"Hey dad, you reached there yet?" I asked as dad came on call with me. From the way he said hi, his voice seemed kind of tired, and his talking was lazy.

"Yeah, how are you and Jasp?" he asked, and his reference to Jasper made me frown with a chuckle inside. Jasp? That's funny. My dad and Jasper seemed to be really close, as if in being actual relatives or family friends. It's fair to say that I got slightly jealous of their bond, seeing that my dad didn't give his own daughter more time to spend with him.

"Is it Mr.Jacobs?" Jasper mouthed to me from in front of me on the dinner table. I sat cross legged on my seat, and nodded to his question.

"Yeah dad, we're fine. He's here, sitting infront of me. Want to talk to him?" I asked. Dad said yes and I handed Jasper the phone. Taking it from me, he began to talk to dad.

"Hello, Mr.Jacobs. Sure I will. Yeah, she seems to be okay, no problems like you'd mentioned. Except a few arguments, but it's fine," he said, and I frowned at him. Who started those fights again? Not me. And who's snitching now? Not me again.

He handed me back the phone, and I glanced back at him, sending him a huff. In return, he smirked.

"Okay dad, bye. Will call you later."

"Alright, sweetheart."

We cut the call, and I slightly smiled.

"Mr.Jacobs told me to take good care of you," Jasper started, "and to keep a lookout on you. That you're like a kid sometimes. Already got that though."

"I'll thank him later," I said sarcastically, getting up my seat and going to the living room boredly. As much as I liked to start another bickering session with him and entertain myself, I didn't feel the need to. I felt slightly tired, maybe a bit more than usual. Well, obviously - I couldn't get enough sleep last night since I woke up early to welcome our new guest.

"Wait, June!" he said, suddenly getting up from his seat and walking up to me. On a reflex, I backed up, surprised. "It's a holiday tomorrow, right?" He asked.

"Yes, why?" I asked, frowning. Maybe he wanted to tell me how sad and heartbroken he was, huh? Sad that he had to spend an entire day with me and not be free of my disturbing presence? I felt for him, because I felt the same too.

"Maybe...," he said, "We could go out for some time?"

"Yeah, yeah," I shrugged, then realized what his sentence meant.

Go out?

As if on a...

Shut the fuck up, idiot. He clearly meant a usual outing.

Right, sorry.

"I'm not kidding. I can clearly tell that you're bored here, and tomorrow is a holiday. You've been kind of absent-minded ever since your dad left, so, maybe this will cheer you up?" he smiled. I wasn't going to fall for it this time.

"No, thanks," I muttered, though I was bored. It's just that I didn't want to go out with him, since I was still not much comfortable with him yet. "I love going out. Just not with you," I snickered playfully, then realised that it came out harsher than what I intended. Immediately, I rephrased my words, though he didn't seem to be fazed by what I said, "I mean, I'm not comfortable with you yet."

I just had to persuade him to stay home and not take me outside, I really wasn't able to trust him yet. It's the first time I'm feeling so paranoid around a bodyguard, though I've had a number of them before. Maybe it's because this is also the first time that the bodyguard is staying inside the house with me, and the realisation that I'll have to share a room with him. Not that he'll ever try any trick on me, fearing my dad, especially because of how close they were and how my dad trusted him with me, but you can't be sure. People can change anytime. Sometimes, the people you trust most can prove to be the most dangerous of them all because you won't even raise a single doubt against them due to the 'trust'.

You're just being paranoid, June.

I don't think so.

"I understand. But this is for your own comfort. I'll be here for a longer time than you expect, so it's a must that you must get as comfortable to me as a friend," he said, making me frown. A friend? A friend who's like, eight years older than me? Not that it's impossible, but it's strange. My 'actual' friends know a lot about me, just like dad. In fact, I know I can trust my entire life secrets with my friends and dad, but not a complete stranger like Jasper. He has a lot more to go if he's intending to be as close to me as my dad or my friends are.

"I know, but I just don't want to," I said sternly, "I may become familiar with you, but I won't go on leisure trips just so that I can get comfortable with you. I just won't."

"Fine, you don't want to go," he said, shrugging, "but it's your dad who told me to bring you out sometime, during the call. If you don't want to, tell him."

