My Escort

No Regrets

I feel at peace right now.Bill replies, "Very good, ma'am, thank you. I promise I'll be back on Monday and return to my duties."

"It's alright, Bill.Take a week off and enjoy your family. I don't think I'll need a driver anytime soon." I exhale a deep breath, leaning over the handrails. What I need is a very good rest.

"Oh?" Bill sounds surprised. "Thanks, ma'am! You're an angel." An angel? Nah.

Only God knows the shady things I've been up to lately. I'm no different than Patrick. We're both cheaters.

As I end my call with Bill, I remember someone else I forgot. Anne.

Aside from being my friend, Anne also works for me and she's been very cranky after the loss we suffered. Calling her, I bump into her voicemail.

A knock on the door urges me to abandon the balcony leisure and return to the bedroom. I know it's Red but I'm still so startled whenever he drops those three soft knocks.

"Come in," I say while throwing the phone on the bed. The door swings open and Red dashes in. "Um, there's nothing in the kitchen.

Do you want me to go and buy you something to eat? And for dinner later, too?" he inquires. "No, I don't. Let's buy groceries instead. I don't want food from outside," I reply.

Red frowns, confused. "Don't worry; I won't make you cook. I'll do it myself," I snap at him, rolling my eyes. Surprising me, Red chuckles lightly.

Now I'm the one frowning, but no offense taken. I'm rather on the verge to smile from this little and sudden change in him.

"You think I suck in the kitchen, don't you?" I stride toward him with feigned

menace. He stifles a laugh, wrenching one eyebrow. Oh, why is this so good?

"Do you?" I'm right in front of him . . . of his big chest, gazing up at him. He clears his throat, recovering his normal composure.

"No, Madam. I'm just surprised," he answers. "Surprised? Why?" I purse my lips. "Um . . ." He scratches his head, as though he can't say it out loud. I purse my lips even more, and he giggles. "Well, I just—"

"Stop it, Red! You definitely think I can't cook, huh? Wait and see!" I snap, and

suddenly I'm giggling, too. What's happening?

"Okay, I'll be waiting. So, are we going?" Challenging me, Red's eyes shimmer

brightly and that sexy appeal flounders all over his smile that's trying to rise so

beautifully, but he's busy repressing it.

"Yeah." I quickly step away from him so that I don't end up jumping on his lips

and assault the hell out of him. f**k! He always makes me want to kiss him when we're closer. "Right now?" Red stalks my behind as I bend over to grab my phone.

"Yeah, right now." As I turn back his eyes are filled with mischief, unusually playful.

"What?" I quiz, flushing.

"You're not going like that, are you?" he asks flatly. "What's wrong with my dress?" I cast a quick glance on my attire. "I mean, yes it's kinda stinky; but if I start taking a shower right now, and change, we may not be able to leave anytime soon."

"There's nothing wrong with your dress," Red says and he looks very amused by

my reaction. "Huh? Then—" Before I say anything more, Red takes my hand and leads me onto

the bed; I sit down, following his lead, puzzled, not knowing what he's up to.

Without a word he walks toward the open wardrobe connected to the bedroom. He

knows every part of the house since we've been here twice already. When he

returns he's holding a pair of white sneakers.

"You—" I try to speak but I fail at the sweet suspense he creates. He bends down on his knee, his eyes tender yet serious on mine.

I get lost under

his spellbinding gaze, my lips gaping. I'm melting, deeply. "You shouldn't wear these long shoes all the time. Let your legs relax," Red

whispers, and I feel the shooting stars crossing the sky at this tiny little gesture.

"I'm taking them off," he says genteelly, seeking for my approval. "Okay." I nod, and I think I'm seriously falling for my bodyguard.

I feel like a child in a pair of brand new shoes as we make our way inside the

supermarket.

I haven't stopped grinning like a fool ever since Red slid the sneakers

on my feet. Really, I'm having a break from my normality. I do love shoes. Well, maybe it's because of my job and all, plus having a husband

with kinky for long legs in high heels.

I wear them most of the times than any other

type of shoes. But Red is right; I should free my legs. Naturally, my eyes find my bodyguard’s, and his stunned eyebrow makes me

chuckle.

He's been less uptight after our little tête-a-tête outside the car earlier. No

more awkwardness and I think it's much better this way. "Do you need help?" Red asks when we finally walk in, his face casual and relaxed.

"Yes. Hold the cart for me please," I say and he nods. Probably this is the largest supermarket in the town. I find everything I need for the

kitchen and bathrooms.

I fill the cart with all essentials, a small reminder of my

previous life before marrying Patrick. I miss New Orleans. I miss shopping with my mom in the local market.

I miss

listening to her mundane gossip, too, about some people we know and the high

society ladies going to her salon.

Oh, I have to call her later. "Beef or chicken?" I ask Red while holding the package of each in the air. He

looks startled. "Come on! Which one do you like?" I stare expectantly at him.

"I like both," he answers bluntly. I put both inside the cart, followed by packets of pasta. "Parmesan cheese, spring onions, tomatoes, garlic ..." I mumble the list to myself to see if there's

anything I’m forgetting.

"Why are you putting this aside?" Red inquires about the broccoli I just casted

away in the vegetable section. "Um . . . I don't like it?" I shrug. It's the truth.

As though he wants to roll his eyes, Red takes the fresh bundle of broccoli and put

it inside the cart.

I frown incredulously at it, and he flashes me a smile that can

shift the mountain.

"It's good for health," he mutters and walks past me while wheeling the cart with

so much ease. "Huh?" I huff at his audacity.

"Okay, sir, two can play this game." I blurt, and even

though I can't see his face, I'm sure he's smiling. Now, what do we do with you, Red? I start my brain.

Oh, I get it! I know remembering

he hates carrots; he'd always put them aside when he eats something with carrots.

I

grin my evil, sly grin. "More carrots?" Red laments when I add more in the cart.

"Oh, yes. They're so good for health." My tone is sarcastic, my eyes on his baffled

ones.

"For your skin, and for your eyesight, too." I wink and walk away towards

the other side. Tit for tat, my love! I smile widely, and he shakes his head.

The cart is almost full as we head to the payment counter. I'm about to open my

wallet when I see Red handing his own card to the lady. I'll have to refund all the

expenses through his salary.

It's around three in the afternoon. Red puts all the shopping bags inside the car

trunk before we both clamber in.

I sit at the front this time, and my bodyguard is no

onger surprised.

"Home?" he asks coolly, trying to see if there's anything else I need before we go.