I'm His Bodyguard

chapter one

'Mrs. Wild'

Lily

It's been 5 years since I've done solo work. Needless to say, I'm quite good at it. Heh.

 Bago pa man ako naging solo, I've worked with multiple people, had some experiences that I still carry, but now I'm sick of it. Our agency has a 5 years contract, at dahil I am elated to have a normal college life, I'm currently on my way to see my superior and told him that I will not renew my contract anymore.

"Ma'am!" Napalingon ako at nakita si Oliver na nahihingal, he's 1 year older than me, pero he still calls me 'ma'am' as I'm his superior, meaning I have more experience than he does. "Wait, let me take a breather." Sabi niya at sumandal ako sa railing at hinintay siyang bumalik sa normal ang kanyang paghinga, did he run all the way here?

"What is it?" 

"Will you really quit?" Disappointed niyang tanong, at nakita kong parang ayaw niya, he looks like a puppy that was sad because his toy was taken away from him. Napabuntong hinga ako at tiningnan siya muli. "L-look! I'm not patronizing you, I'm just saddened by your sudden retirement. I didn't think you wouldn't renew," dagdag niya.

"I see. I didn't think I would, too." Binalot kami ng katahimikan at napatungo si Oliver.

"Will there be something that can change your mind? I mean you're the best after all! I didn't and couldn't imaging you'd retire at your first contract! Others usually retire after 2 contracts or more, but you becoming one of those that quit after the first 5 years doesn't make sense! Their reasons usually are that they aren't fit for the job, but you.. You're so good at it! So I don't get why.."

"I know I'm good at it." Sabi ko at tumahimik si Oliver, napatawa naman ako nang hindi siya umimik. "Look, yes, I may be capable of this job, but I don't want to do this any more. It's too much, I've seen too much."

"But you've only been here for 5 years." 

"No. I've been here longer than that." Hindi ko na hinintay ang itutugon niya at naglakad na papunta sa office. 

'I've been here for too long, it has become unbearable.'

Nang nakarating ako sa office ni Mr. Loef, bumuntong hinga muna ako bago kumatok. 

(Pronounciation: [Le-yif] ik it's weird lol)

"Come in." Agad kong binukas ang pintuan at pumasok. Nakita kong nandito si Theo at si Blake na naging previous partner ko na sa iisang proyekto.

"I would like to talk privately with you, superior." Sabi ko, tumango naman si Mr. Loef at pinaalis sila. Pero ang mga mokong ayaw umalis.

"Teka gusto kong malaman kung ano 'yon."

"Yes, ako rin. Bakit kailangang private?"

"Because it's none of your businesses. Get out." Inis na sabi ko sa kanila. Yes they talk in tagalog, usually this job requires one to be proficient at specific languages, kaya we talk in many languages sometimes, but prefer on talking in english since not all can understand the languages we speak of.

"Mean!" Sabi nila tsaka umalis. Napa sigh nalang ako at umupo nang pinaupo ako ni Mr. Loef.

"So what do you want to talk about, Ms. Evans?" Pormal na tanong ni Mr. Loef at bumalik sa paghandle ng paper works niya.

"I'm not gonna renew."

"What?" Gulat na tanong ni Mr. Loef. "What? Why?" tanong ulit niya.

"I wanna have a normal college life, I'm almost done with college, so I want to take this opportunity and quit."

"Evans..."

Tumahimik ako. I know it seems like I'm running away, and I am. If I stay any longer, the nightmares will just swallow me whole until I can no longer see who I am anymore.

"I know, it's shocking to know this. But I want this. I need this." Sabi ko at napabuntong hininga siya at napahawak sa kanyang sentido.

"You do know that you can never lead a normal life, right?" What?

"Look, the past will never be forgotten, I know you're doing this because you want to run away. But running away from everything is not gonna solve something, try to take it head on and face it. It may not make you completely sinless, but it will take some burden off of your shoulders." Napayuko ako. 

"But I will approve of your decision. After being here for a decade, I figured you'd want to have a normal life considering the fact that your childhood was stripped away from you at a very early age. Where are you planning on going?" 

