CHAPTER 3 - GUNNER

"And you'll get more than a tight hold on the wrist, which I promise would be more painful, if you continue to be stubborn," I told him in a dangerous tone.

The way he gulped did not escape my gaze. I wanted to smirk upon seeing that I was able to evoke fear in him, but I stopped myself or else. I need him to see how serious I am about this—even though I am also quite having fun—and I need to make it clear to him that between the two of us, I have the upper hand. I am the boss. I have the power and authority after him, and he doesn't have the right to resist me. After all, he isn't the one who hired me. It is his parents, which technically means that his parents are my bosses and not him. And my bosses made it clear to me that I am allowed to do anything if that means their son will follow the rules they have set.

"W-who do you think you are?"

I know he tried not to sound like he was scared, so the fact that he stammered must have frustrated him, and I almost grin at that thought.

"Who do I think I am? Well, I am Gunner Fucking Raptis. I am your babysitter, and between the two of us, I am the fucking boss. So," I brought my face close to him, "you will do as I say, you will follow my rules, and you will obey my commands like a good little kid that you're supposed to be." I continued to sound as serious as I could. Actually, it is already on the borderline of being menacing, which seems to be a good thing, as I can clearly see the effect of it on the brat.

I don't know how to explain it, but it seems that Layland's fear has doubled.

He gulped once again before biting his lower lip. Without thinking, my gaze instantly went to his lips. And for some unknown reason, my throat suddenly went dry while I continued to stare at those thin pink lips.

I wanted to take away my gaze because I know it's something I should not be doing. I mean, why the hell would I want to stare at another man's lips? If Layland were a woman, then that wouldn't even be a question. But this brat is a man, which means I should not have any business staring at his luscious lips as if I wanted to have a taste of them. But goddamn, I couldn't take my eyes off of him, and for some fucking reason, I even started imitating the way he bit his lower lip.

For how long have I just stared at Layland? I have no idea. I only came back to my senses when Layland pulled his arm back with all his strength and then pushed me so hard, I almost tripped.

"Fuck you!" He shouted with all the anger he had before walking away, leaving me in shock and with a lot of questions hanging inside my fucking head.

It took quite a while before I finally was able to pull myself together. And after getting back to my senses, that's when I finally realized that Layland had gone out of the house.

With fast and long strides, I headed towards the door to follow him. I was already right at the door when I saw Layland already making his way back to the house.

But he wasn't alone anymore. Beside him is a guy who looks to be the same age as him.

And there goes one of the rules being broken.

I clicked my tongue. I am sure Layland has already been told by his parents that he's not allowed to accept visitors. I am positive he was already aware of the rules his own parents had set before leaving the country, but because he was stubborn, he was doing everything except following those rules.

My forehead furrowed as I continued to stare at the two, who were so close to each other. The unwanted visitor's arms were around Layland's neck, pulling Layland even closer to him, while Layland had his arm around the unwanted visitor's waist and seemed to be enjoying how their bodies were practically attached to each other.

I couldn't help but raise one of my eyebrows when Layland started giggling while the unwanted visitor was whispering something in his ears.

Now I don't want to judge. I've had my share of being so close to my male friends. I hugged them and even kissed their cheeks sometimes, but most of it was only because I wanted to annoy the shit out of them.

What I was seeing with Layland and this unwanted visitor was different. There's more to it. There's something in the way they were touching each other, the way they were staring at each other, and even the way they were talking to each other. He can't pinpoint it, but there's definitely something in the way they interact with each other—a vibe that you cannot see in two people being friends.

But my thoughts about what kind of atmosphere the two had had been cut short when I started to already hear the sounds their footsteps had been making. It was only then that I realized that they were only a couple of steps away from the door, where I was standing.

Since they were too focused on each other, they only noticed my presence when they were just a step away from me, and I had to clear my throat.

They finally took their attention off of each other to simultaneously turn their attention on me.

Layland grimaced the moment his eyes landed on me, while the unwanted visitor just raised his brows at me. He has that arrogant look on his face that makes me want to punch him just to humble him.

I was about to ask the unwanted visitor who he was when I remembered something, or more like someone.

Aside from Layland's photo and his information, Shawn also had given me a photo of another person, whom Layland's parents were so adamant about not letting be near Layland. The name of that person was also boldly written on the rules they had left me.

It was Zach. And the face of this unwanted visitor was totally the same as the picture of that Zach that Shawn had shown me.

I don't have any idea why Layland's parents don't want Zach around Layland, but with how he was giving me his arrogant stares, I agree with Layland's parents. This arrogant kid definitely shouldn't be with Layland. Fuck the other reasons. His being arrogant was enough for me to dislike him.

From the unwanted visitor, I turned my attention towards the spoiled brat. With a deadpan face, I pointed my finger at Zach.

"Get him out. He's not welcome here," I said in a voice devoid of any emotions.

Layland's nose flared in anger. He took his hand off of Zach's waist and smacked down my hand that was pointing to Zach in a violent manner.

"You have no right to tell me who I should and should not allow in my home. You are just a damn bodyguard. I'll let whoever I want in, so shut the fuck up and get out of our way," he retorted through gritted teeth before pushing me out of the door, grabbing Zach's hand, and making their way inside.

I immediately turned to follow them with a series of curses hanging on my tongue.

Nope. There's no way I'll let this brat succeed in breaking one of the rules. Not on my first day in this assignment.

I was about to call the two out, determined to get Zach out of the house, when Zach glanced at me from behind and gave me a boyish grin that made me clench my jaw.

It's childish, but I can't just do nothing about it. So I raised my middle finger at him. But that just gave him more motivation to annoy the shit out of me even more as he stuck his tongue out at me.

I scoffed in disbelief.

This piece of shit. Yeah, no. I can't let this arrogant kid take another step.

I quickened my steps so I could catch up with them. But my steps faltered when Zach suddenly stopped walking, prompting Layland to stop walking as well. Zach then pulled Layland so close to him until no spaces were left in between their bodies.

My forehead is knotted in wonder.

What is this arrogant kid about to do this time?

It did not take too long for my question to be answered. Because Zach immediately graced me with the answer. But it's an answer I was not expecting.

I mean, Zach kissing Layland was definitely not what I assumed I'd be getting as an answer.

Yes. Zach kissed Layland, who immediately responded as if he doesn't care that I am around and is staring at them with my eyes wide open. And the kiss they were sharing was not just a simple kiss. It's a fucking French kiss with tongue and saliva and all.

Am I surprised? Yes.

Am I bothered? Yes. But as to what I was bothered with? It's definitely not because I am seeing two guys kissing. It's more because of the fact that it's Layland and Zach kissing. It's more because of the fact that it was arrogant Zach kissing Layland. And if I were asked, why am I bothered by that? I don't know. I don't have a fucking answer to that. All I know is I don't like Zach kissing Layland as if he was staking his claim on Layland. Because for some fucked-up reason, that doesn't fucking sit right with me.