HER ITALIAN BODYGUARD

Aliyah’s pov

"Cheers to the good old days!" I say, rising my glass of Hennessy into the air.

 "It's been a roller coaster ride and I'll definitely miss you guys."

 The fresh air at the rooftop hit me full force, making me shiver. I used the excuse of the cold to wrap my arms around Jason.

One look at him and I knew he was already craving me.

"Happy graduation day baby," I muttered seductively. "Congratulations to us all." Carey said, glancing round and lifting her glass in the air to a toast.

 "To more happy years!" Everyone else on the rooftop yelled.

 I laughed out loud when I saw all of our friends engrossed in dancing. I and Carey were already tipsy. We had been drinking all day. I had been a good child from zero to - I was turning 24 tonight, I and Carey are both turning 24 tonight - it was a good enough reason to get drunk and not be a good girl.

 I and Carey quietly sat back at a small corner table, enjoying the city view while we watched our classmates have fun. Where had Jason ran off to? I hoped he wouldn't be long.

We poured another glass of wine, tension vibrating between us. "Happy birthday to the love of my life and her best friend." Jason say from behind. At Jason's comment, I and Carey glanced back and found him holding a cake in his hands, while a younger boy held another and walked beside Jason.

 When Jason began singing, everyone else paid attention and joined in singing I and Carey a birthday song. We lived in the moment, smiling nicely at everyone and nodding our heads. We were obviously drunk. "You have a lovely smile," Jason said, pulling me into his arms. "Happiest birthday sweetheart."

 My wine glass jangled in my hand. I cleared my throat, wishing there was something I could say to break the tension I was feeling.

 "Thank you baby." I finally said, looking into his eyes. "My cake is so beautiful.." My tone and voice came off very excited and eager to cut my cake.

 The surprise birthday party Jason planned for I and Carey began. Over the years, I had always celebrated all my birthdays with Carey. She was my best friend.

My favourite. And since college, Jason has always found ways of making our birthdays memorable. He was the perfect and best man for me. I could tell from looks in school that he was on every girl's wish list - yet he chose me. "Before you cut your cake this year, I'd like to give you this gift." Jason grinned, rubbing my hands affectionately. "Okay babe." I nodded excitedly.

 I loved his touch, the way he made me feel. My eyes darted to the few guests that were spilling out to the walkway. Those were uninvited by the way. Jason drew closer and held me in his arms, his hold gentle as if I were a fragile flower. A handed a pen and notebook to me.

 "Happy birthday to the love of my life," Jason said. "Tonight, I'm gifting you this pen and notebook as a symbol of my love."

He placed a kiss on my forehead. "Everyday I'd like you to write in this notebook how beautiful I made your life, because from today onwards, I'll be making every second of your life extraordinary." I could hear everyone's laughter, it was contagious and I smiled at them, passionately hugging Jason.

Jason always made me feel special. He was always flirting with me and I loved him for it. He was proud of us. I held the note book and pen in my hands, still smiling.

 "Thank you baby," I said loudly. "This is worth more than Gold and I promise to do as you say. I love you." "I love you too," Jason responded. "After tonight's party, we'll be discussing and planning our wedding." "I see no one got me a gift," Carey pouted. "Don't forget, it's also my birthday!" "Duh!" I laughed at Carey.

"Go get yourself a man." Jason moved away from my embrace and handed a box to Carey. "Happy birthday, Carey." "Yayyy!" Carey screamed in excitement, unwrapping the box. It was a Louis Vuitton hand bag!

 "Thank you, Jay.." Carey seemed very excited about her birthday gift. "You're welcome." Jason walked back to me and we both settled into a chair. Glancing at the table, I could hear my mobile phone ring.

"Hello, mom.." I said, walking a bit away from the noise. "What?" I frowned deeply. "Mom, please don't do this.. please..I'm having the best time of my life..no mom, this is my moment - our moment, so please let us be." I ended the call even though my mom was speaking. I look at Jason, he is with Carey on the table, both are obviously waiting for me before cutting the cake.

 I tried to walk up to both but paused, it'll be easier to discuss with Carey privately than standing in silence and trying to recite her wordings. I caught Carey looking at me and decided it was a good time to use my eyes and pass her a message.

 Carey's face stiffened by the time she got to me. "Who's the kill joy?"

 "Mom!" I uselessly throw my hands in the air, a sign escaping my lips. "Which of the moms?" Carey looked at my mouth.

 "Both of them spoke very rudely on the phone." "What do they want?" Carey shrugged. "We didn't ask for their money…" "They were at the graduation ceremony in the school's auditorium, can we just have this few hours to ourselves?" "We are." Carey say, smiling mischievously at me.

 "Don't let them ruin the fun, common! Let's go cut the cake." "Hey beautiful ladies, common! Let the party begin." Jason yelled from across the table impatiently. "Carey, but you do know after the party I'll be having Jason drive us back home, right? We told our mothers we'll be sleeping at mine tonight and you know.."

"No way!" Carey cut me off, irritatedly.

 "After the party, I'm going for another party at the club." "No, no, no.." I shook my head disapprovingly. "I gave mom my word." "Grow up Aliyah and quit being a scared little puppy!" She rolled her eyes. "Are you aware we'll get in trouble and dad.. he'll discipline us.

No, Carey, you're in this alone." "With all pleasure," She scoffed.

 "After Jason drops you off at home, with your permission, I'll like him to drive me to the club." "Jason will do no such thing, he's not your driver!" I snapped.

 "Fine, whatever!" She snapped back.

"Let's go." My eyes narrowed and head shot up. I was reluctant, but even before I could react, Carey pulled me by my hand and led me back to our table.

 I could hear Jason cheering me up and our other friends taking quick photos of us Immediately I finished cutting the cake, Jason slipped his arm around my shoulders.

 "Put your hands above your head and slowly move towards the drive where the police vehicles are parked." Officer Jerry said.

Attempting to pull myself together, I turned around with the rest of my friends to see who the harsh, commanding voice belonged to. The police? We all used our palms to cover our faces, shielding from the flashlight of the police officers. "I said your hands should be above your head, not around your eyes!" Officer Jerry yelled, walking closer to the young friends.

"You are under arrest." "Why?" I angrily ask, dropping my hands. "We didn't wrong anyone, we haven't been causing trouble, only having fun." Officer Jerry ordered his junior officers to handcuff each and everyone one of us. I could see the fear on their faces, especially Jason.

"Sir, we found this in his pocket," An officer said, pulling Jason towards Officer Jerry. He handed a powered substance to Officer Jerry. "Drugs?" Officer Jerry looked at Jason in bewilderment

"I swear on my life it doesn't belong to him!" I yelled defensively. "Someone is trying to set us up." "Move them to the vehicles." Officer Jerry moved around the rooftop, inspecting corners.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I stepped into the police vehicle. "Can I call my mom?" I asked rhetorically. Why were we been arrested? I had never been in legal trouble all my life. This would be my first time going to a police station handcuffed like a criminal.

 Was it because of the drugs they found on Jason? I knew Jason, he wasn't into drugs, he had been a good boy all the time. Who was trying to set us up?

 Was someone murdered in the hotel we were at celebrating?

 A thousand and one questions raced my mind as they drove. What if they weren't real police officers but kidnappers? I looked at Carey. She was equally in tears. The city suddenly looked dark, gloomy and abandoned. They were no cars on the road.