The next morning, it was already the start of evacuating me to St. Dominique. Everything is already well planned and ordered as the guards are also set for the preparation.

But I still can't let the kiss that Rune gave me last night. How can I face him right now without showing the grudge in my face? Because I swear this is embarrassing if I told this Dad. I just can't march to him and go like "Dad, Rune kissed me last night because I went to his room."

Damn it sounded so weird.

And it makes my blood boils remembering such scene.

Fuck. Now I am all dressed up and still calming myself. I am still not happy with the decision that they made about sending me to St. Dominique. I am not fucking ready for this. Leaving the place where I grew up and this is the kind of lifestyle and then now, it changed enormously.

They have been knocking my door since morning but I am not in the mood to talk to them right now. I'm too overly depressed at this moment. If I could just turn back time and return to my normal life. I want to go back to work! My job is just photo shoot, runaway, and all those crazy paparazzi that I am dealing with. But even if it is very stressful, I enjoyed so much.

Then there was a knock on my door again.

I groaned and stood up to open it. My breath suddenly hitched seeing Rune standing there in his uniform and he is blowing his head. Why the heck can he act to normally in front of me after what he had done to me last night?!

"My lady, the chief is requesting you." Rune bowed his head like nothing really happened! He's back to his normal self like a loyal dog with his ears down.

I don't know what should I act. But I just remained calm and put up a cold face. Without saying anything, I slammed the door in his face and went back inside the room to arranged my clothes because they are all wrinkled up. I am just wearing a white crop body-hugging top and loose denim jeans. When I got down the stairs, everyone was gathered up in the meeting area which is the living room.

Dad was also there and he grinned when he saw me. "I'm glad you came down, my love. Chief is going to explain to you how we will get you out."

I turned ahead of him and I saw that there is one woman sitting on the couch is dressed just like me. She is wearing a wig that looks like my chocolate browny long hair and her outfit is a very fashionable.

"Ms. Waylord, I know this is hard for you but you have to bare with us." Chief bowed his head slightly.

"I know." I mumbled, crossing my arms as I look around the room. Rune is standing at the corner, his face blank and cold like always. You don't know what he is thinking at the moment. Glad that he can still get his head in game. "So, what are your plans?"

Chief and Dad looks so relief hearing my question. I am still not happy but I have no choice but to follow them.

Chief pointed the woman who looks like me. We have the same height, same hair, and same posture."This is Carla, you might be wondering why she is dressed like you but she will act as the decoy of you. We will bring her out first so those people who might be waiting outside will follow her instead than you.  As we lure them to our trap and kill them." He explained. "Then by that time, you will come out with Rune. You two will be riding one of the Waylord's black motorbike. They will only thought of you as one of the guards but they wouldn't know that it is already you so keep your heads down and don't look at anything as you go out there."

I will be riding with Rune towards St. Dominique? Oh, just great.

"And put this over." Chief handed me the coat with the Waylord's symbol behind it. This is what the women's bodyguard are wearing. So we are just going to confuse the Black Phoenix?

"What if the plan failed?" I quickly asked. I am not expecting it to be a failure but you have to look at what will happen in both parties.

"It won't fail." Chief smirked as the whole team agreed with him. Are these all agents wearing under him? Just like Rune? "Rune already tracked all the Black Phoenix waiting around the area and he found out that there are five members who are waiting for your leave. So all we have to do is let them follow your decoy."

"This plan will work, princess . Do not worry. Your nails won't break in this task." One of the agents stated making everyone to laugh and I don't know if it is an insult or not but I do not appreciate the humour.

I caught a glimpse of Jay who is also joined in the group how he swallowed his laugh and zipped his mouth. I guess he already knows that I won't like it.

"Actually sweetheart, I do not worry at all." I let out a scoff. "What I am worried about is that my men won't follow me when I ordered them to cement that mouth of yours." 

A loud echoed of 'Oh's cheered at my retort. They might be skilled agents but my men are trained well too. And I hate it when people think of me so lowly because I know how to fight back.

