A/N: Hi. Sorry for the late update guys! I've just been so busy :) I hope you like this chapter :)

☨ ☩☣ ☘ † ❂ ⚕ ᴈᴑᴎ ☠ ☢ ⚔ ⚓♰☯☭

STEPHEN's POV

I lit the cigarette that I was holding before I pull a little smoke into my mouth and then blew it away, trying to kill the boredom that I was feeling. I looked at my wristwatch and I almost groaned with annoyance when I saw that I still need to wait for another two hours. Sh*t! This is boring as f*ck!

I am one of the best agents in our organization and I've never accepted this kind of boring job before. If it wasn't because of a very important matter that I needed to do, I would never sign up for this. But the other reason that you accepted this boring job is because you heard that Kelly was the one whom you're going to protect!

I chuckled like a fool. Even my own brain was contradicting and taunting me. I shook my head and then I leaned my back against the big tree that was located not far from the school gate. I finished my other job earlier than I expected so I came back at the school right away.

My eyes carefully searched for my partner's location but I couldn't see where he was. He was the one who's in charge of guarding Kelly during my absence as I do my other responsibility. Hunter, my friend, asked me to supervise the kidnapping case of Mrs. Blake Angela Dixon, the wife of Enrique Dixon who happened to be Hunter's friend.

Hunter was the one who asked me to personally help with the case because he has a trust in me. He's one of the few people that believes in me even though he hates my guts sometimes.

I took my phone out and was about to call him when someone tapped my shoulder from the back.

My instinct automatically kicked-in. I quickly grabbed that person's hand and was about to turn around and twist his hand when he spoke right away.

"Hey, it's me, bud! No need to be violent" I let go off his hand and then faced him with a scowl.

"Don't sneak up on me like that. You know how I react to things" I reminded him. Cyrus shook his head while clucking his tongue.

"Chill, bud. We're not on a dangerous place just like our missions before. In fact, this assignment of us is very easy like a walk at the park" the corner of my lips twitched.

"Assignment of us? Are you kidding? You recommended yourself to be in this particular job. You even asked Mr. Knight to appoint you and switch places to the other guy who's supposed to be here. You're not supposed to be here in the first place, Cy" he laughed amusedly as he put something in his mouth. Then I realized that he has a lollipop in his mouth when I saw the white stick sticking out of his mouth. What the heck!

"Well, I am bored with my mission that Badger gave me so when I heard the news that you're actually babysitting, I realized that I had to see that for the sake of my own amusement especially that Kelly is the one that you're babysitting" he said after he removed the lollipop from his mouth.

"You look like a goddamn kid smooching on a lollipop like that" he laughed again as if he was enjoying seeing how annoyed I was of seeing him like that. Imagine a big and brusque guy like him with a lollipop in his mouth! It was pretty ridiculous!

"Don't mind the lollipop. You know very well how much I love this" I shook my head at him with disbelief. I was about to answer him when I caught a glimpse of Kelly walking with a guy. She looked happy while talking to that guy and didn't even realize that I was already gritting my teeth because of that unsightly sight.

I thought they would go out of the school premises but they turned to the right side of the school, going to the library's direction. I studied every corner of the school because of my job so that whenever I need to sneak inside, I wouldn't get lost.

"Since there's still almost two hours left of your duty here, stay here and I'll go somewhere" I told Cyrus who was looking at Kelly and that guy too. There was an amused smile on his face when he shifted his gaze on me.

"Sure, bud. You're the boss" he even saluted at me like an idiot. I gave him a death glare but he just smirked at me. I turned my back on him and strode my way towards the right side of the school through the sidewalk. I didn't know why but I suddenly felt the urge to see what Kelly and that guy were doing.

This was my first time seeing her with that guy and there was a gnawing emotion in my chest that I couldn't comprehend.

The fences of the school were high but people could see the inside from the outside because there's no wall or hedge to cover the inside of the campus from prying eyes.

When I saw Kelly and that guy still walking to somewhere, I remained on my spot while secretly watching them. I thought they would go inside the library which was a couple of meters away but I was wrong. Instead, they sat on the Bermuda grass at the mini garden of the school which was just across the library building while still chatting.

I could see that Kelly was having a good time with that guy's company. I felt that familiar feeling that I felt before. It was the same feeling that I felt years ago while watching her with him. I promised to myself not to feel this way again because I knew that I didn't have the right to do so but I couldn't stop myself.

Whether I admit it or not, I knew to myself that I was feeling jealous to that guy she was with. I chuckled bitterly. Am I just going to stay watching her from afar without doing anything to get her attention too? Have I really got over her for good?

