MY ALPHA BODYGUARD

CHAPTER 9: CONFUSION

POV: Eris

"You are the Alpha now. And the pack needs you" said the man with blurry face.

"But.." the other man said.

"They killed your father! Don't turn your back on us again for that human" the first man explained. What is this? Where am I? Who are they? The second man slowly turned his face to me... He's familiar. Yeah that's right. Face me so I can finally see who you are. I moved closer to him and put my cold trembling hand to his face. My palm felt the warmth of his cheek. I slowly helped him face me and to look me in the eyes. He smiled and...

"You said that I'm a coward..." the man smiled. But why he's Tom? "Well, not anymore" then he cupped my face with a handkerchief in his hand. "You're mine" he laughed wickedly. I can't breathe.

***

"Let's eat" Adam said. I think he really likes to cook and in fairness he's good. I pretended and tried to forget what I've received from that crazy man. He really don't know what to do with his life. Marco hired private detective to find Tom and put him to the place where he belongs. He really don't want to stop from disturbing my life. I am sure this is one of his game and I will give the play he wanted.

"Mr. Gray, you don't need to do this" I said 

"No, it's okay" he said and then giving me a cup of coffee, "And besides I love to cook" and then I get the cup from his hand.

"Thanks" I looked at him and smiled. I sat down and him also. It's feels good to have someone to eat with. I took my first bite and did not notice that he was looking at me like waiting to see me eat first.

"Hmmm, it's good" I said, well its obvious he's waiting for my feedback.

He smiled, I mean, like it was really meant or special for him. "Do you miss my cooking?" 

I coughed in surprise. What was he saying? "What?" I stuttered.

His eyes widened and met mine. Awkward... "I mean.. Do you miss food cooked here.. at your house?" He stuttered.

"I cook here" I said. Now, he became a bit more strange.

"By someone, cooked by someone, by your friend or by new people"

"Marco cooks for me" he's funny finding reason to escape and then I laughed. Adam looked down and his eyes were on the table and ashamed. "Thanks... I appreciate this. You do really have talent in the kitchen huh" I complimented and he smiled. 

***

Today is my scheduled training for the said movie. I have to practice the fundamental self defense and few fighting skills like karate and taekwondo. Adam drove us to the assigned dojo of the production in which I will be trained in two weeks. I don't need to be that good or skilled in this kind of art, the director and the production just wanted me to be familiarized and learn the basic of the skills since I will have my double for the dangerous stunts. And some act will be computer generated.

"Mr. Williams" he shook our hands as we greeted by my, I think, teacher. "Dan Harris"

"Pleasure to meet you" I said. "This is Marco my assistant and this is Adam.. my bodyguard"

"Pleasure is mine. I am grateful that Mr. Gonzales and Nimfa contacted me for this opportunity." he explained  "So for this coming weeks I'm going to be your trainer. And you can call me Dan" he smiled.

"Cool" I said though I'm a bit nervous.

"Can we start?" Dan said.

We do warmed up, stretching and cardio's first. My muscles literally heat up and stretched. I sweat a lot. After that, he explained me some basic moves and showed it to me. I mimic it and repeat and practiced the moves. I lie down on my back to the rubber mat of the dojo facing the ceiling. My chest moving up and down with my breath. My shirt was all wet with my sweat all over my body. It felt like my whole body became heavy, I can barely move. In the middle of the training, Adam walked towards me and handed me a bottled water. "This is enough for the day" he said and looked directly to my trainer.

"Yeah, yeah, sure. Let's take a break" Dan said 

"I said we're done for today" Adam stretched his hand to me but I stood up on myself. His eyes were fiercely pinned on Mr. Harris 

"Adam!" I asked him. Why did he act like this? 

"Eris, you don't have to exhaust yourself too much" he said with concerned eyes. Or maybe he's just adjusting to his new job for being over protective and concern.

"But its only two hours since we started" Dan explained calmly.

I chuckled, "I am sorry, he's just overreacting" I explained and then looked at Adam. "What're you doing?" I whispered to my bodyguard while pushing him lightly to go to the side.

"I am not over acting!" Adam said and then turned back to face me. "It's enough for today" he repeated.

"Yeah, Okay. He's right. It's all for today" Dan nodded and tapped me at the back. Marco entered the room with burgers and drinks in his hands.

