A Guide To A Bodyguard's Heart -Ané vd Mescht-

4

I slowly drag my body down the stairs towards the kitchen. My head aches as I continue to recite the night before, but all I remember is drinking Champagne and Xavier's annoyed face.

My phone buzzes in my hand. Looking down, a strange name pops up.

'Im running late, just stay put. '

I run my fingers through my tangled hair as I try to figure out who it's from.

'Just saying that i've got coffee and headache pills here with me, per your father's request. I guess it's a new edition to our contract. '

Xavier.

'Thanks' I reply, walking back up to my bedroom.

I scramble through my closet for clean change of clothes before heading towards my bathroom.

I take in my stained face of make up in my reflection. God, how much did I have?

Allowing the hot water to run over my tense muscules, I start to remember the night before. My father auctioning me off to strangers, Xavier and I arguing, Gabriel..

Oh shit, Gabriel!

My eyes shoot wide. How am I supposed to get him to stay quiet to my father. If he even hears that Gabriel and I looked at eachother, he wouldn't even hesitate to give me up to him.

God, to even think of marriage, never mind with who, I can't help but feel physically ill. I hate the idea of marriage ever since I saw how my parents faught. I was convinced that all marriages end in a cotasteophy after I heard them.

I remember how father used to storm out of the house, driving God knows where, and stressing wether he'd be coming back the next day. Or even remembering how mum's voice would break as she confronted him.

I turn off the water, draping a towel over my shoulders.

Even though my mind keeps racing about everything from the past, I know that there's nothing I can do about it and that's never going to change.

I sigh as I change into my work pants.

It's my first day back at the office after my vacation. I can't help but feel bitter sweet of having to go back. At the one end, I missed my assistant and best friend, Delilah and my other collugues, but I also hate having to go back to the stressfilling business of Law at that place.

I recently got promoted as a senior partner at Wayne and McKenzie's Law firm. Im very exited for my promotion, but I can't help but feel like a heavier weight has been placed on my chest. Being senior partner isn't just about proving that you're a good enough lawyer for name partner, but it's mostly about being able to carry harder cases and more stressful Business hours.

My doorbell rings just as I finish buttoning up my blouse. I scurry over to the door as my soaking wet hair drips over my blouse.

"Good Morning, Miss Moreman. " Xavier's body towers over me as I open the door.

"Oh, it's just you. " I sigh, leaving the door open for him as I travel back up to my room.

He closes the door, following after me with a grocery bag.

"I brought you headache pills and stuff. " he mumbles behind me.

"Thanks, just put them on my bed, ill be right down. " I call before turning on my hairdryer.

The load roar and heat from the hairdryer gives me a slight wake up call from my hangover.

_

"Red or black? " I hold up two different pairs of heels up at Xavier, who's patiently waiting at the kitchen for me.