Jennie
Jennie gave herself one last check in the mirror before heading down the hallway to see if Lisa was ready to go. Her heels clacked against the tiled floor as she walked and her mind started rattling off the things that she needed to get done for the day only to be silenced when her eyes fell on Lisa in the living room. Her suit was perfectly tailored to her lean muscular body which only made her look more statuesque and perfect.
Quit staring like an idiot Jennie.
Turning her head towards Jennie, she watched Lisa's chest inflate slightly beneath her jacket as her eyes made a slow journey down to Jennie's feet then back up again. The slow pathway of Lisa's gaze put an instant grin on her face.
Like what you see Ms. Manoban?
"Ready to go shadow?" she asked playfully. Her words broke Lisa's trance and she cleared her throat awkwardly before standing.
"Lead the way, sweetheart." Lisa said with that deep southern drawl that Jennie was slowly starting to become addicted to.
Lisa opened the car door and helped Jennie in, offering her hand to her so she could climb in gracefully, then went around the car and took a seat beside her.
Goodness, she's really laying it on thick for that extra bonus in her pay check.
Jennie almost scolded herself for the ugly thought, but knew deep down it was a defence mechanism. It was her only defence mechanism at the moment. Keep everyone at arm's length and assume that their intentions are less than honourable to avoid getting herself hurt in the process.
Jennie's driver, Daniel didn't even ask where she needed to go, but knew instinctively to take her to the office. His assumption spoke volumes to her non-existent social life.
"So... are you just going to follow me around all day?" Jennie asked, half joking, but still curious as to what Lisa had in mind.
"Something like that." Lisa said with a smile that made Jennie's insides melt. Lisa shifted in her seat, trying to angle her long legs towards Jennie as she prepared to say something.
"Listen Jen, there's going to be a slight learning curve to this. I'm walking into your world with only surface level knowledge. My first instinct, and what I'm trained to do is to detect and prevent anyone from getting into your personal space. But I realise that there are certain people who you are comfortable with, who you will allow to approach you." She listened intently waiting for Lisa to finish so she could have a rebuttal.
"I will be listening and learning about who you're comfortable with, but until I get a firm grasp on who is friend and foe, I am going to defer to you. All I ask is that you signal me when you want me to intervene. You signal and I'll step in, you give me the all clear sign and I'll take a step back. I'm not looking to take your independence or ruin any of your business relationships, I'm just here to keep you safe. Can you help me do that Jennie?"
All of her snarky comments dissolved at Lisa's request. It seemed... genuine, which was new and not what she had expected. From the looks and credentials of Lisa and her team, Jennie expected to be told what to do, not asked. "What kind of signal?" she asked with her head cocked and a slight smile, relieved that Lisa wasn't barking orders at her or treating her like property that she had been charged with.
"A threat signal needs to be something that is unnatural, something that you'd never accidentally do."
Jennie nodded along in agreement.
"Let me see your hand." Extending her arm, she felt Lisa's calloused palm wrap around her hand as Lisa flattened it against her leg near her knee. The rough texture of her hands made Jennie take in a sharp breath which seemed to elicit a knowing grin from Lisa.
