Guarded Hearts

Chapter 2

"Phillipa?"

She opened her eyes slowly, blinking away the haze as sunlight came in through the window. A knock on the door made her wince. Her head was pounding.

"Phillipa? Are you awake?"

The same voice called. It was a man. He sounded familiar, but she couldn't quite identify him through her hangover.

Pippa rolled out of bed, and opened the door. It was Steve. He looked her up and down, as if assessing what state she was in.

"Um, respectfully miss," he said hesitantly, "you look like shit."

She rubbed her eyes, trying to be more alert.

"Thank you so much for that insight, Steven. I didn't know."

His brows came together, forming a line on his forehead.

"I'm joking. Sorry, I'm cranky when I'm tired and hungover," Pippa mumbled, walking past him to the kitchen. She got a glass of water and drank it in seconds. She refilled the glass and sat at the dining table, sipping the water.

"Why are you even here?" Pippa asked once her head started to clear.

"Meg sent me. She told me to not let you stay in all day. She said to take you out. To do something," Steve said precisely, as if he knew her brain was still recovering.

"Why didn't she come and take me out herself?"

"She was busy. And she wanted to make sure you were safe while you're out," he shifted his feet, looking uncomfortable with the situation.

"If you don't want to go, I'll leave. I'll tell Meg you want to stay home."

"No, it's fine. Just... let me get ready," she responded, putting her empty glass in the sink. "Feel free to have a seat. I'll be right back."

Pippa went back to her room and closed the door. She could use a day out, she decided. And Steve wasn't bad company. She figured he would probably just follow her around most of the time, making sure she didn't do anything stupid.

With the last remains of her hangover slipping away, Pippa got dressed. A flowy sundress over a white t-shirt with comfy sandles. Great for walking around the city. Hair in a messy bun, she looked just like any other woman. She threw on little hoop earrings at the last moment, just for a tiny bit of flair. She couldn't draw too much attention to herself, of course, but trying to blend in too much was suspicious.

When she walked out of her room, she found Steve sitting in a chair at the table, looking quite relaxed. Then, he saw her and jumped right up again. This guy really had no chill, did he?

"Are you ready?" He asked.

"Yeah, let me grab my stuff," Pippa replied, looking around the living room. She gathered her phone, wallet, keys, and chapstick, putting them in the amazing pockets her dress had.

Steve walked over to join her as she went to the door. She pulled out her chapstick and put on a layer before she opened the door.

As she applied the chapstick, she saw Steve staring at her. Specifically, her lips. She knew her lips were a major asset of hers, so she couldn't blame him. She simply looked back at him, smiled as his eyes widened, realizing he was caught, and put her chapstick back in her pocket as she walked out the door.

~ ~

Pippa hadn't felt so free in ages. Her and Steve went to all the little shops she used to go to when she was in school. They got coffee at a cute café Steve recommended. She got an iced latte, he got a hot black coffee. That felt so on-brand for him, it made her laugh.

Steve really just did whatever Pippa wanted to do, offering suggestions when she asked. So when she asked if they could go to the park and have an impromptu picnic, he got their lunch to-go and stopped to buy a blanket on the way.

They spread out the blanket over the grass under a tree, laughing at a dog they saw chasing a squirrel several yards away.

"So," Pippa started, "what did you do before you worked with me?" She barely knew anything about this man she was spending all day with. He was kind of intriguing, all silent and brooding like he was.

"I worked for another actor. Not as popular. They really only needed me for events. It didn't pay very well."

"I see. What do you do when you're not with me? You must have hobbies that don't involve being a human shield," she laughed at her joke. She always laughed at her own jokes. No matter how stupid. Steve always laughed at her bad jokes too. She wondered if it was in his contract to boost her ego.

"I spend most of my free time working out actually. You know, so I can be a human shield," he responded lightly. "I like to go hiking as well. And I read when I get the chance."

"Oh, I like to read too," she leaned forward in interest. "What do you read?"

"The classics, biographies, political books, the occasional murder-mystery."

"Murder-mysteries? I did not peg you as that type at all-"

He put his hand on her arm, looking intently behind her.

"Steve- What's wrong?" She asked, concerned.

"Get up."

She did as he said. He was no longer the normal guy sitting with her in the park. Steven was her bodyguard. Like a robot programmed to do one job. Keeping her safe.

"Act normal. Nothing is wrong. We're just finishing lunch," he said calmly. As if nothing was really wrong.

"Steve, what's going on?" She didn't dare look behind her to see whatever had him so freaked out.

"There is a woman with a camera and a very disconcerting look in her eye. We need to get you somewhere safe," he said, folding the blanket. "Why don't you get the trash for us? There's a garbage can right there." He nodded to one sitting about 30 feet away.

"You want me to go over there by myself right now? With that woman watching my every move? Are you insane?" She asked through gritted teeth.

He looked in her eyes. "Do you trust me?"

Did she? For all she knew, this could get her kidnapped, harrassed, killed. Was it worth it? She had no idea what he was trying to pull, but she decided: Yes. She trusted him to keep her safe. He had never failed before. There must be a reason for this.

So, as calmly and bravely as she could, she gathered the trash from their lunch and walked to the garbage can. Even as the woman with the camera started walking toward her.

She was about 50 feet away.

40 feet.

30.

20.

10.

Pippa felt a hand on her back.