Chapter 3: The Bodyguard

I think that I just made the biggest mistake of my life. Why did I ever fall for my grandfather's cheap old trick? I am such an idiot! After agreeing to join the El Latro Corporation, I was brought to the safe house with my bodyguard. We were instructed to stay there until they made the necessary arrangements to prepare me for the succession. My grandfather wants to teach me the ways of the organization and how they run it before they formally introduce me to the members and associates of El Latro.

It had been a long day, and I was exhausted. It's difficult to sleep when all I can think about is the face of the woman I murdered. I am not a criminal, and it's not easy to move on when your hands have been tainted with blood. Even when I'm in bed, I'm restless and tired. Memories from the previous incidents kept flashing through my mind. I decided to get some air, and when I turned around to get up in bed, I was shocked to see Athena standing beside my bed.

"Athena, you startled me!" I said surprisingly. I crossed my hands over my chest. My heart is pounding so loudly that it almost jumps out of my chest. "What are you doing here?" I asked curiously.

"I just want to make sure that you are okay, master," she answered me with a straight face.

"Did she just call me master? Sounded like music to my ear," I said to myself. "I'm okay. Go to your bed and sleep. Don't ever try to sneak up on me like that again," I said in a commanding tone.

"I won't be able to sleep until I know you are safe from harm," she insisted.

"Well, since I'm not in danger, you can relax now and go to sleep," I instructed her.

She was a bit hesitant at first, but then she obeyed my orders when she saw me seriously glaring at her. She hurriedly went to her room and closed the door. I got out of bed and went outside to get some air. I look around to see where we are, and all I can see are tall trees and mountains.

I have no idea where we are right now because the Cerberus men are fond of wearing blindfolds and putting black cloths over our heads to prevent us from knowing where they are taking us. Nevertheless, it is so peaceful, and I'm pretty sure that we are in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by tall trees in the forest.

I was sitting on the wooden benches, admiring the scenery, when I heard the creaking sound of footsteps on the wooden floor. When I turned around, Athena was standing in the doorway, staring at me.

"What are you doing here? I told you to go to your room and sleep." I took a deep breath and let out a sigh of irritation.

"I can't, master. I must keep an eye on you and be by your side at all times to make sure that you are safe from harm," she said with a blank expression on her face.

"Seriously?" I said it in disbelief, glaring at her. I am not used to being followed around, which is why I never had any bodyguards before. She’s starting to get on my nerves.

"I am always serious, master. I am not capable of making jokes," she replied seriously. "I am trained to defend and protect you, master, not to make you laugh," she added without a flinch.

"Unbelievable!" I shook my head and made a facepalm. She sounded like a broken record, and arguing with her is useless. I got up from the bench and went inside. "I'm returning to my room. You should also go to your room and rest." I gave her the order.

Athena didn't say a word and simply followed my instructions. My body was not able to handle the exhaustion, and I was able to sleep soundly. It was already noon when I woke up, and when I opened my eyes, Athena was standing beside my bed, staring at me.

I'm not sure how long she's been standing there, but it creeps me out. She appears to be a psychopath studying my human anatomy based on the way she looks at me.

"Good morning, master. How is your sleep?" She asked politely, smiling at me so sweetly.

"How long have you been standing there? Did you ever get some sleep?" I asked inquisitively while rubbing my blurry eyes to properly see her.

"I only sleep a few hours, just enough to restore my energy. I want to make sure that..." I cut her off before she even finished her sentence because I already knew what she was about to say.

"Yeah, I know. You only want to make sure that I am safe from harm," I replied sarcastically.

I examined her from head to toe, and no matter how I looked at her, I couldn't figure out why my grandfather appointed her as my bodyguard. She doesn't appear to be strong or capable of causing harm to anyone. How could she possibly guard me? Is she going to kill them with her stunning appearance, seductive eyes, and killer smile? It simply does not make sense.

I jumped out of bed and went to the bathroom. I was about to undress when I noticed her standing in the doorway, staring at me.

"Is she for real?" I thought to myself. "She is following me everywhere I go, even inside the bathroom," I said in disbelief.

I want to test her and see how far she will go to follow me. I'm not sure if she's pretending to be naive or simply doesn't understand the concept of boundaries and privacy.

Slowly, I undressed in front of her. One by one, I toss my clothes on the floor and see how she reacts. She just stood there and watched me with a blank expression on her face. She did not even flinch. What kind of woman is she? I'm a little offended because girls would normally react when they saw my naked body. Is she not attracted to me? For a brief moment, she undermined my confidence and caused me emotional damage.

"Would you mind coming along with me while I take a bath? I don't feel safe inside the shower. I might slip, trip, or fall while taking a bath," I said flirtatiously, even acting cute to seduce her.

"As you wished, master," she said without hesitation and went inside the bathroom. All of a sudden, my confidence has been restored! I suppose I don't look so bad after all.

"You need to remove your clothes or you'll get wet," I reminded her. I couldn't help but smile, expecting her to blush as a result of what I said.

"As you wished, master." She immediately stripped off all of her clothes after saying those words, exposing her stunning figure in front of my eyes. Is she attempting to seduce me on purpose? Because if she does, she has had my unwavering attention from the moment I first laid eyes on her. I can't stop staring at her, and it's not bothering her at all. Her blank expression remains consistent.

