Chapter 9 The Bodyguards

I realised that this case put me under a lot of pressure. It felt like trust, truth and lies were all mixed together.

I searched for David online and found a video of him that seemed to implicate him in illegal activities.

The video showed a man dressed all in black standing around organising several people moving large brown boxes.The person is presumed to be David, while the boxes are presumed to contain methamphetamine.

I pressed the pause button at the ten-second mark, and the figure of the man in black stopped on the screen.Then, I zoomed in on the screen, making half his face clear, and I compared the shape of his nose and the look in his eyes to David's face in the picture of his face in another article.

There were some similarities, like the way he looked, smiled and stood, but it wasn't enough to be sure that the man in the video was really him.When I played the video again, the male figure moved slowly to another place, and his way of walking was very different.

David always had a firm posture and steady stride, and you could see his muscles when he wore a blue suit. He moved with confidence, as if he knew exactly where he was going, but the man in the video didn't move like that. His steps are more... lighter and his arms look thin.

I took a deep breath, because I could see that there was a difference between the two.This video was also taken one month ago.Is it possible that a lot has changed in David?

If the man in the video isn't David, who is he?

"Hey..." Jack came up to me. I quickly closed the video before he could see it, then he stood next to me. "Do you want to have lunch?"

I nodded.Trying to hide my nervousness, I said, "Yeah, why not!"

We walked out, heading for the café in the office.Jack sat opposite me, taking a sip of his juice before finally putting the glass down quietly.

"So, what did you talk about with Mr Bobby this morning?"

Before I could answer, I looked at a few people dressed in black in the corner of the café. They were sitting at a table far away from me, but I could see that they were there.

Some of them glanced at me, and stole glances, and I was sure it wasn't a coincidence.

"Are you guys still talking about that illegal businessman? What's his name? David?"

"Shh..." I whispered, still staring at them. "Don't mention his name." I looked at Jack.

"Why?" He whispered back.Then he followed my gaze, looking confused. "Who are they?"

"I don't know." I answered honestly.

I tried to stay calm, but I was scared. I took a bite of the sandwich I'd ordered a few minutes ago, but it no longer tasted good. It wasn't because the food was bad, but because I was thinking too much.

While Jack occasionally glanced behind him, making sure that the stranger was still there, I asked, "Are they watching us?"

I nodded slowly in a whisper. "I think so,"

"What for?" Jack looked confused, but he carried on eating his sandwich, only halfway through.

I tried to look away, but I saw someone watching me from inside a black car with the window open.This time, I recognised them.The person in the car was David's bodyguard.

Suddenly, my mobile phone rang.The screen lit up, displaying an incoming message.

It was from an unknown number.

I felt my heart beat a little faster as I opened the message.

"Get out of there. You're not safe."

I felt nervous. It was short and without a name, but it was definitely a warning. I looked at the black car. David's bodyguard was still there, watching me.

"It's me, David."

"Leave that place, then get into the black car. You saw it, right?"

"I have something to tell you."

My heart was beating faster. I looked at the black car on the other side of the road.The window was slightly closed, as if it was waiting for me to do something. I bit my lip, and my mind was racing. This could be a trick. I typed a reply.

"Why should I trust you?"

A few seconds later, I got a reply.

"Because you're not safe, Hanna."

Without another thought, I grabbed my bag and stood up, trying to look casual.Jack raised his eyebrows. "What are you gonna do?"

"I need to go." As I walked out of the café and passed the men in black , I could feel their sharp gazes on me. Then, from the reflection of the car at the edge of the shop, I saw them stand up and follow me.

I started to feel nervous and quickly went to the car parked across the street. I opened the car door quickly and saw that there was no David there. Only his two bodyguards were sitting in the front seat.

"Where's David?"

"Somewhere, ma'am."

I rolled my eyes. "Then why did he send me here for?"

The two bodyguards didn't answer. The man in the front passenger seat reached inside his suit for something, a medium-sized tablet, and handed it to me.I slowly took it.The screen lit up as soon as my fingers touched it, and there, David's face appeared.This is a live video.

David was sitting in what looked like his office.He looked serious and was looking at the screen, straight at me.

"Hey," he said, sounding worried. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I replied quietly.'But I don't know how to react, David. Some of guy watching me. Who are they?"

David tried to sound calm. "Hanna, calm down. I'm checking who they are and what they're doing." David's voice sounded calm, but I could feel the tension behind it. "Look, from now on, you'll be watched by two of my bodyguards. So no one will be able to kidnap you but me."

I looked at the two bodyguards in the front seat. They were silent and focused on the road, but I knew they were listening to every word we said.

"You'll be safe as long as they're with you."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Are you sure?'

"Trust me if you want."

I took a deep breath and gripped the tablet tightly with my fingers. "I'll trust you."

David smiled slightly. "That's better."

Then we looked at each other. As I looked into his eyes, I felt sure that I should believe him.I suddenly felt that I really needed him.

"David,' I said, my throat felt dry. "I believe you," I said. I looked at his face. He was silent, waiting for me to say more. "I believe that the man in the video is not you. I've watched the video."

"What makes you sure?"

"The way he walks and the way you walk are different, and I'm sure it's not you. Because I know you."

He smiled. "Brilliant, Hanna."

Suddenly, there were gunshots from outside the car, breaking the glass of the car parked behind me.

I immediately ducked to save myself. "David!" I turned to the tablet screen, hoping he was still there, but the connection was already lost.