The Game

Chapter 12 - Neal Celtic

Tori

I know my father has been angry for a long time, as I would come home late. He said there would be consequences.  What could he do about it? It’s my life. I do what I want to.

I open the door and make my way to the living room. There is a young man sitting in a black suit. It makes him look much older than what he really is. He is sitting lean and gracefully in the chair with his legs crossed. He has strong features.  Even when sitting you can see that he is tall. He is reading one of my father’s books, as he is waits.

“Hey, Tori” my father says. The guy looks up at me, and gets up from the chair to approach me.

“Hi, dad” I say and try my best to smile genuinely.

My father introduces the stranger;

“Tori, this is Neal Celtic. His parents own the Celtic Enterprises Holdings Inc. And even more important, they’re great friends of ours.” Then he started introducing me.

“Neal, this is my daughter Victoria, she’s in her first year of high school, turning 16 soon. She’s a bright kid and at most times - well behaved. So as long as you keep an eye on her I’m sure, this will be an easy task for you.”

“Keep an eye on her?” I ask. Definitely not.

“Yeah, Neal will be your babysitter”

Neal coughs.

“I mean bodyguard, caretaker... whatever. So you’ll be safe in this city”

This makes my blood boil. Babysitter? This man is crazy, I’m almost sixteen and he found a babysitter. Yes, I am mad, but my dad has all the authority, he will not take no for an answer. I have to take this into my own hands.

“Nice to meet you” Isaid and we shake hands. He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. His hand feels warm.

“The pleasure’s mine” he answers.

Next day I get home from school, really tired today after all the math. I really need a nap. I walk in the door to find Brad standing with Neal. What is he doing here?

“Hi..” I say a bit confused.

“Hi Tori” Brad says. Then I see 3 giant boxes next to Neal. What is going on. Don’t tell me it is what I think it is.

“You already met Neal, I heard.” Brad says, and Neal just smiles. Like that smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. That fake smile.

“Yeah?” I say.

“I talked with your dad, and agreed to let Neal stay here.”

Are you kidding me?

Now this guy has to watch over me 24/7? This is going to be great. I just smile.

“Great.” I say. Now it’s my turn to make that fake smile.

I go up in my room and decide to take a nap. It’s Friday and me and Omar have decided to go out again. There’s a party, so we are getting wasted. I’ll just sleep for an hour.

I wake up two hours later. Fuck. I quickly take a shower and then find a red dress and put that on. I put on some mascara too, maybe a bit too much, but screw it. I look good now. I put on some pumps and go downstairs. I see my dad and Neal talking in the living room. What’s my dad doing here?

"Dad?”

“Tori.” He says and stands up. Then he looks at me. from my head to toe. I know what he is going to say now.