Chapter 4

Jake

I ran a hand over my face to check if something was stuck there but came up with nothing. 

Then I realized that she just came through the path that leads to only Celina's office. Well then maybe I'd get some answers from her.  I was on my way to her office before that woman ran into me. 

" Mike says he needed the file concerning the accident and I thought I would just tell you myself instead of using the intercom." 

I said as I went into Celina's office and took a sit. She didn't bother to look up from whatever she was doing. I guess someone was used to me barging into their office.

" I will get to that Jake. You didn't need to trouble yourself by coming here." She said barely sparing me a glance making me sigh.

"I'm sorry about not being more careful but you know I have to give this my all Celine," I said running my hands through my hair making them messy.

She finally looked up and just stared at me before she sighed and leaned back in her chair.

" I understand the fact that you need to find her by all means but that doesn't mean you should risk your life at everything time. I've lost both your parents and her and I don't want to lose you too. You're like my own child too Jake. You're family." She blinked back the tears in her eyes when I nodded and smiled.

" I know that. You're my family too."

" Well if you understand that as you should then the case is solved."

" Finally! I couldn't take any more cold shoulder from you, it scares me a little."

" A little? Right." 

She chuckled. Being old didn't stop her from being as beautiful as ever. It fits her perfectly.

"Speaking of scaring people, was a woman just here before I came in? Because there was a woman who I bumped into and she looked like a scared cat for a second when she saw me. She looks familiar too." She raised her brows then frowned slightly.

"Well that would be the new candidate for your bodyguard and I wouldn't say she looked like a scared cat. She looked capable to me though."

"That would explain why she looked familiar but do you think that woman is the right choice? I mean she looks fragile."

"Jake there's nothing fragile about that woman. She has served in the army and has a seal on her file when I researched deeper. She works as a freelancer for security companies so I think you should find a good excuse if you do not like her."

" But I was -" I was cut off by the glare she was shooting at me daring me to finish my statement which wasn't going to happen since I didn't want a smack to the head right now.

"What I meant was she's impressive and she would do. So kindly employ her and please don't hit me." 

She nodded satisfied with my response.

"Well that's good then and how can an old woman like me dare to hit someone as rich as you who is also my boss. I wouldn't want to get fired."

I let out a breath of relief and she chuckled softly knowing that had never stopped her from doing what she liked when she wanted.

"Well, then I wouldn't want to hold you up any longer," I said as I quickly made my exit from her office, her laughter trailing behind me. Yes, I admit that woman terrifies me a little, maybe a lot but it was nothing to brag about.

Ashley

I continued hitting the punching bag while picturing my face on it.  I almost ruined everything by acting like an idiot when I saw Jake.

I had planned the moment I would meet him over and over in my head and what happened back there wasn't part of the plan. I hoped I hadn't messed anything up with the way I had acted, he probably thought I was a nut case already.

    I sighed and stopped hitting the innocent bag opting for water to quench my thirst. I needed it to calm down.

I looked around the makeshift training room and office I made out of the basement of the little house I rented. I had made sure it was close to Jake's house and company after doing my research to make my job easier for me.

I walked to the desk I put in for work located on the other side of the room and reviewed my plan again. It wouldn't hurt if I reviewed it one more time. As I was about rounding up, my phone dinged. 

I picked it up and saw that it was an email from the company. I had gotten the job as expected and I was to report to work the next day but I didn't feel happy as a normal person should, I felt like I was preparing myself for doom.

I walked into the secretary's office the next morning and she smiled as she saw me come in.

    "Good morning Mrs. Thompson," I said I she gestured for me to have a sit.

     " You're here early! I was just about to go to boss' office and by the way, I would love it if you call me Celina, Mrs. Thompson makes me feel old."

She said rolling her eyes. I could picture myself being friends with her if I was a normal person but I wasn't so I just nodded with a small smile.

   "Let me take you to the boss' office so you get to know each other more." She leads the way to Jake's office while I took in my surroundings.

    Celina knocked briefly on a door presumably Jake's office and went in leaving the door open for me. Immediately I got in I locked eyes with him, he was talking to a man sitting before him and they seemed very close with the cordial atmosphere between them.

I knew my face was blank by the way he raised his brows at me. He probably thought something was up with me. He looked away from me and smiled at Celina.

     

      "Good morning Jake meet your new personal bodyguard and morning to you too Mike not like you're happy to see me anyways."

I  turned towards the other man in the room, I recognized him as Jake's best friend, and from the file, I read about him there was nothing special about him apart from the fact that he's a cop and a secret agent at that, not a piece of information he would have wanted me to know that but what can I say, I'm pretty good at my job. He was looking at me with an intrigued look but he shook his head and looked at Celina with a smile. Weird.

        "Awn... Celina don't be like that now. I've been busy with work and I haven't gotten a free time to check up on you. I'm sorry, forgive me?" He said with an adorable puppy face which would have been laughable if he wasn't darn good at it.

      "Alright I forgive you and you should give Jake here pointers on how to suck up to a woman, he needs it." She said giving Jake a pointed look before going out the door.

         "I think she's still upset with you, maybe I should give you pointers as she said," Mike said giving Jake a playful wink. 

         "Not on your life," Jake said with a frown before acknowledging my presence in the room. Finally.

         

           "You should be Elena Davis. I don't know what Celina sees in you but you still have to prove yourself to me for us to be able to work together considering your reaction yesterday." 

         "You guys have met? That was quick and why didn't you tell me that?" Mike said this time facing Jake. Were they ever going to let me talk? Probably never.

      " She bumped into me yesterday after her interview I think and I didn't know I was supposed to tell you everything that happens to me." Jake replied and I cut Mike off before he finished replying to him. They were making me mad.

        " If you two would let me talk today that would be nice!" I snapped at them causing them both to look towards me with varying emotions on their faces.

Jake was surprised while Mike was amused. Shit! I wasn't going to lose my composure but they were infuriating.