The next morning, I am still preoccupied of what happened last night. I have heard Dad already came home this late morning and he is not happy. I know he is mad and I will find out if it is for me. Probably me because I am not using my head pretty well.

I am already had a nice bath and had my makeup on when I decided to come downstairs so I could talk to him.

Going down the stairs, I already heard his voice roaring in the whole room.

"You have been so careless! My daughter is just one girl and you let her escape! What the fuck? I paid all of you a nice amount of money and last night my daughter is almost been taken away from me!" Dad was surely angry right now. "What have you been doing all night?"

I quickly stepped down the stairs and I saw that he is shouting at Jay, Rune, some man and two women. Stepping in the room to reach their vision, they all turned to me.

"Dad."

Dad turned around and a sigh of relief escaped his face as he strides to give me a hug. "My dear, are you alright? Where you hurt? Did they do something to you? God, I was so terrified when I found out that they attacked you last night."

I let out a small and weak chuckle. "Dad, I'm fine."

"Good. Because if you weren't, I don't know what to do anymore. I can't lose you too."

"I know that and I'm sorry." I apologised then that second, my eyes met Rune's. "Dad, don't be angry at them. It's my fault."

Dad seems to be confused. "What do you mean?"

"I escaped last night...like what is did before. But don't worry, I was with Rune the whole time. I forced him to come with me at the club even though he doesn't want to. He stayed there guarding me but I got too carried away with my friends that I escaped from Rune and got out of the club without her permission. They have done nothing wrong, Dad. I take all the blame."

The whole room went silent. I know, Dad never heard me apologise even before. But it's not just about me this time, I have put other people also in danger because of me.

Dad sigh. "Still, they something dangerous happened to you because of such carelessness." He stated, massaging his temples as he leaned his one hand on his cane. "Very well then, I will have this discussion continue later at my office. Rune, thank you for saving my daughter."

Rune bowed his head.

"Alright, get back to work." Dad dismissed them and they slowly left. Jay and Rune stayed behind since they are like the personal bodyguards. We head towards the kitchen we're our breakfast is served. Unlike before, the two will be joining us but they just stood still and watch me and Dad as we eat.

"So, I assume that you escaped with your friend last night...Vick? Was that his name?" Dad asked, placing the table napkin on his lap.

"Yep, he is always the one." I stated with a chuckle. Dad doesn't have a clue that Vicky is gay because he is always assuming that he is my boyfriend. 

"Aren't you and that man dating this time? You two have gone a lot troubles and been through so many things." Dad wondered. Actually he find him handsome and well educated so he is also thinning that he will be a good husband to me. Heck, that is not going to happen.

"He is my best friend, Dad." I recalled him, taking a bite of the sliced apple. "Besides, Ariana is with us so we were totally burning the club."

"I haven't seen Ariana since you two were in college." Dad mentioned. "How is that girl?"

"Oh she's engaged now to a man she doesn't even love." I casually replied without any humour in it because it's true.

"That's...sad." He said awkwardly. "Anyway, how about you? When do you plan on getting married?" He asked teasingly.

"Dad!" I whined. This conversation again.

"I know, I know. I'm just joking with you, my love."

I laughed but I hate that question. "Seriously, Dad. We have this conversation for so many times."

Dad laughed out loud and started drinking his water. I can see how his face wrinkles up as he laughs. Dad can really be a joker sometimes. "You never take relationship serious, honey."

"I do." I argued. "Some of them are just so demanding and so irritating so I can't stand them."

"How about this Dante? Did he already got out of the hospital?" He wondered.

Yeah, speaking of that guy. I wonder what he is doing right now. We never had a proper breakup since he got beaten.

"I totally forgot about him. Can you have him checked so I could broke up with him properly?" I told Jay. "His name is Dante Cortez. The Mexican Reporter and when you saw him at the hospital or at his home, I am breaking up with him." Jay nodded and went off.

"That was cold."

