Chapter 7 Dylan Quincy's bodyguard

The grand dining room echoed with the clinking of silverware as the maids laid out Quincy's meal. He dropped the gamepad on the velvet couch and strolled over lazily, adjusting his silk robe.

"Tell Harper to taste the food," he said, settling into his seat.

"He is not back, sir," a maid replied, her voice cautious.

"What?" Quincy's brows furrowed. "He's not back yet? It's almost nightfall."

"I don't think he is coming back today, sir."

"Really?" he muttered, stabbing a piece of chicken and bringing it to his mouth. "Okay, no problem."

But as he chewed slowly, his mind wandered. Why didn't he come back? Maybe something came up?He looked toward the door again, his chest tightening slightly before brushing it off with a shrug.

-

The next day.

Quincy stretched wide on the massive bed, yawning so loudly that it echoed through the room. "Oh my goodness! I feel so sore all over, Harper please bring my clothes I need to wash up-"

"He is not back, sir," a maid said from the corner.

Quincy's eyes shot open. He blinked. "Not back yet? This is 12 pm!"

"Yes, sir."

He sat up sharply, sheets sliding off his legs. "What the hell is he doing when he was supposed to be protecting me here! I will deal with him when he gets back!" He stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

Later that day, he ripped the gamepad from his face and tossed it on the floor, his frustration spilling out.

"Oh Harper, when is Harper coming back? It's 5 pm already-I'm dying not seeing him!" he whined, rolling around on the couch until he tumbled onto the carpet with a loud thud.

"Be careful, sir!"

"Just leave me alone and call someone to bring Harper down here!"

"We have to wait till he gets back, sir."

"What if he doesn't come back for a whole week? He left here at 3 pm yesterday and didn't return till now. He has spent a whole day!"

"Since no one else is assigned to you yet, it means he will come back today."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, sir."

"You definitely said you are sure that he will come back last night!" Quincy snapped, slamming the table hard, causing the maid to flinch.

"I'm sorry, sir! I thought he would return last night. I'm very sorry."

"How do we get to the field?"

"There's a car downstairs, but we are not allowed to use it."

"Does any of you know the way?"

"I know the way, sir."

"You take me there!"

"But sir-"

"No buts! I requested for it so nothing will happen."

"Alright, sir. Your meal will get cold-"

"I don't need it! Just take the food away, please. I need to see Harper right now."

"Yes, sir."

The maid nodded and left. Minutes later, she returned with the keys. Quincy didn't even wait for her to say anything else before striding toward the door.

But just as they reached the base of the staircase, a car screeched into the driveway. The black door popped open, and Harper stepped out, looking exhausted and pale.

"Where are you guys going to?" she asked, confused.

"Harper!" Quincy's face lit up, and he ran straight at her, wrapping his arms around her in a tight, excited hug.

"What are you doing?!" she yelled and shoved him off.

"I missed you, Harper-oh my God!" He hugged her again, tighter this time, and planted a quick kiss on her forehead.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

"What happened to you, Harper? How could you leave me alone for two days? What if I get killed before you come back? Then you'll be jobless!"

"I won't be jobless. I was given some days off."

He paused, his eyes narrowing. "Are you feeling sick? You look pale. And it seems like you didn't sleep the whole time." He reached up and touched her face. Harper flinched and looked away.

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine at all, Harper." He took her left hand gently. She winced in pain. He narrowed his eyes and rolled up her sleeve-only to find a thick bandage.

"What happened to your hand?"

"The training was a little bit rough. The sword cut my hand."

"Y'all use swords to fight? Is this some historical era?"

"We use all weapons to fight, Quincy. It'll heal in some days."

"Let's go back," he said quickly, grabbing her hand and pulling her upstairs.

Back in the room, he made her sit down and rushed out. He returned with a box and handed her some pills.

"Take this."

"I already used drugs."

"Then why do you look this way?"

"It just hurts somewhere else."

"Where? Where does it hurt again?"

I can't tell you that I'm having period cramps, can I? she thought, biting her lip. "I'm just tired," she whispered, but her voice cracked. The dam broke. "It hurts-oh my goodness, my tummy hurts badly!" she cried.

Quincy panicked, rushing to her side. "What the hell, Harper!" He scooped her up and carried her to the bed, laying her down gently as she clutched her stomach, her face drenched in sweat.