I gasped internally. Seriously dad? What's wrong with him nowadays? Does he really have to keep pissing me off like Jasper does? First, the appointment of a bodyguard for no reason, then asking him to stay in the same bedroom as me, and now, suggesting him to bring me out! Does dad think that I'm stupid and childish? I'm not! I can handle myself. And how's it necessary to go out somewhere to get comfortable to him?

"He suggested this for the same reason that I told," Jasper said, "If you don't trust me, it's fine, it'll obviously take time for you to get used to me. But Mr.Jacobs just doesn't want you to be uncomfortable at your own house, and neither do I. Even if you won't like me, I just want you to get comfortable with me, to understand that you can rely on me for anything you want, and that you can tell me whenever you feel that something is wrong." He softened his tone at the last sentences.

Those words made me want to change my mind, they melted my heart, honestly. I felt like I was hurting dad. And Jasper too, considering what he was saying. Of course, I didn't exactly care a lot about him, but just like me, he's a human too. Both of us have feelings. I can't just ignore his feelings for my own and be selfish. Maybe Jasper is trustable, why else would dad trust him enough to send me out with him while he's not here? I definitely trust my dad, so if I don't go with Jasper, that'll be like I'm distrusting dad's words and being stubborn for no reason at all. I want to change myself and show dad that I'm not a cranky teenager, at least this time. And for once, I felt like I should just trust Jasper and go along.

"Fine," I said hesitantly. Jasper's face lightened up and he smiled, "See? There you go. Just a little time out, and you'll be better."

Somehow, it made me feel better too. Well, maybe he wouldn't have been exactly really disappointed if I said a no, but from what I knew of him till now, he did seem nice. He just liked to annoy me sometimes and then apologize later, maybe that's his way of keeping himself busy like I do. Maybe he would've actually been kind of hurt if I said no to his suggestion. Anyone would be disappointed to know that someone else, whether that someone is a complete 'no one' to them, does not trust them at all. But I've my own reasons and right now, I agreed only because dad asked me to, because I don't want to hurt Jasper's feelings, and for my own comfort and relaxation - like they both said.

However, I did feel like I was surrendering to him and his stupid excuses a lot. When he came here today, he said he was going to be in my room. I said no, but had to agree gradually. Same goes for everything - when he forced me to eat the breakfast that I often skip, and now this. Was I softening a lot?

I know I shouldn't, I should remind him - and myself - that his reasons and excuses can't always be taken into regard. But when I did that, I felt guilty. Well, at least his requests until now were considerable, like going on a trip and staying in my room for the time being.

"You don't have any work for school, do you?" he asked. I shrugged, "I had already finished that."

"Alright, you can take a backpack and take the things you'll need. A bottle of water is a sure requirement. And where exactly do you want to go?"

"Um, I don't know. That's upto you."

"Anywhere nearby. Personally, I think a place like the beach is fine since it's pretty warm outside and a bit of fresh air seems nice," he answered, waving his hands as a gesture of showing the boiling temperature. I shrugged, "That seems good. By when will we return?"

As soon as possible, perhaps?

"Whenever you want to. Most likely we'll return after dinner, or if you don't prefer restaurants, before that. Depends on how tired you are by then."

"Dinner?" I asked uncomfortably. Somehow, coming back at night in a car with him didn't feel so comfortable for me. I know, I'll be staying with him here at night and will be alone here with him for days and even weeks coming up, but travel at night wasn't exactly something I loved. I've heard stories of what happened to people, especially rich people or their kids, when they're going out at night. It's simple - their rivals catch them at night and do something to them, maybe even murder them. Jasper is there, but even then, I would be stressed, added to the fact that I didn't trust him much either. What if he's actually one of the spies of the rival businesses and has gotten the immense trust of dad just to spy on him and maybe murder him later? Maybe do the same to me during this trip?

You're over-imagining again.

Right. Sorry.

"Only if you want to. Otherwise, we'll just have dinner when we reach here."

I nodded. I would definitely like to have dinner at home than outside.

⊱⊱⊱⊱⊱⊱⊱⊱⊱⊱⊱⊱⊱⊱⊱

I kept glancing at the kitchen in a stressed way as night approached. It was nearly seven, and I didn't know how dinner was to be prepared today. Dad had prepared the stuff to be taken till today afternoon, but knowing that the food might probably get stale by night, he had left the task to me, since I too liked cooking sometimes. I did like food from outside, but we can't spend weeks by food from hotels. But the problem is, what if Jasper wants something I don't know how to cook, for example...Steak? Or something complicated than that? Or worse - he's a great foodie who criticizes cooks a lot? Then I'd lose my focus and confidence on cooking and begin to fuck up everything, making it even worse.

