(Picture portrayal of Reece)

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Kina's POV

"They really want to interview me? I'm just a bodyguard."

"Exactly. Why her? I am the one who is the star." As those words came out of Jayce's mouth, I was about to walk over to him and punch him in the mouth. Dario held me back by wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Jayce, just once please keep quiet. I am talking to Kina. And, you are more than just a bodyguard," Steven says.

"L.A. Entertainment and Entertainment Times are the two that want to interview you. Ms. Padmore, you are accomplishing a feat that is mostly dominated by men. You are an inspiration was what both shows mentioned to me. I drew up a contract for you to take a look at. Oh, and here is the amount from both shows that will be your fee. I'll give you a couple of days to think about it. I attached my card to the contract."

Steven handed me the contract, along with what looks like contracts from the shows. I scanned the documents. $50,000 from each show?!!!

"Thank you, Steven." Dario and I went to the security room.

"Kina baby, I think you should do it. Steven is an excellent agent to have in your corner. Let me see your contract."

I handed the contract to Dario. "$50,000 dollars per show is a lot of money. You have to go on those shows with me. No way am I going by myself."

"I'll be right by your side. This is a fair contract. We can look at it together later."

"Dario is right, Kina. You should do it. More women will consider becoming bodyguards because of you," Kevin mentions.

"Well, he said I can take a few days to answer him."

"And, since Jayce has an appearance in Hollywood, you can schedule the talk shows around that time."

"That's true. Wait until I tell my family about this."

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After talking to my family, I went to get started on fixing dinner for the guys. I think I will fix some spicy jerk chicken, and beans and rice. Since I already have chicken marinating in the fridge, that's what I will fix.

I heard someone coming into the kitchen while I was prepping my chicken for the grill. There is a grill grate on the stove, so I don't have to go outside.

"Please tell me you are not going to do those interviews."

I already knew who said that - Jayce. After taking the chicken out of my marinade, I placed it on the grill.

"I am considering it. And, why not?" I opened the refrigerator to grab the needed ingredients to make mango/avocado salsa. Then, I turned on the stove to make some coconut rice.

"Do you have any idea how extra embarrassing this will be for me?"

"And, do you think I care if it is embarrassing for you? Why can't you just think about someone besides yourself?"

"Why would I think about someone else? I'm Jayce Sterling for goodness sake."

"Please leave me alone. I'm trying to fix dinner for me and the guys."

"This is my house, and I can do what I want, got it?"

Dario needs to get in here fast because I am about to kick Jayce's......

"Hmm, smells good in here. What's cooking, baby?"

"Dario, I want to move out of here this week."

"Of course. Are you okay?" Dario glared at Jayce, then walked my way.

"I'm fine. But Mr. Sterling will not be if he keeps disrespecting me. I need to get out of here before I strangle him. Oh, and Mr. Sterling, I dang sure am giving those interviews. Get over yourself!"

"We'll go looking tomorrow. Sit and relax. I'll finish fixing dinner. Just tell me what to do."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Kina, you outdid yourself with dinner. It was delicious. We are so going to miss this." The guys all nodded in agreement.

"Listen, no you won't. You're my brothers and partners in crime. I will always cook for you guys. But I can't live under the same roof as Jayce Sterling. I have worked hard for this and he will not ruin it."

"I already have a few houses that we can look at tomorrow with a real estate agent. And, one of them is not too far from here," Dario says.

"Great. I can't wait. And, thank you. I didn't have time to fix dessert for you all."

"It's okay, Kina. We appreciate what you fixed for us. Thank you, baby."

Dario kissed my cheeks. "You're welcome. I better go relieve Josh in the security room. Excuse me, gentlemen."

"Don't worry about the dishes. We'll take care of them."

"Thank you." I got up from the table and headed towards' the security room. I went ahead and signed the contract for Steven to be my agent. Then, U signed the contracts to appear on both shows. This may be exciting, but I am also nervous.

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Monday, July 8th, 2019

I feel relaxed and refreshed, uh especially after what Dario and I did last night. And, now that I will have my own house, I think I may be in trouble. We sure did come close last night to having a night of pure bliss.

I'm going to check on the guys and make sure they are okay.

"Hey, guys, everything okay in here?"

"We saw someone get an electric shock from the perimeter fence near the pool. Rick went to check it out," Josh says.

"Okay. I'll be back in a few hours. It's amazing how quickly it took for me to already be checking out several houses."

After leaving the room, I went outside to see what was happening. I see an ambulance and police, so I'm guessing Rick called them.

"Hey, Kina this idiot tried to sneak on the property but was shocked by the invisible fence. After he is treated, the police are going to arrest him."

"Excellent. I'll be back in a few hours. Dario and I are going to check out a few houses." Dario just came out of the house.

"Ready to go, baby?"

"I'm ready. And, let's ride our motorcycles today."

"Let's do it."

Dario and I headed to the garage. We grabbed our helmets first, then sat on the motorcycle. This is a sweet bike.

Dario and I then took off for the first house.

