Protecting

*Vera*

As soon as I got into the back of the car, I had to suppress an annoyed groan when I saw my father, who greeted me with a warning look. 

"Mr. Stark should have made sure that you got down here on time and I've already told you to hurry!" He hissed angrily at me. 

"Enzo has nothing to do with it!" Was all I said and then looked out the window as we already drove through downtown. 

My father just snorted angrily again, but then also stayed silent. 

Suddenly I noticed that there were only four people in this car. 

Casey, drove us through the crowded streets of LA and Enzo sat tensed next to him. 

"Where's Charles?" I wanted to know immediately. 

"He's already there, Vera. However, Taylor will be there today too, so your bodyguards will keep more distance from you." My father now calmly explained the matter. 

I rolled my eyes when I heard that name. Even though I held Taylor in high esteem as a friend, my father was just too convinced that I had serious feelings for him. 

"You should go out to eat something again. You haven't seen each other in so long." He said when he looked at me directly this time. 

"Only if he asks me out, Dad." I replied, looking away. 

"He will. He misses you." He stated proudly, smiling. 

I didn't reply, because if he'd missed me, he'd have messaged me, wouldn't he? 

For the rest of the car ride no more words were exchanged and we finally stopped in front of the luxurious skyscraper.

The car door was opened to me by a gentleman in a suit whom I identified as an employee. 

"Hey Jaeh!"  I whisper yelled at him since we weren't allowed to talk with the staff. 

I knew him because he had been working in this building for years, mostly as a waiter for the restaurant on the first floor. 

It was my favorite restaurant and he my favorite waiter.

He had often come to my table after he was free. I had waited until he could keep me company. We talked a lot and I fell for his charms right away, and so he had eventually become one of my best friends.

My father didn't know about it, but despite the risk we had met again and again.

A big smile graced his face, which I could only reply. 

"Vera, I didn't know you would be here too." He laughed in surprise and nervousness.

"I missed you too, Jaeh." I responded while shortly taking his soft features.

I took his hand, which he offered to help and got out of the big car. 

"I- I did miss you." He scratched the back of his head in nervousness.

I laughed softly at his reaction. 

We had last seen each other the week before. For our standards, it was quite long. 

Unfortunately, our hands had to part immediately after the brief contact, in order not to attract any attention. 

I kept smiling at him and waited until my father and the others were ready to go into the building. 

A huge entrance awaited us; the floor of shiny marble, golden, glittering lamps that looked down on us. 

I found it a bit extreme, all together. But because of Jaehyun, who continued to look at me in admiration, I hardly noticed how brightly the room was decorated. 

He always lightend my mood. 

After a few minutes, I first noticed the mass of people that had gathered around us. 

My father had pulled me to one of the high tables with him and had already disappeared, as he certainly wanted to talk to the many business people on site. 

Of course he had to take of his contacts, so that nobody forgot how important and successful he was. It has never been a bad time for a new collaboration and new sources of income to expand the market. 

I stood there a little reluctantly and kept drinking the juice that was poured into a champagne glass. Since I didn't really enjoyed drinking and I wasn't legal yet.

After another ten minutes of standing around and smiling at old people every now and then, Jaehyun finally came closer to me. 

We both insisted on having this conversation unremarkable. 

"How's your week so far, Vera?" He asked in a decent, quiet tone. 

"Well, I'm still restricted by my father's rules and orders. But now that I see you, I feel better now." 

I smiled at him, somewhat calmed by his presence. 

He was Asian - Korean to be more precise - and his eyes almost disappeared under his smile at my indirect compliment. I thought it was so adorable and charming, he surely must have had a lot of girls that fell for him.

Also, I loved his dimples that showed when he grinned or smiled, like at this moment. 

"How are you, Jaeh?" I returned his interest. 

"So, my week was pretty rough without seeing you in the restaurant, but I'm doing my best!"

I giggled as softly as possible and gently took his hand. 

His warm, big hands were my weak point and I remembered every time they comforted me. 

He looked me in the eye with a warm smile as a sign that he was there for me whenever I needed him. And I loved him for it. 

Even if we were 'just' friends, I often didn't know what I would do without him. 

"I have to get back to work Vera. I was really happy to see you. I'll call you after all the fuss and we'll talk a little more, okay?" He offered me when he grinned and his grip on my hands slightly increased. 

"Yes, please~ I really miss you Jaeh." My pleading tone was hard to miss, and now he had to laugh. 

"Endure it 'til this evening, okay? Bye princess!" He threw a little air kiss and went back to work. 

Not a second later, another deep voice called me. 

"Vera!" As soon as I turned in the direction from which the voice came, he threw himself at me. 

I had completely forgotten how much he loved to hug me. 

I noticed his masculine, good-smelling cologne and had to grin a little.