CHAPTER V: Hesitations

The meeting room turned silent. The five guys were in their seats, pondering and wondering what went wrong. Did they say something terrible to offend Alise? If so, that wasn’t their intention. 

They were tasked by their leader. The leader of the Ambroise family is a powerful family that controls a mafia group that started fifteen years ago. In the black markets, they were considered the ones no one should ever touch or mess with.  

But that didn’t mean no one would dare. There were many assassination attempts, but all failed because of how extremely professional and trained they were. 

As for the five guys, they are a part of the mafia raised to protect Alise from any danger. It was a matter of time before they introduced themselves to Alise since time was running out for them. 

The truth about Alise Ambroise being alive will shock the world, especially the enemies of the Ambroise Family. And because of that, Alise needs extra protection. 

Alise knew about her origins as part of the Ambroise Family. The one and only daughter of Franklin Ambroise. But Alise forced herself to not know anything. She liked her simple and free life, and she had Grace to fill the void.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t save Grace,” frowned Eric. “Though this is what she deserved. But still, the only one whom Miss will open up to is no longer here. It’s going to be tough on us.”

Everyone in the room agreed since there were so many things Alise didn’t know about. For instance, Grace’s real identity. 

“How do we tell her that Grace isn’t her real grandmother?” asked Eric, which caused the four other guys to sigh. “Is this our job to tell her? She at least deserves to know the truth.”

“Grace failed to do her mission,” the door opened wide, and entered Joshua alongside Wayne. “In the beginning, Grace shouldn’t have acted as the grandmother of the Miss, and Grace ran away from us.”

“She was just a child,” argued Eric. 

“I understand why Grace did that, even if they are orders. The Miss needed someone. But I agree with Joshua. Grace did something she shouldn’t have,” agreed Wayne while Eric frowned, not agreeing with them. 

“Orders are orders. As much as you hate it. I hate it as well. Everyone in this room hates it. We all do. But we need to repay his kindness. This is what we can do,” said Joshua. 

The seven guys in this room were all saved and picked up by Alise’s parents, specifically her father. The seven guys grew up as orphans but under the care of Alise’s father. 

“We know everything about her. But no one can tell what a person is thinking,” said Justin, who finally decided to speak up. “The Miss is afraid and confused of change.:

“To her, she was abandoned by her father. Honestly, if I were in her place, I would feel the same,” said Eric, who joked, “I don’t know how it feels like to be raised by parents since I wasn’t raised by one.”

“Eric, not the time to be funny,” Blake warns Eric, who apologizes. It gets scary when the team leader turns serious. 

“This is why we should change how we call and treat her. We do not treat her like some kind of VIP. Maybe we do, but not extreme. Treat her like a sister or try to know her. What she likes and dislikes,” said Randy, to which everyone agrees. “The five of you will be tasked to be friends with her. While Blake and I will treat her like a younger sister or whatever. As long as she becomes comfortable around us.”

As they all know what it feels like to be alone. They were lucky to have each other. Which is why they wanted to try and help her. 

“Despite all that, we should all remember we are still part of a mafia group, and she is someone we must protect no matter what. Be professional. I want you all to remember that” Blake reminds the six guys who agreed with him. “Dismissed, those who are working the night shift get prepared.”

It was midnight, and the bed ruffling continued for ten minutes. Alise shuts her eyes, but not a second passes, and she opens them back. She sighed and sat up, looking around, thinking of what to do. 

Her mind was filled with too many questions, preventing her from falling asleep. Her body felt heavy and tired, but she couldn’t fall asleep. She wanted answers, but no one was going to tell her. Unless she forces them to say it. 

Either way, Alise wanted to do something, but being in this room for hours made her feel sick. Her eyes trail at the reflection of water. The pool. She stood up, wondering how she could get there. But that meant stepping out of her room. 

In the end, Alise convinced herself to explore the mansion even if she were to get lost. What’s worse is she doesn’t have any sense of direction. Alise prepared herself mentally before heading out. She twisted the door knob trying to make the slightest noise as possible. 

Her footsteps were light and soft like a feather. She thanked whoever decided to give her slip-on slippers because of their material, which prevents someone from making loud noises. 

