The Babysitter

15

𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘

After his hands were around my waist, I couldn't help but look at him and smile. Smile because I know that he felt and knew that I was uncomfortable by all those people looking at us, especially at me with their hungry, scary, and even disgusting eyes. Did I do something wrong?

It was about thirty minutes, and we were still in the mall. He took me around as I checked whatever clothes I wanted. I was shy cause what would the price be? If it's too high, how should I react? That's so embarrassing.

Never mind, I know what to do.

The thought fled my mind the moment Royce's hand tightened around my waist, his touch sending tingles down my spine. His rough, cold fingers against my heated flesh left me burning with sensation.

"Stay close to me, okay?" He wasn't asking me. He was ordering me. I felt myself smiling, and that wasn't good. I shouldn't smile. But I couldn't help it either.

I looked around to see why Royce did that, and my eyes spotted a group of men walking in the mall. There were three of them dressed in black suits, with black AirPods in their ears. They weren't as tall and masculine as Royce was, but they were kind of good.

They somehow looked like they were in the mafia, too -

"Focus here, Tate. Stop looking at them," Royce's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"Are they in the mafia?" I asked, in a low voice he could only hear.

"What?" He clearly didn't hear me.

I waved my hand, signaling for him to lower himself so I could whisper in his ear. He lifted an eyebrow and shook his head, a small smile on his face. But something in his eyes told me that he was mad. At me.

To my surprise, he did really lower down. I didn't expect that from him. I stood on my toes to reach his ear, and when I did, I whispered, "Are they in the mafia?"

I set my feet on the ground, and a flame of frustration gleamed in his eyes at my question. Shit, I think I made him mad. Stop it, Tate. You don't need to overthink everything you say. He's always like that, anyway - grumpy and mad for no reason. Or maybe there is a reason, but I don't know about it.

Now, he was the one who leaned in until he was near my ear. He let out a deep sigh, as if he was annoyed. His hot breath slapped my neck, and I got goosebumps everywhere.

He whispered, "Yes, so stop asking questions before they kill you. Because if they did..." his voice diminished, and I could feel him smirk. "I won't save you. Because you're making me mad right now. So walk with me and do as I say little one."

I nod at his harsh words. If you were to ask me now, 'How are you, Tate?' I might cry out. Am I really so soft? Or overly sensitive? Perhaps I should let Marie teach me a few lessons on how to become a total baddie, rude, and not as soft as I am now.

We continued shopping, but his hands remained on my waist. Their grip was firm, as if he were shielding me from everyone in this mall. To all these people here for them, he was a monster, cruel, and a dangerous one. But to me? He was my sanctuary. Despite his rough and harsh words, he was my guardian angel.

Those men wouldn't take their eyes off us, and when Royce noticed that he stopped all the shopping thing and we went to the cashier. We already got so many clothes, beautiful, fancy ones.

"Okay, so this will be," the woman at the cashier said, typing on her computer. "Ten thousand dollars. Would you like to -"

"Credit card," Royce interjected before she could say anything else.