought to let me walk in first dammit! What if someone is out there spying on me, waiting for the perfect moment to strike? How can he protect me with his back facing me? I'm starting to doubt he's as good as dad is making him seem.

"Hey!" I yell rushing after him.

"Hm...Nath?" Betsy calls her voice filled with uncertainty as she glances between me and Lou, probably wondering why a handsome, tall, and muscular guy is standing in our living room with his luggage.

Don't let his looks deceive you girl, he's a jerk! I roll my eyes mentally.

"Betsy." I rush to her side, pulling her into a hug. Her eyes are still on Lou, eyeing him like he's a piece of candy. "That's Lou, he's my new bodyguard and he'll be staying here with us."

"Really?" She drawls still staring at him. "Wait! What?" She asks finally snapping out of it. That's what I thought.

"Lou, this is my best friend and my roommate, Betsy."

"It's nice to meet you." He says with a polite nod, giving the whole place a silent inspection as if looking for anything suspicious or out of place.

"Nice to meet you too." She replies, twirling a lock of her hair on her finger seductively.

Don't even go there girl, you already have a boyfriend you're insanely in love with.

"By the way, your room is opposite Nath's. The first room to the left." She points towards the corridor.

Look at her acting all sweet and nice. I glare at her, burning holes into the back of her head while I spot Lou walking away with his luggage from the corner of my left eye...after muttering thanks.

Is it me or is he acting nicer and more polite to Betsy?

"Omg." Betsy squeals, dragging me to the bar stool by the kitchen island.

"What happened last night Nath? Your bodyguards were so mad when they eventually found out they have been following me not you, it was scary." She says with a sigh.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

"No, no, it's okay as long as you had a good time with Ethan." She teases with a smirk as she wiggles her eyebrows playfully.

Memories of last night came rushing back and I hang my head low, allowing my tears to fall again.

"Nath...you're crying.” She rushes closer confusion laced in her voice. “What happened?”

I cry harder.

"Why...did that scumbag hurt you in any way? I swear to god I'll hunt him down and rip his butt to pieces."

I can't hold back my lips as they stretch into a small smile. "No Betsy." He didn't hurt me as she meant, he hurt me emotionally.

I explained everything to her leaving out the part where I almost got kidnapped. I don't want her to live always scared watching her back. She's fuming at the end of the story.

"That son of a b-tch! I can't believe he is gay and he kept on leading you on."

"It was my fault, Betsy." I sob harder.

"What do you mean it was your fault? It was that scumbag’s fault." She stands, making her way to the fridge.

"I feel like a fool Betsy, we have been together for six months and I had no idea." God that hurts, it hurts so much. I clench my chest hard, sobbing harder. I wonder how I was able to bottle it all in before.

She comes back carrying a big bowl of ice cream with two spoons in it. "Let it all out dear, let it all out." She urges passing me some tissue papers.

I take it from her wiping my tears and blowing my running nose in it, I probably look like a mess right now. My wandering eyes suddenly land on Lou leaning against the kitchen entrance with his hands in his pocket, his always emotionless face hard. He looks furious but I can't be sure, why is he so hard to read? I held his gaze, watching his face become blank.

God, I feel so embarrassed, please tell me he just got here. Tell me he didn't hear everything! I groan burying my face in my palm already planning how to murder him in my head. Before I can say a word, he has already turned back, leaving the entrance.

I sigh, physically and emotionally exhausted to go after him.

"How about we binge-watch some series and eat ice cream till our stomachs are about to burst?" Betsy suggests bringing me out of my reverie.

I laugh giving her a small nod.

"Now stop sulking and follow me." She says leading me to the living room.

This is going to be a loong night. I sigh and take a seat beside her my mind still on Lou and the look he had on his face earlier.