The Bodyguard's Duty ✅

Chapter 13 - All About Thomas

Ethan had already been back to work for two nights now, and he slotted back into his work life as if he never left. The new office was a lot more open, and that meant Ethan got to interact with all the other employees too.

Ethan wanted to celebrate the fact that he hadn't been involved in drama since the floor 33 incident, and the COO thought a couple of drinks would be a great way to brighten his mood.

Kristen told him she was staying in the office so that she could do a little extra for the show tomorrow. And Harrison mentioned something about seeing his brother in the next town over.

Ethan had been asking people around the office if they wanted to join him. But with every person he asked, Ethan got a rejection.

"That sucks," Ethan commented about Tamsen not coming because of a date with her fiancé. "What about you, Jules?"

"I prefer Julia," Julia sneered with a hint of snobbiness. "And I can't boss, sorry."

Ethan wanted to use the most available time he had before he would end up doing something stupid, and get scolded by the people around him. He was going to try and stay on the straight narrow path, but Ethan couldn't blame himself if he drunkenly stumbled onto the grass instead.

"Tommy boy!" Ethan saw the bodyguard was exiting the elevator and approaching him. "There you are."

Thomas handed Ethan a clipboard with a list of clothes that were signed off for the fashion show tomorrow. For someone that wasn't employed in the confidential building, Thomas was surprised to be trusted to carry racks of designs around the building.

"Thanks." Ethan scanned the the file as he found the signature from the designer to say that she received the clothes. "No trouble along the way?"

"Someone tried to kick me out because they've never seen me before." Because Thomas wasn't qualified, and therefore authorised to handle the important cargo, there were complications when people believed he was an imposter. "But then I dropped your name and told them you sent me down there."

Ethan dropped the clipboard onto Lewis' desk as he grabbed his coat from his temporary new office. "You want to grab a drink right about now? The day's over and there's a glass of whiskey with my name written on it."

"You're actually inviting me?" Thomas didn't expect Ethan to be the one to initiate hanging out together. "You're not going to call me a killjoy again?"

Ethan's smile reached his eyes as he enjoyed messing with Thomas. "Everyone else was busy, and I would feel bad if I didn't at least offer you an invite."

"Oh wow..." Thomas shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly as he played along. "And here's me thinking it was my amazing personality."

"I think you're talking about me," Ethan winked. "Come on, let's go."

"You think this is a good idea?" Thomas was hesitant for Ethan to risk getting into a drunken state, and end up picking a fight with a random person. "You've been home the last couple of nights. It's not a coincidence that you haven't been in trouble..."

Ethan pretended to throw a tantrum as he stomped on the spot like a child. "Just one drink, pleeeeease?"

Thomas rolled his eyes as he laughed at Ethan. "Just one."

Ethan had a genuine smile on his face as he then pushed Thomas towards the elevator before he could take his answer back.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ethan took Thomas to a bar that was the opposite of Signature Red. It was a lot more upper class as the lounge bar was filled with other pretentious men and women.