"I was planning to go sight seeing before going back to college. I haven't thought which country to go to so I'm a bit torn."

Napaisip naman agad si Mr. Loef. "How about you do me a favor?"

"A favor?"

"Yes. I have a favor for you. You can treat it as if it's your last mission."

"Supe-"

"Look, it isn't the usual job. It's something else. The client specifically ask for you, so I want this to be your last mission."

"I don't-"

"It's the 'blank-check-lady', which is one of your first clients, Mrs. Wild."

"Yes, I'll take it." Nasabi ko nang sabihin niyang blank check. I vaguely remember her. Kind of a cruel lady in my side. "When will that start?"

"At a College University in Philippines. You'll be there until graduation, despite being younger than most graduating students, you have the brain, and I even have a recommendation letter for you ready."

"So you already were expecting me to agree to this?" I scoffed. Grabe naman.

"Yes, it is a blank check after all." I sighed at napatawa naman agad si Mr. Loef. Binigyan niya ako ng isang envelope at lito ko itong kinuha. 

Nakasulat dito ang background ng Wilds. 

"Here." Sabi ni Mr. Loef at binigyan ako ng passport at susi. "The flashy red car on the parking lot contains your luggage and necessities. Unfortunately we cannot bring anything dangerous, so you're gonna have to come there weaponless." Tumango ako at tumayo na.

Tumayo din si Mr. Loef at tumango sa akin. "It was a pleasure working for you, Ms. Lilian Barbara Evans." Sabi niya at niyakap ako. 

Pagkatapos nun ay agad akong bumaba at hinanap ang red car na tinutukoy ni Mr. Loef. Nang makita iyon, ay agad kong kinuha ang aking ticket at mga gamit at nagpaharurot papunta sa airport dahil ngayon pala ang flight.

Nang magring ang aking cellphone, ay kinuha ko ang bluetooth wireless ear bud ko at inilagay sa aking tenga. "Evans' phone."

"I see that you still answer the same as you did years ago." Nakakunot ang kilay kong tiningnan ang caller id ngunit unknown number ito. When I racked up my brain, I remember the client Mr. Loef was talking about.

"Is that so, Mrs. Wild. It would be a pleasure working with you again, would you give me a brief explanation as to what I will be doing there?" Tanong ko dahil hindi naman nakalagay sa mga ibinigay ni Mr. Loef ang detalye kung ano ang gagawin ko. Ang nakalagay lamang dito ay rules and regulations when I do my job, the job itself was shielded away and not written for some reason.

"I would prefer explaining it to you face to face, but I'm afraid I wouldn't have the time. What you will be doing is that you will be guarding my son, Avan Wild. I will give you further details when you arrive, but to be brief, everything from the food and board will be handled financially by me, and you need not to worry about the salary as it will be a blank check."

"I see. Then I will see you later, then." Sabi ko at binaba ang tawag. Nang makarating ako sa airport ay agad kong kinuha ang mga bagahe ko at nagpatungo sa desk. Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto ay nakasakay na ako sa eroplano at napabuntong hinga ako.

'I guess this will be my goodbye to my job.'

I had been working here for over a decade, it's mainly because I was exposed to this job at a young age that I've become skillful and became one of the best. My job- my previous job- was full of people that would come and go, some people who could not handle all the trouble and the mental issues regarding their mission resulted in some bloody argument.

Despite being here for a decade already, I still am the youngest member ever in our company. 

Pero dahil nga it was something that was seen to be something that would obviously not end well, madami ang nasawi at naging duguan ang laban nang panahon na iyon. After just 2 years, the only child that was recruited successfully was me, it was when companies began to set a limit and a maximum time for one to work for here, para na rin maiwasan ang nangyari noon.

Napatingin ako sa window at nirest ang aking ulo sa upuan, dahil nga magte-take off na, I'll take this chance to rest muna at magpalamig na muna nang ulo. 

-----

Nang makarating kami sa Pilipinas ay agad akong bumaba at kinuha ang aking mga bagahe. Nung narinig kong nagvibrate ang aking telepono, ay agad ko itong sinagot. "Evans' phone."

"There's someone waiting for you at the airport, let him guide you here so we can discuss your work."

