Chapter 2 Guarding Penny: An Unwanted Companion

Penelope quickly got up from her bed as her

alarm clock rang in her room.

"Geez! It's morning again? The night seems

to have passed so quickly. I'm still so sleepy," she said while

stretching.

"Good morning, Ma'am Penny!" Nanny

Pilar greeted her as she entered the room with a tray of food.

"Nanny Pilar, you don't need to bring me

food in my room. I can just go downstairs," Penelope said, but Nanny Pilar

just smiled. She had been working for them for 20 years, almost like a second

mother to Penelope, always fussing over her. Nanny Pilar was childless, so she

treated Penelope with extra care and love for all the years she had served

their family. Penelope loved and trusted Nanny Pilar deeply.

Penelope's father owned a school where she

taught grade 1. St. Rose Academy was a combination of high school and

elementary school, all owned by her family. Although she didn't need to work

because their family was well-off, she loved teaching and didn't heed her

mother's suggestion to quit and start a business. Her parents didn't want her

to be bullied in their own school.

She was on the heavier side, dressed

conservatively, and was considered old-fashioned. In short, she considered

herself unattractive, and no one seemed to be interested in her. She had a

crush once, but she knew it was impossible for him to feel the same way. She

was resigned to the fact that she might remain a spinster.

"Oh, I'll leave you then. Just come out

when you're ready. By the way, your Daddy wanted to talk to you urgently,"

Nanny Pilar informed her. She nodded without much enthusiasm.

It was exactly seven o'clock when she left her

room. She was already in her uniform, ready for school. She usually went to

school with her father, who was also the school's principal.

As she stepped out of her room, she spotted her

father downstairs, engaged in a conversation with a man. She furrowed her

brows.

Who was that man?

"Oh, honey, you're here already. Daddy's

been waiting for you," her mother said.

"Mommy, who is Daddy talking to?" she

asked.

"Oh, him? You should talk to your dad about

it," her mother replied. Penelope's confusion deepened.

Her father turned to look at her when she

descended the stairs.

"Penelope, I'm glad you're here," he

said.

She immediately glanced at the man her father

had been talking to, who was now also looking at her.

Tall, rough-looking.

Who was this man?

He had a lot of tattoos on his body and numerous

earrings in his ears. He was wearing a black shirt with a skull emblem and

jeans. He also had a black leather jacket draped over his shoulder. One corner

of his mouth lifted as he studied her from head to toe. It sent shivers down

her spine.

"Who is he, Dad?" she asked in

amazement.

"He's Rocky, and he'll be your bodyguard

from now on."

Her eyes widened at what she heard.

Bodyguard?

Was she dreaming? Why would she suddenly need a

bodyguard? And one who looked like he had just been released from prison!

"What? Seriously, Dad, is this some kind of

joke?" she stammered.

Her father just laughed at her question.

"Penny, my dear, this is not a joke. It's

better for you to have a bodyguard for your protection. I don't want a repeat

of the past, so please, let's not argue about this," her father explained.

She was even more puzzled. Why did she suddenly need a bodyguard? What was

happening to her father?

"Dad, I'm not a child anymore. I don't need

a bodyguard!" she protested, but her father shook his head.

"Penny, come on. We're running late. This

is not the right time to argue. I'm just looking out for you."

"Looking out for me? He doesn't even look

trustworthy!" she retorted.

"Miss, am I not trustworthy enough with

this handsome face of mine? Don't be so judgmental," the man interjected.

Judgmental? Where did he pick up that word? She

rolled her eyes.

"Don't be like that, dear. Let's go, Rocky.

Penny, come on!" her father urged, and she reluctantly followed them.

There was no point in arguing with her father;

she knew him well. When he made a decision, there was no room for disagreement.

It was frustrating!

"Penny, stay next to Rocky; I have a lot of

things to carry," her father said when they reached the car.

"What? I don't want to sit next to him,

Dad!" she objected, but her father gave her a stern look.

"Penny, come on. Don't create a scene just

because you don't like my orders."

His tone was strict, and she fell silent.

She glanced at the annoying man, and he grinned

back, even joining in with the rock music playing on the radio.

He was so irritating! Even his taste in music

seemed sketchy.

When they arrived at school, the car came to a

stop. They all got out, including the troublesome man.

"Don't tell me you have to follow me to

school too?" she asked the man, irritated.

"That's right. That's your father's order.

You're amazing!" the man replied, teasing her, but she just glared at him.

He withdrew his hand, embarrassed.

"Rocky, take care of Penny," her

father instructed, and she rolled her eyes in frustration. She couldn't even

complain.

She marched toward her classroom with the man

trailing behind her like a shadow.

People stared at them. The man waved to those he

passed.

"Hi, fans!" he said to the onlookers.

She scowled.

Fans? This man had some nerve.

He seemed to exude confidence. She might be the

unluckiest person right now because of her father's decision. Why did this have

to happen to her? But it's already happened; she can't do anything about her

father's order; she just hopes that having a bodyguard will not take too long

in her life. She didn't dream of having a bodyguard; oh, how she wishes that

this was just a dream!