"No, I....I'm okay. I still can. I need to learn self defense.. I need to learn it fast" I said when an image of Tom lurking around me that I don't have any clue what's his next move or when will he appear in front of me again. I need to become strong and show him whom he is messing with.

"Adam is right we don't need to rush. Your next scheduled training is Friday" Dan explained and I walked away then bumped to Marco who just entered the room. "Snacks" he said but I ignored him and went outside.

"What happened?" Marco said.

***

POV: Marco

I don't know what happened when I left to buy some snacks but I can feel the something is wrong. I don't know, maybe it's only me, but I feel they knew each other before. First, Eris hired Adam immediately when he saw his resume from those applicants. Second, he let Adam use the room only for his parents and close friends visiting him. Third, they instantly talk casually to each other when I before took months. And lastly, Adam is too caring to male boss, as in he cooks for him, give him water and towels and don't let him get too tired in his work. Yes, I too do those things to Eris but there is something special in Adam's gestures.

Eris seemed perturbed these days. He easily annoyed and gets angry. Maybe, he's experiencing fear and trauma.

"Is everything okay?" I asked them because its too silent inside the van while Adam drove. Eris just exhaled and leaned straight his back on his seat and closed his eyes. He goes to gym thrice a week to maintain his health and built but with those new training you can still feel ache after.

"Tomorrow you'll feel what I am talking about" Adam said while glancing at the mirror to look at Eris.

"I know what I am doing. And 'tis not my first time training or working out" Eris uttered while his eyes were still close. "You don't need to start a fight with my teacher" then looked to the driver. Do they really knew each other? 

"I am sorry" Adam said. 

"Eris, Are you having trouble sleeping again?" I asked him but he just turn on side. "You want to see Dr. Ben?"

"Marco, please!" Now he's really pissed off. He rolled his eyes and then put his wireless earphone on. Maybe I will convince him to see his doctor some other time, not this time. I smiled to myself.

***

POV: Marco

There's only eggs , potato and carrots in the fridge, what do I do with these? No meat or anything. "Eris, what should I cook? There's nothing in here" I shouted from the kitchen but he respond nothing. He was sitting, leaning his back to the couch and eyes closed. So I dialed my phone while walking towards the living room. I ordered fried chicken and pasta for our dinner.

"I am sorry I forgot to tell you about the groceries" Adam said. Eris don't respond. He is too tired to talk or explain or anything, so I tapped Adam on his left shoulder. I turned on the television to break the silence but the volume was too high so the sound suddenly explode across the room. "Haaah" Eris freak out in surprised to the sudden burst of noise.

"I'm sorry" I apologized. He is really unease nowadays. "Are you okay?" Is he that surprised? He just looked at me and I can't tell what is he thinking. He stood up and walked towards his room. He paused looking at the television.

'BREAKING NEWS: A woman in her 20's found dead on her apartment lying naked on the bathroom floor. The investigators think that this is not suicide or isolated case'

This is not the first time someone died on that apartment. "Wait.. I think I know that apartment" I said and looked at him. "Remember Justin. When he was just starting in the industry... that's the apartment he used to stay" with widened eyes and hand gestures pointing at the TV while explaining.

Eris parted his lips and nodded and uttered "SC Apartment" And it's not the only incident that happened this month. It's weird but I felt uncomfortable not for me but for Eris like something bad will about to happen.

***

POV: Eris

The next day, my legs and arms were in ached. I felt like my every muscles were stretched and my bones seem heavier. He's right though I'm doing my gym works that I will still experience body ache especially when I force myself and its a new training. Adam decided to buy groceries and other supplies to the nearest mall alone. I told him that I wanted to go also because I feel comforted to go outside at the public now that I have him. At first, he didn't want me to tagged along with him but I insisted and said that I really wanted to go. It took a lot of reason and convincing for him to let me. He told me to wear a mask and I did. Adam listed the stuffs we need to buy.

While strolling around the supermarket, my phone rang. It was Lily. 

"Best, are you free this afternoon?" she asked with a friend-I-need-your-help tone.

I unconsciously put down my mask "Yeah, always, for you" I paused thinking,  "why? I don't remember anything special today"

"Gown fitting" she said and I can hear her excitement. I can imagine her face. So happy for her.

