FEMALE LEAD SERIES BOOK 1: HIRED GUN

Chapter 18 - Paparazzi

ANDRIETTE LOUISE DE VERA

We arrived shortly after the whole conversaion with the Director. Madeline was the first one to 'comfort' me the moment we all stepped down the car. Eveyone followed suite. Jake, Jay, Mr De Leon. And yes, even the Driver. It warmed my heart a little, not gonna lie. It made me happy that they didn't look at me with disgust in their eyes.

Nobody said anything when we made our way through the bustling airport. Parents trying to put their children in a leash, angry business men arguing with the security for being late, emotional teenagers leaving their family to discover shit.

The usual.

Though, it's a little too weird seing lot's of people this early.

Security let us pass easily. And like the Director said, the security didn't mind my extra baggage. They didn't ask questions as they let me enter, only saying a brief 'good-luck' and 'take care'.

Mr De Leon kept his pace quick. He didn't spare anyone a glance as he boarded, what I would assume, is a private plane.

Everyone got settled quickly. Jake was already seated and was looking out of the window. Madeline was briefing Mr. De Leon with his schedules. And Jay was already fast asleep, earphones nestled snugly in his ears.

I set my bag on the empty seat beside my and leaned backwards on the soft seat. Before takeoff I sent a quick prayer to God to help us fly safely. And before I knew It, we were taking off, the airport getting smaller as we ascended further in the clouds.

"Andriette" I felt myself being shook awake. I snapped my eyes open, only to be greeted be the forest green eyes I have been familiar with. Instantly, my body straightened, alert. I ignored the jet lag my body was currently enduring and took my bag, slinging it behind me.

Jay walked ahead of me. I noticed that we were the only ones left in the plane. I let my eyes wonder, and instantly, my hands shot out to my mouth, relief flooded my veins when I noticed my mask was still intact. Director would fucking kill me if I forgot my mask right this moment.

Why you ask?

There's a whole crowd of Paparazzi outside the airport.

"Ah fuck" I heard Mr. De Leon grumble. I took my place beside him, standing tall and rigid. Paparazzi's are absolutely dangerous. And not to mention, a pain in the ass. Thankfully, airport security was already one step ahead of us. They were blocking the raging females outside. Making a clear pathway for us to walk.

I fell in step with Mr. De Leon as we speed walked, exiting the safety the airport offered and jumping into the pit of raging female hormones. Bright flashing lights greeted us, as well as screaming and squeals from the crowd. As expected, the sea of females pushed against the solid bodies that was protecting us from getting ran at. I glanced behind me and saw Jake and Jay caging Madeline with their arms. Preventing any arms from grabbing her.

News reporters shouted ridicolous questions at Mr. De Leon. In which, none of them were answered.

"Mr. De Leon! what brings you to Paris?"

"Where is your brother!?"

"Mr. De Leon! Are you with someone right now?"

"Are you meeting your girlfriend here!?"

"Who is she!?"

Instinctively, I pulled Mr. De Leon closer to my side and held out my hands in a makeshift barrier when one of the crazed reporters managed to slip out of the airport's security. I felt the man beside me tense as I held his elbow tightly, but I didn't pay attention to him. I kept my eyes locked at the girl infront of me, a microphone in one hand and a clipboard in the other.

"Mr. De Leon Is she your girlfriend!?" 

The lady came nearer and shoved her petite body nearer. She threw herself at Mr. De Leon, but before they even made contact, I had her arm pinned in my grasp. One of her hands managed to reach me while she wildly shook her limbs in an attempt to shake me off her.

"Goodness, how desperate are these people?" I muttered to myself and moved her to the side. Gently, I placed my hand on Mr. De Leon's back and pushed him forward. After a few scratches and profanities (directed to me) later, we finally reached the SUV Mr. De Leon had called for. We all made our way inside. In a haste, I didn't get to go up front. I just slammed the door shut and sat myself next to the stiff man beside me.

I breathed an audible sigh of relief when I noticed the crowd of Paparazzi getting smaller and smaller. Some tried to chase at us, but allas, they all stumbled together and face planted to the ground like the bunch of idiots that they are.

"That was hell" Jake piped up from behind. I turned around and locked my eyes with everyone before looking at the man beside me before asking;

"Is anyone hurt?"

A series of no's and grunts were heard. I gave a nod and leaned back on the seat. Relieved that everyone managed to escape unscathed.

"You have scratches" I heard a deep rumble beside me. I looked to my left and met blue, guarded eyes.

"It's nothing, sir" I run my fingers softly through the 4 scratches. I wouldn't have noticed it if nobody told m it was there. I had build up a high pain tolerance, mere scratches like these didn't even feel anyhting anymore.

"I should've alerted the airport about our landing. Security didn't do a good job" he muttered to himself.

"We're here, sir" the driver piped up infront. I opened the door and took in my suroundings. We were in a huge private property. I would assume we were in a private property. Walls were built around the clean patch of land. Bushes were neatly planted on every corner, all in good condition as they were all perfectly carved into circles and squares. I turned to the other side and saw a mansion that looked really familiar.

"It's been a while since I've been here" I heard Jake say as he streched his limbs.

I then noticed the striking similarities this mansion had with Mr. De Leon's mansion back home.

"Let's go" I followed them from behind as we made our way towards the cream and silver colored building. Unlike the one back in the Philippines, this mansion had fewer staff. Only four maids were present. And no guards could be seen around the perimeter. It concerned me. If something were to happen, we would be alone. Yes, we were in the city of Paris, but if were to pretend that someone managed to find our location and ambush us, they have a good chance of surviving. Which is all that matters.

I said they. Who knows if I could take on ten men at once? or more?

The maids quickly greeted their boss with a smile. Three of the maids had already taken our bags and placed them in separate guest rooms.

"Should I serve breakfast now sir?" the last maid asked Mr. De Leon, but her eyes were casted downwards, fear and respect could be the only reasons why.

Unless she's blind.

"We would like to rest for a bit" he dismissed her with a wave of a hand. The maid nodded her head before scurrying off, disappearing behind the cream colored walls.

We followed Mr. De Leon as he directed us to our temporary bedrooms. The moment he gave me mine, I instantly twisted the doorknob and closed it with a sigh. The first thing I noticed was that my duffle bag was in the middle of the queen sized bed. I locked my door and made my way towards it. I opened it and gave it a once over. When I was certain nothing was lost, I placed in beside the bed, letting it drop to the floor with a muffled thump .

I groaned out and stood up, hastily turning off the lights before jumping towards the bed, the jet lag finally taking a toll on me. It didn't take long before I was lights out, wishing nothing more but a few hours of sleep despite the sun already rising.

_____

Have you guys ever visited another Country before?

And yes, I chose Philippines because I love my Country.