Then I'm doomed!

June, don't be so pessimistic, I thought to myself, You're great at cooking and drawing, these two are literally your masterpieces, don't let anyone make you feel otherwise. Be confident!

"What's wrong?" Jasper asked, approaching from my - or our - room with a bunch of his clothes.

I turned to him quickly, "What do you want for dinner, Jasper? Dad had prepared breakfast and lunch, but not dinner. I don't know what you prefer, veg or non-veg?"

"That's upto you, June. I'm okay with both," he said. I nodded reluctantly and got up, deciding not to act too formal and ask him his preferences again, because then I'll end up being embarrassed if he says something that I don't know how to cook. It's better this way.

"You're going to cook right now?" he asked curiously, walking towards the closet and dropping his clothes there.

"Yeah. If I don't, we won't have dinner till at least nine."

"I'll help you then," he stood up straight from tidying his clothes to a neat stack, grinning.

My eyes went wide at that. I knew how to cook, but when there's someone else other than dad with me in the kitchen, I know I'm going to go all clumsy dumsy. The feeling of someone watching me when I'm doing something I like, even if it's my drawing, just somehow makes me feel uneasy, the feeling that I'm not doing much good at it and that the person's staring because I don't know how to do it properly. Y'know, social anxiety.

"Uh, that's fine. You're my guest, so you don't have to help me," I answered. I knew that he wouldn't agree with whatever I said. But this time, I made up my mind to reject his offer. He's not allowed to watch me cook, nope.

"No, I'm not your guest. I'm staying with you and is far from being a guest. I can't just let you do stuff for me. Besides, it's been years since I cooked. Need some practice, y'know?" he said with a shrug, which I would've doubted for being fake until I noticed his tone and expression - he wasn't lying.

I turned to him. Should I let him? Or did he tell all that just to make me agree to his choice yet again, to melt my heart? No, maybe not, maybe he really just wants to help me cook.

"So you've a maid at your own house?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"No, I go to restaurants usually. It isn't really healthy, especially if I'm doing that daily, but I prefer the noisy and crowded restaurants over my bare house."

I felt my mind soften at that since for a second, I saw myself in him. The disappointment I felt whenever I came to the dinner table and had to eat all alone, with no one to talk to, to eat with. But unlike him, I hated the idea of restaurants too - because everyone there came with either their parents, friends or spouses while here I was, alone and bored.

And just like that, he made me agree. Again.

"But nevermind," Jasper said, like he read my mind, changing his tone to the usual, bright tone, "So... Can I help you?"

His plead made me agree with a hesitant nod. Duh...

But I had to. What other reason did I have, actually, for not permitting him to help me? I mean, I'm being too controlling by doing so - he's just helping me, that doesn't hurt me in anyway and it's completely his right to do that. "Fine," I said, sighing, "But you don't have to help if I don't need it. I'll ask you if I do."

"Alright, alright," he said, laughing, "I'll be there right now."

I nodded and went to the kitchen, eager to start the show before he returns so that I wouldn't notice him return and watch the process. He continued tidying the stack in the closet for some more minutes.

"Is pasta fine with you?" I called out, playing with the tools in my hand, kind of nervous now. I'm usually not nervous when it comes to this, but the fact that I was cooking for someone else - a new person - made me a little anxious. I didn't want anyone judging me, since that would make my confidence go down. I take criticisms very deeply, which is exactly my problem. I didn't want sugarcoated opinions either, of course, but criticism isn't something I can handle well. I might die of embarrassment if Jasper doesn't like what I made and comments on it negatively. Hell, I broke out even when a teacher commented on my slightly lower grade back in fifth grade.

"Sure," he called back.

Taking the pan and pouring everything in, I began mixing them slowly and carefully. As much as I liked to cook, all I knew were three recipes - including pasta. It's not that I'm lazy but unlike drawing, I don't find much interest in cooking. It's just another hobby that I do when I'm really very bored.

"Need any help yet?"

I turned back and saw that he had returned and was observing me carefully, leaning his side on to the kitchen door, folding his arms on his chest and staring curiously at what was inside the pan. For a minute, I blushed and immediately turned back with a gulp. Shit, why did he suddenly look too hot?

