Note: Been discussing this with a friend for awhile. Here's giving this a shot.
For @KrisAn_Dizon
——
Lexi
"Daddy, ayoko nga! I don't need someone to babysit me 24/7!"
I stomped away, looking more like a toddler throwing a tantrum than a grown 27-year-old woman.
My father came into my room. "Anak, please understand. It's for your own good naman. Just until we get an assurance that the man is no longer a threat."
Grudgingly, I agreed. "But, you're sure about this guy ha? Baka naman kasing creepy lang yan nung stalker ko."
"We had him checked. He's the best of the best."
To be honest, I was thankful. Sure, it would be annoying to have someone watch over me day and night for the next six months, but like I said, I am thankful and I understand where my father is coming from.
For the past year, I had a creepy officemate who had been too touchy and I started avoiding him. He resigned but then he started waiting for me to leave work, would appear at the place where I regularly get my coffee, and just "happen" to always be at places I went to.
I tried to handle it on my own, not wanting to worry my parents. But it had reached tipping point when the guy went as far as following my car on an out of town trip.
I moved back home, security was increased at the house and in our village and now I was getting a bodyguard.
Later that afternoon, my father called me down to his home office. "Mr. Aki Del Cielo, this is my daughter, Alexandra De Leon. Lexi, Mr. Del Cielo will be your bodyguard."
I shook the man's hand and was immediately filled with an unexplainable warmth inside.
The meeting went on to tell me of the various trainings this man had been to. He was part of the special forces, trained here and abroad, some of his assignments are top secret work that he is not allowed to disclose details of even now.
Aki. What an unusual name. I wonder what it's short for. Or if it's even his real one.
I stared as he listened to some more things my father was running through with him. He has the bearing of a soldier - back straight, stomach in, hair cut very short, his suit neat and crisp, shoes shiny and overall very dignified. His skin was brown but had a lighter shade to it, deep set eyes, strong nose, full lips and a strong jaw on a thick neck.
The man was gorgeous.
When he looked at me, I turned away but looked back with a frown. Did he just glow?
But nothing was amiss now. I'm probably just hungry.
"No need for a driver, Sir. I can take care of that as well. It would be better if I drove because I am also trained to get her away if needed. I do not think I can I instruct your driver how to," Aki was saying.
"Dad, parang sobra naman po? Hindi naman siguro aabot sa ganun?" I protested.
"Best to take every precaution muna, anak. Mr. Del Cielo, like we agreed, please do not interfere in my daughter's daily life unless absolutely necessary, am I understood?"
The bodyguard nodded.
As our group parted, I said, "Welcome to our team, Mr. Del Cielo." Noticing his unusual lapel pin, I commented, "That's beautiful. What is it?"
It was made of gold, had a sun on top and a wavy tail at the bottom.
"A kris, a weapon from olden times, with the sun on its handle," he answered but offered nothing more.
Such a curious man.
I'm intrigued. I'm very intrigued.
