"Rune Crawford. At your service, my lady."

Oh that awful statement.

"Oh the kid from before." I rudely remarked, giving him a not so pleased look.

Rune straightened his back and gave me a one sided smile, his eyes glancing at me from head to toe. Checking me out and must be thinking what changed. Oh believe it or not, Rune...I'm not happy to see you. Because I know, a personal bodyguard will just ruin my life and my privacy. Now, I can't go to work and live like a normal life.

"Dear, it's too early in the morning and you're wearing that much of a makeup." Dad frowns at me.

I groaned, rolling my eyes. "Please, Dad. You can't change something that I got used to. And I don't need a personal bodyguard. I have tons of regular bodyguards who are with me for a whole day and now you're adding another. You really have me having a privacy for myself."

Dad just laughed at me then placed a hand on Rune's shoulder. "You must have missed working with my daughter, Rune."

Missed? He freaking left us while we are still in danger before, Dad. Why did he needs to come back to us? We don't need him anymore and now he is going to be my personal bodyguard. When will my life get any better?

Rune was still staring at me. He is breathtakingly hot, that's for sure and I felt shivers flowing through my body as he stares at me.

"Staring is ducking rude, you whiny weasel." I hissed at him, crossing my arms. I sounded so arrogant.

"Language, my love." Dad reminded me.

I groaned and messed my hair. Why do I feel so irritated now that he is here.

"You may have changed from the looks a lot than before but...." Rune gawked, smirking at me.  "You're still a spoiled little brat."

"Excuse me?!"

"Yes, you're right about that." Dad laughed at him but when he saw me death glare at him, he immediately stopped. "How about we continue this discussion through breakfast? I know you're tired and hungry, Rune. Your boss told me that you flew straight from Italy."

They both walked to the dining area and sat down casually.

I followed behind them and sat down on the opposite of Rune while sits on the head chair. The maids started coming in to help us. All the foods were fatty meats that my Dad loves but how the heck will I eat them?
I am working as a model so I can't eat such things.

"I forgot you eat such kinds of foods." Dad remembered, noticing that I wasn't touching any.

But now is not the time for me to be bitchy in front of my Dad. But if he wasn't here, I would have told them to buy me some vegetable salad that can be bought at the city. "It's fine, Dad. I will just have a banana. I'm not that hungry."

"Coffee, Mr. Crawford?" The maid asked him, nicely.

"Yes, please. But please just black." He told her then give the maid a wink. Oh, flirty bastards.

I scoffed, rolling my eye at his trance. This is not a place for flirting and seducing some maids. And boy, why am I so annoyed at him? The maid blushes as she turns away to make him a coffee. Another one came to me to ask what I want.

"How about you, madam?"

"Just water."

The maid nods then turns to leave as well. The whole breakfast was filled with laughters of Dad from his conversation with Rune. They were talking nonstop about some useless things that I think even matters. If I could just cover my ears with my hands, I would have already but I don't want Dad to get angry because of my attitude.

"Dear, Rune and I have been thinking about your safety. And just as I was thought, the group that attacked us 15 years ago was the same group that attacked you at your condo." Dad explained, returning to his serious face.

"And?" There is something more beyond that explanation.

"And they are not backing down. They won't stop until they find you and get their revenge at your family." Rune added, wiping his mouth using the table napkin. "You're what they are after, my lady."

My eyebrows touched. "Me? Why me? I haven't done anything to them."

"They wanted to kill me." Dad replied, answering my curiosity. "In order to achieve them, they are planning to aim me first by attacking my weakness."

"Weakness. Me?"

"Yes. Attacking you at your condo is the first warning that they will harm you." He continued.

"And what is the name of these people?"

"They call themselves the Black Phoenix. They are a very ruthless mafia that attacks and kidnaps rich women and children in exchange for their billions of money but they failed their mission when they attacked us 15 years ago." Rune flicked his fingers then the man with blue hair and in black suit came and handed him an folder. He opened it and revealed pictures.

They are photos of several men. Some of them looks old while some of them are young. Scanning through them, just seeing  their face, you can sense that they are bad news. I recognised one of them while I flipped the pictures. It's the man with the burned face and one hand. The one who threatened me in my condo the other day.

"This is the man who came in my condo."

"Yes, I know." Rune chuckled, sitting back on his chair and still looks calmed. "I was the one who burned that pretty face of his and I just happened to be the man who also chopped off his hand 15 years ago. They wanted to kill you as revenge for what we have done to his members before. We killed them brutally and mercilessly."

His statement made me look at him. Is this how dangerous Rune Crawford is? He did made a good job on protecting me from them before but that doesn't mean he still can.

"So what do you suggest?" I arched my eyebrow. Show how amazing you are, Rune so you can deserve my trust.

Rune eyes me. "The plans has already been made, my lady. I'm working with the most amazing and hardworking genius agents in the agencies. We are locating where his hideouts are but I'm unfortunately, the Black Phoenix has already planned ahead of us. We have to be careful. Especially, you."

"So what? You want to hide me somewhere? Or you just let them take me so this is over." I challenged, keeping up an emotionless face.