"What should we do now? Should I call the doctor?"

"No! Don't!"

"Then what? What if you have cancer or something?"

"I don't."

"Let me help you ease it down!" he said, clambering onto the bed beside her. He lifted her hoodie slightly and began rubbing her stomach gently.

"What are you doing?"

"I saw this online-it helps women when they're having cramps. I don't know if it's gonna work for you since you're not having cramps, but we give it a trial."

"...Thank you."

His hand was warm and soothing. Slowly, Harper's breathing evened out, and she drifted off to sleep.

Quincy watched her, fascinated. He brushed some strands of hair away from her face and smiled softly-until it hit him.

"What the hell am I doing? Why am I touching Harper as if he is a girl?" He jolted upright. "I was even smiling while doing that? Have I turned gay? What the hell!" He stared down at his hands. "Even if he looks attractive, it doesn't mean I should be attracted to him, right?"

His hands shook slightly. "Why is his body so soft like a girl's? He looks cute while sleeping too..."

He slapped his cheeks. "Get it together, Quincy! He is a boy! A fucking boy!" He paced. "Well... let's just say I took care of him as a little brother, right? That's what I did. Yes, sure."

-

Later that night.

Harper stirred, blinking groggily. She sat up and stretched, groaning. "Shit..."

"Hey, wait! Don't stand up-I'm coming!" Quincy burst in, a steaming teacup in his hand.

"I brought this green tea for you. It will help."

"I'm fine now."

"Just take it. Since you don't want to see the doctor, this will definitely help you out."

"Thank you." She took it and drank quietly.

"You look too weak for a boy."

"I'm not weak! I undergo vigorous training on the field."

"And your whole body was soft like that."

"What?"

"Yes, even your chest is not sturdy-it's all soft. Your hand doesn't look like it held a sword before. It was all soft. How can you be a boy?"

"Did you touch my chest to know that it's soft?"

"I hugged you, so I could feel it."

"You are too wayward, Quincy."

"I'm not! I could just feel it! Let me tell you, Harper-you should train harder and build muscle so they can fear you here. If not, all your hard work will be wasted. If your body is not strong enough... now see this! As a boy, why do you get stomach pain like a girl?"

"Is it gender-based?"

"Well, maybe!"

"What do you know about fighting, that you said my hand doesn't look like it has held a sword before?"

"I'm not totally ignorant, Harper. I was given birth to on the battlefield, and my family fights every now and then to secure our territories."

"But you don't."

"Who knows? Maybe I do."

"You just play around all day-what do you know!"

"Don't play with me because I play a lot."

"If you say so."

"...The boss said you will be going back in 3 days. They have reached an agreement with your family."

"3 days? I'm leaving here?"

"Yes."

"...How about you?"

"Me? I gotta stay here, sure."

"You don't wanna come with me?"

"Ross will never allow that."

"I will speak with him tomorrow. He should give you to me."

"I'm his most prized possession. He will never give me out."

"You think so? If you do any simple mistake, he will give you out for less. How did you end up with him? Did he kidnap you?"

"No, he didn't. I was sold to him."

"By who? Your family, right?"

"...How did you know?"

"It's mostly family that sells you out. Even friends are more real. I just hate the idea that humans are still getting trafficked at this age."

"Poor people caused that."

"Ross must be into a lot of illegal activities."

"Sure."

"Is he not supposed to be handling drugs only?"

"Unfortunately, he doesn't do that only. He runs a whole crazy business on the side."

"You are just lucky to be a boy. If not, you probably wouldn't be here right now. He doesn't keep girls around."

"You seem to know a lot about his side business."

"Well, seems I know! And since you know as well, do y'all just abide by the rules?"

"I'm a rebel actually. I promised to kill him someday."

"You said that to him?"

"Definitely! And he likes it when I say it. He finds me more challenging and keeps me around for that reason."

"He is a crazy man."

"I'm gonna be his personal guard when I turn 20."

"That's such a low level for someone like you."

"I requested something else, but he is testing me right now. Only one right thing will make him decide if I'm worthy enough to be placed in the limelight."

"I will watch from afar."

That is if you even make it out alive, Harper thought, looking at him silently. I really hope that you will survive, Quincy.