Am I contented with just watching her from afar while she's with other men?

I shook my head and then slowly walked away. I didn't want to see that scene and just hurt my feelings. It's useless. She's out of my reach anyway...

KELLY's POV

Being with Mike wasn't boring at all. He has a sense of humor and he's interesting to talk to. I didn't have a class on my last subject because all the teachers had an emergency meeting and our teacher just gave us a take home work and then we're free to go home.

I was about to go home when I saw Mike outside our classroom. He said that he just finished his last class too and when I told him that I was about to go home, he asked me not to go home yet and go grab a bite with him. He wanted for us to go out of school but when we saw that the canteen was still open, we decided to just buy food there. We bought burgers and drinks and then decided to go to the mini garden of the school. There, we chatted while eating our food.

"Why did you want to go home right away when you finished your last class a while ago?" Mike asked curiously. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Nothing. I just wanted to go home early for a change"

"I heard some of your classmates inviting you to go with them at the mall. Why didn't you go? I mean, you seem bored. You should've went with them"

"I don't feel like going to the mall today" I answered simply and then took a bite of my hamburger.

"Well, thankfully you didn't go because I had the chance to invite you and you're here with me now instead" he said while smiling boyishly. He really seemed nice. I was about to answer him when I caught a glimpse of a familiar back of someone. I stood up with knitted eyebrows and was about to approach the fence to call him when he turned to the corner and disappeared on me.

What is that guy doing here anyway? Don't tell me he's spying on me? Isn't it early for him to be here?

"What's happening? Do you know him?" I heaved a sigh and then sat back next to Mike who was looking at the direction that I was looking at a while ago.

"Did you see him?"

"Well, I just caught a glimpse of his back" he answered. I shrugged my shoulders and then continued eating my burger. I looked at my wristwatch. It's still 1 hour and 30 minutes before I usually go out of school.

He said that he would come back at 4:30 pm but it's still 3:00 pm. I thought he has another job? What's he doing here this early?

"Ah. No one. I thought it was someone I know but I was mistaken" I answered nonchalantly and then sipped on my drink.

"Okay. Anyway, it's Saturday tomorrow. I was just wondering if you want to come and watch a movie with me"

"Movie? I don't know about that, Mike. Honestly, I am not fond of watching movies. Besides, I have assignments that I need to do during this weekend" I lied. Well, not really. I really need to do my home works but I knew for a fact that I would do it tonight because I need to report at the headquarters tomorrow.

It's been a while since they gave me a mission and I'm excited for that.

"Is that a 'no' then?" there was an evident disappointment in his voice while looking at me intently.

"I'm sorry, Mike. Maybe next time" I said and his face brightened.

"Really? You'll come with me next time? Is that a promise?" I couldn't help but to chuckle. He looked like a kid all of a sudden.

"Okay. Whatever. Just make sure that I like the movie that you'll choose because I won't go with you if it's not interesting" he smiled widely.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure that you'll like it when that time comes" I laughed because of his confidence.

We talked about random things and we didn't notice that the time quickly passed. It was already 4:30 pm.

"I need to go home now, Mike. See you again on Monday. Thank you for the treat" I said, referring to the food we ate. He insisted to pay for it even though I wanted to pay for mine. I stood up and then took my things. He stood up too.

"Let's walk together to the gate. I'll go home too"

"Okay" I answered simply and then walked ahead of him but he caught up with me and then walked along side me.

We walked towards the gate of the school while still talking about random stuff when I noticed that no one was waiting for me outside the gate. Stephen told me that he would be waiting for me right in front of the gate but I couldn't get a glimpse of him anywhere. I suddenly felt annoyed. Where the hell is that guy anyway? Did I make a mistake? I thought he was the one I saw a while ago? Where's my other bodyguard anyway?

Darn that guy! He's my bodyguard and he's supposed to be here on time!

"If you want, I can drop you home" I heard Stephen offered as he showed me his car key while smiling expectantly at me.

"No, thank you, Mike. I have my car" I answered even though I didn't have my car because Stephen's colleagues took it away after the incident outside the restaurant this morning. His eyes became sombre for a couple of seconds as if my answer made him sad but then he smiled again.

"I understand. I'll go ahead. See you on Monday, Kelly" he said. I nodded my head as I watched him got inside his car which was parked a couple of meters away from where I was standing. When he's out of my sight, my eyes automatically searched for Stephen just to get irritated because I saw him in front of the store across the street, talking to a woman.