"Dad, my life is in danger. I can risk another one. He has been beaten up because of me and I can't face him if I am the reason why he is hurt." I told him, which is also true.

I can't risk anyone. I am going to start thinking of everyone else's sake. Not just mine.

"You better come with us at the meeting, Jasmine." Dad said after a long pause as we almost finished breakfast.

"Okay." I agreed, taking my last bite of the apple. "Are you going to start discussing about taking me somewhere safe?"

"Yes, dear. If this is the only way to keep you safe." He sigh then stood up from the table. "Get ready for the meeting. I will meet you all at my office in five."

Rune nodded and bowed his head before leaving us alone to call the others. I followed Dad to his private office upstairs. I know this is going to be a long discussion.

----

It's almost an hour since the meeting started. They have been assigning those people who will come with me. So far, it was just Rune and Jay. Rune was the first one to volunteer to be with me. Guess he wanted to stay and be my personal bodyguard.

"Wait, you are taking me to place that doesn't even have any mall?" My jaw dropped when I saw the picture that they will send us.

It is actually a projector screen that we are looking at. The chief of Rune's service is also present in the room. He's an old Italian man who looks so serious and yet he is really a genius.

"What the heck is that place?"

"This is St. Dominique, Ms. Waylord. It's a small village surrounded by woods. It's very hidden and the Black Phoenix won't even think that you are hiding here." The chief explained to me.

My God, how can I survive at a place like that? No mall, no clubs and no nightlife. They could have send to other places that are a little bigger than this village.

"The smaller the place, the safer you are, my dear." Dad agrees with them. "And besides, it won't be forever. You will just live there like a normal person until we solved the problem here." 

I was still unable to speak. Shit.

"Okay then. Rune, Jay, Carla and James. You four are coming with Ms. Waylord. You better keep your heads in the game and do not fail this mission." The Chief broadcasted with a very serious and strict tone.

I gulped as felt like my heart is pounding so quickly in my chest. Everything happened to quickly and I didn't know what to do about it. I fell like I have no more options but to follow them. It's that or die here. But I am going to die in that village in boredom!

And I don't trust the people I will be with. As much as I want Ariana to come with me, I don't want her to be involved in this. My life is so complicated right now and I don't want her to be a part of it. She is living a great life.

I bite down my lip as I want to cry.

The meeting ended, all the bodyguards that was assigned for me and my Dad's protection left but the Chief stayed in the office.

"Hey, are you sure that this place is safe?" I asked.

"It is very safe, Ms. Waylord. I am very concern for your safety and I wouldn't put you to a place that will put you in danger. You have to trust us." He bowed his head and the truthfulness in his tone.

Dad must have felt my uneasiness as he walked towards me and held up my hand. "Princess, please. This is not going to be forever, I promise you that. We will do our best to find those Black Phoenix and everything will goes back to normal. Okay?"

I closed my eyes tightly as I hold back the tears from falling down my eyes. "Promise me that you will be safe too."

"I promise, my love." He smiled then kissed my hands. "You have my word. You will be safe with Rune. He will protect you with his life. All you have to do is trust us."

"You know how hard it is for me to trust someone, Dad. You can't blame me if I had a hard time doing it." I was trying not to shaken up my voice. I wanted to b me brave for him.

"I know, I know." He nodded.

"Are you sure you will be safe? What they come after you? I don't want you to die." I told him, I can't make any eye contact anymore. "You are the only one I have."

Dad nodded again then faced the chief. "When will they leave?"

"Tomorrow morning." The chief declared. "One of my agents will be dressed like you so that those who are waiting outside the mansion will be following her. And that will serve as a trap for them. While you will come out like a normal person without the guard all over you because that will just make them know that it's you. You have to play along too." He explained clearly. "You will be send out of this mansion and they will think that you are one of the agents. We are going to trick them first."

Nodding my head as I signal that I understand his plan.

"And Rune has finally found a safer route for you to pass through without knowing by them. You don't have to prepare your things because we already had clothes ready for you at the house you will be staying at."

Great. Just great.