"Ye-yeah- I mean, no," I stuttered, trying to focus on what I was doing instead of the way he was watching me, leaning himself on the door like that.

"Yeah, your dad told me that besides drawing, this is one of your main timepass," he said. I nodded and chuckled, "Yet I can make only three items."

"That's fine. At your age, I was afraid that I might burn my hands or set the kitchen on fire," he laughed.

"Well, I'm still scared of that, but I can't survive without eating, can I?"

You know the feeling when you do something completely on your own and it ends up being successful, maybe not completely professional, but at least good enough? I felt that everytime I cooked something, or drew pictures well. Those were my two hobbies. I sucked at everything else, like singing, dancing, writing, and such stuff that my other classmates were good at. So I had to be good at some thing, right? The first time I made something, I was completely afraid, but soon it faded away and I was okay with helping my dad in the kitchen.

"You're right," he said, straightening up and moving upto me. I felt him brush past me, leaving slight goosebumps everywhere on my skin. "I bet this would be great though. I've always liked homely food."

"Thank you," I said quite formally, turning to him and returning the smile, then turned on the cooktop and kept the pan on top of it, beginning to mix it with a spoon again. That's when the nervousness rushed in again - just like Jasper, I too hated this part the most, the part where the fear of burning oneself sets in.

I glanced back and in a rush, tried to mix the part where it hadn't completely cooked yet. But in that rush and nervousness, my hand accidently touched the burning hot pan.

"Ow!!" I cried out and staggered back as there was a sudden shock of burn throughout my index finger. Though it had touched only the end, that was more than enough to cause quite a painful burn on my finger. Jasper immediately came to my aid, caught my hand and raised my burnt finger so that he could see it clearly. I watched in surprise as he quickly took some ice cubes from the fridge and slowly rubbed it bit by bit on the burnt part, carefully and gently touching it since it could hurt pretty bad otherwise.

"Ouch..," I slowly winced in pain. Jasper let go of my hand, "It'll be okay, don't worry. Nothing serious."

He kept the ice cubes on my hand for some more time, after which it gradually evaporated away. Now the burnt part was freezing like hell and felt numb all throughout, but at least the raging shock that had been sent throughout my hand faded away and I felt way better. Slowly, I shook my hand in an attempt to get rid of the frozen feeling, but it almost touched the burning pan again had Jasper not caught me in time.

He rolled his eyes, "I can't believe that you were about to burn your hand again. Are you always so clumsy?"

So he has been keeping track.

"It was an accident! And no, I'm not clumsy."

"Yeah, an accident. I'd have to say the same thing to your dad when he finds you in the hospital if you keep going this way."

"It won't go that far," I rolled my eyes at his exaggeration of my 'clumsiness' and then noticing that he stove was still on, "Thanks, anyways. I should continue now -"

"I'll continue. I don't trust you to not burn yourself again."

"What?" I asked, frowning, though actually, I didn't want to cook anymore - I was tired and the burn was really starting to hurt by then, "I told you, I don't need help."

I had to be formal, right?

"You surely don't," he said sarcastically, gesturing to my bothered finger and I groaned. See! This is what happens when someone's watching me while I'm cooking. I get all nervous and end up making a mess of stuff.

I nodded, pretending to not have noticed his sarcasm.

Chuckling at my reaction, he let go of my arm, moved me to a seat to sit on and started to mix the thing again before it got burnt. I watched in wonder as he worked swiftly, much more better than I do. Sure, making a pasta isn't a great task, but for someone like Jasper who always eats from outside and rarely makes something at home, it'll be tougher than others. I'm saying this from experience - I used to make it a mess until after a few tries. I take a pan, put in all the ingredients, begin mixing and there! Half the stuff gets thrown outside. Or it must be just that I'm clumsy, and he's not.

"You really haven't cooked before?" I couldn't stop asking it. When I do something I've never done before, I feel pretty tensed, especially if it's something that can easily get messy or cause injuries, like cooking. He shrugged, still concentrating on the mixing, "I never said that, June. I just don't, that's all."

Right, he did tell me that earlier. But even then, he did it so perfectly. I bet he could make amazing stuff if he wants to.

"You should. Eating from outside everyday isn't very healthy. Besides, you seem like you can cook well," I said, regretting it at that second. He'll probably start to show off about that now.

He turned to me and grinned, "Absolutely, I can."