Babysitting the Fire Priestess

I am enjoying my day while sitting on the couch and watching movies. It’s been like a week since I just stayed at home doing nothing. Hell, my brother really knew how to ground a full grown man. I’m already 27 years old for Pete's sake and here I am grounded for almost a week now. I roll my eyes. My brother’s really over reacting. I just got involved in a bar fight last week. Those bastards really got under my skin. I lost my temper and snapped. They should not mess with a broken hearted man sitting solitarily at the bar counter. Andrea, my girlfriend, I mean my ex-girlfriend, broke up with me that night just because she got tired of our relationship that only lasted for 3 f*****g months! After our break up scene, I went to the bar to get wasted and to forget what she did to me. I still can't believe she dumped me. Damn my pride! But whatever, it's just 3 months, I didn’t even think I already love her for that short span of time. Anyway, I beat their asses. Those jerks were molesting the poor waitress in front of me. It was such an eye sore! I don’t want to see any lady being treated that way. Being a gentleman, my reaction was just pretty normal. First, I gave them a cold deadly stare to give them a warning. But then, they didn't understand. They kept on touching her on inappropriate places. I can’t believed the security staff in that bar were just letting it happened. I instantly came to rescue. I didn’t punch them on the face at first. I tried to talk to them and be civil. The first bastard just told me to f**k off and that I should mind my own business or else I’ll regret it. Who are they threatening? Me? A 6 feet 2 inches tall man with a lot of fighting skills at hand? They gotta be shitting me. I snorted at them. The second guy attempted to punch me on the face but I immediately deflected it and gave him a head butt. The third one attacked me but I kicked his gut and he was sent off flying a few meters from where he’s standing. Just like that, the brawl ended and I didn’t even have a single sweat on my forehead. Then the bouncers came in and kicked me out of the bar. The worst part was that they called the police and had me arrested for bringing nuisance to their bar. Hell, I just helped the woman from being molested! I was in jail for like an hour when my brother rescued me. He gave me a very long boring lecture about life and how to avoid this kind of stuff and just be a mature individual. All I could do is to stay silent. He was angry because I taught the three bastards a lesson and for using my skills toward the weak ones. He trained me to become the CEO of his company, which is a security agency, The Red Armour. You might think we are hiring security guards here but no, we are engaging in private securities toward big shot people. Like bodyguards, private security teams, agents and detectives. There are a lot of dirty rich people who aren’t safety and always received life threats. Most of them are businessmen, politicians and some are wives who wanted their cheating husbands to get caught. My brother is turning forty this year and he wants to retire at forty-five. That’s why he’s mad at me right now for being such an immature at the age of 27 because 5 years from now he wants me to take over the Red Armour. He thought I’m immature because I always give him headaches.  Just like this one. What happened at the bar wasn't a first time. I’ve been in a few fights for rescuing helpless women and for some other reasons. Right now, I don’t have a job. After graduating from college I underwent more training at Red Armour. I had trained in martial arts when I was in high school and college but still I want more. I also did try to work at Red Armour as part of the private security team but decided to quit. I found it boring. What happened was that, I engaged myself to a lot of trainings, sharpening my skills and learning from my brother's leadership and success. My thoughts were interrupted when my brother barged in the living room. He slapped a long folder on the table in front of me. There’s a big CLASSIFIED word written on that folder with red bold font. He stood in front of me blocking the TV from my sight and crossed his arms across his chest. "I have good news for you" he said. I didn’t answer. I just give him a questioning look. "You’re not grounded anymore” he said matter-of-factly. "Yey" I answered sarcastically. "But..." he said while lifting his one finger in the air. "What is it?” "I have a task for you. I want you to guard the daughter of a casino mogul" he answered. I suddenly sat upright. "You...you want me to be a bodyguard?" I ask him amusedly. I raised an eyebrow at him, completely amuse. I can't be a bodyguard! For heaven's sake, being a bodyguard also means I need to be a babysitter! "Yes" he said firmly. "But, but I am your brother! The next CEO!" "So? Yes, you’re going to be the heir of Red Armour but it doesn’t mean you won’t work for it. You need to learn Ryan. This is the only way I can think of for you to be more mature and to keep you away from giving me headaches. I have too much headaches already" he said while shaking his head. "No, I can be in the private security team, a detective, an agent, just don’t be a bodyguard" I told him in an almost begging voice. "Be a bodyguard or you will go out from this apartment at the age of 60!" he shouted at me. Shit! It means I will be imprisoned in this apartment for a very long time! I can’t! I’ll die and maybe end up hanging myself from the ceiling! Shit his electronic keypad lock! He installed an electronic keypad lock on his door. That’s why I can’t kick my way out his apartment. He really made it sure that this apartment is really secure. He’s the only person who knows the code and I can’t even crack it. I tried cracking it using my training at Red Armour but nothing happened.  