What kind of clothes are those?

I kept on biting my lower lip until I tasted blood on it. I didn't realise that I was biting too hard.

I left Dad's office and got out of the mansion for a while to get some air. It is suffocating in there.

As I got out, I can hear some laughters not too far away. It was a woman's laughter and then a familiar voice spoke. That was Rune for sure and I also heard Jay's.

I was standing near the pool and I saw them not afar. They were just sitting at the corner and it looks like they are chatting and fooling at each other. Tsk, but I don't even care. Let them do whatever they want. But, I want to talk to Rune. I want to thank him for saving me last night. But how can I thank him? I want to that privately that it was only me and him.

Maybe tonight. I will go to his room and thank him.

The woman's laughter was really loud, and it is a pain in the ears causing me to roll my eyes and groaned a little, walking farther from them to sit on tan lounge patio chair as I tried to just calm myself. Like a little time to think and make everything sink inside my mind.

If I could just bring myself to cry this thing inside my chest but I can't. I don't easily cry because I used of keeping everything to myself so I hate crying.

"Jasmine." I heard Dad's voice behind me causing me to turn my head. I saw Rune, Jay and the woman stood up as they bowed their heads slightly. They went back to their blank face unlike awhile ago, they were laughing out loud.

"Dad, what's wrong?" I asked.

"I know you're sad and still a dazed of what is happening so I called one of the people you really trust." He told me, giving me a smile. Then slowly, Ariana started coming out of the glass door and my heart just leaps out of my chest.

I quickly threw my self to my best friend, wrapping my arms around her neck tightly. Perfect timing, I just need someone that I truly trust right now. And no one can understand me like Ariana does. She also wraps her arms around me with the same intensity.

"You lousy Bitch, you should have told me about your situation right now." She murmured at my ear as I slowly pulled away. Everyone was watching us and I don't care.

"You don't know how happy I feel to see you, Ariana." I whispered to her and drag her to the patio chairs where I was sitting earlier.

"You should have told me that your life is in danger, Jasmine. God, I can't imagine how terrified you must have feeling right now. Your Dad told me everything since the night that you and Dante were attacked." Ariana looks really scared for me.

I sigh and let out a weak smile. "I just don't want you to worry, Ariana. You had so many problems lately and I don't want to add another one.  And besides, it is better for you to know that I'm fine."

"I don't care. I've known you since we were little. And we've been through a lot. Your problems are my problems as well." She placed a hand on top of my head, this is her way to comfort me sometimes. "You are not alone, Jasmine. Always remember that, you have me." Ariana said with a stern face and I know she is serious.

Ariana is more than a best friend and she is like my sister. My twin sister because she knows me too well.

"Be brave, Jasmine. I know you are already. Whatever happens, do not attempt anything alone. You have bodyguards...trust them." She told me. "Promise me that you will return safe."

I chuckled and playfully pinched her cheeks. "Of course, I promise. We still have a lot of parties to attend to and I still have a lot of runaways to book so I will surely return, safe and sound."

Ariana laughed at my courage. "That's more like it." She wrinkled her nose. "Be kind to your personal bodyguard too. I've heard from Ryan that you were harsh on them most of the time."

I shrugged as I felt the little smile that appeared on Rune's lips at the back. They are listening to our conversation since the start. So they must have heard everything.

"Since when did I became kind?" I rolled my eyes, playfully.

Ariana laughed at me. "You are not kind but try to be one."

"I will try but I won't promise. Kind is not my greatest attitude." I joked as we both started laughing already.

Ariana scoffed. "That's why you can't find a nice boyfriend. You are always demanding towards them."

"And be like you? Oh no,girl. I would rather have fun at my age right now than be tied to a marriage. Jeez, I can't even imagine myself walking down the aisle." I thought of the picture but I just can't.

"Oh, let us see. If you fell in love to a guy again and you fell head over heals, I will burn your ass." She retorted.