"Okay, okay." Chief laughed, breaking the laughters as he clapped his hands. "Get ready now. Carla get in the car already and so are the others." Half of the people in the room stood up and left the house, following the chief that left with them. They are starting to get ready.

I inhaled deeply as my hearts starts beating rapidly again. I am not scared if I am captured and killed. I'm scared if Dad is the one who is killed. I don't think I can handle it when I am already alone.

"Dad." I walked towards him the wrapped my arms around his body.

I felt how his featured relaxed with my warmth. He wrapped his arms around me before placing a sweet kiss on my forehead. "Be safe, my love. You don't have to worry about anything else. Just learn how to cope up with the people you are living with. Be yourself if that is what you are comfortable." He kissed my hands this time. "But don't forget, if you want to be comfortable with the people there...you have to calm yourself. Do not worry about me here. I'm safe as long as you are."

"But Dad, you need to hide too."

"No. I am the mayor of this city. I just can't turn around and walk out of my job." He smiled, calmly. "Everything will be okay, I promise. You will come back home."

I held his hand rightly before crashing him into a hug again. "Be safe, Dad. I love you."

"I love you more, my love. Always have and always will." He whispered before pulling away and signalling Rune to come near. "You know what to do, kid. Protect her."

"I will." Rune bowed his head. "I will protect her with my life, old man." Then a genuine m smirk formed from him.

"That's good to hear." Dad approved and hugged me one last time then held me in arms level. "Do not worry about anything. Let me take care of this. This is my mess."

"Dad—" I was about to protest.

"They already left." Jay came in, panting. "The plan worked. The Black Phoenix followed the car. Five of them followed the car and so far, everything is going according to the plan." He informed us then left.

"We are going on ahead to St. Dominique to make sure that it is safe." A woman came in after Jay left. Who is she? "I'm Jane, Mr. Waylord." She bowed her head to us. She is wearing a suit that like Rune's uniform. She must also be working with them. "I will be coming with your daughter in her safe place. And I promise to protect her."

Dad kept a strong face. "Okay, I will trust you, Jane. My daughter is in your hands now." He spoke before taking a very deep breath. Jane also left as I heard the motorbike roaring to life and driving away.

"Get ready. You should leave now before another batch will come."

I nodded and for the last time, I throw myself to him to a huge hug then I felt a hand grab my arm to pull me away.

"We have to leave." It was Rune. "Don't worry, old man. Be safe."

"Thank you. I will leave my daughter in your care." Dad bowed his head lightly and gave me a melancholy smile before I was totally dragged out of the mansion.

The motorcycle was already waiting outside. Rune hopped on before he gave me a thick leather jacket and a white cap.

I am still a little shaky because of the nervousness. I'm worried about Dad. He is taking care and done a lot to keep me safe but how about him? He's the one they are after as well and he should be the one hiding too. He's not young anymore, in fact he's getting older. And I don't know what will happen to him if he works too hard.

"Hey." My thoughts were interrupted when Rune spoke, waking me up. "Your Dad will be safe. Nothing is going to happen to him, he is also being watched by our men. They will protect him so you don't have to worry."

He read my thoughts. Still, it won't calm me.

"You can still call him when we arrive in St. Dominique. You two can talk even if you are away so wipe that sad look on your face. I can't take it." Rune suddenly cupped my face and pinched it a little hard.

I quickly frowned and slapped his hand. "Don't touch me." We are still not done.

Rune let out a husky chuckle as he tap the seat behind him. "Get on."

I hoped on the straddle the bike then placed a hand on his shoulder because there is no way I will wrap my arms around him. He started the engine and then drives away down the hill. But now using the main gate, he used the emergency and hidden path that was located at the wood down the hill.

He was driving fast and I gripped on his shoulder tightly. I was also holding my cap so it won't fly off my head because of the strong wind.

"Hold on tight, my lady." I heard him say.

"I am holding you tightly." I retorted.

"That's not good enough."