Alise found her way to the living room. There was a glass door that led her to the poolside. She smiled and made her way out of the house. She inhaled the fresh air and did a small dance. It was funny because Alise was proud of herself for sneaking out without anyone around her. 

“Wah… I’ve never seen a big pool like this!” Alise giggles in excitement and walks to the edge of the pool. 

Alise looks to her left and right before removing her slippers and dipping her legs into the pool. She smiled and even hummed a song. 

Honestly, who wouldn’t like a huge infinity pool in their backyard? Anyone would like it, especially to spend some quiet time alone. To add, there was a field beside the pool. 

“This feels nice,” muttered Alise.

“I agree!” 

Alise was about to scream, but a hand reached out and covered her mouth, preventing her from calling. Her eyes were shaking, not knowing who the person behind her was. 

“I-I am sorry about that. I’m harmless, I swear. So please don’t scream. You’re going to alert the other guys. It’s me, Eric,” he pointed at himself and removed his hand.

Alise looked back and gulped, thinking she was busted for being awake this late. Aside from that, Eric heard her humming. 

“W-why are you still awake?” Stuttered Alise as she looked away while another pair of feet joined her in the pool. 

“Because I couldn’t fall asleep?” Answered Eric. 

“Really?” 

“I lied,” Eric rubbed his neck. “I was working. I am currently working.”

“When it’s late at night?” Questioned Alise, who forgot about his identity. 

“Night shift. Protecting the house. I’m not the only one, but Kevin and Justin as well. But not this side.”

“Right…bodyguard,” Alise rolled her eyes and stared at the water. “What do you want from me?”

“Nothing. Thought it would be nice to accompany you,” answered Eric. 

The silence grew between them, not knowing what words to exchange. But either that, it wasn’t Alise plan to talk things out or what. It wasn’t like he was going to answer her if she asked him. To add, he looked around her age and maybe is. 

“So, what are you? Bodyguards hired by my father? If so, you look rather young.” Alise asked, breaking the silence. 

“You are half correct and half wrong,” chuckled Eric. “I, we’re a lot more dangerous. We’re involved with the dark market. Though we maintain peace inside the dark market. Punish those who try and break the rules of the underground.”

“What like a mafia?” Alise didn’t give Eric time to respond. “Father…no, that man wouldn’t be involved with the mafia.”

“I’ll say you’re right about me being young. I’m your age. So if I hope we can get along!” Eric offered his hand, asking for a handshake, which was a bit forced, but Alise didn’t hate it. 

Maybe it’s his personality to be this bubbly or energetic. Perhaps he didn’t think much about it. But it was comfortable around him, which felt nice.

“Yeah…” Alise shook his hand. “I hope as well. Right, then what about my school? I’m graduating, and I skipped a class. My perfect attendance is now destroyed.”

“Don’t worry about that. Randy has taken care of it. You should focus on your future. I’m sure it’ll be better and more fun.”

Fun? Future? Alise wasn’t sure about that. She didn’t experience the joy of being a high school student, and she didn’t plan to enter college and plans to work. But those were destroyed. At this point, she didn’t know what to do. 

“Do you like drawing?” Eric asked Alise, which caught her off guard. 

“I do…”

“Then I’m sure you’ll do fine,” assures Eric, who kicked the water, splashing Alise a bit. “My bad, I didn’t mean to splash you.”

“It’s alright. Though I prefer painting than drawing even if it’s the basics of the basics.”

“I accidentally looked through your drawers. While cleaning up. Uhm… I’m sorry!” Eric lowered his head. “But! You draw very well. It looks professional, and I brought home some of your brushes thinking you’ll need them.”

Alise felt her cheeks turning warm. But she was happy and didn’t care about others seeing her work even though. She didn’t like showing them. 

“You brought my brushes here? The brown ones.”

“I did. I brought everything. You mean the new-looking ones?” 

Alise didn’t hesitate as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Eric had his hands up, thinking if he should touch her, but in the end, he didn’t.

“The new-looking brushes were given by Grace. They are expensive. It is costly for grandmother to buy. I didn’t dare to touch them.”

“Oh…” his smile disappeared. “It’s getting late and cold you should head back to your room. I’ll escort you back.”