Protecting Taylor

Chapter 1

I realized how much I hated Director James when I was only half an hour away from the restaurant. The man driving the black SUV and I shared no words the whole ride, then again I never was a talker. I read some of the file and brushed up a bit.
When the car pulled up in front of the place I still cannot pronounce, I got out. A bald man came up to me.
"Agent Ryan. Follow me, please." He said. I allowed him to lead me towards a private area of the fancy shin-dig. Taylor and Calvin looked up from their conversation. They both smiled at me. Taylor stood up and came over to me.
"It's nice to meet you!" She said happily.
She pulled me into a"friendly hug" that I didn't return. She finally pulled away after realizing I wasn't digging it and smiled at me.
"My name is Taylor, and this is Adam" she introduced the two of them.
"I'm agent 113." I said formally and sat down across from them.
"Wait, we don't really have to call you that, right?" 'Adam' asked.
"What's your real name, like first and last name." Taylor said.
"Alex Ryan."
"Alex, I like it." She said with a red lipped smile.
"Right." I said with a fake smile.
Adam picked up his menu.
"Order anything you'd like." He said kindly.
"Ummm, okay."
I've never been to a place this nice, but I was always accustom to the cheapest off the menu. After looking over the menu I decided on a garden salad.
The waiter came to take our order.
Taylor and Adam ordered, then it was my turn.
"I'll have a water and a garden salad, please." I said.
"What dressing would you like with that?" He asked.
"None, thank you."
"Okay. Anything else?" The guy asked.
"Yes, she'll have the lasagna as well." Adam added quickly.
"Okay, I will put that right in, and be out soon with your drinks."
The couple turned to me.
"Alex, sweetheart, you can't just order an appetizer." Taylor explained in a kind tone.
"It was all I wanted."
"You're a teenager, I'm sure you want more than just a salad." Adam said.
I shrugged my shoulders.
"So, what do you think of New York?" Taylor asked.
"I don't know."
"Have you been here before?"
"No."
"Maybe we could take you around the city." Adam said.
"No thanks." I said.
The three of us fell into silence. Good, that was how I liked it. Except they kept staring at me.
"Here are your drinks." The waiter saved us from the silence.
"Thank you." The couple said.
I mumbled a "thanks" as well.
"How long have you been an agent for?" Adam asked.
"I'm a 6th year."
"And how old are you now?"
"Fifteen."
"So you were,what, nine when you started out?"
"What is this? An interrogation?" I snapped.
"No, I'm sorry-"
"Whatever." I said nonchalantly with a tad of bitterness laced within my tone.
"Do you have any questions for us?" Taylor asked.
I thought for a moment.
"Why do I have to be here?"
"On this mission or in this restaurant?"
"Well, in this restaurant I was meaning. I guess I'm curious about the other as well."
"My management thought it would be best to have someone like you on our safety team. Some people have been sending threats to take me, as well as Adam, for ransom." She explained.
I nodded slightly to show that I understood.
"And we wanted to have lunch with you to try and get to know you." She finished.
"I'll lay low. You won't even notice I'm here most of the time." I said.
"You don't have to stay hidden. I don't mind."
"I prefer to work that way. It's easier and more natural for me."
"Oh, well that's fine too." She said in a hesitant tone.
The waiter brought our salads out and we ate in silence. I was glad that the food would fill in for conversation. When we were done eating and waiting for the check, Adam spoke up.
"Did you like the food?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
"You're welcome." He smiled politely.
"Do you want to go anywhere after we leave here?" Taylor asked.
"No."
"Are you sure? It's only 12:30."
"Positive." I said, eager to get away from them.
"Okay." Taylor seemed a little put down. I almost felt a shred of remorse for my actions today. That quickly melted away when the check was paid and we walked out of the restaurant. People were swarming the front of the building and I immediately snapped into defensive mode. I walked in front of them, and the other body guards walked behind them. When people got too close I didn't hesitate to push them away.
"Stay back." I barked.
I opened the door and signaled the couple to get in. Once they were in I shut the door.
The window rolled down.
"What are you doing?" Adam asked.
"I'll see you at the front of Taylor's apartment." I said.
"Get in." He said.
"No thank you, sir." I said.
"We're good!" I called to the other guards.
"Wait-" I heard them say, but I had already begun to run to her apartment. I knew I could beat traffic. With the help of the highly advanced GPS system on my phone, I was there with a few minutes to spare. A crowd was already formed before the car pulled up.
One of the body guards opened the door and I helped push the crowded away so they could get through.
Once safely inside I turned to the pair.
"All clear?" I asked the people around me.
"Yeah, we're good. Nice work, kid." One of the guys said to me. I gritted my teeth at the name 'kid. '
"Alex, where did you go? We were worried." Taylor said with concern clear in her voice.
"I ran. Don't worry. I think you are forgetting how capable I am of doing my job."
"Right, sorry."
"Taylor has an interview tomorrow morning at 7:30. I'll see you at 6:00." Her head security guard said.
"Yes, sir. I'll see you then."
I nodded to them before turning around to leave.
"Alex, wait. Do you need a ride? We could help you get settled in or you could come hang out inside for a while..." Taylor trailed off.
"Nah, I'm good." I said.
"Oh, well, just come over or call me if you need anything. Here is my number." Taylor said pulling up her number on her phone.
I typed it in on my devise.
"Here is mine as well." Adam said holding up his phone.
"Please don't hesitate to call or text." He said.
"Won't be a problem, but thanks."
"Have a good day." Taylor said.
"Same to you." It sounded foreign on my tongue and to my ears to speak so kindly and civilly with people.
They smiled and waved as I left and pushed through the crowd of people that lingered outside.
During my leisurely walk to my temporary home, I found myself thinking about this mission. I decided it would be difficult, but in a different way. They like to talk and treat me like a civilian. I didn't know if it was something I should appreciate, but I felt almost offended by it. They didn't treat me as if I were an independent, capable individual. Instead, they treated me like a kid.