The Man I Call Strong

Chapter 16: My Bodyguard, My Angel

Tears pierce my eyes as I rock myself back and forth on the floor of my new bedroom in Mr. Strong's playground mansion. It was a miracle I didn't break down right in front of Mr. Strong.

"Aurora, are you alright? Rose called us and said you haven't been out of your bedroom since you came home." I hear Hannah's voice through the door. "I'm--" I sniffle. "--I'm fine... I just-- I-- I think I'm getting a cold." I lie through my teeth as I look back at the message on my phone.

How did he get my number? I grab onto my disheveled hair and pull in it, trying to rip it out of my head. The aching pain in my chest makes me hug my knees to my chest. "Aurora, come shopping with us. Ian told us that you need a fancy dress for the birthday party tomorrow night."

"You know-- I uh, I don't--- I don't think I'll go to the dinner tomorrow night." I try to push his voice out of my head. I try to push the screams out of my mind. But they kept echoing in my head.

What a sick monster.

When my mom was still alive, before my dad started drinking, we used to play a game. My sisters and I would run away from him and he'd pretend to be a dinosaur, chasing and tickling us everytime he'd catch up with us. He also used to say, "Daddy's gonna get you! Daddy's gonna get you!"

I cry even harder at the perfect memories I have of my father. But he died along with my mother, and then he was replaced by the devil.

"Come on, Aurora. You know you can tell us anything. What's wrong?" I sniffle and get up from my spot on the floor by the foot of my bed and fix myself a little before going to the door. After swinging the door open, I see worried faces looking at me. "Sorry, allergies." I say, covering up my red eyes. "So... You want to go shopping?" Laila asks. I smile and nod. "Sure."

* * *

We pull up to a large building that takes up most of the strip mall. My mouth opens, gaping at the magnificent building. "Wait until you get inside, Aurora. It's so amazing." Selena hangs in my arm like a little sister, and my mind slowly slips off to the most painful night of my life.

* * *

"Coral... Coral..." I shake my younger sister awake. She blinks a few times, growing accustomed to the flashlight that I'm shining on her small, thin figure. "You have to run now, Coral. Take Lilac and run." I stroke her face lovingly as she starts to cry. "I won't leave you, Aurora. Please don't make me." She grabs my arm and sobs softly. "No, Coral, we've discussed this. I'm the oldest, I'll protect my younger sisters. He's gone now, he's probably getting really drunk tonight. It's mama's anniversary. You have to run."

I pull my young sister to her feet and push the bag I packed for her into her arms. "You know where Uncle Seth lives. Go to him. He's moving in a week. Dad won't ever find you. Maybe one day I'll find you guys again." Coral sobs louder into my shirt. "I love you, Aurora." I smile, remembering to stay strong for my baby sister. "There's milk in the backpack for Lilac and apples and sandwiches in the pouch for you." Coral picks Lilac up as I walk them to the front door. "I love you, Coral. Never forget me. And make sure to watch out for Lilac. She might need help, her being deaf and all." Coral swipes a tear away and hugs me tighter. "I'll never forget you, Aurora." I let out a sob at the thought of letting go of the two most precious things in my life. "Run, before Daddy comes back." And the last thing I remember of my sister is small, shaking figure with a baby in her arms, walking into the darkness of the night. I've never cried harder then I did that night. I knew what was to come when he returned. I knew he would take it all out on me. And it's been like that ever since.

That is, until I ran away to college at sixteen.

* * *

I come out of my day dream, latched onto Selena with a violent grip. I look down and I'm relieved that Selena hasn't noticed my death grip on her arm.

All ten of us girls walk up to the store and push up the doors together. But we stop when we hear a light honk. We all turn and see a white Lamborghini pulling up in front of us.

The deep bass of a song thunders from the inside of the car. The music stops as two men in jeans, red t shirts and aviator glasses come out of the flawlessly white car. They both start walking towards us. "You're such a show off, Jay." The shorter one chuckles and pulls his glasses off. I dare say, Jay may be even handsomer than Mr. Strong. "Yeah... I know." I throw the thought to the fire when I get a look of the second man beside Jay, who I assume to be Mr. Strong.

To my confusion, Mr. Strong, has a stone, hard stare chiseled onto his features as he stares in my direction. My heart pumps at an erratic pace. What did I do? Why is he looking at me like that? "You forgot your body guards, Miss. LaRue." My gaping mouth is shut and I blush at my mistake. "Sorry, I- I'm not used to having a body guard, Mr. Strong. I guess I..."

"Consequences will be in line if you make this mistake again." I blush again and look down. Consequences? It takes all my strength not to start bawling and curl up in a ball in the corner. "Chill, Ian. Not everyone is so keen on having two muscles following them everywhere." Rowena scolds Mr. Strong. "Yeah, Ian. Besides, where's your bodyguards?" Selena comments snidely. Mr. Strong lifts the lapel of his jacket to reveal a small, silver pistol. I gasp and cover my mouth with a hand.

"Ugh, show off." Rowena scoffs and rolls her eyes. "Why do you have that?" I ask timidly. "It's because of me." Lana raises her hand shyly. "And Rowena. I'm a judge and she's a lawyer. We put people in jail and... well... they aren't exactly happy about that." The girls all giggle as they start to enter the store, resuming their conversations before Mr. Strong and Jay came. Jay follows the girls in, followed by Mr.
Strong. "So you're Rowena and Lana's body guard. Is that why you're always with us when we're out?"

"No." He answers curtly. I look at him, furrowing my eye brows. We enter the store. The cool air hits my skin as the girls start to walk around, giggling and admiring the different dresses. "Why, then?" I bring the topic back up. Mr. Strong looks down at me, removing his aviator glasses and tucks one of the arms in the v of his neck line. "Because I'm also your bodyguard, Aurora. It's my job to not only pay and employ you, but to protect you." My heart flutters and something constricts deep in my belly, but it feels pleasant in a way.

"You're my bodyguard?" I ask, making sure I heard him right. "Yes, Miss. LaRue, I'm not only your boss, but your bodyguard. I make it a point to protect all of my employees." I look down to the floor and blush. "Why do you protect me personally?" I look up to Mr. Strong as we following the chattering group of girls. "Because you're closer to me." My heart flutters again at his words. Just the answer I was looking for, to be honest. "Being my secretary, you're closer to me than many other employees." I chuckle and recall the message again. 'Maybe you should reconsider that bodyguard thing, girl.' I scoff slightly. No kidding. I should always remember to keep those muscles with me from now on.

I sigh inwardly as I sneak a peek at Mr. Strong. He really is an angel, isn't he? 'Yeah, he's your bodyguard and your angel. So... why don't you tell him?'