MY BODYGUARD /JENLISA

(24)Hey Babe

The sensation of Jennie's lips on hers lingered for the next few hours, all the way till darkness fell. It lasted through dinner, her bath, up to the point where Lisa got into bed and snuggled under the sheets. There she lay, comfortable and blissful after a good day out with her girlfriend. But she didn't go to sleep. She was waiting. Waiting for someone to call. And that someone was about to call in three, two, one . . .

"Hello, babe," Lisa answered the call even before the first ring ended.

"Hey, baby."

Lisa giggled. "Are you going to work now?"

"I'm getting ready."

"I wish you didn't have to go to work at this time."

"Just for this period of time, baby. Till this job is done."

"Who are you protecting this time?"

"You gotta stop asking. I really can't tell you."

Lisa pouted.

"And don't pout."

"I'm not pouting."

"Don't lie."

Lisa stopped pouting. "I'm not pouting."

"Alright. I gotta go now."

"Stay safe."

"I will. Sweet dreams, baby."

Lisa blew a kiss into the phone and grinned when Jennie returned it after a pause. Maybe with this kiss, she wouldn't have a nightmare tonight.

¤¤¤

She still did. But it wasn't as scary and gruesome as the other nightmares had been. No blood, no guns. Just a chase that ended with her being caught. She woke up breathing hard with her heart pumping fast and sat up in bed, looking around in a panic.

"I'm okay. I'm safe," Lisa said to herself, remembering what Dr Mino said about these nightmares. After taking a few deep breaths, she felt calmer. Jennie was right. It did get easier with time. She could get over it. It was alright.

She washed up in her bathroom and made her way down to the dining room. Her father was having his breakfast there and the sight of him still triggered unhappiness in her after almost three weeks.

"Good morning, dear."

"Morning, Dad," Lisa replied without enthusiasm.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"No."

"Did you have a nightmare again?"

Lisa exhaled through her nose. "It's not like you cared when it mattered, did you."

"Honey, I really—"

Lisa stood up in a huff, interrupting her father. Turning to a household staff, she instructed the woman to bring her breakfast up. "I'll eat my breakfast in my room." And with that, she left the table and marched straight back to her room before her father could ask her to stay.

When she got back to her room, she realised that she had a missed call from Jennie. A smile replaced the frown instantly and she quickly made a call to Jennie.

"Good morning, babe," said Jennie, sounding rather subdued.

"Good morning, babe." Lisa frowned, not liking how her girlfriend sounded. "Did you get injured or something?"

"No. I'm not hurt. I'm just tired."

"Then you should rest."

"I'm going to. I just wanted to call before that."