Who's My Bodyguard?

[Five]

"How are you feeling?" Sigmund looked back at me. He was sitting beside the driver's seat.

"I'm fine."

"Your wounds?"

"It's fine, I don't feel any pain." He nods his head and then he seats properly.

We were about to drive off when a loud screeched was heard. I faced the direction where it came from. There, I saw two cars trying to overtake one another.

"A race?" I asked as I watched the cars move away.

"Let's use an alternative route," I heard Sigmund ordering the driver. "It's probably another kidnap for ransom scheme."

His last sentence made me look at him, "What? k********g?" Even here?

He looked at me over his shoulder, "Yes. By the looks of it, it's probably an inside job."

"Inside job? You mean there's an accomplice inside the group or something."

"Yes."

"How come you thought of that?" I wondered since we only saw two cars trying to overtake one another.

"The car that we saw is owned by a rich family, it was being chased by another—of the same kind—car. The probability of it being an inside job is 98%."

I raised my brows at him, "You're impressing me." He didn't respond after what I said.

"Will it be fine though? Shouldn't we contact the authorities? Or something related."

"No need, Bretly I.U. will definitely do their job."

"Bretly I.U.?" I frowned at what he said.

"You heard it earlier, the students are Bretly's cash cows. They won't let anyone take away those cash cows. They'll definitely do an action worthy of what you're paying for."

I kind of getting what he's saying but my mind just can't accept it. I don't know. I still don't fully trust that school. I still haven't seen it with my own eyes, I'm still questioning why my father chose that school.

"Since when did you enrolled in that school?"

"Since Harper entered that school, that was 4 years ago. We stayed at that school even when she stayed with you in New York for over a year."

"Harper...by the way where's my sister? Why she's not with us?"

"She's riding a different car. For security purposes."

"I wonder, why are you simply calling her Harper?"

He paused for a while before he answers, "She asked for it. I can call her 'Young Miss' if you ask me to."

"No," I shook my head. "I was just wondering that's why I asked. I just realized it, you haven't called my name since the time we met."

"I honestly don't know how to address you." He faces me from his seat, "Would you like me to call you Master? Young Master? Sir? I'm sorry for asking it only now."

I tilt my head at him, "None of the above. Just call me Stone. If we're at school, just call me by Drei."

"Are you sure? You're my master."

"Harper's your master, too. But you address her the way she's comfortable. Just address me the way I'm comfortable as well."

"As you wish...Stone."

I smiled at him, "Thank you, Sigmund."

Later that evening, we had our family dinner for the first time in a while. It feels different than when I was in NY. Back then, even though I'm sharing the dining with Dad and Harper, it felt like I'm still on my own. Having Mother with us sure gives a different vibe. Ah, I really missed her.

After dinner, we went on our separate ways. I was kind of shocked when Harper didn't bother me but then I found out that she was given loads of school work for being away for a year. She didn't attend school back in NY. I'm not sure why but that's what she wants.

As I was tidying up the things I used earlier, a piece of paper fell on the floor. I picked it up, it was the calling card that the brunette gave me. The hotel's name and address were all that's written on it.

"7 o'clock," I recalled the time that she mentioned. I search for the clock inside my room. It's past 7 o'clock, it's nearing 8'oclock already. They're probably having fun now. I decided to keep this tiny card inside my wallet. I don't know, I don't feel like throwing it.

The next day, a repeat of my morning routine happened. But unlike yesterday, I kind of getting used to the school. It's really like a normal school during classes. I had this impression yesterday that since the students here are paying buckets of money, they wouldn't bother to study anymore, but I was wrong. It's actually the opposite. Everyone here takes the classes seriously, just seeing them will surely motivate you to study, too.

I'm currently resting on my chair when a commotion arises outside. I stared at a couple of students standing in the doorway. I have no idea what's happening since I really can't see it from my place.

"Do you want me to check what's going on?" I looked at Sigmund who's sitting just beside me.

"It's fine, I check it myself," I stood up and walks in the direction of the commotion.

"Wait," he blocks me. "You shouldn't. I can check it myself—"

I pushed him by his shoulder aside, "I want to see it for myself." I walked past him but I can feel him following me.

I stood behind the three girls who are blocking the doorway. I still can't see from this place but I overheard the ones in front of me. "She's being hysterical."

"Then she should have just rested. Who ask her to come here anyway?"

