CHAPTER IV: The Guys

As the sun began setting, the mansion was filled with young men’s voices. Their shoes were aligned by the front door. Despite all that, Alise still locked herself inside the room. She dared not leave her room or go around the house for a short tour. She was still confused and trying to absorb everything. But it was too much for her.

Alise could hear muffled voices by her door, and all the more it scared her. As long as she could remember, she had always been alone. Barely having a single friend or someone to talk to. Thus, meeting new people always scared her. What if they don’t like her? What if they don’t get along with each other?

Alise sighed out loud, not knowing what she was doing. She wanted to go back home. She wanted to go back to her old life. She doesn’t want this fancy mansion or room or what. She wanted her grandmother, who was never coming back.

Three knocks on the door, and Alise didn’t bother opening the door, knowing it was Randy who was calling her for dinner.

“Miss Alise, it’s time for dinner.”

And she was right. He wanted to call her for dinner to introduce her to the others. But calling her Miss made her feel a bit awkward. After all, she isn’t used to it.

“Please go ahead. I’m not hungry,” Alise responded, covering herself with the blanket.

“I cannot allow you to starve later tonight,” insisted Randy. And he was right. To add, Alise doesn’t know her way around this mansion.

Alise decided to act mature and just deal with it. She had to remember they saved her from danger. If Joshua didn’t save her, Alise would have been dead. But because of that, she didn’t understand why they didn’t save her grandmother. After all, she still is part of the Ambroise Family.

Alise crawled out of the blanket and stepped out of the room. Randy flashed her a smile, knowing it was a pain to listen to others.

On the other hand, Alise was distracted by her surroundings. The interior is stunning. It is not what she expected.

It was minimalistic and bright. White marble floor, light grey painted walls, and a small inner balcony, showing the sofa on the first floor. The stairs were in spiral form, but the steps were big enough for at least four people to step on at the same time.

“I’m surprised,” Alise sniffed the air. “New furniture? Has this mansion never been occupied?”

“You’re right. It has been at least a month since I’ve moved in here with the other guys.”

“I also noticed. The outside seems away from the city.”

“It’s just an illusion. We’re still around the main city. Also closer to the academy.”

“The academy?” Alise questioned Randy since she never heard of that place, or maybe she did, but not really.

“Yes, the academy. You’ll know more about that soon.”

Again, there was no answer.

They reached the dining hall, which was quite big for one, and there was a round table. But why were four other men standing on the side as if they were waiting for someone? Alise lowered her head, not knowing what to do, feeling awkward around them.

They looked around her age, but some looked younger. Alise was about to pull a chair out, but Randy insisted on doing it for her. Wow. What a gentleman. Now what? Everyone wasn’t saying a single word, not even Randy.

Alise glances at Randy, hoping he will understand that she needs help and he understands her call. Randy sat down, and the other guys followed but moved like robots.

“You guys…why are you acting so formal?” Randy questioned them, and he, just like Alise, was surprised. Even the leader of this group was acting very professionally. “Don’t tell me you all are nervous…”

Randy sighed out loud and was kind of disappointed, yet at the same time, he thought this was a good memory for him to taunt the guys in the future. He could see it in the near future. He could see himself making fun of the guys for being unlike themselves.

“My name is Blake Stone. You can call me Blake. I’m their leader and the oldest of the team, so if you need anything from me, you can go to me or to Randy.”

Blake Stone. He has black hair, and bangs parted in the middle, showing a bit of his forehead. He does look like the oldest. She wouldn’t pick him if Alise had to choose who to accompany her. His eyes were fierce-looking, which frightened her a bit.

“Justine Malte. I mostly handle technology-related.”

Justin Malte. His appearance looked neat. He had a side fringed cut, grey-colored eyes, round eyes, and small lips. He seems quiet and attractive. From his actions, he has low energy.

“Justin is very quiet, but once you both warm up to one another. I’m sure he’s going to be the best person you’ll want to hang around with,” added Randy while Justin avoided his gaze.

“Kevin Cartson! We’re around the same age. I guess. Uhm, what I’m good at is playing video games. Do you play video games? If you don’t, I can teach you a few things.”

“Sure…” Her voice trailed off.

Kevin Cartson. An actual good guy, but he was way too energetic for Alise to handle. An introvert like her wouldn’t be able to hold his energy. He does make a good companion on a long car ride. Overall, he doesn’t look like a bad person.

“Eric Cartson. The twin of Kevin, younger than him by a few seconds. We don’t look alike since we are not identical twins. I’m younger than him, probably by a point two sec. Diff? How about playing sports? Do you like playing sports? You look weak. Should let you gain a few muscles.”

“Eric…” sighed Randy, not knowing how to stop his mouth.

Eric Cartson, just like his twin Kevin, looks pretty energetic. But looks a bit more athletic by looking at his arms. Just like his brother, they have green eyes and light brown hair. But one must admit that they both need a haircut.

“The twins can be a bit too energetic, so if you think they’re being too loud or what around the house, you can tell them to shut their mouths. They’re going to listen to you. Well, not at the other guys, so…” said Blake as his voice trailed off the last word. He cleared his throat and looked at Randy, “The other two will come a bit later. They went back to HQ to report.”

“Starting today, the five well, seven of us will be in charge of your safety. Also, your father had asked for you,” Blake informed Alise, who frowned.

“My father?” Asked Alise. “Why would he find me now? And who are you people? You all act as if you know me when you don’t.”

“We’ve only read your profile and have been watching you for the past five months. We’ve been tasked by your father to protect you and become your friend,” answered Blake, and Alise clenched her fist.

Friend? Close friend? Protect? So they’re saying that the only reason why they were treating her this way was because they were ordered and hired by her father. Does that mean everything they’re doing and saying is fake?

Alise didn’t need friends. She told herself countless times that being alone is much better than having a family or a friend. Back in high school, no one liked her because she didn’t try making friends.

Alise didn’t want to build this so-called special bond with others. All she wanted was her grandmother, and that’s it. She didn’t need her parents, who abandoned her.

FIFTEEN YEARS. Fifteen years without seeing each other. Not a single letter or note or interaction. Nothing, and now her father tells her to go see him? Does her father think Alise is going to allow this? Of course not.

“No,” Alise said firmly and continued, “Tell him to come see me. I won’t go find him. And tell him to fire you all. I don’t need any of you.”

Alise stood up and walked out of the dining room. Who cares about dinner? Anger took away her hunger. But telling them they would get fired was too much. Still, it was too much for her.

They are still strangers.

The guys looked at each other, not knowing what to say because they were trying to be comfortable around her. It was their job to protect her, but what they wanted more was to become friends with her.

“I think you’ve said too much,” Randy told Blake, who thinks his actions were wrong. “She’s lost Blake. You can’t expect someone to adjust too easily. To add the leader…”

The expression on their faces grew dark, knowing what Randy was about to say.

“I know, but how will you break the news to her? Besides, she cannot forever act this way. Her life is so important. Her existence will blow the earth,” Blake answered back.

As the whole world knows. The Ambroise family had lost their one and only daughter in an accident. They deemed her deceased, but the truth is that she is still alive and well. As she continues to live, other families will find the truth about her existence and kill her.