Huh? Did she ask me? It didn't seem like it.
Nanay Lora patted Blythe's head, "Just be careful, okay?"
She turned to me and smiled, "Such a beautiful girl."
"By the way, Don has been calling for you, and Blythe's bodyguard has been waiting outside for a while now."
Blythe rolled her eyes, and Nanay Lora laughed at her, "Don't play tricks on your bodyguard again, dear, okay?"
"I can't promise that, Manang."
"Alright, I have things to do."
Blythe held onto my arm as we headed for the stairs. We hadn't gone far when I saw two pairs of feet in front of us. I looked up, and my heart started racing.
"Where are you going?" He was looking at Blythe, but his gaze quickly shifted to me.
He was wearing a white t-shirt paired with blue shorts. His hair was slightly messy, but it only made him look more handsome.
"It's none of your business, Brother," her brother answered curtly.
We were about to pass by Brother Alejandro when he grabbed Blythe's arm.
"I'm asking you, Blythe," he said firmly, not breaking eye contact with me. I felt like he was scrutinizing every part of me. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his jaw clenched again. I couldn't help but feel afraid. Is he angry with me?
"Girl's stuff, of course! We're going shopping, isn't it obvious? Let go
He rolled his eyes at what I said, "You shouldn't be scared of him, Alyana. Yes, everyone finds him really dangerous, but I'm an exception."
"Everyone's afraid of him?"
"Well, he's a psychopath, that's why. He does nothing but-Oh, sorry. Forget what I said."
A psychopath? A person with an egocentric and antisocial personality marked by a lack of remorse for their actions, an absence of empathy for others, and often criminal tendencies?
My eyes widened.
"Has he hurt someone before?"
"Exactly!" He immediately covered his mouth when he realized what he'd said.
"Does Don know?"
"That's the problem, he has no idea about his son's madness. Come on, you're asking too many questions."
I couldn't help but worry about his brother. Uncle Sandro is kind, and so is Blythe, although she's a bit of a troublemaker. I thought maybe Alejandro is going through something, which is why he's become like that. I shook my head, trying to clear my troubled thoughts.
Just like earlier, Dad and Uncle Sandro greeted us, but this time Blythe was noisy and paid attention to her father. She was even being clingy with him.
Dad smiled at me, "Fixing yourself up suits you, my dear. My Alyana is really becoming a young lady."
I pouted, "But I already am a young lady, Dad. I'm almost eighteen."
"You're still your father's baby girl. It looks like someone here doesn't want to admit he's getting older and is close to being a senior."
"Stop that, Alessandro. I accept that I'm in my 50s."
The Don shrugged.
"Take care on your outing," Dad advised.
"Be careful, ladies. Come home early," said Uncle Sandro.
We exited the mansion, and I noticed a tall man outside the gate, standing next to a large van. He had his back to us, so I couldn't see his face.
This must be Blythe's new bodyguard. He's really tall. Even though he's dressed formally, his large arms and muscular build are still noticeable.
The girl next to me was speechless until we got closer. The man quickly turned to face us. His face was emotionless and very serious. He didn't look scary, unlike Alejandro, whose face was always dark.
"A-are y-you my new bodyguard?"
I was surprised when the girl next to me started stuttering. Eventually, a grin replaced her previously open mouth, "Or maybe my next boyfriend? Hmm..."
The man cleared his throat, his face still very serious. "Good afternoon, Ma'am. I'm Knight Cydien Amadeo, your personal bodyguard," even his voice was as cold as ice.
"I'm Blythe Sylendria Salvatore, nice to meet you... My soon-to-be boyfriend."
I felt embarrassed for Blythe. When I looked back at the man, I couldn't help but be amazed at how professional he was; he didn't show any emotion, not even for a second. I'm starting to wonder if I'm surrounded by men with icy personalities.
"Not only is he a boring old man, but he also looks like a robot," Blythe sneered at nothing, so I elbowed her.
"What?!"
"Don't be so grumpy."
She pouted.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Blythe, but my job is to protect you, and I didn't apply to be your boyfriend."
"You can apply to be my boyfriend too," I softly elbowed her again.
I looked at the man named Knight with an apologetic expression, "I'm sorry, she's just acting like this because she's hungry. Let's go now."
He nodded and opened the door for us. I could feel Blythe's sharp gaze on me, so I just shook my head and laughed.
I sat next to Blythe while her bodyguard was in the front, driving.
"I thought I would be stressed out again with my new bodyguard, but I was wrong. Knight in shining armor might be my stress reliever," she whispered excitedly to me. "Look, he's hot. So yummy!"
