The Bodyguard's Duty ✅

Chapter 23 - Cheerleader

Thomas was driving Ethan all the way to Córdoba for his evening meeting. It was with one of the largest clothes manufacturers that would be able to produce all of their products, and Ethan was sent over to secure a limited time contract with them.

If Ethan was successful in landing this contract, then Ethan could feel extremely proud of himself. This was the first time he had a monumental amount of responsibility since his new job title, so Ethan aimed to show everyone how capable he was.

But if Ethan failed, then he would end up being labelled as a laughing stock by all the other managers and executives. It was one of his oldest and worst nightmares - to be humiliated by his peers and his family.

It was a 7 hour car trip as they both left in the early afternoon. That gave Ethan plenty of time to bathe in the anxiety that was trapped in the 4 wheeled metal box.

Even though there was a background of quiet radio music playing in the car, Thomas could hear Ethan's heart working harder than a one man band that was chasing after a runaway horse.

"You nervous?" Thomas asked as he continued to stare straight into the road.

"No."

Thomas stayed quiet as he knew Ethan would talk to him eventually. It was quicker than he expected, as Ethan broke out of his fake unbreakable attitude.

"Maybe just a little." Ethan admitted quietly.

Ethan was telling a lie because he was terrified. He had a big responsibility placed on his shoulders, and the heavy weight was anchoring him down. He was feeling crushed under the idea of being scrutinised back home, and Ethan was now regretting jumping the gun to fly to Argentina.

"Ethan, you're going to do a great job today." Thomas was doing his best to reassure the anxious man besides him, as he knew he had to raise Ethan's spirits.

"You don't know anything about me." Ethan argued as he didn't think there were any words that could help ease his mind.

"I think I know plenty about you, Ethan Shelton." Thomas turned his head to briefly look at Ethan, "Right now you're overthinking everything that can go wrong, but I'm positive you're putting up your own mental barricades as a precaution."

"I don't do-"

Thomas stopped the car as a traffic light turned red. It gave him enough time to directly address Ethan, as he rested his hand on Ethan's shoulder. "I know you'll nail this meeting Ethan."

Ethan was shaking his head as he continued to disagree with everything Thomas was telling him. "I'm going to fail and bring a bad reputation back home. They're going to laug-"

Thomas had to chuckle as he quickly stopped Ethan spiralling into a downwards spiral. His voice was overpowering as he ordered Ethan, "Just shut up for a minute..."

"You shut up!"

They were both in a staring battle as neither of them wanted to back down first. The car behind them honked as Thomas was then forced to continue driving.

"You need to start believing in yourself Ethan." Thomas briefly looked at Ethan again, and showed him a genuine and reassuring smile. "I do."

"How can you be so positive about everything?" Ethan didn't understand how a person could exist like this. "You keep saying and doing all of this nice stuff for me, and I just can't imagine why'd you do all of this for me."

Thomas shrugged his shoulders because it all just came out naturally for him. He didn't need a reason for his own behaviour, because it was just like breathing for him.