Chapter 2 Prologue

My phone vibrated and the ringtone went second. I reached inside the bag and answered the call, my sister's call.

"Hey, what's up?" bungad ko.

I also reached for my car keys and opened my car. I settled the bag next to my seat and rest my back.

"How many death threats have you recieved?" her soft voice asked.

"What death threats?"

"You haven't recieved any?"

"None."

The line went off. I heaved a long sigh and placed my phone back to my bag. I maneuvered the car wat back to the house. I parked the car outside the gate and handed the keys to the guard outside. Pumasok ako sa loob at hinubad ang coat saka dumiretso sa kwarto.

I sat at my bedside table and opened my laptop as I scroll down for new emails. One email caught my attention.

"Die?" I asked through myself.

Is this what Venus meant? Death threats?

I deleted the email and closed my laptop. I changed to my comfortable clothes and climb to the bed. I closed my eyes as I rest my back on the soft matress.

I woke up with the sunlight hitting my face. I groaned as I stand up and went straight to the shower. Lumabas akong nakatapis lang ng tuwalya at pumasok sa walk-in-closet. I choose to wear a button-down white dress that hugged my curves so fine. It's my rest day from work today, so I'll go shop some new clothes. Ipapa-giveaway ko na 'yong mga old ones ko na magagamit pa. Giving it away is the best decision rather than throwing it, sayang naman.

"Yaji, kung pupunta si Venus dito, tell her I'm going to shop for new clothes."

"Yes, Miss."

I went to the chauffeur and we drove off from the house. With my chanel bag in my hand, I entered the mall and went directy to the clothes section. I was humming while looking for fine dresses when something hit my head. Napalingon-lingon ako sa paligid. Nang walang makitang kahina-hinalang tao ay bumalik ako sa pagpili. I accidentally stepped on something, I looked down and found a curled paper on my heels. Kinuha ko ito at binuksan.

"You and your sister sucks! Dapat sa inyo pinapahirapan hanggang mamatay!"

I looked around one more time with a poker-faced expression plastered on my face. I'm not scared for myself, I'm scared for my sister's. Matagal ko nang alam na maraming nagpapadala ng mga ganitong sulat sa kaniya, minsan ay through messages pa and emails, mayroon ding through mysterious calls. Hindi naman ako napapadalhan, that's why I'm a bit surprised when I recieved one yesterday.

Well, it's fine for me. I can take care of anything, I'm silent but deadly. Not like my sister, she's the 'praning' type. Overthinker din. Those threats started when she got the awards for the most hit music on any platforms at exactly a year ago. My sister is a good singer, a very good one I must say.

"As expected, you're here," ani ko nang makita itlng nakaupo sa living room.

"We have a problem."

"Well, life won't be called life if we're not struggling." I shrugged.

"I hate you."

"Yeah whatever."

"Anyways, I'm here to tell you that I hired a bodyguard," she clapped.

"Good for you."

"I know. Wanna see 'em?"

"Not interested. Nandito ka lang ba para sabihin sa'kin 'yan?"

Ngumuso ito.

"I hired one for you too. He's trusted, he's been doing his job for years. He's a highly respected expensive police officer."

Napatigil ako saglit saka ito binigyan ng nambibintang na tingin. Did she just said she hired one for me? I mean, I'm not complaining but goddamn hell knows how much I hate chaperone. Imagine being watched whole day, sorry but it's disgusting and uncomfortable for me so I'll say, no.

"What police?"

"Police. The civil force of a national or local government, responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of public order," she read it out loud while scrolling throigh her phone.

"I fucking know that. Why would you hire one for me? It's not like my life is at stake," as a matter of factly, I said.

She rolled her eyes at me in annoyance.

"Both our life is. Now don't be grumpy you little piece of a cake and come with me, I want you to meet Eros," she smirked.

"Stop match-making me," sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"What? Eros is his name. Kasalanan ko bang Eros ang pangalan niya at ikaw naman si Psyche?" she laughed horrifically.

"It's Nev, kalimutan mo ang Psyche."

"Come again? I didn't hear what you said, Nevaeh Psyche."

Hinayaan ko itong hilahin ako papunta sa likod ng bahay ko. I saw three guys standing outside in a tuxedo.

"Heyyyyyy!" tawag niya sa mga ito.

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"Eros, you know what to do."

The hazel eyed specimen nodded and went to my side.

"Venus, no," tanggi ko.

"No can do, Nev. I already hired one for you."

"I told you, I'll be fine and I don't need personal protection. I have my guards outside."

"They're not your bodyguards! Binabantayan lang nila 'yong mga taong pumapasok at lumalabas sa bahay mo. Hindi sila sumasama sa'yo kung saan ka man nagpupu-punta," she sarcastically smiled.

Still a no for me, and my answer stands.

"I'm not a star like you, wala pa akong natatanggap na death threats. I'm glad that you hired one for me, but no, I couldn't stand the fact that I'll be with a chaperone watching my every move twenty-four seven. If you'll excuse me, I have to do something, bye."

Nagmamadaling pumasok ulit ako sa living room at kinuha ang mga shopping bags saka umakyat sa staircase. That hazel eyed specimen is so hot as hell, damn it. Just kidding, I so hate good looking dudes. I prefer those nerdy ones, just a lowkey.

While tapping the tab and doing some works, a loud knock on my door catch my attention.

"I'll be out of the country soon, Venus. Stop bugging me about that bodyguard stuff!" I said.

