Chapter 10 I

Chapter 9

Saturday came, and my friends picked me up from my house. As expected, my bodyguard was with me again, sitting right beside Nathalie's driver.

"Oh my god! I'm so excited!" Nathalie shouted, and since I was beside her, I shoved a piece of fried chicken into her mouth. She was being so loud; we were still in the car.

"Hmp!!" she responded, which made me laugh, so I just ate the chicken I had prepared.

While eating, I found myself staring at the rearview mirror, where I could see my perfect bodyguard. I quickly looked away, not wanting him to catch me staring, and engaged in conversation with Nathalie, who was also munching on the fried chicken I made myself.

"Woah! The chicken! It tastes good. Did your mom make this?" she asked while enjoying the flavors.

"I made that, Nathalie. What do you think of me? Can't cook?" I replied.

"Really? Let us try some!" said the two girls in the back seat, who were peeking, so I handed them a piece. And just like that, the hungry ones joined in.

"Hmmm! It's really delicious. You must have taken after your mom, Myl!" Lyra commented, making me smile.

"I know, right?" I arrogantly replied, and then I found myself giving a piece of chicken to our driver and, lastly, to my perfect bodyguard.

"Is it good, sir?" I asked our driver as he quickly finished the piece.

"It's delicious, ma'am. You're a great cook; even the chicken's insides taste amazing," he said with a smile, and I shifted my gaze to my bodyguard, whose expression remained unchanged, no reaction at all.

"How about you? How is it?" I asked, feeling my heart race.

Why was I nervous about what he might say?

"Not bad," he replied, which made me smile, even though that was all he said.

While I smiled, I felt my friends' hands reaching for the chicken again, so I swatted them away one by one and covered the food.

"Enough! We won't have any fried chicken left if you keep eating!" I teased, wondering why they were pouting as they returned to their seats.

Minutes passed, and we finally arrived at the resort. Our driver parked the car, and we all got out. We paid for our entrance and the cottage we were renting.

As we entered, the coldness of the resort greeted us, probably because of the cold water here. I really love this resort. It's perfect for summer!

"Let's go!"

Nathalie shouted as she stripped off her clothes to reveal her bikini. Lyra, also in a bikini, laughed, while Amber wore only shorts and a bra like me.

I was the last to approach the swimming pool because I was still tying my hair. I immediately dove into the pool and started swimming.

There weren't many people at the resort today because classes were still ongoing, but once summer hits, this place will be packed.

"So refreshing. By the way, when is your college entrance schedule?" Lyra asked as I swam over to the three of them at the edge of the pool.

"Next week, Amber and I have ours," I answered.

"I have mine next weekend," Nathalie replied, making Lyra nod in agreement.

"Let's go and play, girls. Let's race. To the end and back here. The winner gets $10,000 in cash."

"Game!" we all chimed in at Nathalie's suggestion.

"Position!"

I got into position and prepared for the race.

"Go!"

All at once, we dove in and swam. In just a moment, I finished the race and won!

"Congratulations, Madeline. And because you're the winner, you'll be awarded $10,000 in cash, but after 10 years, let's say," Nathalie joked.

We all laughed at Nathalie's comment and continued to play to enjoy our time at the resort.

Lunchtime came, so we got out for a while. As we reached the cottage, my bodyguard and the driver were preparing our lunch.

"Thanks, guys!"

Nathalie said. I chuckled softly because my bodyguard was also called "manong." We thanked them and started eating together.

After lunch, we headed back to the pool and continued to have fun.

But after that enjoyable day, it was replaced by an exhausting night and aching bodies. I was happy, but I felt like I was going to catch a fever.

"See? You were too rowdy out there. Now look, you don't have any energy left."

That was my mom's sermon when I got home because I felt like I was drunkenly entering the house due to exhaustion, drowsiness, and body aches. Even my eyes were hurting.

"Mom, I think I'm getting a fever."

I said wearily as I lay down on my bed. My perfect bodyguard assisted me.

"Thank you. You can rest now," Mom said to my bodyguard. But I ignored that because I was still blinking sleepily.

"Okay, just sleep there for now. If you wake up because of hunger, just call your bodyguard. I'll have him keep watch outside your room later."

"Hmmm," was all I replied before I fell asleep.

I only woke up when I felt hungry. My room was dark, so I got up and turned on the light.

I noticed I was still wearing the clothes from earlier when we got home, so I decided to change. I was still tired, but I was also hungry.

After changing, I stepped outside. I wasn't surprised to see my bodyguard leaning against the wall in front of my door, so our eyes met immediately.

He'll be watching me until morning? How sweet! Oh, wait, I think Mom had him assigned here. Stop being delusional; that's bad for your health.

I just smiled, which made him raise an eyebrow. He was handsome, but he had a stern demeanor. My long hair could have looked great down, but it seemed like I wasn't his type.

"Are you hungry?" he asked coldly as he adjusted his stance. He was wearing black jeans and a tight black t-shirt, showcasing his well-defined biceps. His body was really great. He was hot!

I heard him clear his throat, so I redirected my gaze to his handsome face, locking my eyes with his blue ones. I still couldn't believe such a handsome being existed.

"Yes. I'm really hungry," I replied, smiling at him, trying to be cute.

He nodded and walked ahead. I followed him with a smile. He was blocking me as we walked. His every step seemed to claim the world as his own.

Ahem... I'm here too, blue-eyed hunk!

"Just sit there, and I'll serve your food."

He said in his cold, baritone voice. I took a seat at the island counter and just stared at him as he prepared my meal.

Does he have a girlfriend?

Or maybe a wife?

If you had a girlfriend, I'd be jealous of her. But if you're single, that's honestly worse!

I should ask.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" I asked while munching on an apple that was on the counter.

