MY ALPHA BODYGUARD

CHAPTER 4: THE MYTERIOUS STRANGER

A day before my concert, I have nothing to do now so I will just relax and eat and sleep here at my precious and comforting  four corners of my home. I told Marco and my manager to not disturb me in my lovely day. No texts or calls, unless it’s very important.

As I watch movie in my 65 inches smart TV, my phone received a text message. ‘Erick, please can we meet, today? I promise I will not do anything stupid. I will not bother you anymore after this.’ It is from, once again, Tom. I am having my me-time for the whole day and I plan no disturbance, no dramas and especially no jerk, knucklehead, jackass Tom, whatever you can call him. But now, it’s not even afternoon yet, he already creeping into my nerves.

Then he calls. Now my patience is reaching in its full limit and I feel my blood boils in 100 degrees. I answered the call and immediately said without him uttering any word yet, “Listen to me you i***t! Please leave me alone. Forget me and I forget you. Live your own life and I do mine, get it?”

“How can I forget you if I still love you but I know it’s impossible for you to love me again. I just really hope that we could meet just once before I leave you for good. I really want to apologize to you personally for being a jerk back then. But the day you were gone that’s when I realized, I really, truly love you” he said like he really mean it, but what if he really honest this time. No, no, Eris, don’t be a fool for believing that moron. Besides, even if he is sincere, we’re not going back together, over my dead body. I said no words. I don’t know what to respond. Maybe, I should meet for him to end all of this, for him to leave me alone forever.

And then he spoke again, “Erick, please, I beg you. I don’t want anything from you; just let me meet you, even this once. After this you will see me no more.” Tom begged in a pitiful way he can do.

I exhaled, “In a city’s center park let’s meet there at 2pm” I said then I hung up though he still thanking me.

******

Ten minutes before the agreed time, Tom texted me that he is already there. I got to the park forty five minutes late. Well, I really meant to be late; he can leave anytime if he wants but he really waited for me with a lot of messages. I just wear a white shirt, denim shorts, slippers and a black cap, of course with my favourite black face mask.

He is sitting on a bench near the swing and as soon as he saw me, he stood up and came towards me. I unknowingly make a step backward and stop him to come nearer to me. I look at him directly and raise my brow because I need to act that I not the Eris he once knew. “I’m here, so say what you need to say” I shrugged.

“Can we sit down first?” he said pointing the bench where he had been.

“Nope, no need. It won’t take long for us to talk either” I restrained.

“Erick, first of all, I am very very sorry for what happened between us” he said

“I can forgive you. If you don’t show up to me anymore after this” I said.

“I know which I’ll do.”

“Okay, that’s it. End of conversation. I’ll head first” I said then turn back. But he run towards me and grab my hand.

“Erick, what I said to you that I love you is true. I’m really hoping that we can get back together” he said looking at me like a child who really wants to go with his mother.

“Are you out of your mind?” taking back my hand from his grip but his grasp becomes more firmly that I’m starting to feel pain. Now his gaze becomes more serious and don’t-ever-turn-your-back-to-me look. The image of a child from Tom earlier who begs for attention is now like a man, an obsess man who will do everything to have only what he wants.

“You said you forgive me but you don’t want to give me another chance. I know we can work it out” Tom said in a horrible voice, eyes widened.

“Let me go” he starting to drag me. Tom is a little bit taller than me but has an athlete physique so he is stronger and firmer physically than me. I get my phone out of my short’s pocket and look for Marco’s name on my phonebook, but as soon as I dialled it Tom took my mobile from me. “What the heck are you doing?” I ranted.

“I feel sorry for your fans for tomorrow’s concert” he put my phone in his pants’ back pocket. He laughed wickedly but suddenly he stops. A man standing behind Tom seized his hand, the one that holds me, and also took my phone out of his pocket.

“It seems to me from the distance that you are forcing the guy to come with you” the stranger said, looking to Tom. He stand tall and straight behind Tom, gripping his arm that made him squeak. He’s kinda look familiar to me, and his voice as well. His built and his height, he looks like the man on the parking lot. But I am not sure for I don’t saw his face because of his mask. And this man in front of me, he is every woman that can and will dream of. He had a Viking-gold hair that I think if it is relaxed and not combed upwards it will reach his lips. He had a perfect nose that fit his defined cheekbones and concrete jaw. A bristly eyebrows and an almond shaped grey eyes; Oooh Yeahhh I remember, his eyes and his eyebrows are the same to my parking lot knight in shining armor. Could they be one person?

"That’s why I think he needs help” he continued then looked at me, “Am I right?” he asked me and it sounds to me like ‘don’t worry I am here’.