I was about to walk towards them when I noticed something. What the---since when did he start smoking? I asked myself as my eyebrows creased. I could still remember how Stephen hated people who smoke because he hated their smells particularly the smoke from their cigarettes. Even I, really hate smelling smoke from cigarettes. Thankfully, most of my friends and relatives don't smoke.

"Isn't he aware that smoking is not good for his body? Is he insane?!" I found myself muttering in disbelief but when I realized what I just said, I rolled my eyes.

"So what if he's smoking now? If he wants to destroy his health, so be it! I don't care!" I answered to myself like a crazy person talking to herself. I was about to start walking towards them when I saw the woman went inside the store. I stopped on my tracks when I saw that Stephen saw me. He quickly crossed the street and approached me.

"At last you came out" he said nonchalantly. I zeroed my eyes on him.

"I thought you're my bodyguard?" he looked at me quizzically.

"Yes. So?"

"Then you should stay alert all the time. You're here to guard me not to flirt with some bimbos out there" I spat at him sarcastically. He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Bimbos? Who are you talking about?"

"Really? You're asking me that as if I didn't see you flirting with that woman? Listen to me carefully. I don't care whether you flirt with every woman you see on the streets because I know that that's what you do but when you're at work, be attentive because I hate waiting especially when I am waiting for someone like you!" I said full of annoyance and then turned my back on him.

I was about to walk towards his car when I realized that I didn't know where he parked it. I faced him again. He didn't even move from his spot. I scowled at him.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go! I wanna go home now" he didn't move an inch while looking at me confusedly. I released a harsh breath and then approached him. I waved my hand before his face.

"Hello?" he blinked for a couple of times like he was pulled out of his trance-like state. I rolled my eyes. His expression went back to being serious and emotionless.

"I don't flirt with any woman I see" I scuffed.

"Really? C'mon, Stephen. Let's be honest here, shall we? I don't want to play games with you. We both know what you are when it comes to women even way back then when we're still a couple. You were dubbed as the campus' playboy, right? I didn't believe all that and look what it got me" I laughed humorlessly and then crossed my arms across my chest. He didn't comment.

But to my surprise, he suddenly brought out a cigarette and his lighter. He was about to light it when I spoke.

"Don't you dare smoke when you're near me. You know how much I hate smelling cigarette smoke. I thought, we're the same when it comes to our opinions about cigarettes? What happened to you anyway? Since when did you start smoking?" I couldn't help but ask.

He put back the cigarette and lighter inside his pocket before he answered.

"I've always been a smoker and I don't remember myself hating smoking before" what? I was about to answer when he grabbed my hand.

"Let's go" he said without any hint of emotion but when I stared at his face, I could tell that he's actually pissed off. He's really good at hiding his emotions and I was having a hard time reading him. He's really different now.

I felt like he's completely a different person that I felt like I was talking to a stranger. I mentally shook my head. That's ridiculous! Maybe I felt this way because we didn't see each other for three years. Of course, he's changed a lot after all those years! Duh!

"Let go of my hand, will you? I don't like the way you're touching me!" he stooped walking and stared at me with his eyebrows creased.

"Why? You hate me that much that you despise my touch too, is that it?" I didn't know if I was just imagining things or what but I swear, I saw pain that registered in his eyes. It was just a split second and it disappeared as fast as it appeared but I knew it was there and I clearly saw it. No! That's impossible! This is Stephen we're talking about. Why would he feel hurt? I am just imagining things for sure!

"Because you're gripping my wrist tightly" his eyes automatically went to my wrist as he let go of my hand like he got burned or something. He muttered something under his breath when he noticed that my wrist was already reddish.

I thought he was going to apologize but when he opened his mouth to speak, I almost kicked his balls.

"You're so fragile. Just a little touch and your skin is turning red" I gave him a death glare as my blood started boiling. I was about to answer him when he continued.

"Let's go. My car is right there" he said as he pointed at the direction of his car like nothing happened. He walked ahead of me.

"As*hole" I said. He looked back at me.

"What did you say?"

"I said, you're an as*hole" I said matter-of-factly. He opened his mouth to say something but I continued talking.

"You keep on telling me that I'm fragile" I chuckled sarcastically and then crossed my arms across my chest.

"But look at your cheek. It has a bruise and this fragile woman is the one who gave it to you" I said as I pointed to myself. I smiled at him tauntingly before I walked passed him and then walked towards his car witha triumphant smile on my face!

☨ ☩☣ ☘ † ❂ ⚕ ᴈᴑᴎ ☠ ☢ ⚔ ⚓♰☯☭

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