He paused, looked at me without emotion, and then smiled. I heard him take a deep breath before he turned away from me again.

"It's not my duty to have a futile conversation with you, Miss Madeline," he replied coldly. I really liked having this kind of conversation with him.

"Well, it's not yet your duty since I'm not outside for you to protect me properly. We're inside the house, so it's not that bad to have a little chit-chat, you know?"

"So, do you have a girlfriend?"

"None."

That was quick.

"Wife?"

"None."

"Hmmm... how about a crush?"

"None."

"Seriously? You can't just respond with a single word that's four letters long?"

He didn't respond and continued to focus on cooking my food. He was indeed grumpy. Sometimes I could see him scowl, and his perfect jaw would move when I teased him. No love life at all.

He had already helped me a lot. What if I let him experience having a love life? Just kidding...

"How much do your words cost? You're so stingy with your responses."

I said, but he didn't say another word until he finished cooking and set the food in front of me.

I didn't pester him anymore and just ate. I had nothing to gain from him other than his watchful presence.

"Ocean blue eyes looking into mine I feel like I might sink, drown, and die. You're so gorgeous. I can't say anything to your face. 'Cause look at your face. And I'm so furious. Thank you for making me feel this way. But what can I say? You're gorgeous."

I sang to myself while scrolling on my phone but kept sneaking glances at him. I was trying to get his attention, after all! I wasn't the only one channeling Taylor here; I was too! Plus, I had a bodyguard with ocean blue eyes and was gorgeous and hot.

I kept singing, but it seemed to be of no interest to him. He didn't even glance my way as he continued cooking. But his back was a nice view because his muscles flexed as he moved.

I mischievously grinned and seized the opportunity to take his picture. And since my camera wasn't on flash, I got a lot of good shots. Ackkk!

But I stopped a bit when he looked back. I almost dropped my phone because of the surprise.

I forced a smile at him and adjusted my seating. I gulped when I saw his angry look at me.

I also stopped because I might get caught, and I might really get in trouble. It's bad when the quiet ones get angry, plus he's really grumpy.

After just a few minutes, he started preparing something for me to eat. I was frowning and staring at him as he laid the food in front of me.

"Eat," he ordered, so I just nodded and began eating. I was hungry too. What time is it? I had just started eating.

After a few minutes, I finished my meal, so he immediately escorted me back to my room. I just lay down and went to sleep because my body was still really tired.

The next day, I woke up late. It was already 9 when I left my room, but thankfully I felt a bit less tired. I still had to leave later that noon because we had dance practice.

"Good morning, dear. Eat over there so you can get dressed; we're going to church."

Mom greeted me right away. Oh, it's Sunday. Every Saturday, we go to church, especially since our grandparents are very religious. Especially Grandpa, who would scold you if you didn't join for church. Even if you had something to do, you had to set it aside because we're going to church. But it's fine because, of course, it's God.

I quickly ate alone. My cousins had already dressed while I was still eating. Mass starts at 10, and Grandpa will have the priest bless him because he's running for mayor. He really needs the blessing for God to protect him.

"Hey, hurry up over there!"

Range said as he approached me. I shot him a glare. It's only 9. He's so excited. He's probably going to try to catch the attention of his crush. He thinks she'll like him when she wants to become a nun. They can't be together because he's a demon, and her crush is an angel.

A few minutes later, I finished eating, so I went back to my room to get dressed.

I wore a floral dress that reached my knees and stilettos with 2-inch heels. I also brought my blue sling bag, where I kept my money and phone. There are many delicious foods near the church. I also packed a change of clothes in the car since I have dance practice later. I'll head straight to the plaza after.

When I went downstairs, they were all in the living room waiting for me, and as usual, we had one bodyguard each among us cousins, plus two more bodyguards to convoy us.

We brought four cars. Three were for the family, and one was for the bodyguards at the back, just following us.

When we arrived at the church, there were already many people there. The mass was about to start. As soon as we got out, we were immediately surrounded because of Grandpa, who was smiling and waving at the people. I could only shake my head as we went inside.

A few minutes later, the mass began.

The mass only lasted an hour, but we ended up staying for a few more hours because there was a feast happening at the church, so we joined in the food again. However, I only ate a little-just desserts since I was still full.

We were seated at a round table while our bodyguards stood nearby. They were also eating to keep their energy up.

"Mom."

I called her attention. She immediately looked at me.

"What?"

"We have practice today. I'll just stay at the plaza because we'll practice there."

"Huh? But you're wearing a dress."

"No worries, I have my change of clothes in the car."

"Okay."

She replied and continued eating.

I finished eating dessert, so I left immediately to head to the parking lot to grab my clothes. There's a comfort room here, so I changed there.

I also noticed my bodyguard following me from behind. He's quick to notice that I left. I didn't even tell him I was going.

After changing my clothes, we returned to the car to put away the things I had changed out of.

"Let's go?"

"Where are we going?"

He asked curiously, but his face was literally cold with no reaction!

"We have a dance practice at the park."

I said while tying my hair back. It was loose before.

But I didn't receive a response from him, so I just rolled my eyes and walked away. The plaza was nearby the church, so we would just walk. We'd take a tricycle home later.

While walking, I was looking down, typing on my cellphone. Almost all my classmates were there. It was already 11:30, the time we agreed on. We just brought packed meals because there would be no going home until we finished the entire dance. We would just finish it to memorize it.

"We already have enough people; let's start so we can get a lot done."

As soon as I arrived, that's what the president said right away. I could only pout because I wasn't even given a moment to rest, even just for a bit.

"Position now!"

He shouted, so we had no choice but to go to our choreography. I'm sure I'll be exhausted when I get home. It's really hard being a student.