Affinity (On Hold)

Birefringence

"Is he dead? Oh my God." I kneel down beside the fat man and check his pulse.

"It's not in my contract to kill, ma'am. He's just unconscious. It will only take 13 minutes before he regains his consciousness." His voice. I just had goosebumps all over my body. It's like when a you take a warm bath in a cold winter day. It's like engulfing you in a sheet with that low yet gentle voice.Looking at him just standing there on the doorway with his black luggage not moving just makes me question him even more.

"Dante, are you hearing yourself? Wait. I have so many questions. So, you were saying a while ago that my dad BOUGHT you and you're...uhm..." I trail off motioning to him to fill in the sentence.

"That's correct. I am a product of extensive training in defense and safety for my master. And your father purchased me for you to protect you from attacks like this. I promise I will offer all I have to serve you." I stand and face him his face showing no emotion. I don't have a clue what he's thinking.

"You sold yourself?" I said slowly.

"I can sense your frustration and confusion, ma'am. Do you like some tea?"

"Please, don't call me ma'am. Wait a sec." I hold up a finger. "Please take a seat and stay there. If the police arrive, talk to them, I don't want to be seen in this situation. It's going to create another issue. Thanks."

"Of course, I will talk to them."

I retrieve my phone on my bed and call my dad who now owes me a huge chunk of explanations.

"Oh hel-"

"Let's cut to the chase. What's happening?"

"I see you've met DANTE. I'm warning you, you cannot run away from this guy anymore. He's going to be your new bodyguard from now on."

"Like, forever? Are you running a human trafficking organization?"

"What? No! But you can't fire him, he's programmed like that."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Sir, Dr. Pritcher is on the phone."

"I'm sorry, Olive but I have to go. Talk to you soon. Bye." And with that he hangs up.

From the window, I can see a police officer dragging the unconscious guy on the back of the vehicle. And the older one is talking to Dante. Gosh, he seems so relaxed even in this situation. If I am talking to an officer, I would be hysterical. It's good that he's there taking care of it.

The more I look at him, I wonder how a He is tall, well built man over 6ft and he is wearing a suit, and a black tie, and slacks. His jet black hair is neatly swept to the side. He talks to the man confidently with his gray eyes and and strong facial structure with jawlines that could are accentuated. He has a pair of thick eyebrows that frames his face and an olive skin to match his features. Italian? Spanish? Hispanic? Maybe. His name is Dante after all.

For the rest of the day, I was in my room, planning a fundraising activity for the next upcoming event that we will be doing for free annual healthcare for the homeless all over the country. My dad set a budget for my birthday. Instead of full-on party I will just donate most of it to that and just have a simple party for my family and close friends.

I didn't pay much attention to what was going on downstairs as I put on my headphones. I listen mostly to Taylor Swift, Lauv and Zayn and others I just play on shuffle mode.

I go online and stumble upon the article that is about the incident wherein I was attacked by a stranger. He had a knife and I ran away but he managed to scrape my left thigh. Now, I am hungry for some soy glazed chicken thigh. But I won't lie, I was traumatized. And if it wasn't for my survival instincts I would have been dead by now. The whole day I was silent and tried my best to gather my composure when people began bombarding me with question on the streets and even on my way home.