Dulling Glisters of the Diamond (Casa Fuego Series #5)

Chapter 5

Make Love

I can't believe this! How come he is my bodyguard when he is the head of their Manriquez Group? Sa dinami-rami ng tauhan niya, bakit siya pa ang kinuha ng mga magulang ko?

"So he won't be a full time bodyguard to me? It doesn't make sense!" I fired.

Lumapit si Mama sa akin at hinawakan ang aking braso. I know it was a warning touch because I was already losing my cool. Huminga ako nang malalim at bumaling kay Papa para humingi ng kasagutan.

"He will be a bodyguard to you when you're in a crowdy place, or when you go somewhere outside our estate. If not or if he's busy, some of his men will replace him. Nagkataon lang na imbitado rin siya ng Lola mo. At kaysa naman may nakasunod sa'yo na unipormadong tauhan, na alam kong ayaw mo, siya na lang muna ang magbabantay sa'yo."

I scoffed out of disbelief. Julius playfully arched both his brows on me. Halos irapan ko siya.

I know that I will have bodyguards but I didn't expect him to be one of them. I can't imagine a day with him! Baka magtalo lang kami buong araw! And he's too flashy for a bodyguard. I can only imagine the extra extra attention I'd get because he is my bodyguard!

"After what happened, I just want the best and most experienced for you, hija. And since Julius is fine with this set up, we grabbed the opportunity. Besides, at least you can befriend your bodyguard," Mama persuaded me.

Gusto kong matawa. Ngumuso rin si Julius para magpigil ng ngiti. He moved a bit and his signet ring shone when a light hit it. His movements were fluid but also magnets attention. How can he be my bodyguard?

Mama sighed and turned to Papa. Alam na agad ni Papa ang tingin na 'yon.

"Let's go inside because it's getting cold here. Besides, we're already late for the soiree," Mama declared.

Nagpupuyos pa rin ako at mabigat ang paghinga. Hindi naman ako galit. Pero kapag naiisip ko ang isang araw na kasama siya, hindi na ako makahinga. Not because he's suffocating to be with, but because he's too much in a different way.

"Grace, hija..." Mama called.

Mariin akong nakatitig kay Julius habang mapilyo lamang siyang tumingin pabalik. Papa held Mama's waist and guided her to walk. Nagpadala si Mama kaya naiwan kaming mag-isa rito.

The moment my parents were out of sight, he chuckled and drank on his liquor again. Naglakad siya palapit sa barandilya habang ako ay nagpupuyos na sumunod sa kanya.

"I don't want you as my bodyguard!" I fired.

"I am not your bodyguard all the time, Grace. If that'll make you feel better."

"Why did you agree to my parents? I am sure they asked a favor from you and you had the liberty to deny! Marami kang trabaho, hindi ba?"

"I miss the field, Grace, and I found this opportunity so I grabbed it. My being a CEO required me to drop information about me so I can't join my men on operations. This is the closest to being back in the field so I agreed."

My jaw clenched. Napatingin ako sa signet ring niya habang umiinom siya ng kanyang alak. Ang kapilyuhan ay dama sa kanyang mga mata.

"I just really hope that you're always busy so your men will replace you! At ngayon pa talaga na may balak akong magtrabaho sa kompanya! I can't believe this!"

"What's the big deal, Grace? You can always not talk to me or treat me like your shadow," mapaglaro niyang sinabi.

Natigilan ako. Right. What's the big deal, Grecianna?