FEMALE LEAD SERIES BOOK 1: HIRED GUN

Chapter 28 - Cris (EDITED)

ANDRIETTE LOUISE DE VERA

With everything that was going on, I forgot the one thing that got me in this situation in the first place.

I am a bodyguard of the richest man in the country. Mr. De Leon had a company that had multiple branches stretching across the world, and he was bound to return to it. Death threats or not.

For the first time ever, I wasnt wearing a mask. There was no use of it anymore. The enemy knows who I am, and my family. I dont have any idea how they managed to gain all that information, but they did.

It took me a while to get used to the stares once again when we made our way towards his office. And the moment we reached his floor, they all got to work. Madeline went to her station, just outside Mr. De Leon's office. Jake and Jay went in Mr. De Leon's office, a serious look etched on their faces. And I went to my usual spot, outside of his office door.

This time, Madeline didnt offer me a chair, too busy with paper works, delivering files in and out of Mr. De Leon's office, grabbing coffee for him and the two men inside with him, and giving her orders to pass on the lower floors. It was hectic. I couldnt help but pity her. I couldnt imagine running around a 14 story building, delivering files in heels. I'd rather protect a hundred Mr. De Leon's than be in the position she's in at the moment.

Three and a half hours in, I felt a presence. I stood straighter and looked at the approaching man that turned out to be;

"Christopher?" I took in his grinning form questioningly. "Why are you here?"

"I needed to talk to you." he said, stepping nearer. "About the Cameron incident." he lowered his voice in a whisper.

"What about it? Do you have a lead?" I whispered back, suddenly alert.

"No, I dont." my shoulders sagged. "But thats what I'm here about. We need to come up with a plan." his eyes were solemn, there was an intensity in them. The one I was used to seeing every day in the agency.

"Do you have any ideas?" he opened his mouth, forming a word mid-sentence when the door beside us opened, startling us. Mr. De Leon looked at me, then his eyes drifted to the side taking in Cris' from beside me.

"What are you doing here?"

My phone vibrated and I fished it out from my back pocket, letting the two men converse in front of me. My fingers stopped tapping at the screen mid scroll when I read the text I had just received.

"Cris," I pulled him by the shoulder, garnering Mr. De Leon's attention as well.

I gave him my phone to him. His eyes read the text silently. I could see the way his shoulders tensed when he finished reading the last word. He looked at me, and gave the phone to Mr. De Leon. Jake and Jay peeked behind his shoulders as his eyes skimmed past the seemingly innocent cluster of words.

"A spy?" I nodded at Cris.

You're smart, but not smart enough. Talking about your plans out in the open? Such an amateur move.

"How?" Cris roamed his eyes around the area where we stood, looking at rooms and peeking around corners. I followed him as well, taking out my gun, looking out of the few windows that are installed within the building. It was impossible though. I've seen the security in this building, witnessing it first hand as well whenever I accompany Mr. De Leon to his work. The building's packed with security all around. They may be a bit amateur at their job but I have a little bit of hope that they can at least identify a spy.

"We need to find that person Louise. He could give us an answer-"

"I dont think it's wise for you two too move without the Agency knowing." Mr. De Leon said, stopping the both of us. My phone vibrated one again. I walked towards my client and took the phone out of his grasp, my hands tightening as I read the message.

Lover boy's right.

"Your company's bugged." I stared at him in the eye. "This person knows everything we're saying. Let's go. It's not wise to talk here." I walked away , grabbing Madeline's arm when I saw her round up the corner where the elevator was.

"Oh! Where are we going?"

"Out." Jake answered stiffly. I could tell that he was stressed with this 'spy' thing thats going on. I wouldnt be comfortable if I had known someone was watching my every move as well. It gives me chills just by thinking about it. We all left Mr. De Leon's company in a hurry. Thankfully, a car was already parked outside the moment we reached the building's exit.

"We should probably go eat anyway, its almost 1 pm, and I have a meeting at 1:30." Mr. De Leon looked at his watch, our eyes briefly meeting. I was about to answer, but I was whisked away. Strong hands held my shoulders and I was startled for a moment. I relaxed when I was met with Cris' caramel eyes.

"Are you going out for lunch?" Cris asked abruptly, not even giving me the time to ask why he looked like he was having a crisis.

I pointed at the car with my chin, "They are."

Mr. De Leon glanced behind his back, looking for someone. Looking for me. His eye caught out figures in the distance, and he narrowed them menacingly. I didnt know how I saw it, and why I felt butterflies dance around my stomach whenever he gets worked up when I'm with another man, but I do.

And I love it.

"Care to join? I could use someone to talk to. It'll help me ignore the stares better." he laughed, his head pushing back while his eyes crinkled into small slits. He ruffled my hair with his hand unconsciously, messing up my already messed up hair.

"Unfortunately, I cant. I've got to report back to the agency." I looked at him with big, exaggerated eyes, and pouted excessively, managing to conjure up another laugh from his throat.

"I'll stopover your place later though, so dont worry too much. Maybe at night since I've got a lot on my schedule today." his caramel eyes glinted with admiration, that made my stomach churn uncomfortably.

I'm sorry Cris. You deserve better.

"Why'd you come here then." I crossed my arms over my chest, willing myself to ignore the tight feeling that's coiling around my insides. "A busy Agent doesn't have time for small field trips."

"I wanted to see you." his eyes softened, arms reaching up to grasp my cheek. "I've missed you, you know? I miss passing by the training room to see you nag at your students." I laughed and ruffled his hair. The feeling dispersed slowly when I remembered what Cris has said before I met Mr. De Leon.

He's doing all this affectionate gestures as friends. He knows I'm not ready.

"I miss scolding them too." I frowned. "Are they okay?"

"Of course they are. You doubt my skills to take over?" I didnt answer but the smirk that appeared on my face was enough.

"Hey!" he pushed me jokingly and I laughed, the uncomfortable feeling disappearing all at once.

"Kidding! Youre the best agent I know, well second best- okay, okay! I'm sorry!" I chuckled and blocked his punches.

But he wouldnt hurt me.

He liked me too much. Which was bad, but good. But mostly bad. GRR.

"Go now. I'm sure my client and his friends had seen enough." I pushed him towards his bike.

"Good. It'll ward him off, hopefully." he gave me one of his teasing smiles and straddled his bike, brushing his hair out of his face to put on his helmet. I gave him a smile of my own but it didnt quite reach my eyes.

Oh Cris, I dont think you'll need to ward Mr. De Leon off of me. Its the other way around..

"Go." I muttered at him, making 'shooing' gestures with my hands. He started his bike and honked twice before zooming off, laughing all the way. I shook my head and pocketed my hands inside my jeans as I made my way towards the parked car.

I ignored the curious stares. And I definitely didnt want to glance at one person that stared at me a little to intensely for my liking. I secured my seat belt and stepped on the gas, my thoughts in a flurry through the whole ride.

_______

I'm late. I know. hopefully you guys don't hate me that much. I'm trying to edit everything before I post it cause honestly? my writing sucks. I hope you guys understand.