I moved my head slowly to the music I was listening to as I drew in my drawing book. Just like cooking, drawing was another hobby I loved, and I'm quite weird at it too - I talk to my drawing book, which is weird, and I loved to draw a mother-daughter picture most of the time, which is weird for other people - but not for me, because the only thing I'm missing in my life is my mom, her care. At least by looking at the pictures, I get a reassurance that my mom is somewhere here, protecting me without letting me see her.

A little pain shot through my finger again when it touched the edge of the book.

Thankfully, it was the finger on my right hand that got burnt, and I'm a left handed person, so I've got no problem for drawing or doing anything else.

The whiff of delicious pasta entered my nose and I realized that it must be completely ready by now. Jasper had sent me away from the kitchen when I began to tell him to do this, do that, do this, all in my way. He was trying to add more ingredients to the pasta and I wasn't much okay with that, considering that he too was starting to make a mess around the cooktop. His ego refused to accept that his so-called 'potential' wasn't working anymore and that I was required there to make everything tidied up. However, he refused to that and sent me back to the living room, fearing that in the rush, I might burn myself again or something worse.

"June, just let me do this! I'm not letting you cook today again, not with that burnt hand."

"It's just a burn! I didn't break my bone, Jasper!"

He takes my physical problems more seriously - for absolutely no reason - than even my dad does! I mean, dad just doesn't have time to take care of it except if it gets that serious or if he's free. That's what I said, I want my privacy and I can take care of my physical and emotional problems. I don't want either my dad or a bodyguard to take care of all that, thus destroying my privacy and getting into my business unnecessarily. At least dad was too busy to notice all my growing teenage problems - but Jasper definitely will and is starting to notice all that, including the skipping-food problem. He observes me a lot, like a lot, and I think he does doubt something about me regarding my unusual tiredness.

"Go to the living room right now, June."

"I refuse to -"

"I don't care if you do"

Before I knew it, he had pushed me out of the kitchen and shut the door harshly, showing how stern he was. "Ha, gotcha!" He called out from behind.

I flushed in anger at his comment and stomped hard on the floor, "You dumb, stupid, ugh -"

And that's how it ended - with me not getting enough names to call him with while he heard all that with a mocking laugh. Then, I stomped again, huffed, and sat on the couch in defeat.

Plugging off my headphones, I was about to keep my book down when Jasper came to my side with two plates in his hands.

"Your dinner is ready, miss," he said dramatically, keeping one of the plates on the table infront of me grandly and giving me a quick salute. I smelled it and took it, ready to dig in. My eyes widened after tasting it, partially in shock and partially in a little bit of... jealousy? That pasta came out better than when I was the one cooking it. And that's not supposed to happen, considering that I've learnt to make it for all these years while he rarely ever did it.

"Whoa...," Jasper said suddenly, causing me to turn to him, "Can I see that?"

He pointed to the drawing book, which laid open on my side, with my latest drawing of a scene from a movie drawn in it. It was the scene from the movie we had watched some time ago, the romance movie. Somehow, that scene had popped into my mind again and I felt the need to draw it, maybe as a way to get rid of it from my mind and keep looking at it. And it turned out somewhat better than I expected it to be, considering that I draw such movie scenes less.

I nodded, and he took it from me. I could see the glimmer in his already bright eyes, as he turned each page, slowly and curiously.

"You drew all of these?" he asked in surprise, keeping his plate on the table to sit down and check out my drawings clearly.
"Yeah, I did. I like drawing," I answered simply with a humble hug. It was no big deal, drawing is a simple thing and a lot of people are really good at it. It just takes some practice, which I've been doing for years and years. I do know that I draw well though; I just act a bit humble and simple about it when people ask me.

"Even this one?" he asked, showing me the latest drawing of that movie scene, and I nodded again. He continued, "You draw really well, you should go for some sort of an extra practice."

I smiled, slightly blushing, "Thank you, but I'm not really up for going to a drawing school to learn it. I like practicing it myself in peace, that's how I've improved until now."

And because a lady who looked after me before years had taught me the basics. She was my babysitter for when I was too young to have a bodyguard, I do remember that, and she was almost like my mother too... I shook that aside and smiled, particularly at no one but to myself.

Jasper thought of something before telling me, "Hmm, that's true. You're more likely to improve on your hobbies if you do it alone, comfortably. That's how I've done mine too."

I tilted my head, "What's your favourite hobby, Jasper?"

He grinned at me slightly, "I guess we've the same taste at that."

"Really? You like drawing too?"

This is great! First, he proves to be a better cook than me, and now he shares the same favourite hobby as me. Maybe he's better at this too. I mean, I won't be surprised or jealous, though - he's freaking eight years older than me. It's completely alright if he knows something better than I do. Then again, I'll try to keep improving.