I grimaced, "He doesn't seem interested-" She stopped me by placing her index finger on my lips.
"Shut up, Alyana. I don't care; I've already got a crush on him. Oh, I should thank Dad later. He's the best!"
"Does this mean you won't be scaring off your bodyguards anymore?"
"I'm really blessed with this gorgeous man as my personal bodyguard, but that doesn't mean I'll stop using my blackmailing techniques, you know."
I frowned, "I thought you liked him? Do you still want him to resign?"
"Shh, he might hear us. Lower your voice, Alyana," she looked ahead and then back at me, "That's not what I meant. I never said I wanted to get rid of him. Why would I do that when I can just force him to be my boyfriend? Blackmailing will do."
I gently nudged the girl beside me, "Blythe..."
"Hmm?"
"Are you getting enough sleep? Is your head okay?"
Author's note: Time check, 11:47. I still tried to update despite having so much to do, pft. I edit before I update in case I accidentally include some nonsense.
I'm telling you guys, don't judge Alejandro too early, as the saying goes, don't judge a book by its cover. Oh wait, is that right? Oh well, close enough.
---
Childhood Friend
Knight quickly got out of the van we were in. Just like before, he opened the door for us. He extended his hand to Blythe and helped her out, doing the same for me.
The building in front of us was huge and tall, with many people around, most of them either families or couples.
"Uhm, thanks! What do you prefer to be called, Mr. Amadeo?"
I looked at Blythe, who was gazing up at the man in front of her because of his height. His large body also overshadowed hers.
"Whatever you're most comfortable with, Ma'am," Knight replied politely.
Blythe held her chin, as if deep in thought, "Hmm... What about 'babe'?"
I looked at Knight's reaction, and though his face remained serious, I could sense his displeasure.
"Blythe!"
"I'm fine with 'Knight' or my last name, Ma'am."
Blythe raised an eyebrow, "But I'm more comfortable calling you 'babe.'"
I just slapped my forehead. Is this really how Blythe acts around guys she likes?
Knight didn't respond and just sighed.
"Silence means yes," Blythe looked at me, "Right? Come on, Alyana. Let's go shopping."
She came closer to me and held my arm, while her bodyguard positioned himself behind us. The three of us walked in together.
As soon as we entered, I noticed that we immediately caught the attention of the other people inside. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable with the way they were staring. Some looked amazed, some smiled, some were serious, and some seemed irritated. Those were the women who stared at us from head to toe.
"Are they celebrities?"
"Look at the girl in the white dress, wow!"
"They look like goddesses!"
I looked at my companions' faces, and they both had serious expressions, staring straight ahead as if they heard nothing.
"Wow, that guy is hot. He's so yummy."
"I'd be willing to be a young mom if he was the dad."
Blythe, who had been walking with her head held high, suddenly stopped. She gave the girls who were whispering earlier a sharp glare.
"What are you staring at?" she asked them haughtily. I quickly tapped her arm.
"Let it go, Blythe. Come on."
She rolled her eyes before we turned our backs on them.
Blythe was still holding my arm, but she let go when we entered the dress shop. Her bodyguard followed closely behind.
She picked out a blue dress, long with a high slit at the thigh. She held it up to me, so I looked at her curiously, "What's this?"
"Shoes? Maybe?"
I frowned at her response, "You're such a smart aleck."
She laughed and handed me the dress, "Sounds like Blythe."
"Why are you giving this to me?"
"Just try it on, okay? I'm going to try mine too. Go, go, go," she pushed me into a dressing room and quickly closed the curtain.
I had a hard time putting on the dress-or gown, I wasn't sure. It looked so elegant and was very long. Like the dress I wore earlier, it clung tightly to my body, and my thigh was completely exposed. I was afraid to take a step, worried I might trip because the dress was dragging on the floor.
I pushed the curtain aside and slowly stepped out. Just as I did, Blythe also stepped out from the adjacent dressing room.
She twirled in front of me, "What do you think? Does this gown fit my body well?"
Our outfits were very similar. Hers was black and backless, while mine was blue and not as revealing at the back.
I nodded at her, amazed. She approached me and examined the dress I was wearing.
"Oh gosh, you look so hot, pretty babe! We should take a picture."
Since her bodyguard was outside, Blythe decided to ask the saleslady for a favor to take our photo.
We both approached the saleslady.
"Hi, can I ask you a favor, miss?"
The woman was momentarily stunned, her mouth hanging open as her eyes darted back and forth between Blythe and me. When she snapped out of it, she lightly slapped her cheek.
Blythe glanced
To Be Continued...