"Nevaeh. I only want you to be safe, you're the only family I have. I can't forgive myself if something bad happen to you," her soothing voice lingered my ears.

"I hate you."

"Yes, dear sister, I love you too. Now open up and let Eros get inside."

I got up from my seat and opened the door with a stoic face.

"Privacy. Wala naman yatang papatay sa'kin sa loob ng kwarto ko, right?"

"Hindi natin alam. What if may umakyat sa window mo? Or a sniper? Still unsafe."

"I'm a normal citizen, Nanea Venus. Not a celeberity, or a very wealthy person."

"A-huh, may I remind you that you're a professional business tycoon, fame for being one of the youngest successful CEO at twenty-three, a spinster, my dear."

"Bachelorette, more conventional term," I corrected.

"Whatever. Still a no?" she glanced at the cold as ice hazel eyed specimen.

"My answer stands still."

"Please, Nev. Understand that I am doing this for you, for your own good. Nag-aalala lang ako para sa'yo, I've been scared my whole life after Mom and Dad's death. Mas lalong hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kung pati ikaw ay mawawala kay Ate."

Fucking guilt.

"Fine! This will be the last. When will this end?"

"After the expiration of my contract. Hindi na ako kukuha ulit, I've had enough. I'm turning thirty so I decided, I want to settle down."

"Oh, if you're settling down, then I'll also have to?" I asked.

"No! Hey! You're still too young to settle down," sobrang sama ng tingin nito sa'kin.

"I'm successful, I can fit it in."

"Shut up, Nevaeh!"

"Shut me up," I chuckled.

"Nevaeh Chivan!"

"Okay, okay. Napaka-pikonin mo talaga. Dinner ka na dito?" tanong ko.

Umiling ito.

"I can't. May concert pa ako bukas ng gabi, I need to prepare. Eros, sa'yo nakasalalay ang buhay nito. If something bad happen to her, I will definitely strangle you."

"Fiesty. Is that why Anteros had been head over heels with you?" asar ko.

Anteros is a big fan of Venus, he's a wealthy motherfucker who's head over heels with Venus' beauty for a decade.

"Oh my god, that brute!"

"Keep calm and love Anteros back."

She turned to me with a disgusting expression in her face.

"Yuck."

"Arte."

"I have to go. My manager is calling."

I watch her as she walk down the stairs with grace.

"You, stay outside," baling ko kay Eros.

I was about to slam the door shut when a strong hand stopped it and then Eros went inside with no emotion at all, not even pain! Is he a rock or what?!

"Eros!" I screamed.

"The guiding principle for actions of a bodyguard is to guarantee safety of the protected person."

Ang malalim at baritonong boses nito ay nag-echo sa eardrums ko.

Nagpupuyos sa inis na bumalik ako sa pagkaka-upo, sa Eros ay nakatayo sa tabi ko, hindi gaano kalayo sa'kin.

"Name?" I asked.

"Eros."

"No. Complete name."

"Eros Atticus Ajax Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff"

Napalingon ako sa gawi nito.

"Wolf- what?"

"Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff."

"Nevermind. Age?"

"Twenty-eight."

What the fuck? Ano 'to youngest bodyguard of the world? Motherfucker you look thirty.

"Look Mister Wolf- whatever your goddamn last name is, you can just do whatever you want and get out of my sight. Hindi mo na kailangang gawin pa ang trabaho mo sa'kin, 'wag kang mag-alala hindi kita isusumbong kay Venus," litanya ko.

Yes, gano'n ko siya ka-disgusto.

Hindi man lang ito umimik at nanatiling nakatayo. Straight ang tingin sa at parang may malalim na iniisip.

"Hello? Naririnig mo ba ako?"

"Loud and clear, Ma'am."

"Then oblige!"

Nawalan ulit ito ng imik.

Nakaka-bwesit!

I stood up, collected my things and walk outside. Napalingon ako sa likod. There were no foot steps to be heard but he's following me!

"Stop following me, Eros."

"Duty."

"I don't care if it's part of your duties or not, just stop following me!"

He still followed wherever I go like he doesn't give a fuck about what I just said. My one hour life was fucked up, and I have to endure this for month.

"Seriously, Eros? Pati sa pagtulog?"

He nodded, full attention on me. He's standing beside my bed and watching my every move.

"Hindi ka ba matutulog?"

"I will, in the couch."

"Then go and sleep. Stop watching my move, it's uncomfortable!"

Finally, for the first time, he actually obliged. Hinubad nito ang coat na suot, tinanggal ang neck tie, relos, pati narin ang sapatos. He opened the first two buttons of his long sleeve and sat on the couch, facing me.

"Ano na? Matulog ka na."

"Later, if you're asleep."

I rolled my eyes in annoyance and layed down my bed. I faced the opposite side and hugged my pillow as I closed my eyes. Moments later, I opened my eyes to see if he's asleep or not. I found him on the couch, lying with his arms as his pillow.

Guilt washed through me. Tumayo ako bitbit ang isang unan at lumapit sa kaniya. Maingat na iniangat ko ang ulo nito at nilagay ang unan. I dislike him being here with me, but that doesn't mean I'm heartless to not give him a proper comfort, he's still my bodyguard after all.

Bumalik ako sa kama at umayos ng higa. I don't sleep with the lamp open so I decided to turn it off before drifting to sleep.

I'm Nevaeh Psyche Chivan, and I'm starting to get annoyed with the presence of Eros Atticus Wolf- whatever.

*****

@MyNamez_Anne