"Sweetheart, they are here to help you. Please. Be kind." Dad whispered to me. "I requested Rune to help us because I know that he can do this. He is the only way to save you, my love." He lowered his head to kiss my hand. "Please, we need your cooperation. I know how much you love your life and living the life you wanted but this is only for the mean time. Everything will gets back to normal."

I inhaled and my cold heart softens hearing my Dad begs like his life depends on it. I never seen him this desperate and lost. Usually he is the bravest man but this time, he looks uneasy and afraid.

I bit my lower lip, turning to Rune. "Continue."

"We will be guarding you, 24/7." He answered. "I'm working in a top secret organisation and none of them still knows our face except for  But since we still haven't seen the new recruits of the mafia boss, we request that you should expose yourself first so we could locate them. It's the easiest way but very risky."

"Expose myself?"

"You're famous in the social world. That would be easy. Attend a gallery, a runway show or anything. We just have to take one of their members and squeeze them the truth about some information."

"Will you be sure to have her safe during that mission?" Dad questioned him.

"Of course." Rune smiled, cunningly. "I never failed."

I scoffed and crossed my arms. "Don't be so confident, agent. Your ego might slap you put of your job."

Everyone in the room laughed at my counter statements. Just because this man is alluring and hot, that doesn't mean that I will fall for his charms. I hate man like him.

"I will just call my manager." I stood up from my chair to make some call with Quinn in a distance. So I made my towards the backyard and sat down at the hammock.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Quinn. Do I have any schedules of party I need to attend this week?" I asked.

"You're coming back?"

"No, I just needed one last exposure. You know what I mean." I told him. I have already explained it to him so he will understand. This man is like my mother. He knows everything about me so he really is one of the trusted person I know.

"Well, you have the Thunder Model Management's anniversary party this weekend." He answered, then I can hint that he is smiling.

"Oh, okay. That will be my last. I still don't know that they are going to do to me." I told him. 

"Sure. I was about to call Mr. Hank that you can't come because of an emergency." He informed.

"Okay, just arrange me the car and the other details, please. I will let you handle the rest, baby."

"Sure thing. Leave everything to me." He said before I ended the call. I placed the phone back in my pocket before sitting up when I heard a figure standing behind the hammock. I turned to see that it was Rune.

"What the heck are you doing here?" I snapped.

Rune chuckled and shrugged. "I'm your personal bodyguard. I have to be with you all the time."

"Oh fuck you." Cursing at him is the only way I can show how I hate having him around me. "I am still a woman who needs their own privacy. Get away from me."

"I can't do that."

I let out a sigh before sitting back down on the hammock.

"So, what what did your manager said?"

"This weekend. I have to attend a party that I am one of the guest of honour." I informed him, crossing my legs and bringing out my phone. I'm just texting some of my friends.

"Good. I will attend with you as your date."

"My date? Are you serious? Do you want to show up your face in public? You are working in a top secret organisation. You cannot be seen."

"Only a few people knows that I am working in a secret organisation, my lady. I usually kill those who saw my face in action." He informed me, walking closer. "You should be very grateful I am the one who is guarding you. I am usually the one who is going to track down the mafia but your Dad begs me to babysit you." The tone of his voice was very offensive. I don't know if it is meant to make me feel miserable or this is just how he talks.

"I don't care what you do, Rune. Just get this over with. I can't stay like this forever." I raised my chin while saying that. I was going to walk past him but he grabbed my hand back to him.

His face leans closer to me, too close that I can finally hear his breath. What is he doing? His eyes were staring straightly at mine and I felt like drowning in them. There is something very hypnotising in those pair of orbs of his. "You know what, my lady?"

"What?" I spat.

A smirk forms in his mouth while his eyes went down to my lips. "You have became so beautiful, my lady."

My cheeks reddened upon hearing his compliment. People, especially men never calls me beautiful. Usually they will call me hot or sexy or seductive.

"So you still remember those happens 15 years ago?" I asked him.

"Of course. Everything is still clear in my mind. Especially those smiles and laughter we shared." He whispered, his lips just near mine. "How can I forget such cute little girl?"

My eyes narrowed as I batted my lashes in a menacing way. Practically, trying to seduce him. "Oh yeah? Do you still see me as a cute little girl now?"

Rune looks like he was taken back by my answer. His oceanic blue eyes quickly turned into stone and emotionless. "You will always be a little girl." With that, he turned around and leaving me like I was thrown by a bucket of ice. What does that supposed to mean?

Without taking another glance, I turned away from him and walk back inside the mansion. I don't have time for his stupid comebacks. He is just my bodyguard. I shouldn't be bothered by his presence.

While I was going back to the dining area where Dad is, I bumped into the blue haired man who handed Rune the folder.

"Hey Red —Oh Ms. Waylord!" He sounded surprise. "Have you seen Rune?"

"Jay, what's wrong?" Rune came out behind me like he's popping out of nowhere.

"You have a call from boss. He said he wants to talk to you as soon as possible." This Jay told him. Jeez, this man looks dead serious. He has a lot of tattoos around his body.