"I heard she got kidnap yesterday. But Bretly's saved her before they can take her far."

Kidnap?

That word got me so I cut in through the small spaces between them. I didn't bother listening to their complaints. I just want to know who's the victim of yesterday's happening. I stopped when I finally saw who it was.

That brunette again?

I looked at the girl, with both knees on the floor, kneeling in front of her. It was the milk girl from yesterday, too. I flinched when I notice some serious bruise on her face. The heck is going on?

"You b***h! It was all your fault that happened yesterday!" I took big steps when I saw she's about to hit the girl on the floor.

"Stop," I glared at Sigmund who blocks me. The sound of the slap echoed in the hall.

"Step aside," I said through gritted teeth.

"They are mistress-maid. She's just disciplining her maid." I grabbed his necktie.

"Step aside." I forcefully let go of him, he lowered his head before doing what I said.

I rush to the girls making the scene. Her mistress is getting ready to hit her maid once again. F*ck this! I was about to grab the mistress when someone else stops her.

"Tumigil ka na," the newly arrived girl said. What language was that?

"Let go, Ibaῆez. It's none of your business."

"Magpapaawat ka sa'kin o," I straighten my back when she looks at me. "Siya ang aawat sa'yo."

I felt the gaze of the mistress so I look at her. "You're going to stop me, too?"

"Yes."

She made a bitterly sound, "F*ck you all." She returns her gaze to the maid who's still on the floor. "Don't come near me. I don't want to see your ugly face." She walks away after saying though.

I can't help but sigh after she left. I just shake my head. Things ended but I still don't get the whole point of her hurting her maid.

"Tayo, kaya mong pumunta sa clinic mag-isa?"

"Oo, salamat." I watched as she slowly stands up. I'm surprised she can pull herself up. She looks at me, "Thank you, Mr. Drei." She bowed her head and then take her to leave.

I haven't even done anything that's helpful. I noticed how the people who were watching the commotion earlier started to disperse. The show's over, huh?

"Drei, was it?" I looked at the girl who's standing near me. It was the girl who helped in earlier.

I nodded my head. She took out a piece of small paper from her pocket and handed it to me. I stared at it before staring back at her.

"Is this the norm here? Giving out calling card in place of introduction."

"You should be accustomed to this," she shoves the card to me until I had no choice but to accept it.

She left and I just watched her back as she walks away. I read the calling card. I notice how it was different from the one I received yesterday.

Ibaῆez – 2017104366

"What's this?" I asked myself.

"If you're talking about the number, it's her student number." I already forgot about Sigmund's presence behind me. I looked at him, "Speaking of calling card, here."

"What's that?" he's giving me a black square box.

He opened it and a pile of calling card was in there. I get a piece and read what's written.

"Drei – 2020109055."

"That's the student card that you can give away to others here. I just received it earlier so I just handed it in now. As for your personal ID never show it to others."

"Yeah. I was told about that when I received my ID. But I had no idea that these calling--student cards are required for each student, let alone it will be coming from the school itself." I said as I returned the piece that I'm holding.

"Not all. Only those of the highest ranks have this," he keeps the box he's holding and then points to his left chest. "For us, middle ranks, we have these nameplates. And for those on the lowest ranks, they can just use the IDs."

"Their personal ID?" I asked, confused.

"Highest ranks personal ID differs from those on the middle and lowest ranks." He handed me a small size book. "This is the handbook that was given along with your student card. You'll understand more about the system here. Please take time to read."

I reached out for the handbook.

Bretly's International University

Handbook – Guide

The Rules of the Hierarchy

*****

[NEW YORK CITY]

"How's my son?"

"He's fine, Sir."

"Do you think they'll find him there?"

"The possibility is not zero, Sir. But as of the moment, there's still no sign that they know where we are."

"Has Stone notice you already?"

"No, Sir."

"Good, continue to guard him secretly. How about his current personal bodyguard?"

"His name is Sigmund Yoo, Sir. So far, he hasn't shown anything notable."

"I guess so. After all, things are still quiet over there. Keep your eyes not only on Stone but to that guard as well, got it?"

"Yes, Sir." The call ended with that last answer.

The old man sigh. He's a bit relieved that his son is safe as of the moment. But he knows he can't relax. He needs to move fast and finish his enemies so they can leave his son alone. While he still hasn't reached his goal, all he can do is to protect his son even if it means being apart from him.