It was already been three hours before Ariana plans to go home. She doesn't want to leave lately so before it gets to dark, she already left. As much I want to hang out with her more, I can't anymore. I will be leaving tomorrow so I have to get ready.

I got to my room and planned to finally get some rest when suddenly I remembered Rune. I still need to thank him. Five more minutes and it is already midnight. He is probably in his room right now. I know where he is staying. At the guest rooms that Dad gave him.

I still haven't removed my makeup so I can still go out.

My pace towards his room was quiet. When I stood in front of his door, I knocked softly. I don't want to create a noise since it is already midnight. The others are probably sleeping. And I am hoping that Rune is still awake.

It took almost a minute but he is still not opening up his door. He must be already asleep. I don't want to bother him anymore so I turn my body to leave and just on time, the door finally opened, revealing a half naked Rune.

My eyes widen seeing the water droplets that are running down his bare chest as my face quickly feels hot.

Crap, am I blushing?

"My lady?"

Damn. This is the first time I heard it sounded so sexy.

All the words that I was going to say suddenly got stuck in my throat. Why was I here again? Oh crap. "I-I...I...." why am I stuttering? I have seen a lot of naked guys but I never been dumbfounded like before. He's body is like from Greek God. He doesn't look so muscular when he's in a suit but his body is just perfect. Not too huge but not too small.

"Is something wrong, my lady?"

I looked down to the floor and played with my fingers. "I want to apologise."

Rune looks like he didn't expect me saying this from me. "My lady is apologising?"

"For what I have done last night. I'm very sorry for not listening and for escaping." This time I am nearly bowing my head. "And I want to thank you for saving me."

It took a moment before a smile appeared in Rune's face. But it's not just a simple smile. Its a dark smile that is hiding something. In a quick second, he grabbed my hand and pulled me in his room as he closed the door behind me.

"What the fuck—?!" I was cut off when he pinned me on the wall with those predatory eyes.

"It's seems that my lady is a good girl at night." He stated, letting out a deep chuckle.

My heart increase it's beat as I felt so weak with his hold. Rune is not like this! He is very gentle and very respectful. "Why are you like this? How dare you treat me like this!"

"My shift is done, my lady. I'm not your personal bodyguard anymore." He replied, mischievously as his face leans closer to me.

My eyes widen as I try to wiggle my hands away from him. "Get your filthy hands off me! I will shout and call Dad!"

"Oh yeah?" Rune challenged, his eyes were like a werewolf ready to eat his prey. His was were rough and blue as they stood out in the dark room. "This is your fault in the first place, my lady. Don't you know there is also danger in this mansion? Danger from your own people around you."

"W-what do you mean?" I spat, giving him a glare. I should have just stayed in my room instead than thank this man. This man has his own dark intentions.

"Don't you know how dangerous it is go to a man's room alone at the middle of the night?" He pointed out, smirking. There are still water droplets running down his face while his long hair is still damp from the shower. "Especially to a sexy woman like you."

"Fuck you." I hissed, narrowing my eyes at him as I continue to squirm away. I don't feel comfortable at his presence right now. He looks like he is not that respectful and loyal bodyguard that Dad handed to me.

"What a dirty mouth of yours. Someone needs to shut it." He murmured, his face lowering to my face until I felt his lips on mine.

My eyes widen. This is not the first time to be kissed but this is the first time I felt such in inside me . It is just so confusing because I don't think if it is a good thing or a bad thing. The feeling that his kiss brought to me is just so different and I can't put a word into it.

At one second, my body just soften and couldn't resist anymore.

And that was his time to pull away and let my hand go. I was so speechless. This is my personal bodyguard for heaven's sake! When his hands loosened, that was the time I gather up all of my strength in one hand and slap him loudly at his face.

I will never let anyone handle me like that. I'm not weak!

Without any word, I escaped his room and slammed it behind me before running back to my room.

Jesus, this is insane. My heart was behaving erratically. Maybe this is just from all the running from there to my room. But damn, he never behaves like that towards me. This really blew me out of the box!

To be continued