I acted normal and opened the shower and let the water flow from it. She watched me bathe like it wasn't a big deal. I was trying to get a reaction out of her, teasing her and hoping that she would somehow feel awkward and uneasy, but it was quite the opposite. I am the one who is feeling uneasy and conscious.

I turned around to face her and slowly walked toward her. I pinned her to the wall, with my body pressing onto her, my chest feeling her big, round breast, and my fully erect member rubbing against her private part while looking straight into her eyes. I was hoping that she would say something or push me away, and yet I get nothing out of her. She did not even flinch or react.

"Who or what are you?" I muttered.

"I don't understand the question, master," she answered with confusion.

"Are you even a human being?" I murmured.

Terror descended on me, and my mind began playing tricks on me, imagining all the possibilities. With the way she moves and reacts, Athena is not an ordinary human. She could be anything but human, for all I know. I hurriedly finished my shower and went back to the bedroom to grab some clothes to put on. Then I went to the study room and looked for the landline. I was dialing my cousin's number when Athena showed up.

"Is there something wrong, master?" she worriedly inquired.

"There is nothing wrong. I'll simply call my cousin." My defiance masked my fear.

"We are not allowed to make an outside call because the enemy could track your call and compromise our location," she explained carefully.

"It's just my cousin and the call is very important. I promised I wouldn't take too long," I said in a shaky voice. "Why don't you prepare something to eat? Can you cook?" I need her to leave me alone for the time being so that I can talk to my cousin privately.

"Yes, master. I know how to cook," she said, leaving the room.

I dialed my cousin's number as soon as she left the room. Red Dict is one of the most intelligent people I know. He manages our telecommunications company. He is the one I can rely on when it comes to science and advanced technology.

"Dude, I think my bodyguard is a robot," I said in a low tone so that Athena would not hear me.

"Are you referring to Athena?" he asked me curiously.

I am no longer surprised if he is aware of it. Rumor spreads so fast on Bendoveh Island, and if my cousin is a member of the organization, I'm sure he is the first to know about Athena.

"Yes, she is behaving strangely," I confirmed.

"She is a hundred percent human, that I guarantee you," Red reassured me.

"So, why does she have reactions, emotions, and feelings? Is she that naive? She's not even blinking." I expressed my concern.

"Okay, I'm not supposed to tell you this because it's classified information, and we're still investigating it. According to our sources, a dangerous weapon is being exchanged between a powerful corrupt politician and the Routiers, which is the name of the League of Assassins, and the trade will take place in one of our mining tunnels," he went on to say.

"I'm confused. What does it have to do with Athena?" I asked confusedly.

"Our organization was able to intercept the trade, and the said weapon of destruction in question was none other than Athena. According to my source, she has been undergoing intensive military training since she was a child. She is imprisoned in the facility where she is being trained to be a super soldier, and for her to be effective at her job, they implanted a microchip in her brain that is linked to her amygdala, thalamus, and nociceptors to prevent her from experiencing sensations and emotions." He patiently explained it to me.

I suddenly felt a stinging pain in my heart. I'm carrying a heavy burden of guilt and remorse for what I did to her earlier. I have no idea what she has been through or how much pain she has endured.

"When I first saw her, she was intubated and placed in a capsule. We told her that you were her master and that she would obey all of your wishes and demands when we woke her up," he went on to explain.

"What if she discovers that I am not her true master? Is she going to murder me?" I inquired, curious and concerned.

"She is programmed to be loyal to her master, so you are safe for the time being. Don't worry; your grandfather assigned me to study more about her. I'm still gathering information, so bring her to me if you have time so I can check her microchip. That's all I know about her for the time being," he stated.

"Thank you very much, dude; that's very helpful." There are still many unanswered questions in my mind, but Red was capable of addressing some of my major concerns about Athena.

"One more thing, Junior, please be gentle with her. She's been through a lot and didn't have a typical childhood; she may have grown up in a world of torture and hardship. Just don't make it difficult for her, okay?" His voice is filled with sadness and concern.

"I will, thanks!" I hung up the phone after saying those words.

I went to the kitchen to see Athena preparing a hot pot meal for me. It was obvious that cooking is not her strong suit, so I decided to step in and continue cooking before our lunch turned into dog food.

She assisted me in setting the table and preparing the food. She only put out one set of plates and cutlery, so I went to the kitchen to get another.

"Come and join me to eat," I invited her.

"Are you sure, master?" she asked, perplexed.

I'm sure she hasn't had a friend since being imprisoned in a training facility and forbidden from expressing her feelings and emotions. She is not allowed to be attached to anyone, and since all she has ever known is pain and torture, she was most likely never treated with kindness.

"Of course. The food tastes better if it's shared," I said, with a smile on my face.

She sat at the table in front of me, and despite her blank expression, her eyes never lied. Her hazel eyes sparkle brilliantly. This could be her first time being treated with kindness, respect, and dignity.

"Athena, next time, call me Junior," I said to her.

"Why, master?" She kept her gaze fixed on me as she awaited my response.

"Because you and I are now friends as of today." I winked at her and smiled broadly at her.

I placed my hand over hers. I gently squeezed her hand and noticed that her hand suddenly turned cold, wet, and clammy. I guess deep down inside, she is still human after all.