"Almost. But I do like writing too, which is why Mr.Jacobs has assigned me the task of business writing."

Wait, what?

I thought that Jasper was only one of dad's bodyguards. Usually, their best qualification is at physical fitness and some even have military training. But I've never heard of any of the bodyguards having a position in dad's business. Not that it's a bad thing, it's definitely good, but I've just never seen any other bodyguards having this level of friendship with dad as Jasper does, enough to gain his trust and get into the business as well. Maybe, unlike what I assumed, this guy is decent.

"I never knew that."

"How would you? We met just today."

"Does that mean that you're actually in the business too? So which is your main occupation - a bodyguard, or business writer?"

"I can't exactly choose, June. I'm actually more qualified in physical fitness than business writing, and sometimes, my mind gets too crowded with thoughts to write properly."

"So...a bodyguard?"

He chuckled, "Yep. I was aiming to do that, actually. Mr.Jacobs just gave me the writing task later on."

"That's...nice," I replied awkwardly, not knowing what to ask him next. I had a lot of questions in my mind now - mainly, personal questions. But knowing that we haven't got that much acquainted yet, I knew that I should keep my formality for the time being. I can always ask him more as time goes on, maybe even get familiar to him, like he said.

No, June, you are NOT going to get close to him.

But he seems pretty okay.

All people seem like that to you. Never trust anyone except your dad and your friends.

Hm, kind of acceptable.

"What are you thinking?" He asked, noticing that I was debating to myself whether I should start to get to know him more or not. I shrugged quickly, "Nothing! Uh... The pasta?" I pointed to the plates kept on the table with a dumb expression.
He frowned first, then nodded in realisation, "Right. I forgot that we were about to have lunch. Sorry."

"It's fine," I chuckled.

I scooped up the pasta, quite hungry by now, and tasted it.

The taste was a bit different from my usual one. This one was better, probably because of the extra ingredients he'd added for fun.

But, of course, I'd never tell him that. Last time I complimented him just accidentally, he had started showing off about his 'potential' - even though he was just joking than actually boasting - and got rid of me from the kitchen. Since he does deserve a little compliment, I'll tell him that later on.

_________________

I yawned for the hundredth time after our dinner was finished, already having expected it to be like this before. First of all, it had been a really tiring day - with the arrival of my new 'bodyguard' - and I had to get up earlier than usual. But the main problem was that even though I had breakfast today, due to Jasper's request, I'd skipped it for the past few days and that caused a lot of tiredness in me. People do get tired when they wake up early; but not as much as this.

The worse thing is that I'd slept lately yesterday night too for completing my homework since I knew that I'd have to be busy today. I slept at about one or two at midnight - which dad didn't notice because he was busy packing in his own room - and then woke up early, which was partly the reason for my tiredness now. I looked at Jasper; his eyes were fixed on the television with complete focus, which was switched onto a news channel. It was reporting something about an attack faced by one of the most famous hotels in the neighbouring town, next to another famous hotel called Emerald. Usually, I'm a person to immediately change the channel when someone switches it to the news channel, but right now, I was really tired to move. I couldn't even properly sit up; I kept falling back down.

Damn, I might collapse at any second now.

As if on cue, Jasper pried his eyes off the TV and looked at me just as I sighed tiredly, his eyes filled with concern, "Are you tired?"

I nodded with no hesitation, my head heavy and my eyes feeling like they were covered with something. I was too sleepy to give him a sarcastic reply like 'Yeah, Sherlock'.

He switched off the TV and walked upto me. At first, I didn't mind that and prepared to go to my room, but as I watched, he came closer and closer... until he was just a few inches away from me. I wanted to back up, but my body wouldn't budge a bit. It was true that I got kind of tensed, but I did want to see what he was about to do.

However, he just kept staring into my eyes with a mix of concern and doubt. I looked away awkwardly.

He raised his hand slowly and gently caressed the underpart of both my eyes with his hands, then tipped my chin with his thumb and lifted up my face so that I would look up.

I was forced to stare straight into his eyes as he stared back at mine. Though it was only with one finger that he was holding me, it felt too strong and I couldn't pry out of the grip, neither did I have the strength to.

By now, my awkwardness and fear had somehow changed to being tensed about something. Something, as if something like Jasper doubting why I look this tired.... he already got really concerned about something as small as a burn, what about something more serious, like skipping food literally for days? And sleeping late, waking up early, all along with that? He'd literally flip out. Especially if he knows that I'd been doing this for quite a long time by now - years, perhaps.

"You look too tired to even stand properly, June. Are you fine to go tomorrow?" he asked gently, letting go of my chin and giving me the chance to respond. That's when I gained my consciousness after so much time of relentless staring and doubts.