Jayce's POV

I stood near one of the windows in the living room and watched them pull off to go house hunting.

"Sir, forgive me for speaking my mind. What is your problem with Kina? She is only doing her job. Let her do it. Keep playing and she will not only leave the house but will also dump you as your bodyguard."

"Nathan, please leave me alone? Thank you."

I don't need to hear it from the butler too. I need a drink. I left my office for the bar in the dining room.

My phone started to ring. I glanced at it and saw that Mira was calling me. She has some nerve after what she did at the party. I don't want to hear it, so I rejected the call. Might as well block her number too.

After fixing my shot of vodka, I went up to my room to change into my swim trunks. Then, I went out to the pool.

I did a few laps around the pool.

After about 30 minutes, I saw Reece coming towards the pool.

"What do you want Reece?"

"Can't I just come over to see my best friend?"

"She's not here. And, she will be moving out of the house."

"Jayce, what did you say or do?"

I stepped out of the pool and dried myself off.

"Dude, both L.A. Entertainment and Entertainment Times want to interview her. Even I have never been on those shows. They are neck and neck in the ratings for entertainment news channels."

"Are you jealous?"

I looked at him like he was crazy. "Why would I be jealous of a woman?! You have lost your mind, Reece."

"The tone in your voice says you are. Let me guess - you pulled the 'I am a superstar and you aren't' card on her because Ms. Padmore is getting something you haven't. Jayce man, no offense but you need to make yourself more, um likable."

"What you talking about, Reece? I am likable. I'm an A-list superstar and the amount of fans I have proves it."

"Man, that doesn't prove anything. And, she is an A-list bodyguard. Do you think it is easy for her to guard you? I'm just saying - you have to give respect in order to get respect."

"First it was the butler. Now, you giving me advice too? I need another drink. You and everyone else can keep your advice to your own darn self."

I made my way back to the house for a shower. I don't have time for this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kina's POV

"This is definitely the house that I want. The views are amazing!! I don't need to look at anymore."

"Are you sure, Ms. Padmore?" The real estate agent asked.

"Absolutely. How much is this house?"

"This one is newly constructed and was just placed on the market this past week. This is one of the most sought after areas - very popular. The price tag is $35,000,000. All of the furniture and fixtures come with the house. You won't have to buy a thing."

"Did you just say what I thought you said?!" I knew it would be over a $1 million dollars, but $35 mil? I think I just vomited in my mouth. I got my hopes up for nothing. Why would Dario set up a viewing of this house?

"Yes, ma'am. I can show you another house if this one is not suitable."

"It's suitable. She will take it. Call the number on this card. The money will be wired immediately," Dario then says as he hands the agent a card.

"Excuse us for a minute." I dragged Dario out to the patio.

"How in the heck am I going to pay for this?! Oh my gosh!!"

"You're the best at what you do. And, the best has to have the best. Don't worry, baby. Just think - you can spend time with your family, have privacy from Mr. Sterling, and we can have all kinds of 'relaxation time.' You are worth every dollar this house is worth and more. Kina baby, you have no idea of what is in store for you."

I was about to continue protesting, that was until Dario put two fingers on my lips to hush me.

"Well, what can I say? Thank you."

"You're welcome. Let's go back inside so you can sign the contract." Dario and I went back inside. The real estate agent was dancing, so I am assuming the company received the payment for the house.

"I just need you to sign where I will be putting an x on the contract."

We walked over to the counter, and I signed every line that has an x. It took about 30 minutes to sign everything.

"Here are the keys to the house. Also, in this yellow manila envelope is the codes to a variety of things in the house - security system, the gate to the house, etc. Congratulations, Ms. Padmore."

"Thank you, uh...."

"Mr. Jacobs."

"Yeah, thank you, Mr. Jacobs." Mr. Jacobs then left me and Dario standing in the kitchen. Now, I have to dance.

"I can't believe this massive property is mine. It's beautiful. It even has a pier for a boat and a pool house. I doubt I will be getting a boat because I won't have time for it."

"Don't be surprised if you come home and find a boat waiting for you. When do you want to move in?"

"Like right now. I especially want to move my Escalade and the McLaren. And, everything I moved in with me is in my room."

"Okay. Let's do it."

"First, I need to learn how to turn on the security alarm and how to get in the gate. I am definitely going to need help with cleaning this house."

"I got you, baby."

After reading over the instructions, Dario and I locked up the house and went back to Jayce's house to pack my things.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It took us several trips, but we made it. Welcome to my new house.

I love how the palm trees don't give the house a full view to those who cruise by in their yachts. The house has 8 master suites, 9 including mine which is the largest. Each one has its own bathroom and master closet. The basement looks big enough to be the size of 4 nice-sized apartments in NYC. It even has a two-story wine cellar, indoor and outdoor pools, beautiful patio, a jacuzzi, and so much more.

Tada - this baby is my master bedroom.

I love it. It also has a balcony where I can watch the sunset. And, it has an amazing view of the ocean. It has two massive sized closets - one for me and one for Dario. Did I mention that I love it? It also has a balcony where I can watch the sunset. And, it has an amazing view of the ocean. It has two massive sized closets - one for me and one for Dario.