"I'm not wrapping my arms around you, sicko. I won't let you do this—"

The speed of the motorcycle increases, making it more dangerous causing me to squeal and automatically wraps my arm around his arms, closing my eyes tightly. That was so scary! "Damn you, are you trying to kill us both?"

"Of course not, I just want to feel you close." That was he replied making me totally confuse.

Where did that kind of answer came from?

I didn't release my hold around him through the whole ride. In this closeness, I can smell his boyish sweet scene that felt so good on my nostrils. Damn, this guy seems to take care a lot of himself just base on how he looks, smells and act. Hygiene is the most important thing to me when it comes to guys. That is the first thing I will notice.

We have passed through so many cities but we never stopped even for a short break. I mean, we have been driving for hours now.

"Are you sure you know where we are going?" I asked, looking around.

I felt Rune chuckle because his stomach vibrated. "I know it very well, my lady. St. Dominique is no stranger to me."

My eyebrows touched in confusion. "What does that mean?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention this, my lady. Once we arrive in St. Dominique, we will do a little act to get along with the people."

"And what kind of act?" My eyebrows arched.

"You have to play as my wife."

"What?!" I roared. "You have got to be kidding me."

"What will they just think when they saw a couple coming in their village all of a sudden?" There is sarcasm in his voice. "And you can't tell them your real name. I will go with the name Red Stanford and think of whatever you want for your first name."

"You really want my life to suck, don't you?" I scoffed that he only replied with a laugh.

My butt already hurts because Rune has been driving for hours! I don't know when will this stop.

We reached this highway up to the mountain. Is this for real? They are sending me to a mountain village? It's more like a plateau. 

My fear just turned real. We are already on top. It's not that bad but you can see that the people living here are very hardworking. There are farms that you will pass through first before the houses.

"This is it?" I asked, noticing that our speed decreases.

"Yes, my lady. Welcome to your new home." He stated as we got in this continues houses. We got deeper in the village until we reached this area where the houses are not too big but enough just to satisfy me.

There is a familiar man standing outside and I noticed that it was Jay and standing next to him is Jane wearing casual clothes. We have neighbors too. How amazing.

I jump off of the bike and looked at the house. I'm glad that this is where I will be living because my expectation was s really small house with rats around. But this one looks decent. Just enough.

"Red, boy? Is that you?" A shaky voice spoke. We all turned to the old woman who seems to be passing by.

Rune immediately put up a happy aura. "Margaret." He went to give the old woman a small hug. "It's good to see you again. You have gotten so beautiful."

This Margaret let out a cheeky laugh. "You always have a sweet tongue, Red. Oh, who are these people with you?"

Jay smiled at her and chuckled kindly. They all turn into a different people all of a sudden. "Good morning, my name is Silver. I'm Red's older brother and this is my wife, Jess." He pulled Jane to him. We are all fake names now.

The old woman smiled. "It is good to know you, child. Welcome to St. Dominique." She seems to notice my stare at her. "And who is this lovely girl?"

She is referring to me now, eh?

"Carmela." I answered after a few seconds.

Rune quickly backed me up by going to my side, placing a hand on my side. "She's my wife."

I saw how her eyes widened upon hearing the news. "Your wife? I'm glad to know that. Welcome, Carmela. You married such a kind guy." The side of her eyes wrinkled up with that wide smile. "Brianna will be shock to know that you are married, little boy."

Rune just let out a laugh.

"Are you all going to live back in this house?"

"Yes, we decided to live peacefully here." Jay was the one who answered this time.

"Good. We are neighbors. Feel free to knock our door when you need any help." She said before turning around to go to her house. She lives just next door from us.

"Shall we go now?" Rune asked us.

I just nodded and we entered the front door and I must say, it is better that what I am really expecting. It has a living room, two bedrooms but one bathroom and it is located outside the room. How cool.

"Where are our things?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Your things are all set in the closet." Rune pointed out the room located at the corner.

I quickly made my way to the room and got inside, locking the door behind me. I need privacy for a minute. Get myself a chance to breathe in and out.

I am living in this area for a while. Never in my entire life that I cope up with people and mingle around with them. But it looks like I have to do that now.

