Under My Protection

Chapter 2

Rain twisted in his seat, faced the door, and lifted his eyes to the man standing next to Channarong. Rain was surprised at how young he was, as his dad usually chose older, more experienced guards for him, thinking they would be more likely to "keep him in line." But Phayu looked to be not much older than him and just a bit taller. He was clearly stronger than Rain and his face, his face was beautiful. Rain had never had a guard that was even remotely attractive, but Phayu, well, he was so, so pretty.

Phayu did not look at Rain, despite Rain staring at him. Embarrassed, Rain quickly averted his eyes and turned back to face his father.

"Even though you are banned from leaving the house, Phayu will be with you at all times so you don't sneak out. He will also supervise your visits with Sky to halt any plans you may have there."

Rain's mouth fell open. He'd only ever had his guards follow him when he left the house, never had one follow his every move. He couldn't even visit with Sky without Phayu listening to every word? Rain already felt suffocated every day of his life, but this? This was too much.

"I am serious about this Rain. This is your last chance, I'm done with you and your disobedience. It ends now. I will have the brochure for the boarding school I am speaking with left in your room so you can see your other option. Maybe that will help keep you in line."

Rain did not respond or look up. He felt sick to his stomach. His brain drifting between everything that had been said. His heart heavy with sadness of what his life could have been with a different family. If his father had just let him leave.

"Do you understand?" his father asked. Rain nodded, knowing his father was now expecting a response.

"You can leave now."

He rose from his seat and glanced at Phayu who was still standing, staring at the wall behind his father. Rain walked past Phayu and out of the room, not noticing Phayu's eyes finally rest on him as he followed him out the door.

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Phayu followed behind his new charge, still amazed that he was here in the Nuttarat family mansion. He'd been working as a bodyguard for several years and had worked hard to make a name for himself. But this, he never expected this. When the family reached out to him, he was stunned. He was also unsure. Was he ready to step into this world? Once in, he was sure there was no out. But, as someone who came from hardship, this was a sure way to elevate his status in the world. So he agreed to work for the family.

Looking at Rain, he was again unsure of his decision. He thought he'd be assigned as an extra guard for meetings and business trips, not to protect the only child of the family. To be given such an important position was overwhelming and a bit frightening. The responsibility placed on him was close to suffocating. Especially because he had done his research and knew that Rain was rumored to be quite a handful. Feisty, reckless, and disobedient were the words Channarong had used to describe Rain. Protecting him would most likely prove to be a challenge.

But watching Rain just now left him with a different first impression. He seemed sad and actually, quite respectful and compliant. He wondered why his gut was telling him that Rain was not really as he had been described to him.

He had tried not to focus his gaze on Rain after his first initial glance because all his mind told him to do was look at him. No one had mentioned how beautiful he was. Delicate and soft. He told himself to look away and not stare. But it was proving to be a challenge. Stay focused. Professional. At all times.

Rain stopped at what Phayu knew was his bedroom door and turned to face Phayu.

"Do you have to follow me in or can I be alone in my own room?" Rain asked with a bit of anger quietly showing.

"I'll wait out here. You are allowed privacy in your room."

"Well, I guess that's something," Rain answered, entering his room and shutting the door in Phayu's face.

Phayu moved to stand next to Rain's door, back to the wall. Several minutes later he heard a loud crash from Rain's bedroom, quickly followed by another, another, and another. He was pretty sure something hit the other side of the wall he was standing against. Phayu moved closer to the door and pushed his ear to it, hearing Rain's muffled voice.

"Like I'm not ...... unbelievable........ the hell ........ I hate my life ......... fuck" was all Phayu could make out between the crashes against the wall and he assumed the floor.

Phayu was frozen with indecision. Should he intervene? Stay where he was? There was no external threat to Rain but was Rain a danger to himself? Being new to Rain, he was unsure where this might lead so he turned the handle knowing it had no lock.

Rain was standing at his dresser, lamp in hand, poised to throw it in Phayu's direction. Phayu put his hands up, "Rain, stop. Calm down."

"What are you doing in here? Get out!" Rain screamed, his red face covered in tears.

"I need to make sure you are okay."

"Ha! What do you care if I'm okay? Do I look okay? Well, I'm not okay! I'm never okay! So, get out and leave me alone!" Rain threw the lamp to the side of Phayu, landing just short of the wall.

Faced with a scenario he hadn't imagined, Phayu stepped closer to Rain, hoping he could calm him down.

"Stay away from me and don't touch me. Why don't you go run to my father and tell him about my little tantrum. I'm sure he'd love to hear about what a stupid, immature child I'm being." Rain said, quieter, hands dropping to his sides.

Phayu stood still, watching as Rain continued to cry but appeared to be settling. At least he wasn't throwing things anymore.

"I'm not going to go tell your father. Since there is no threat to you or the household, I fail to see how this is his business," said Phayu firmly but purposely softening his voice.

Rain looked away from Phayu and moved to sit on the edge of his bed.

"Are you serious?" Rain asked, Phayu nodding in response. He was beginning to understand the type of relationship Rain had with his father and the type of bodyguards he was used to. Clearly, Rain had not been provided any privacy or safety other than in the physical sense. Phayu was slowly realizing that he would be working with someone who had been hurt and had their trust betrayed. He would not be another person to add to that history.

"Rain, I am your bodyguard, not your babysitter. If you want to get angry, you can. If you want to cry, you can. I will report none of that to anyone. It'll be between us. I will just always need to know that you are being safe and are not a danger to yourself. I promise."

Phayu watched Rain raise a hand to his mouth and bite at the skin there, looking away from him. Phayu knew he had made the right decision in coming in and beginning the work of earning Rain's trust.

"Rain, I promise I am here to make sure you are safe in all ways, I promise." Rain looked over at him, tilting his head, as if unsure whether to believe him.

"I'll head out now. Do you need me to send someone in to clean up?" Phayu asked, gesturing to the room. Rain shook his head and Phayu left the room, quietly shutting the door.

Notes:

We will continue to get to know Rain & Phayu before any significant drama, which will come before too long.