11– Sparrow

“Lastly, a black suit, white shirt, both medium.” Pedro Ceasar passed each of them to Hunter. “And then black formal shoes, size 9…”

Hunter took the pair of shoes and made sure of the size. When he looked up, the two men on his right were watching him like they've been doing ever since they walked in here. After a few awkward seconds they each looked away. He knew why they were looking at him. First of all, he wasn't as big built as them. These guys were taller with shoulders that looked hunched because of such big muscles they had. And here he was, looking like an ordinary dude that works out. Hunter use to compare himself with Joe and felt proud because he was bigger built but now standing with these guys, he was far from big built.

Pedro Caesar then clapped his hands. Sending a loud echo through the small almost empty office. There was only he's large brown office table, rotating office chair and an opened box on the floor where he'd taken the clothes out of. “Alright, I just need you to sign for the stuff and then you can get right on with your hours.”

He took a clipboard from his desk and gave it to Hunter. “Sign next to your name and pass it on.”

There was a pen attached to the clipboard via a string which was wrapped around the pen and kept intact with see-through sellotape. Hunter signed and then passed the board to the guy next to him. 'WORKER UNIFORM SHEET' was written on the top of the page.

“So, you all understand your positions. Solly Franklin, the cameras, Ulrich Sandler, the front door with Witt Gunderson, and then Hunter King, miss Rebecca Holland's bodyguard.”

The men nodded. Despite the difference in appearance, Hunter didn't seem shook. He looked and behaved like he was rightfully supposed to be there.

Pedro then grabbed a walkie-talkie from his desk and spoke. “Eagle, come in.”

“Sir?”

“Your reliever is here. Come down to the first floor. Pass the message on to door number one and the sparrow's guard.”

“Copy.” Eagle responded.

“Alright, the men are coming now.” Pedro said sitting on the corner of his office desk. “Perform well and you might even get permanent employment. Remember gentlemen, always do your duty as if the billionaire, Rob Holland was standing right next to you watching you. That way you can never go wrong.”

There was a quick knock on the door and then it opened. A dark-skinned man with dreadlocks entered, behind him was a man with blonde hair and then behind that one was a bald guy. They were big built too, much like the men that were staring Hunter down. One by one, Hunter watched the men who had just entered give the three of them quick studying. And he noticed that each one of them lingered when they got to him, giving him a full up and down stare and then looking away as if to say that it was none of their business.

“Alright guards, these are the students, Solly Franklin is replacing you at the cameras,” Pedro Caeser gestured as he spoke. “Ulrich Sandler is replacing you at the front. And then Hunter King is replacing you with guarding the sparrow.”

The man Pedro addressed last was the one who had dreadlocks. He stared Hunter up, down and then up again. The second time now. Hunter noticed a slight scoff from him.

“Introduce yourselves. You have five minutes to handover and tell these students what to expect.” Pedro stepped off of his desk and went to sit behind his desk. He threw one leg after the other on the desk and then crossed them. His huge dirty boots leaving some sand on the desk. The scratches on the table around the area his boots laid, gave away Pedro's unhygienic habit.

The sparrow's guard took a step toward Hunter and chuckled, shaking his head. “I'm John by the way.”

“Hunter King.”

“Yeah, Pedro just said so.”

There was a silent moment of Hunter not knowing how to take it from there. John then chuckled and shook his head again. “Anyway, all I can say is, the sparrow doesn't like to be followed around. She likes being free so try to stay out of her way as much as possible.”

Hunter nodded.

“You take her wherever she wants to go, and she won't make your day miserable. If she says she wants to go somewhere alone, agree with her, just follow her and keep a distance. And don't ever let her catch you. That's all.”

“Okay I appreciate it.” Hunter said when he noticed the other men leaving the office together.

“One more thing.”

“Yeah?”

“The sparrow is very sly, it's easy for her to slip out of your fingers. Happened to me a couple of times. Don't let it happen. Just recently, she asked me to take her to some club and I waited outside in the car, but she never came out. The club closed and I started looking for her and no one had seen her. It was big shit. She came back the next afternoon on her own and I almost lost this job. Be vigilant. Don't lose her.”

“I won't.” Hunter responded.

“Cool. Follow me so I can take you to Mr Holland, he always likes meeting his daughter's guards.”

John turned around and walked out. As Hunter was about to follow, Pedro spoke, “Tell Hector King that he owes me one.”

“You got it.” Hunter said and then turned to walk out the office.

He followed John outside, and they entered a small wendy house. “You can change in here. Just make it quick.” John said, stepping out.

There was nobody else in the Wendy house, just lockers. Hunter pulled off his suit that he was wearing and put on what he had gotten from Pedro Caesar. He put his things in an empty locker and used the key in the hole to lock it. He then took the little key and put it on the inside of his suit jacket. There was no mirror in the house so he couldn't even check to see how he looked. Especially with his issues with suits. At least the clothes fitted well. The only thing left was the black tie. Hunter had no idea how to tie it. Can't blame him, he doesn't even own one. This was going to be embarrassing but he did it anyway.