“It’s none of your business, pal. It’s just a small love quarrel, right honey?” Tom said in a disgusting way, ‘honey’ yuck I’m about to throw up. The grip of the mysterious to Tom seems become tighter that Tom let go my hand. It is obvious in his face, he’s in pain.

“Is this guy’s talking true?” the stranger asked me while I’m touching the area that Tom gripped.

“No! of course not” I said, “I.. I don’t even know him” I continued. I think he can handle Tom, if I am a really bad person I will tell him to punch him and beat him until he can’t walk anymore.

“What? Eris..” Tom exclaimed and looked at me, it’s the first time he called me Eris. Then the stranger gave me my phone and said, “Call the police”

“Wait, What?” he said then cry in pain, still in the man’s grip. “Eris please it doesn’t have to be this way” Eris again he said, maybe Tom wanted the stranger to shifted his attention to me and lost his focus to him to loosened his grip. He really such a cunning freak.

A soon as I said hello, Tom kick the stranger in his groin that made him bend forward and cried out in pain. And the rascal ran away swiftly. I kneeled down to the kind person that helped me and run my hand through his back, up and down, well, we all know how painful it was to be hit on that part.

“Sir, are you alright?” I asked, yeah obviously he not okay but I don’t know what to say. It is my fault why he was hurt, too kind of him that he needs to include himself in our fight. I try to help him to stand up but he is too heavy for me. He had a Titan’s shoulder, a well-toned and lean physique and more muscular than me. He wears a black t-shirt that fits perfectly his firm biceps and torso. His earthy scent makes me want to lay my head face down on his chest.

“Sir, can you stand up?” I asked and he nodded. Obviously, he can’t stand on his own so I help and assist him to sit on the bench. We sat.  A few moments “Sir, are you okay? Can you now walk?” I asked again. “Hmmm” he said then nods.

“Come, I will take you to the hospital” I said and on my act of standing up he stopped me, holding me on my shoulder that made me electrify a little.

“You don’t have to but ….thank you” he said

“No, please, you’re hurt in your….*cough* down there and it’s because of me so let me take care of you” I insisted but he is so persistent that he is already okay.

“ I’m okay Eris, don’t worry too much. It’s nothing” Nothing? Really? But for me it’s not nothing and how did he know my name. Ahhh yeah right, he might have heard it from Tom when he says my name.

“Are you sure, Mister?” I asked

“Adam. Adam Gray” he answered. What a cool name. It suits him, his masculinity, his physique, his voice and he’s also kinda mysterious and really sounds familiar. I need to ask him, for me to make sure and stop this theory, “Did we meet before, Mister Gray?” I paused then continues, “You really sound familiar to me”

“I’m not sure either but you also familiar to me” he squinted his eyes, few seconds, he widened it, “Yeah the guy on the basement’s parking lot of the OI Mall. It is you right?” he said in shocked and joy.

“Wait, you’re that guy? What a coincidence” I said obviously happy, there’s something in me that wanted to meet him again and it happened.

“The guy earlier called you Eris. Don’t tell me? No way! You’re Eris.. th.. the singer?” he said in surprised, especially when I nodded and smiled.

“I can’t imagine I’ll meet you today before the concert” he said, seems he’s okay now.

“You’ll watch my concert?” I asked.

“VIP!” he proudly said. I would have treated him a ticket to repay his kindness but it seems he already has.

“So Mister Gray, tell me. How can I repay you? *pause* for your kindness” I asked. I hope he didn’t notice that I wanted to see him again.

“Hmmm?  A picture with you? And an autograph will do” he answered and then I laugh. What? I can’t help it.

“Why?” he crossed his brows.

“I just can’t imagine a man like you want a photo and signature of me” I still laugh. He doesn’t say anything. “Yeah Yeah I get it, it’s for your girlfriend?” I asked but he frowned.

“I don’t have a girlfriend” he said sadly and then I stopped my laughter but a smile is still on my face.

“Aaah for your wife?” I asked again.

“What! Do I look like have a wife” he said and looked at me like he was just insulted.

“Really? With a face and body like that you can get any girl you like” I said but he just stare at me, just stare at me that I don’t know how long we do that staring contest. But his gaze I feel like I’ve done something wrong to him, I felt sadness in his eyes.

“Okay what about let’s eat… the next day after the concert?” I asked him with a smile but he didn’t reply. “Is it okay with you, Mister Gray?” I repeated.

“Ohh Yeah sounds good” he answered. I would have schedule it later this evening but I feel tired of what happened and I want to prepare and condition myself for the upcoming performance. That’s why I think it would be better if it is after the concert.

“Sammy Cooks at 8pm?” I said and then stood up

“Sure” he said and I walked away to go back to my condo.