Hindi na ako nakasagot pa nang binaba ang telepono. Naglakad ako papunta sa kung saan maraming tao ang nakahawak na signage na mayroong pangalan dito. Naghanap ako ng pangalan ko at nang akala kong wala yung lalaking maghahatid sa akin, natiyempohan na may isang matangkad na kay-edad ko rin ang nakahawak na, 'Lily Evans'.

Kumaway-kaway ako bahagya ngunit parang hindi niya ito nakita kaya naglakad ako papunta sa kanya. Pero imbes na magkaharap ay naglakad siya sa tabi na para bang pinaparaan niya ako, wala ba silang description kung gaano ako kaganda- kung ano ang mukha ko?

"I'm Lily Evans." Sabi ko sa kanya at lumingon naman siya sa akin na para bang nagulat pero ningitian niya ako at nakipagkamay.

"Pasensya ka na, hindi kasi kami nabigyan nang deskripsyon kung ano ang mukha mo kaya nagassume akong hindi ikaw iyan. Let's go." Sabi niya at kinuha ang isang bagahe ko. Dalawang bagahe lang ang dala-dala ko at isang bag at suitcase ito.

"Ano ang pangalan mo?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Kung titira ako dito sa loob ng sampung buwan o higit pa, it's better to know people who live there.

"Ako si Lein, I'm one of Avan's friend. I would appreciate the secrecy of this meeting, though. Lihim ang ginawa ko dahil hiniling ito ni Mrs. Wild. Kaya sana.." Tumango ako at ningitian niya ako. "Salamat." Sabi niya bago niya pinasok ang bagahe sa isang kotse at pinapasok ako bago humarurot ang sasakyan.

"So you're in this?" Nagulat naman siya sa tanong ko.

"Hala, hindi! Talagang na tiyempuhan lang talaga ako ni tita kaya nanghingi siya nang pabor sa akin. Pero alam ko kung ano ang gagawin mo."

"Paano mo nalaman?" 

"Sa tatay ko. You might not remember him pero naging kliyente mo na siya." Napalingon naman ako sa kanya at tiningnan siya nang maigi.

"Apilyedo?"

"Ordon. Lein Ordon." Napatango ako. 

"I see." Sabi ko at hindi na kami nag-usap pa.

His dad probably was one of the people that told Mrs. Wild about me. He was my first client after all.

--

"Nandito na tayo, Ms. Evans."

"Ah, call me Lily nalang." Tumango si Lein.

"Sige, Lily. Alis na ako." Sabi niya matapos binaba ang gamit ko sa harap nang isang bahay. Tumango ako sa kanya at tiningnan ang bahay. Malaki ang bahay, one would call it a mansion since malaki-laki ang sukat nito.

Mayroon silang garden sa harap at may gap around the house, which I would like to assume na mayroon silang isang garden sa likod. Maganda ang disenyo sa harap, mayroon water fountain and the garden is properly taken care of. Ang bahay ay gawa sa stones, at kung tingnan mo nang maigi ay parang mayroon itong mga kislap.

Double door ang harap, maraming bintana, malaki din ang porch at mayroon itong pots and couch at duyan, mayroon ring table at madaming upuan pero not too much na over na kung tingnan, katam taman lang ito kaya napangiti ako sa kagandahan ng exterior.

Kumatok ako ng ilang beses pero napa face palm nang may nakita akong door bell kaya agad ko itong pinindot. 

"Hi! You must be Ms. Evans. Pasok!" Sabi nang isang babae na palagay ko ay si Mrs. Wild dahil pamilyar ang kanyang mukha.

"Yes. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Wild." Ningitian niya ako at tinanguan ko siya.

"Buti naalala mo ako, halika pasok, iwanan mo muna yung mga bagahe mo at ipapakuha ko lang iyang mamaya. Mag usap tayo sa study room." Sabi niya at iniwan ko ang suitcase at sumunod sa kanya pataas.

Mahigit tatlong storey ang bahay, may malaking staircase at wooden ang floors at celings, sa walls naman ay stone. Umakyat kami at napalingon ako sa stairs at napahanga sa ganda. 