This is my new kitchen. And, I love it, especially the island in the center.

There is even cookware, all kinds of gadgets, a grill on the stove, wine glasses, etc. I literally don't have to buy a thing. The dining room has a beautiful setting of a long table and 10 chairs.

The living room has a love seat, two couches, fireplace, and a massive 70" television. And, plenty of light. I have a library room too. The only things I need to buy are bathroom essentials and equipment for a game room, as well as a gym room. The agent was totally right saying the house is fully furnished.

I am going to have great times with my friends and family in this house. I'm definitely going to retire here in Miami. After hanging up my things, I went to find Dario.

I texted him on my phone because I would have definitely gotten lost in here. He said he was down by the outdoor pool. So, that is where I went.

Uh oh, I see a yacht being driven up to the house. And, it is a beauty.

Thank goodness it is plenty of room for it. No wonder this house was that much money. I stood next to Dario and broke down in tears. "What in the world am I going to do with this?! It's huge."

"Travel around the world, or wherever you would like to go. I'll quickly introduce you to the driver and the pilot for the helicopter. Then we have to go back to Jayce's house."

We climbed aboard the yacht and headed towards the bridge.

Dario started talking in Italian. Again, I didn't understand a word he said. The captain turned around and walked our way.

"Kina baby, this is Stefano. He will take you wherever you want to go. Stefano, this is Kina."

I started shaking his hand. "Hi, Stefano. It is nice to meet you. And, uh thank you for being the captain."

Dario and Stefano started talking Italian, and it was very irritating to the point I started tapping my foot. "What are you all talking about, Mr. Ginnetti?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" He said with a smirk on his face.

Another man walked onto the bridge. "Hey, Dario long time no see. It's great to see you back in Miami," The man said to Dario.

"It's good to see you, too. Kina, this is one of the best pilots around. Thomas, this is my favorite girl, Kina. And, Kina this is Thomas."

"It's nice to meet you, Thomas."

"Nice to meet you too. The women in my family are very proud of you and what you are doing. I am too. Don't listen to anyone who doubts your abilities, including Jayce Sterling. I have flown for him several times, and he is not a nice person."

"Thank you, Thomas. That means a lot to me. Please tell your family I said thank you. I had to move out because I was close to punching him in the mouth yesterday."

"Your welcome. Here is my card. Just give me a call when you need me."

"Thanks. Dario, we have to go now. Gentlemen, it was nice to meet you."

Dario and I locked up the house and made our way back to Jayce's house.

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Narrator's POV

Kina made the call to Steven and said yes to him being her agent. He made a special trip to Miami to sign the contracts with Kina. He immediately set up both interviews for the following Monday since Kina will be in town on duty for Jayce.

Kina and the crew had a stress-free week. No attempts were made on Jayce while out and about in Miami.

But what will await them in California? We shall see.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, July 12th, 2019

Kina's POV

"Mr. Sterling and Mr. Harper, it's time for us to leave for the airport. The Lincoln Navigator is parked out front." Ever since last Sunday, I have gone back to calling him, Mr. Sterling. He has gone back to calling me Ms. Padmore, which I could care less.

Even if I half to beat it out of him, he is going to learn how to respect me. I am beyond tired of his foolishness. Jayce and Reece followed me out of the house to the Navigator and sat in the back seat. After shutting both passenger doors, Dario and I sat in the front and drove off to the airport.

Rick and Kevin will be staying behind to secure the house. Josh and Mike are driving behind us with our luggage.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It didn't take us long to make it to the private airport. Mr. Sterling has private parking spaces, so once we parked, we saw a couple of airport buses come our way. Dario and I opened the passenger's doors for both gentlemen to step out and board the buses.

After everyone and everything was loaded on the buses, we pulled off for the plane. Josh, Mike, Dario and I got off the bus first to make sure it was safe enough for Mr. Sterling and Reece to come off. Once every space was cleared, they got off the bus and boarded the plane.

"Kina, have a seat on the plane. Josh, Mike, and I will take care of the luggage."

"Thanks, Dario." I walked up the stairs to the plane.

"Where do the guys and I sit?" I asked Jayce nicely.

He didn't say one word, just pointed towards' the back. What a jerk. I rolled my eyes and went to one of the open seats.

Dario and the guys joined me after they were done loading the luggage.

The captain announced over the loudspeaker, "Everyone please buckle up, sit back, and enjoy the ride. Hollywood here we come."

Please let this trip be drama-free.

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1. Portrayal of Kina's motorcycle is courtesy of Can Stock Photos - © Can Stock Photo / krasyuk

2. Portrayal of Kina's new home is courtesy of Can Stock Photos - © Can Stock Photo / surpasspro

3. Portrayal of Kina's bedroom is courtesy of Can Stock Photos - © Can Stock Photo / Vegas

4. Portrayal of Kina's kitchen is courtesy of Can Stock Photos - © Can Stock Photo / lmphot