"I can do this." I talked to my reflection at the mirror. "Relax, Jasmine. Everything is going to be okay."

I sat down on the bed and noticed that this is one huge bed. Enough for two people to share. Wait, there is only two bedroom in this house. Does that mean that we are going to share?!

There was a knock on the door when I was in the brick of panicking. I opened it and it was Rune.

"What do you want?" I hissed, frowning.

"Easy, my lady. I am just going to change into some comfortable clothes." He stated, walking passed me inside the room. "This is my room too, after all."

"Excuse me?" I arched an eyebrow.

"We are sharing a room." Rune informed like it was nothing.

My mouth gape. "Woah, hold your horses. Who says that you will be staying here with me?"

"I did. I'm your personal bodyguard. I should be with you wherever you go. "

"Seriously? Don't go and make decisions on your own." I battled with him.

"Yeah?" Rune face with me with a challenging smirk. "I am in charge of this mission of hiding you. Meaning...my rules. And my rule is simple. I am staying with you."

"Oh no. Not gonna happen. You should know that I am a girl."

"Yep. And I know I'm a boy." He sarcastically retorted, walking to the closet to open one closet and taking out a white shirt and just right there, he took off his suit and shirt inside showing me his naked back.

My eyes widen at his bold movement. This man is really testing my temper. "Fuck you." I growled before closing the door in a slam as I leave. How can I even live in this place knowing that I am staying in the same room as he is.

I even left the gate of the house to look around the area for a while. It's a small provincial village where you can see people working really hard for a living. And the temperature here is breezy and cold.

I hugged myself as I inhaled deeply.

"Is it safe for you to go out alone?" I heard Jay asked, lighting up a cigarette between his lips.

I chucked. "Am I still in danger in this mountain? Then that means your plan failed for keeping me safely hidden."

Jay laughed at my retort. "Want some?" He asked, offering a cigarette stick for me.

I shook my head. I am not in the mood for a cigarette right now. I smoke but not all the time.

"We will be living a normal life here." Jay mentioned, inhaling deeply. "Meaning, we have to work here."

"Work? You mean, do the farming and stuff?"

"Yep." He answered. "Just a part of the act that we are living here as a normal villager"

"Are we really going to stay that long?" I twisted my lips.

"I am hoping not but assume for the worst." He chuckled. "You don't have to worry about the people here, Jasmine. The villagers are all nice people."

I inhaled and rubbed my head. "By the way, how did the villagers here knew about Rune?"

"Oh, he did a mission in this village before. He acted like a normal villager to track down and kill the enemies."

"Enemies?"

"Yep. Some evil group of men planning to take over this village as their base. Chief assigned Rune to handle the task and he did successfully before the enemies could set foot in the village."

"So, they do not have a single clue that Rune is an agent or whatever calls you."

He nods his head with a smile. "You see, Rune is the the one who handles the most dangerous tasks given. He only accepts mission that involves killing. And I'm surprised he accepted this guarding you."

I let out a scoff. "Should I be thankful?"

Jay shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. It's up to you." He laughed. "Rune once mentioned to me that you were his first mission."

"Yeah, that's true. He's my bodyguard when I was six." I answered, boredly. "That was fifteen years ago. So I can't remember most of it."

"As far I heard, it was the most important mission in Rune's life." Jay wiggled his eyebrows with a teasing grin.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Like I would believe in that."

Turning my body to head back inside the house with Jay following behind. When I opened the front door, I quickly jolted as I saw what's inside.

Rune and Jane making out on the couch.

Wow.

"Hey, you two, it's too early for you to show your dirt in front of Jasmine." Jay marched in with a serious tone and walked passed them to get inside his room.

Shit.

I did not expected that Rune and Jane is in a relationship.

They immediately separated themselves as Jane fixed up her buttons and stood up to get inside the kitchen. Maybe because of embarrassment. Rune stood up from the couch and arranged his shirt as well.

"I am gonna be sick." I muttered getting in my room and locking the door again.

Too much is happening in one morning. Amazing.

To be continued.