The doors and walls in this apartment are made of caliber steels and all sorts of shits that I don’t even know. When he fetched me out from the jail, he brought me here. He already has his own family and doesn’t live here anymore. When he was still single, this was his bachelor’s pad. "Are you really serious?" I asked him. "Isn’t it obvious?” I rubbed my temple. What could I do? I don’t want to stay here in this apartment for too long! I don’t have any choice. I want my freedom! "Okay fine, I'm in" I finally said "Then read the files" he said "I will, later..." He shrugged and walked towards the bathroom. I was left there, staring directly at the folder in front of me. "Daughter of the casino mogul huh?" I muttered to myself.       I knock on Mr. Sevilla’s study room. It's 9 in the morning, sharp. After reading the classified files in that folder, I learned 80% about Mr. Christian Sevilla and his business empire. The man is really wealthy, like 5 times wealthier than us. He owned like 10 hotel casinos in the country and 2 casinos in Las Vegas. Obviously, his business was all about gambling. I must say he’s in a dangerous and dirty industry. He might have enemies from losing debts, mortgages and everything that money is involved. Those enemies might be a syndicate, dirty politicians and businessmen having illegal business. He already has 3 bodyguards at hand, but still claimed to have many life threats. One day, he received a threat for his daughter. And Mr. Sevilla became agitated. He wanted her daughter to be secured like him. Of course, who wouldn't? Maybe his enemies became so frustrated because Mr. Sevilla's security team is so good, Red Armour is very good. I smile to myself proudly. "Come in" he answered from inside the room. I immediately turned the knob and stepped inside the room. I walked confidently with square shoulders and serious face. I am wearing a plain white shirt inside my black business jacket with a pair of black slacks. The old man instantly stood up and smiled at me. I also smiled at him. He reached out to shake my hand. "Good morning Mr. Sevilla, I'm Ryan Alcaraz from Red Armour" I introduced myself. "Good morning, the future CEO of Red Armour" said the old man with amuse expression. He eyed me from head to toe. Maybe my brother told him about me already. I admit, I feel proud hearing those words and I can't stifle a smile. "Please take a sit" he offered. I took the sit across him. "So, I bet you already read the files?" he asked. "Of course" "My daughter is a very complicated young lady Ryan but she is the only treasure I have. When she was a kid, her mother died in front of her and I guess that's the main reason why she became...you know like she is now. Last month, I received a kidnap for ransom threat for her. Last week, I also received another email saying they will kill her, and that I can never tolerate anymore. That’s why I decided to reach out to your agency. I needed someone to look after her, to protect her at all times and will prioritize her safety. In that way, I can finally have the assurance knowing they can't harm her, knowing you will always be there to protect her. Now, can you give me that assurance Ryan?" The old man looked deep into my eyes like he's reading my thoughts. I shifted on my sit. "Yes of course, I will do my best Mr. Sevilla" I answered him. "Very well" "So where is she?" I said. "She's in her bedroom, sleeping. She went home late last night from a party I don't even know where. What a stubborn young lady. Your first assignment is to wake her up" My eyebrows shoot up. Am I hearing it right? He wants me to wake her daughter up? "Y-you want me to barge in inside her bedroom to wake her up?" I asked him, confused. He nods with a poker face. Shit! "Just go now. Mandy doesn't lock her door every time" he said. He then focuses his attention back to the laptop on his table. Clearly, he wanted me to leave and wakes his daughter up. Okay… I can do this, I think. I stood up and ready to go out when I remembered something. I don’t know where her room is. "Second floor, first room in the right side" Mr. Sevilla immediately answered the question even before it came out from my mouth. How did he do that? "Okay..." I said before heading outside. I immediately went upstairs and I saw the first bedroom in that floor. I stood in front of the door and look around. Hell, the mansion really looked like a hotel. Plus, there are a lot of maids everywhere. They are all wearing housekeeping uniform. I breathe deeply and shakily. I don’t know why I’m nervous right now. Still contemplating whether to knock or not. But then I decided to knock softly three times. No one answered. She still must be sleeping right now. I gently turned the knob and silently went inside the room. The big four poster bed immediately caught my attention. The bed is in red velvet color and there are white curtains hanging from the poster. I tiptoed around and almost holding my breath. I am trying so hard not to make a sound when I shut the door behind me. I looked around and noticed that the room was all white except for the bed. The cabinets, floors, walls, ceiling, table and everything are white. I walked towards the bed and my mouth dropped open. Sleeping in the big velvet bed is a woman curled up with her blanket. The woman is really beautiful. Her face is not the typical kind of beautiful. You can’t see this kind of face walking on the street or even at the mall. She has raven hair, like really black. I don’t know if she dyed it or it’s really her natural hair color but it looked good on her. Her eyebrows are well-shaped and she has long dark lashes that fanning her face. My eyes stopped at her big black mole near her eye, upper left side of her face. It just looked so sexy. My eyes continued to travel to her nose, she has beautiful nose with prominent