CHAPTER 2 - GUNNER

I surveyed the entire house. Metal roofs, large porch areas, raised floors, and conventional central hallways from the anterior to the rear portion of the house. The whole house was even surrounded with high and thick walls that any thief or evildoer would have a hard time entering. The security at the gate was also tight to ensure that no one suspicious would enter. Whoever it was that designed this house, they definitely don't want to take risks. And after surveying the house, I noticed that there weren't many house workers in the Floros' home except for the cook, the driver, and the two housekeepers.

Speaking of the housekeepers, I caught one of them staring at me when I passed by the living room earlier, and she's definitely a beauty. She was staring at me with full admiration and desire, almost making me want to make a move on her. Just almost. Because one of the rules that I set up for myself was to never ever hook up with a client or with someone that is connected to the client. But just because I couldn't flirt and sleep with her doesn't mean I couldn't admire her beauty. Also, being openly admired and desired by someone will never fail in boosting my ego. 

"What the hell are you grinning at?" Layland asked in a harsh voice while giving me hostile stares.

He was currently having his lunch, and I was standing right beside him just for the sake of annoying him.

I know I should be doing everything I can to be on his good side, but where's the fun in that?

I've already encountered a number of clients who were not happy with having a bodyguard, and I did everything I could to tame them and befriend them for the sake of having a peaceful and effective working environment. But with Layland? Nope, I can't do it. I don't know, but his annoyed expression and reactions do something to me that I can't pinpoint. And it's also my way of taking my revenge on him for my postponed break and vacation.

I raised my brow at him. "Oh? Is this you being curious about me?" I asked, but I only earned his rolling eyes as an answer. I grinned at him. "Why are you speaking harshly to me? Is this how you would really treat the person that's going to protect you?" I then shook my head, acting as if I was disappointed. "That's not nice, you know? I am deeply hurt and disappointed, kid."

Layland stopped eating and dropped his fork and knife on his plate, creating a clattering sound. The hostility in his eyes was still present as he scoffed before answering me. "Protect me? That's bullshit. You're not here to protect me. You are here to watch and monitor my every damn move and then report it to my parents. Let me guess, I am not allowed to go anywhere but in this house, am I?"

"Yes," I answered honestly.

He scoffed once again and even shook his head. Yep, he, one hundred percent, does not approve of this arrangement, but it doesn't matter. He will still have to follow it and do as I say.

Layland spoke again, his voice very serious. "Look, I don't need you. I don't need this."

I immediately replied, "But that's not what your parents think, which is why they hired me."

"You motherfucker—"

"No cursing on the table, kid," I said, cutting his sentence off while giving him a sharp stare.

I am an asshole, but I don't play with table manners.

Layland just stared at me in disbelief for a few seconds before he scoffed for the third time. "Whatever, asshole," were the only words he said before he stood and left the dining room.

I followed him with my gaze, then shook my head. I've got to trim that kid's horns.

When Layland was already out of my sight, I called for one of the housekeepers' attention to clear the table and then made my way to Layland's room.

Since I already had every corner of the house surveyed and memorized, looking for Layland's room wasn't difficult anymore.

I was just a few steps away from Layland's room when I saw him come out of his room and had a backpack slung over his shoulder. He's still wearing the same outfit, but the simple slippers he was wearing earlier have been replaced by white sneakers.

My forehead furrowed. I placed both my hands on my waist and blocked his way. He was about to walk past me, but I quickly grabbed his left arm and pulled him back so that we were facing each other.

"What?" he asked bluntly as he tried to get his arm out of my grasp, but I didn't budge.

"Where are you going?" My voice was sharp, but Layland didn't seem to care. Instead, he just rolled his eyes and made funny faces, but I wasn't laughing.

I tightened my grip on his arm, which was sure to leave another mark.

"You really don't take this seriously, do you?"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" He yelled as he flailed his arm that I was holding, but no matter what he did, he couldn't take my hold off of him and get away.

The more he resisted, the more I tightened my grip. My nails were digging into his flesh, and I didn't care.

"Let go of me! What the hell? You're hurting me!" He yelled once again.

With my hand still grasping his arm, I pulled him closer towards me until our faces were only a few inches apart. I felt his body gradually tense, but I paid no attention to it.

I know being rough with him wouldn't do me and our agency any favor. I never even did this with anyone. I have never been rough with a client, no matter how stubborn they were, because that could bring our name and our agency into jeopardy, but I just couldn't help it when it comes to Layland. I wanted to rile him up and tease him and see his reaction, which would end with him hating my presence even more, but at the same time, I also wanted to punish him and tame him. I wanted to see him succumb to me, to surrender to me.