Protecting Kendra

Why do I continue doing this to myself every single morning? Each night I set my alarm for 5:00 am to begin a new schedule that I desperately need. Yet, each morning I continue to snooze my alarm until it’s 7:00 when I have to rush in order to get to work on time. You would think by now I would at least lay out an outfit the night before, but no. Thankfully, I managed to do the laundry this weekend, so I have a decent selection to choose from. I grab my favorite last-minute outfit and head to the bathroom to get ready. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I enter and wince. My hair is wild. A low bun will have to do. I don’t have time to tame it any other way. After I finish getting ready, I grab the necklace and earrings I left by the sink and head to the kitchen. You would be amazed at how a simple outfit can look after the right jewelry is added to it. It gives the illusion that I put effort into this morning. My trainer is not going to be happy when he hears the truth yet again. He has decided that I need to move my training to each morning of the week. He believes it will help me get back on track as I have been slacking for quite some time now. He is relentless in his efforts. Paxton means well. He’s only doing his job after all. My father hired him to make sure that I was in top shape for whatever came my way. This includes being able to wake myself up when it’s difficult, making meals from a limited food supply and to be in top shape to defend myself in a split second. I fought this plan when my father originally told me about it. I was a seventeen-year-old who thought my father had gone mad. Only those who believe the world is about to end or be invaded decide to put themselves and their family through this insanity. Then I met my trainer, Paxton Wells. Paxton Wells was an eighteen-year-old boy who had just graduated from the Guard’s program. Guards are usually hired by those in high society, political backgrounds, or in the media. I don’t know how we were approved to be assigned one, as I know we are neither of the three. My questions immediately vanished when Paxon walked into the room to greet me. Paxton was tall, had dark hair, and a smile that could stop anyone in their tracks. Not to mention he had a great physique. It was no secret this guy loved the gym. I’ll give it to my father. He certainly knows how to win an argument. He must have been desperate to win that case by using that card. Why else would he choose a guard his daughter would most certainly be attracted to? Well played dad. It has been eight years, and I am still in the program. However, there are other reasons attached to it now. I shake my head trying to get out of my thoughts. There’s no time to get stuck there now. I need to leave in five minutes, and I still need to make some coffee. I’m so glad I sprung for the automatic coffee maker and have no trouble remembering to set it up each night. There’s no way I can survive the morning without it. It would not be pleasant for anyone who encountered me either. I grab my favorite thermos from the cupboard and fill it up. I’m still closing the lid as I make it to the door and grab my purse I keep hung there. I don’t stop to check my phone, but I think I’m having a good time considering. I just hope that I don’t hit traffic. I jumped as I opened the door. Paxton was leaning with his back against the wall on the other side of the hallway. I thought I would have more time to come up with a reason for not being at the gym this morning. “Everything alright?” Paxton asks as I turn to close and lock the door. “I will be as soon as I can get my heart back in my chest.” I reply. I knew what he was referring to, but I chose to stall in hopes of mustering up a fast excuse that he would go for. He pushes off the wall and looks down at me. “Don’t try to avoid the question. Why weren’t you at training this morning?” I opened my mouth but was saved by my alarm going off. I guess I hit snooze again last time it went off instead of hitting stop. For once, I am glad to hear this annoying sound. “Look, I’m running late this morning and really need to leave if I want to make it to work on time. We can move the training to tonight, yeah?” “Fine.” Paxton says reluctantly. “Be there at six or else I will be headed back here to grab you myself.” I know it was my idea, but I’m already dreading it. The last thing I want to do on a Monday night is work out. My favorite TV show is airing a new episode tonight and I planned on getting a pizza and staying in. Maybe this will help me get up in the morning tomorrow, but I highly doubt it. My track record does not give me high hopes. We rounded the corner and head for the stairs. I wish they would hurry and fix the elevator. I was excited when I managed to score the top floor when I applied for this apartment complex. I wanted to sit out on the balcony and have a full view of the city. Now I would give anything to trade with someone on the bottom level. It has managed to save me money on groceries though. I got tired of taking three trips carrying bags up 5 flights of stairs, so I started buying what could fit in only three bags. I wonder what is taking the office so long to fix it. I’m sure I have not been the only tenant complaining about it. Maybe I can talk them into cutting my rent for the trouble. I’m out of breath halfway down. “You know these stairs wouldn’t be so bad if you stopped missing your training.” He gloatingly said. I’m sure he could go up and down these stairs five times over before his breathing is affected. I blush at that image. Thinking of him breathing heavily pulls my mind to a place I can’t afford to go. I think he senses he’s overstepped and he nudges my arm. “We’ll get you there.” We get to the garage and Paxton does his usual surveillance routine. He grabs my hand to pull me behind him, so he can scan the area. He’s always so paranoid. I’ve got to give it to him for taking the job so seriously when he is just protecting an ordinary person. I don’t know why I need to train so hard when he obviously has it covered for me. I can’t imagine anyone making it past him to get to me if they wanted to. I let him do it anyway. It feels nice to feel him protecting me, even if it is his job. I know plenty of girls that would die to be in this position. Lord knows they have tried as well. They just throw themselves at him without caring how easy it makes them look. I can’t get mad at them for trying though, no matter how hard I would like to. Paxton circles my Jeep to check the back seat and the trunk space. He nods, giving me the okay to unlock the car. I click the unlock button, and he opens the driver’s door for me to get in. I quickly turned on the engine and put my seat belt on. I went to shut the door and realize that he is still standing there. There was a look on his face that I had not seen before. He looks away for a split second and then says, “Training at 6pm. Don’t forget.” I’m only able to manage a nod. He shuts my door and I begin to back out of my parking space. As I reach the exit, I notice he’s still in the same place watching me.