The Bodyguard (Hosie)

Chapter 2

"Dad, this new bodyguard has no idea what she's doing."

"What's the problem, my dear?"

"Ms. Mikaelson took my passport from the safe and she refuses to return it to me."

Mr. Saltzman turned to Hope and asked, "Would you care to explain?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Hope replied, "If you trust me in my professional capacity as your daughter's bodyguard, there will be no explanation required on my part. Everything I do, whether your daughter is happy about it or not, is for her safety. However, to make things easier on the first day of our contract, I will explain. The issue lies in Josie refusing to call me by my name. I have explained that using our names instead of the formal address will make it less obvious that I am her bodyguard. However, Josie is unwilling to cooperate and since this compromises her safety, I cannot allow her to go to Japan, where the risks are higher in a foreign country."

"I see," Mr. Saltzman looked from one woman to the other, his brows furrowed in thought.

But Josie was having none of this. "Dad, there's nothing else to say. This bodyguard is employed by you but here she is, telling us what to do."

"But she makes a valid point."

Josie's jaw dropped. "What?"

"My dear girl, I instructed Ms. Mikaelson to protect you. She's only doing her job. If you don't cooperate with her, it is your own safety you are putting at risk."

"Dad, I don't need a high school girl following me around to protect me. She looks so weak and pale and–"

"Don't judge people simply by their appearances, my dear. Appearances may tell you some things about a person, but Ms. Mikaelson is like an iceberg. What you see of her now is only the tip. Get to know her better and you will find that you can trust her to keep you safe."

"I can't believe this, Dad. You're sliding with her instead of me?"

"I am not siding with Ms. Mikaelson. As your father, I have no reason to side with someone that is making my daughter unhappy." With a heavy sigh, Mr. Saltzman rose from his chair and walked around his work desk to Josie. "My dear girl," he said, putting his hand on her head, "I have always doted on you. I have always given you what you ask for because I love you. But just for this once, I ask you, as your father, to trust me and the body guard I trust."

"Dad..." Josie looked as though she has seen a ghost or a fairy from a fairy tale. "I..."

"I know you're a good girl. You'll listen to me this once, won't you?"

"But the bodyguard is–"

"She's here to keep you safe. She's not here to antagonize you on purpose. Please understand that."

Josie bit her lip, an act that Hope noticed. From her point of view, it was obvious that the spoiled princess was struggling with herself about this. So, although it did not please her to apologize, she stepped forward, looked Josie in the eye and said, "Perhaps I had come on too strong at the beginning. As Mr. Saltzman said, I am only here to make sure nothing harmful happens to you. I apologize if I was too forceful in getting the message across. But please understand that I cannot, and will not, compromise when it comes to your safety. If I do, I will not be doing my job well."

Josie's hard gaze had begun to soften when she apologized but hardened again when she added the last bit. This spoiled princess was certainly going to be difficult. But it was nothing she couldn't handle.

"Fine, I'll call you Hope if it's absolutely necessary. Now, give me my passport," Josie demanded as she stuck her palm out.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Josie." Hope took the woman's passport from her back pocket and placed it on the outstretched hand.