Nakarating kami sa isang kwarto at umupo ako sa upuan pagkatapos niyang umupo. "So I heard you accepted my proposal."

"I did."

"Then you must've read what's written there." Tumango ako. "What you'll be doing is you'll be guiding Avan until he graduates, despite him being two years older than you, I found out you were on the same grade, which surprised me, but it also made it easier to have you guard him."

"Does he have any knowledge of these? If it's undercover, I can do that."

"Oh, no worries, he does know about being guarded by someone.." Napataas ako ng kilay.

"By someone? He knows nothing of my background?" Lito kong tanong.

Napatingin naman siya sa gilid at napakamot ng kanyang batok. "Look, he does not need to know, just do this job great and I will pay you handsomely. If you see anything suspicious, let me know, I'll handle it myself."

Tumango naman ako. "Sige, I got it. But what you said five years ago, I would like for you to fulfill that promise of yours." Sabi ko bago ako umalis at naglakad palabas.

"I will. Thank you and have some rest. I left some money for you to spend for the week, feel free to go wherever, may pinuntahan kasi ang anak ko kaya bukas pa yata iyon makakabalik." 

"Okay. Thank you." Sabi ko at umalis na. Naglakad ako papunta sa kwarto at nang makarating ay agad na humiga.

-

"Does your son knows about this? Because I'll execute the job right now." 

"He does not need to know."

"Look, I don't like any strings pulling me back because of some secret, it happened before and I don't want it to happen once more, so do it before I change my mind."

"I see. I'll be sure to tell him when the time's right."

"I'll take your word for it, then."

-

Nagstretch ako at namalayan na nakatulog pala ako. Umaga na pala, kinuha ko ang aking cellphone at tiningnan ang oras. 5:12 a.m

Nilingon ko ang puting sobre sa aking night stand at kinuha ito. Naalala ko naman yung sinabi ni Mrs. Wild na may binilin siya na sobre para sa isang linggo kong allowance. Hindi naman ako gutom sa pera pero hindi din naman ako tumatanggi sa grasya kaya salamat nalang.

Alam kong mayaman ang mga Wild pero hindi ko inaasahang mahigit ilang libo ang allowance ko para lang sa isang linggo. Iba ang currency dito sa nakasanayan ko, pero malaki pa rin ang ganitong pera at hindi basta-bastang napupulot lang.

Kinuha ko ang bag na binigay sa akin ni Mr. Loef at binuksan iyon, may maraming gamit dito, mayroong pera, atm card, at isang cellphone. Kinuha ko ang cellphone at binuksan ito. 

Nang mabuksan ko ito ay may nakita akong message notification kaya agad ko itong binuksan.

From: Mr. Loef

Goodluck on your job! And have fun with your retirement, money you've earned has been deposited in that card so use it well. The spare money is from me, feel free to buy whatever with it ;)

Napailing ako at binuksan pa ang isang message ni Mr. Loef.

From: Mr. Loef

Use this phone instead of your old one.

Napabuntong hininga ako at in-off yung cellphone saka ako tumayo at pumunta sa banyo para maligo. Habang naliligo, naalala ko ang nangyari 5 years ago. Mr. Ordon and Mrs. Wild was in the same place when I first started the job so I was excited about the total money I will be earning.

It was a huge amount, but it still took something it can never revive. I still am the same as I was 5 years- no 10 years ago. It's just that I learned many things and found much more important things I should be doing instead of that job.

Ang rason kung bakit ako nagtrabaho dun nung ako ay 7 years old pa lamang ay dahil sa naulia ako ng maaga. It was not someone's fault, it was a choice I made and I will forever take debt in it. 

Swerte pa nga ako dahil kinuha ako, 'di kasi common sa kanila na maghire ng mga bata. Pero marami parin akong pera na mayroon, I'm planning on staying here, para narin matupad ko ang gusto ko.

Nang matapos akong maligo ay agad akong nagbihis at iniligpit ang aking mga gamit at nag unpack. Inilagay ko ang mga gamit ko sa cabinet at inayos ang aking kama. Tinali ko ng pina ponytail ang aking buhok bago ako lumabas nang kwarto at pumunta sa baba kung saan nanggaling yung malalakas na boses na kanina ko pa naririnig.