bridge. I swallowed when my eyes lingered on her lips which are parted as she breaths. She has that kind of lips which are remarkable, her lower lip is bigger than the upper and it really looked plumped and kissable. I shook my head in amusement. I didn’t expect I’ll babysit this gorgeous lady in front of me. I should have researched her on the internet, especially on f*******:. Why didn’t I do it? Part of me wanted to be surprise? Well, surprise, surprise! Say hello to Amanda Sevilla! Eventually I feel panicky. How should I wake her up? She’s sleeping like a baby! I don’t want to be the reason of her having a bad morning or even a bad day. I know how it feels being disturbed during your sleep! That’s what my brother always does. Waking me up while I'm in my most desirable dreams! It annoyed the hell out of me and ruined my day. I must think of something to wake her up. Then I saw the alarm clock on her bedside table. I grabbed it and adjusted it to the exact time at the moment. I put it beside her left ear and waited for the clock to ring.  The alarm shrieked loudly, too loudly I guess. In just a nanosecond, the woman stirred and immediately opened her eyes. She was shocked and immediately got out from the bed in a confused groggy state. She is now standing in front of me with wide wild eyes and parted lips. Half of her face was being hidden by her long hair. My gaze went down from her head to her toes and realized she was just wearing a white satin nightgown. Jeez! I didn’t notice it when she was sleeping. She was covered with her blanket. I shifted my gaze to her face immediately. Her eyebrows were creased deeply. "Who the f**k are you?!" she shouted at my face. I panicked. "I…I'm...uh" I stuttered. I can't find words! Damn it! "How did you get in?! Who are you? Answer me or I’ll slap you!" she said angrily. "I'm Ryan Alcaraz...from-" A slap landed on my face. Ow! That f*****g hurts! My ears are ringing! "I don't care what's your name! I want to know if we’re related to each other. Are you my cousin? Uncle? New maid? A thief? How am I related to you for you to have access in my room?!" she’s still shouting. I didn’t answer. I am totally caught off guard. I can’t believe I’m facing an sss right now. She looked like an angel sleeping awhile ago but now… "Amanda! What did you do to him?" Mr. Sevilla barged in the room. Thank Heavens! I’m holding my left cheek that still stings. Ow... "Who the hell is he?" Amanda asked her father. "Where did you go last night?" Mr.Sevilla asked her instead of answering her daughter’s question. I saw how her shoulder sags before answering her father’s question. "Really? You want to discuss this now?" Amanda said to her father. Mr. Sevilla nodded impassively besides me. "A car kept on following me last night. I drove endlessly until I lost it. That’s the reason I gone home last night late” she said. Her expression was blank. Like she wasn’t even afraid of what happened. "What?! And you didn’t even tell me about it?" Mr. Sevilla asked. "It was three in the morning. You were snoring in your room like this..." Amanda answered and re-animated her father’s snoring. Seriously, I almost laugh at her sarcastic impersonation. I almost forgot how she slapped me on the face. "Stop it Mandy! You’re embarrassing the both of us to Ryan" Mr. Sevilla said. Amanda gazed at me and rolled her eyes. I remained expressionless. Mr. Sevilla cleared his throat. "Good job Ryan, you really wake her up " Mr. Sevilla told me and patted my shoulder. "Thank you Sir" "Who is he?" Amanda asked her father, frustrated. "He is Ryan Alcaraz from Red Armour, the younger brother of Steven Alacaraz CEO of Red Armour and Ryan here, will be your bodyguard" Mr. Sevilla said. Amanda's mouth dropped open. Her eyes are wide again in shock and horror. "Bodyguard?!H-him?" she said in horror while pointing at me. "Of course" her dad said. "No! I can't have a bodyguard! No! I can handle myself! I don’t need one!" she shouted. Is this woman always loud? Like ALWAYS loud? "Have a bodyguard or DIE!" Mr. Sevilla also shouted.  I can see he’s already losing temper. For a moment, Amanda looked shock. She was speechless for a couple of minutes. Then she growled. "Fine!” "Good" Mr. Sevilla said while smiling. He went outside the room. The both of us were left there. I stared at her keeping a straight face. She also stared at me. She’s still angry at the situation. I can tell. Then, she walked towards me. She crossed her arms against her chest. "Did you just set the alarm on time and put it besides my ear? Like really besides my ear?" she asked me while squinting her eyes. Her voice is husky and breathy. It sounded very sultry. My skin eventually tingled from the vibration of her voice. Weird! "Yes, yes I did" I answered her formally. "Do you know that my ears are still ringing from what you did?" she asked me. "Sorry...ma'am" I think it was appropriate to call her that way, besides bodyguards always do that to their clients. She strides towards me and now we are really face to face. I’m dumbfounded when she touched my forearm. A small current ran through my veins. My knees almost buckled up. She’s caressing my arms, up and down.  All the hair on my body stood up in attention. My heart beat eventually rises as desire pools in my belly. We are like two inches away from each other and I can already smell her expensive perfume. Still holding my forearms she tiptoed and leaned forward. She leaned into my left ear and shouted loudly I think my eardrum exploded. "OUT!" she shouted. I immediately shuffled to my feet and went outside. Wow! What just happened? I realized I am catching my breath. I can't believe she just did that to me. What a woman! I shook my head. I think I should start guarding myself from that woman. She’s igniting emotions from me that might compromise the whole client-bodyguard relationship.