"Okay." Rune said, walking past us. Now I am just standing in front of tattooed guy.

Tattooed guy is chewing a gum and the sound loudness of how he chews it is very annoying.

"Hey sweet pea." He suddenly winked at me with a flirty smile as he was about to shake my hands. "I'm looking forward to hang out with you more—"

"Even if you're working under me, Jay...don't touch her. And if you do, I will cut off your hand." Rune suddenly slapped the back of head, appearing behind him then disappearing in seconds.

That guy is creepy.

He will suddenly just came out of nowhere.

But his movements just made me laugh. He is overdoing his job. Being a personal bodyguard doesn't want people can't touch me.

Shaking my head, I made my way back inside where Dad is. He was on his way up to his office when I caught up with him.

"I have a meeting today with the cousin to strengthen the guards in the city." He told me while fixing up his suit inside his office. "Could you fix my tie, dear?"

I let out a soft chuckle and did his tie tightly. How can this old man live without me? He can't even do his tie on his own.

"You're mother is the one who is always doing that." Dad suddenly brought up. "You are becoming just like her."

"I can never be as perfect as Mom." I murmured, finished with his tie and sigh deeply.

Dad laughed. "Your Mom was never perfect, my love. She is very clumsy, such a pain in ass and she was so stubborn. She doesn't listen to a word I saw...but..."

"But?"

"I love her so much." He finished, taking my hands and kissing my knuckles. "And she was taken to me so early by those Black Phoenix. And I won't let them take you too:" Dad closed his eyes tightly, and I know he is fighting not to cry.

"Dad..."

"I promise you, my love. You don't have to be afraid. I will take care of these mess. You will just have be safe and protect yourself too. Always be brave...braver like your Mother." He stated very sincerely but something in his voice is weak. "I love you, my dear."

"I love you too, Dad. You also need to protect yourself. Always watch your back." I told him. Losing him will pains me a lot. More than anything. Dad is the only one I have right now and I don't think I can live anymore without him.

"You don't have to worry about anything." He kissed my forehead before he steps back to get his things on his desk. "I already talked to Rune. He will do the rest and you have nothing to worry about. You are in good hands. Rune is a magnificent man. He can protect you." That was he said before turning away to leave.

I inhaled deeply.

"I know it is hard for you to trust people...but for now, the only one you can trust is Rune." Dad spoke before opening the door to leave.

I also followed him to leave his office. "He needs to build my trust."

Dad smiled then playfully messed my hair before he finally leaves the mansion with all of his bodyguards.

I watch him leave and Rune was beside me in a matter of minutes.

"Can I leave the mansion?" I turn swift towards him.

"For what reason?"

"I want to leave?" I sarcastically responded, planing a hand on my waist.

"And where exactly are you going?"

"Anywhere. I am not used to stay at home all day. I have to get out. Go to my friend's house, go to a party or go to the mall. Anything."

"No."

"Why?" I whined, frowning like a kid. 

"Because you are not allowed."

"And why is that?"

"It is dangerous for you to go out, my lady." His voice was very gentle and soft. Rune is doing a great job playing like a loyal bodyguard.

"Dangerous?" I flicked my tongue. "That's why you are here with me, right? So that no one can touch me or hurt me."

Runes eyes narrowed at me as he searched for my eyes. He looks like he doesn't want what I was suggesting.

"You are really expecting me to stay here all day long, aren't you?" I placed a hand on my waist when I stated to get impatient. "It turns out that you do not study you let client well, Rune. You should have known that I am that type of woman who will just sit down and obey everything you say."

"Well, I thought you are the type of woman who is smart and knows that the situation she's into. And you are not safe like before. Someone is threatening your life so you have to listen to me so no one gets hurt." His stern voice kind of made me nervous. It's very taunting, actually.

I bit my lower lip and tried to stop myself from fighting back.

"All you have to do is listen to me, my lady. My duty here is so protect you. This won't be hard for the both of us if you just know how to follow instruction." He continued, his voice was cold and serious.

I crossed my arms and groaned. I hate this feeling.

"Your father strictly told us not let you set a foot out of this mansion. I am just following orders." Rune somehow let out a sigh then bowed his head. "If you have anything you need, just call me."

I didn't bother to say anything else.

Rune turns around and went back inside. Now, I will spend my whole day here without any fun. Argh, this is so frustrating. I went back inside to see Rune and Jay hanging out in the living room in the waiting area of the house because we have our private living room that is for me and Dad only.

There are tons of bodyguards left in the mansion and several already went with my Dad to his meeting.

I saw Rune reading something inside the files and his eyebrows is in a deep frown. He is probably studying some cases. I bit down my lips as I made my way towards my room.

I hate to think that I am really in danger but from the way Rune acts, it looks like I'm in deep shit. He won't even let me go out of the mansion.  My life is crazy but I didn't thought it could go even crazier. I don't know what kind of trouble is waiting for me out there but I want this end as soon as possible.

But how?

To be continued

How do you think of the story so far? How you are enjoying it. I know it's a little complicated at first but it will soon get better. Thank you for reading.