"No way! Is it today?" Now I'm getting excited too. It's been months since Sam and Lily got engaged bug now they're really preparing for their wedding. She shrieked and I clearly heard her high pitched on the other side of the line.

I put my phone back to my pocket and looked at Adam standing beside me holding the cart with a face of 'I want to know who you are talking to and what you're talked about'. He gestured to me to put back my mask on but I just walked away and pretend to look around and get anything from the shelves. What is it that I'm feeling like I need to explain to him everything. Why did he look and act like this? I am confused. And then I heard a shrieked.

"Eris, can we have pictures?" a girl asked politely.

"Sure" I smiled and came closer to her. She held up her phone and toom a selfie of us.

"Thank you" she said.

"Eris?"  a man in his 40's said after he noticed me with the said fan girl. "My daughter really likes you" the man automatically walked closer to me. He grinned like he's totally happy and then immediately handed his phone to my bodyguard.  Adam didn't accept it and looked at the guy with irritation. I looked at him like 'What are you doing' and then he swiftly grabbed the phone from his hand. He rolled his eyes and he stepped back to take the picture. The man put his arm on my shoulders. Adam paused, looking fiercely to the man. I coughed softly to get his attention and looked at him like 'what're you waiting for? Take the picture'. He clicked and immediately returned the phone.

"What a lucky day seeing you here. My daughter will be surprised and jealous if she saw this picture" the man said when Adam took my arm and the cart and dragged me away from the said fan. Few others saw me and approached me but Adam passed them through straight towards the cashier.

"What are you doing?" I said a soft voice, I think, then pulled back my arm and try not to cause a scene.

"We need to hurry back to your condo before you create a fan meeting here" he sarcastically said. It's just two fans asking for pictures. And why every time fans approach me and talk me and took picture with me, he gets irritated. I am a celebrity he must get use to it. And what did he say? I create what?

"What did you say?" since he became my bodyguard, he acted like I can't do anything or there's something always bad will happen. 

"I'm sorry. I just don't want us to stuck here with your fans" he said. Is he that impatient? Why a I acting like this? I felt like I forget something and I really need to remember it but at the same time I am afraid when it happens.

"Well, get used to it" I said then walk away. I am a celebrity and I hired him not to forbid me to everything I want to do.

***

"Where are you going?" Marco asked when he looking at his phone.

"Sam and Lily will pick me" I smiled without parting my lips. I walked towards the door to exit when Marco talked again.

"Without Adam?" He asked again.

"Hmmm.. don't worry they will bring me back home" 

"No" he said. I know he's worried because of the previous incidents happened but I think nothing bad will happen today. And besides I'll be with my best friends in just for a while.

"Adam" Marco moved his head gesturing to accompany me. I exhaled and its also for me, for assurance. I texted Lily to meet them there at the bridal salon because I'll be with my bodyguard. From the car, you can see dark clouds sluggishly covered the sky. Thunders whispered across the city warning everyone for the coming rain. 

We arrived at the shop, Sam and Lily were already there. Lily is choosing what design that is to be tailored for her. I introduced them to Adam and we sat, helping her choose. Eventually, I received a message and took my phone from my pants.

'So you ignore me now! Why because you have your bodyguard?' my eyes widened in surprise. I looked at my friends and Adam, it seem that they don't noticed me. "Excuse me" I said and went to the restroom.

'What gimmick is this?' I texted Tom when suddenly he sent photos of me sitting at the couch beside Lily. It was pictures of here at the salon. He's nearby. I ran out the comfort room, "Eris? Why... What happened?" Lily said in a panic voice but I ignored her. I went outside the salon and cast my eyes around the vicinity. The rain immediately wet my hair down to my shoulders. Cars and buses running to the streets. Buildings surround the area. He's gonna be somewhere, hiding and laughing at me. Then someone grabbed my arm that made me startled, my body vibrated in shocked.

"What happened? he's here?" Adam said. His eyes, his grey eyes are now soft like candy in worry. His lips slightly open. 

I snapped then nodded and exhaled, "Yeah, yeah.. It's nothing" Sam and Lily came out and covered us with umbrella. Adam took out his brown leather jacket and put in my shoulder. Sam's umbrella is now in his hand above my head.

"Let's go back inside" Sam said while guiding Lily inside. Adam's left hand on the umbrella and his right covered my shoulders. Its weird but I think I felt this warmth before, his warmth.