Run. Cry. Die.

Muscle Man Contract

The size of the place didn't surprise Kai but the homeliness off it sure did. In most mansions there is so much space that it's impossible to make it feel lived in and because of the professional cleaners, they always end up feeling empty and plastic. Designed for publicity and nothing more. This one on the other hand lived up to being a family home. Random stuff lay scattered around and everything looked collected rather than reordered.
He soaked it in slowly, making sure to memorise every room of the mansion and how to get to it, the kitchen had him hooked from the moment he saw it. Two cookers, two fridges, two freezers, two snack cupboards. Two of everything important.
They had a living room, a family room, a games room, a dining room, a work room and a front room, all of which he would have called 'the main room' back home. Then again, he had grown up in a small house consisting of a kitchen, a main room, two bedrooms and a bathroom. This made that feel so much smaller and cramped.
"Evelyn, sweetheart, why don't you get Kaiden a drink while I show him to his room."
"I uh, I don't mean to be rude, I have a flat just five minutes into town that I share with my sister. It's easier for both her and I if we live together. She can keep me in check and I can make sure she doesn't kill anyone with her cooking." Kai smiled. Every emotion he felt, he faked. It had been so long since he had smiled from his heart. So long since he had felt true happiness.
"Very well. If you change your mind, please, just ask. We have plenty of spare rooms."
"Thank you for your offer." Kai nodded, glancing to the kitchen where Evelyn had stopped moving. Her gaze had fallen on him and didn't move for a few seconds before she realised that he had spotted her at which point she spun around and hurried herself into cleaning the already spotless kitchen.
"So, this contract. I'm just muscle for hire, I don't exactly have much in the way of brains, so excuse me for asking but who exactly am I to report to? I'm protecting your daughter but you don't want her to be my boss?"
"Yes. Evelyn can be a little... naïve and she needs someone who can be by her side at all times but I fear that if she were to be your boss, she would dismiss you and refuse protection. She believes that everyone is pure hearted and that nobody would harm another soul unless they act in what they perceive as self defence against someone who has a different belief. Many people dislike my business, but there are plenty of people out there who love it. I create opportunities for people who can't naturally have children or people who want their children to become something more. Nobody can get to me, but they can get to my children. Thomas, well he's working on his masters so he barely gets a chance to leave his office which means Evelyn has nobody to go out with when Alison and I are working. All I ask of you is to keep her safe."
"Of course. That is what you hired me for."
"Hey dad. Who's this?" A young man, around the same age as Kai walked into the room, other than his messy hair and lack of glasses, he looked like Mr Ryder's clone minus thirty years.
"Thomas, meet Kaiden Blake. Evelyn's new bodyguard."
"Nice to meet you." Thomas held a hand for Kai to shake.
"And you, sir." Kai shook the young man's hand and nodded at the firm grip, "You already have a business man's shake."
"Hah, yeah. I guess you learn quick when you have nothing else to do." Thomas nodded. Mr Ryder sat in one of the seats at the dining table, to Kai's surprise, he didn't take the head of the table. Mr Ryder seemed to notice this surprise as he explained, "The head of the table is reserved for my father when he visits. It's something of a family tradition, the oldest member of the family is the head of the household, therefore taking the head of the table. When my father passes, my older sister will take that seat, then it will go to me. After me, it will go to the next generation. If my sister gets married and takes her husband's name, then it will skip her and go straight to me as I'm the next person in line who carries the Ryder surname."
"Hmm, fairly sensical. You have all this money, but I've noticed no staff. Other than bodyguards, that is."
"Mama doesn't like people interfering with her home. She prefers to clean herself and I'm pretty sure Evie would kill someone if they touched her kitchen." Thomas replied. He held a bottle of beer in his hand and had handed his father one as well, "Want one?"
"No, thank you." Kai stated, his voice wavered. What he would give to have a beer right now. But that would ruin the past year of efforts.
"You want one but refuse." Thomas smiled, sitting on the table, his father scowled but said nothing, "You're a recovering addict."
"I had a few tough spots a few years ago. Would you mind me taking a smoke outside?"
"No, I'm sure my wife won't mind is it's outside." Mr Ryder nodded, "You will thank yourself later for battling your addictions. It might be hard now, but you will find your life so much easier later on."
"Thank you." Kai nodded, walking from the room and pulling his phone from his pocket. It had vibrated moments before but he couldn't answer it with prying ears around.
"I swear to god-"
"Why hello to you too, Jinx."
"Kai! I will murder you one of these days!"
"Really? I'm questioning your lack of commitment to that statement. You've been trying for seven years."
"How's it going with the family?"
"They're tradition orientated and Evelyn seems to never speak unless she's spoken to by her father. Thomas appears to be the golden child who can get away with anything and everything. Also, they're too welcoming to new people. They're trying to accommodate my every need, including my... issues."
"They figured out already?"
"Yeah. I refused a beer and Thomas noticed my reluctance."
"At least it's only alcohol they know about. Not the illegal things."
"Right. Anything on your side."
"She's a bitch."
"That bad huh?"
"I mean it Kai. Nothing is ever right and she nearly smothered me with the amount of dresses she had me put on and take off. It's like I'm a barbie doll and she's a small child. You can be the model next time because this is ridiculous."
"I don't exactly fit the... necessities for modelling."
"Whelp, I've got to run. I'll talk more at the apartment. I'm telling you, she's a bitch. Like the devil's reincarnation bad."
"A female version of the boss?"
"Worse. She's like your father. Only a little more feminine."
"Ooh, sounds tough. Have fun!"
"I hate you."
"I love you too."