Yes! Finally, I got the perfect chance to stop it!

"I'm no-," I stopped as his eyes caught my attention. They were a bit darker than usual, missing their bright glow. They almost looked... concerned? Concerned for me, concerned for why I looked tired and almost unconscious.

But why would he be concerned for me when he can easily just ignore my feelings and enjoy annoying me? He must not care about me; I don't like him or care about him, and I'm sure he feels the same since we've already argued so much in one day. How would he tolerate me for months to come? Why would he care about my personal feelings or health when he's no one of mine? But at the same time...why is he so different from other bodyguards? Why does he make me feel intimidated, angry but even entertained at the same time? Why can't I just trust him? Why do I keep having mixed feelings about him? Sometimes I feel like he's nice and deserves a chance, but sometimes, I just feel plain creeped out. Not at his behaviour, but just my trust issues.

I wanted to read his mind so badly. I wanted to see what his reaction would be if I said that I didn't want to go.

But then again, he told me that he had no one at home. Totally alone. No one to accompany him. I thought about how I would feel if I were in his shoes, and realized that Jasper would be feeling much worse about his home and family than even I do, since I've at least dad and some friends to call 'family'. He has no one. Just like me, he must be hiding a lot of problems too. Yet he looks so bright, so happy, all the time. I didn't even care to pretend to be happy.

He didn't seem like the silent type of person either, he loved entertaining others and was a carefree guy. In fact, he was the one who always initiated conversations with me, though it was mostly for bickering than talking like normal people. It's still great to get rid of boredom though.

Besides, it wasn't like I was actually sick or anything. Maybe a little bit tired, but that's usual for me and today, it just got a little worse since I woke up early in the morning after sleeping so late.

I think I should agree. I've no reason to, my tiredness will have vanished by tomorrow morning, and like both Jasper and my dad said, I do have to get comfortable with him whether I like it or not.

I shouldn't disagree. Definitely not.

"I'm fine to go. I always feel quite tired when it's nighttime, but that'll be okay by tomorrow," I replied. Pure lies. "And I woke up really early today."

His eyes returned to their natural shine again as he replied with a nod, "You're sure, right? You're not sick, are you? If you are, I can definitely -"

I shook my head and waved my hands, gesturing for him to buzz off, "Fine, Jasper...Just let me go sleep now, if you want me to be alive tomorrow."

Turning back, I somehow took out all my strength and walked to my bedroom, and I could sense him following closely, keeping an eye on me. Reaching the door of my bedroom, I staggered slightly, having no control over my legs by now. But Jasper, who was right behind, caught my shoulders and straightened me up. Slight spots seemed to blur my view.

Dropping his other hand and his right hand still on my shoulder, he helped me to walk to my bed. I couldn't see his face, but I did sense that he felt something was off with me. Though he was using only one hand, the grip was firm and strong, more than enough to walk me without falling or staggering again. My legs kept feeling rubbery, but I somehow found some strength to keep them upstraight so that he wouldn't doubt anything.

Right as I reached my bed, I groaned and slumped down.

I really hope that I'll be alive tomorrow.

June's bedroom



I turned to my left side and saw that the bed from one of our guest rooms had been put there. Wait, when did dad move it there?

Of course, it must've been when I went to dress up and when I heard someone else talking with dad outside, helping him to push it over here. He must've found the perfect opportunity to sneak the bed here as he clearly knew that Jasper would be in my bedroom while I knew it only later. And since I didn't enter the bedroom after dressing up, I didn't see it either. Dad, you really like to play tricks on me, don't you?

But I wasn't bothered about it. Maybe having Jasper right here is actually better in a way. What if I get a very bad headache, fever or something during the night? I mean, I did feel pretty tired right now, so there are chances of an upcoming fever if it goes this way. I'm still up for the trip, though.

I turned to my right and saw Jasper getting ready to turn off the lights, still keeping a close eye on me.

He came nearby again and leaned towards me. I held my breath in slight fear as to what he was doing.

But it was completely fine. He raised the blanket that was kept folded near my legs and tucked me into it. He glanced at me one last time before moving to his bed and turning the lights off.

And that was enough for me to close my eyes and get into that sleep that I'd been longing for.

If I was in my conscious state, I would most definitely have tried some way to get rid of him from my bedroom and move the bed somewhere else, or at least get him to sleep in my dad's bedroom, which was the nearest bedroom to mine. That way, he can still be on alert for me, but keep a good distance and give me some privacy.

Right now, however, I was too tired to argue about my lost privacy.

I only wondered what dad might be doing now. If he would be missing me too, like I did. Good night, dad.