30 Reasons Why I Love You

Chapter 15: Reason #16

Reason #16:  You calm me down just by talking 

It's been four days since this 'arrangement' started. Tora's been watching me like a hawk, a hawk preying on a mouse. You see, he's really creepy. The way his eyes roam my body, especially when he thinks I'm not watching, is downright creepy.

And, don't get me started on how eerily familiar he is. It's like I've met him but I haven't, you know. 

I've already complained about this, raising my point that he isn't trustworthy. I told them how dangerous he feels. I told them the way he looks at me and I expected at least Rei to flip out. But there was nothing. Nothing. I thought we were trying to protect me. Then, what the hell?

"Jin, Aki's here to get the kids." I hear Rei call out from the entryway. 

Ugh.

This can't go on. I can't continue on like this. 

"Hey, Jin. Hey, kids." Aki greets with a smile as he goes over to where the kids were playing in their playpen. I nod in return, a pout situating itself on my lips. Rei walks over to me and chuckles as he pecks my lips.

"Aki, you better watch my kids properly or I'll wring your pretty little neck." I smirk at Rei's threat. Yeah, right. Even if I knew Rei was strong, I doubt he could hurt one of his friends. Then again, it's Shun and Shin we're talking about here.

"Yeah, yeah. All right." Aki chuckles, placing Shun in his stroller and reaching for Shin. "I love these kids too much, man. If you died, I'd volunteer to stand as their father." I smiled at him, thanking him silently for taking good care of the squirts. He returns the smile before smirking playfully at Rei. 

"I'm not going to die anytime soon, thank you very much." Rei retorted, standing up to kiss the kids on the head and guiding Aki out of the house.

I sigh, a breath escaping my lips. I feel the frustration build up and I'm not surprised. Why? Well, Tora is looking at me again. This guy is really, really adding the fuel on my raging fire.

I raise my eyes to meet his in a blank stare. I see him stand there, dignified and stiff. I'm really starting to think this guy thinks that staring at another man is normal from where he comes from.

"Tora, Haru's calling for you." Rei called out. Tora immediately moves away from his spot, not sparing me another glance as he heads over to Haru's private office. I sigh in relief, feeling Rei take his spot beside me as he place his arm around my shoulder.

"Jin, don't tell me you're still paranoid about Tora." He mutters, squeezing my shoulder lightly. "That's what a bodyguard should be doing, you know." I roll my eyes in sarcasm. 

"Yeah, yeah. I know." I pouted, trying to shrug off his arm around me. He laughs at my actions and keeps squeezing me as he pulls me closer. I lazily smile back at him, my eyes meeting his blue ones.

The day went by uneventful, Rei talking like it was a whole week since we last met. I provide answers in short responses, a nod or two following them. 

We continued on, laughing and just talking. It felt good just spending time like this. We seldom do this since we had the kids around but now, I'd say that this is the only perk of this arrangement. 

"Rei, I need you to come with me. I think we got a lead." Haru says as he enters the living room. I raise qustioning eyes to him as Rei stood up solemnly. His stance depicting his seriousness. 

This must not be good.

"Can I come with you?" I asked, following them to the front door. I grabbed on to Haru's shoulder, my eyes pleading. I wanted to know if they did find him. And. I didn't want to spend an evening with 'Hawk-eyes' standing behind us.

"No. We're not even sure if it's him. And I don't want to leave any openings by bringing you along." Haru answers, frowning at me. I immediately slumped, my body deflating with his answer.

Stupid brother.

I look at Rei, trying my luck with him. He shakes his head in the negative, making me slump even more.

Looks like I'm eating dinner with the 'man'. I sigh in disappointment, kissing Rei on the cheek as goodbye. He smiles at me before proceeding to the car that the driver had prepared. I watch Haru and Rei disappear in the car. My eyes following sadly at the retreating form of the car until I could no longer see the lights.

Quickly, I closed the door as I cringed at the idea of spending the night with Tora. I know what you're thinking. With a house this big, there's bound to be someone else guarding me or maids walking around the house. I wish for that, too. But the deal is: 

a) The maids have a wing of the house and I'd be dead by the time they come from hearing my screams;

b) Haru only assigned Tora to guard me. Seems like Haru trusts this man explicitly.

I walk over to the kitchen and boil some water. I really need a cup of tea right now. 

Sounds of heavy footsteps ring my ears and I look up to see Tora with that creepy stare of his. 

Why can't I shake this feeling off? 

This is only going to make the waiting agonizing if I don't at least try to socialize with him.

"Tea?" He stares at me before nodding slowly. I force myself to smile at him before reaching for another cup for him. 

"So." I drawled out, bringing out tea bags and placing them in the kettle. "Were you a bodyguard by choice or what?" I ask casually, raising my brow at him. I heard him sigh and I take that as a sign that he doesn't want to talk about that.

I turn around as soon as I heard the kettle whistle. Thank God. No more awkward tension. I took the kettle and poured into each of the cups. I feel him watch me as I continue with my task, my skin crawling at the aura of danger I was feeling.

"Here you go. Want some biscuits with that?" I ask kindly. He nods at me and I make my way to the pantry. When I returned, he had already taken a seat at one of the barstools by the counter. He looks up and gestures for the seat next to him.

Great. Just great.

I reluctantly take a seat, giving him the biscuits I had brought. We sat there in silence, avoiding any conversation I tried to pursue. You could cut the tension and it would still be thick enough to strangle you.

I rub my eyes tiredly, my nose scrunching up at the gesture. Hmm. I must be so tired to be rubbing my eyes at 8pm. Weird.

What the? 

My eyes were getting heavier and heavier, my body slowly weakening. This isn't normal. This isn't normal. This isn't-

"Good night." I hear Tora say, his lips turning to a maniacal grin I knew all too well.

Oh God. It's Kaoru.