Nang makababa ako, nakita ko ang maraming kalalakihan at si Mrs. Wild na bumabati sa kanila. May apat na lalaking nakaupo at nagku-kwentuhan at nakita ko si Lein na kasama nila.

Sila ata yung mga kaibigan ni Avan. Si Mrs. Wild naman ay nakaupo sa harap nila at masayang nakipagkwentuhan. Nakita kong may lumabas sa kitchen at nagdala nang isang tray ng brownies. 

'Di yan pot brownies right?'

Naisip ko kaya napatawa ako sa isip ko. Napansin naman nilang may bumaba kaya nilingon nila ako at kinawayan ko sila. Sinenyasan ako ni Mrs. Wild na pumunta sa kaniya kaya sumunod ako. 

"I'd like you to meet Lily Evans. She will be staying here until graduation kaya be nice to her." Sabi ni Mrs. Wild kaya peke kong ningitian ang mga kaibigan ni Avan.

"I'm Lein. Lein Ordon."

"Ako naman ay si Kenneth Ibañez. Feel free to call me Kiko." Kinamayan ko silang dalawa at tumango-tango.

"Jordan Salba."

"And I'm Lloyd Lustre, at your service!" Napatawa naman ako nang biglaan siyang sumigaw. Aba gago.

"Avan Wild. I didn't know we have guest, ma." Hindi nakipagkamay si Avan at binalingan niya si Mrs. Wild nang matapos siyang magsalita.

"Of course you knew, I told you already na dadating yung bodyguard mo, diba? This is she." Nanlaki naman ang mata ni Avan at binalingan ako at si Mrs. Wild.

"No, you completely hid the fact she's a girl, ma." Tiningnan niya si Mrs. Wild na para bang naiinis siya pero halata namang hindi talaga siya naiinis dahil may kalokohan na nakatago sa mata niya.

"Oh I did? Silly me." Napatawa naman kami sa inasta ni Mrs. Wild. Nararamdaman ko na ang ilang beses akong batukan ni Mr. Loef. His motto kasi is, 'be professional always.' kaya napag-initan talaga niya ako pag ako ay naga-out of character when I'm with clients.

Hindi naman nakalagay sa kontrata na dapat lagi akong seryoso kaya ayos lang naman. I think.

"A female bodyguard? Sexxxyyy~" Napatingin ako kay Kiko at Lustre at lihim na napatawa.

Well hindi naman maipagkakaila na ako ay isang sexy na babae~ HAHAHA

"Nice to meet you." Sabi ni Salba at ningitian ako kaya ningitian ko rin siya.

"You too."

"So now that introductions are done, I would like you to bring Lily with you and guide her since hindi pa siya pamilyar dito."

"Ah, no need na po, Mrs. Wild. May pupuntahan din kasi ako."

"I see. Well pagkatapos mo nalang ka nila gagabayan." Napatango nalang ako. Parang si Mr. Loef si Mrs. Wild, napakahigpit at hindi madaling matatalo basta-basta nalang sa usapan.

Nag-usap usap muna sila at pumunta muna si Mrs. Wild sa kusina, tinawag niya ako kaya pumunta ako sa kanya.

"Ms. Evans, do you mind me calling you Lily?" Umiling ako.

"No. Feel free to call me Lily. In that sense, can I call you Lucy?" Napatawa naman si Mrs. Wild.

"Napakabata ko naman kung yan yung tawag mo sa akin. Just call me mommy!"

"Po?" Ano daw?

"Ay sorry, I meant tita. Just call me Tita Lucy." Tumango ako.

"Sige po, tita Lucy." 

"Halika, tulungan mo muna akong dalhin ito sa dining table." Sabi niya at tinulungan ko siyang kunin yung mga plato at utensils tsaka yung almusal at tinungo namin ang dining area.

Lumapit naman agad yung mga kaibigan ni Avan at tinulungan kami. Umupo kami at nasa harap ko si Avan. In-observahan ko siya at nakita na awkward ito sa opposite s*x.