He stepped out and saw John waiting with his huge arms crossed. John looked so orderly that it seemed he was guarding the entrance for Hunter. Hunter thought that as long as he too looked as focused as John, no one would have any idea that he was a facade with no training on how to protect anybody else besides himself.

“Can you help me with this?” Hunter was holding the tie towards him.

John looked from the tie to Hunter and grimaced. “You like men or something?”

“Nah, I just never learnt to tie a tie.”

“And whose problem is that?” John asked him, frowning.

“Please...”

“You serious?”

Hunter nodded.

“What grown ass man doesn't know how to tie a tie?” John said sucking his teeth.

Hunter didn't respond, just held the tie up at him.

John didn't look so happy with having to tie Hunter's tie. “I ain't putting my arms around you, give it here.”

Hunter handed him the tie and watched him tie it around his own neck. He was so swift and handled it like it was the easiest thing to do in the world. A few seconds later, he passed the tie back to Hunter. Hunter was sure that he had done it under fifteen seconds. Show off.

“Thanks.” Hunter managed to say before John started walking away.

From the wendy house they walked across the yard and into the back door to the mansion. They then took the stairs up to the first floor. Robert Holland's office was the first door to the left. The office door was left ajar as if he was expecting them.

John knocked and when they heard a firm voice say, “Come in.” John pushed the door open and beckoned for Hunter to enter.

Hunter stepped in first.

“Sir this is my reliever. He's new.”

Robert Holland looked up from his laptop. He was wearing a grey suit. When he saw the men, he immediately got up from his desk. He gave that broad white smile Hunter saw in the photos Angelo had brought him. He didn't look any less elegant up in person.

“Good afternoon.” Rob greeted Hunter, holding out his hand.

Hunter shook it. “Good afternoon, sir.”

“He's name is Hunter King.” John told the billionaire.

“Did you tell him everything he needs to know, John?”

John nodded. “Yes, sir. He's ready.”

“Good. You can leave. Get some well-deserved rest.” Rob put his palm on John's shoulder. “What happened to the other guy? The one that replaced you the last time.”

“Oh, Justin...” As the man fell into small talk about Justin, whoever that was, Hunter took the time to look around the room very subtly. There were so many bookcases, so many and they were all packed with books. In the corner of the room was a little white step ladder, used by Robert for reaching books on the highest shelves. There was no safe in sight from Hunter's angle. He wanted to turn around and check behind him, but he knew that would only make him look suspicious and that was the last thing he wanted. He came in here for a mission and Hector King and Angelo were both counting on him. He had to settle Robert's debt.

“On your way out please ask one of the servants to call Rebecca to my office.” Hunter heard Rob tell John.

“Will do sir.” John nodded once and turned around and left.

Rob stared Hunter from his hair right down to his formal shoes.

“Aren't you a little too skinny to be a bodyguard?”

“It's not a person's size that determines whether or not they'll be good at a job, sir, just like their age doesn't determine whether or not they'll be good enough, it's the skills and techniques they acquire during training that decides their competency.” Hunter responded.

Rob looked at him for a while and nodded. “Got a point there, son.”

Hunter lowered his head. “Thank you, sir.”

“So do you think you have the necessary skills and techniques required to keep my daughter safe?” He asked.

“Yes, sir.” Hunter looked the man in the eyes and spoke.

“You know, my daughter Rebecca can be a handful sometimes.” Rob was fiddling with the ring on his finger. “I just need someone that will keep an eye on her whenever she's outside the grounds and make sure she's safe. That's all.”

Hunter nodded.

“At least you don't have to deal with paparazzi because people don't recognize her outside, something to do with make up for pictures and natural when she's out there.” He said giving Hunter a small smile. “She's smart. Makes me proud sometimes.”

Hunter almost smiled. He was seeing a parents love for his child.

“She's my only daughter, only child, you know?” Rob added. “I just want her to be safe in case someone recognizes her. You know there's many psychos out there.”

The office door creaked open. Rob smiled that wide smile again, making the corners of his eyes wrinkle up.

“My love, this is your new bodyguard, Hunter King.” Rob said. Hunter turned to face the door and saw Rebecca Holland walking towards them.

“He's replacing John for now.” Rob told her. “I have a feeling he'll take very good care of you.”

Hunter used the opportunity to scan the office in that angle. He was about to look at her approaching when he saw the safe. There it was, little silver door with a black and white nozzle, right there behind the office door, smiling at him. He smiled and finally laid eyes on the billionaire's daughter. She had long black curly hair and was not smiling. The closer she got the more Hunter frowned. This girl looked familiar. Where had he seen her?

They were now face to face.

“Hunter, this is my daughter, Rebecca.” Rob said.

Standing right in front of her now, Hunter knew exactly who Rebecca was. Although she had black hair, he could see without a doubt that Rebecca Holland was none other than Becca, the girl he met at Red and Green club. Hunter held his breath as she just stared into his eyes, grim look on her face. Hunter thought, once Rebecca recognized that he was the man she had a one-night stand with, this plan was going to end before it even began. That's if she hadn't already recognized him.