Chapter 6: Bodyguards

For some reason, those words… made me feel belittled. It’s like he was telling me that I deserve what I tolerate.

This jerk. I used to think he was kind because he was taking my side, and because he showed concern toward me, even though it was our first time meeting each other.

But now, I hate him again. I just want to strangle him.

In bed.

Shit. Where did that thought come from?

“Damn. Is this how you live in the States?” River asked, shaking his head, as if he was in disbelief. “I’m not even thinking that much about business in my academic days. I only train in my free time.”

Dad scoffed. “You’re a Palmer. Of course, you will be on a different level. No one can dictate to you. You don’t even follow your parents.”

“Come on, Rico. Stop that.” River chuckled, scratching his nape, pretending to be embarrassed as he looked at me. “Princess might think that I’m a reckless person.”

“Well, aren’t you?” I raised an eyebrow and folded my arms. “You even keep calling me princess even if that’s not my name.”

“Because you are one.” He smiled.

At that moment, my heart thumped rapidly. I can even feel my cheeks burning.

If I’m really a princess, then I’m the most useless one. I’m the robot type, the one who couldn’t move without being commanded. No one wants that.

I don’t want myself to. It feels like I’m only breathing for others, and the feeling isn’t good.

But River… He makes me feel worthy. With just his simple words. His body language was different. His concern about me, even though we barely knew each other.

Or maybe he just liked me in the first place, like what he had told me a minute ago.

And I feel the same attraction toward him.

Oh, no. I’m in trouble.

“Stop calling her Princess,” Dad said, but it looks like he doesn’t really care about it. “Other people might get the wrong idea.”

River looked at me, his eyes playful, as he spoke.

“She’s my cousin. Why can’t I?”

Cousin… 

Of all people, why did he become my cousin?

“Well, that’s your life,” Dad told him, shaking his head as if he was already surrendering. “Just make sure to tell everyone about it so they won’t misunderstand, especially Hans.”

“Hans?” River asked, his brows furrowing as he looked at me. “Who’s that?”

“Her soon-to-be husband,” Dad answered without hesitation, which is the opposite of my reaction.

River’s brows pressed deeper as he went silent for a moment, pondering about something. Then, suddenly, his gaze darkened.

I knew it. He remembered our conversation last night.

I really thought it would be the first and the last time I’ll talk to him, so I told him a bit of my story. But fate plays differently, isn’t it? Never did I think that he would be my cousin.

And why would he need to be a hot one? I couldn’t help but be disappointed—

Stop it, Serenity. This isn’t like you.

“I don’t want any conflict toward Serenity and Hans, and I’m letting you stay in our house because I know who you are,” Dad added, snapping me from my thoughts.

He added, “You’re business-minded, and you don’t associate yourself with problems you’re not involved with, or don’t benefit you.”

“Right.” River nodded, not averting his gaze at me. “There are some exemptions, though.”

I knew it. He was talking about me, and the fact that he went toward me that night, asking how I was, even though we thought we were strangers at that time.

But why? Is it really possible that he likes me? That was too fast.

Or is it just me?

“What are you still doing here?” Dad suddenly asked me, snapping me back to my senses. “You need to prepare for school, don’t you? You have quizzes, and I won’t tolerate any mistakes.”

“Y-Yes, Dad,” were the only words I could say. “I’m going to leave now…”

I bowed to him and River before I went back to my room, now preparing myself so I can go to school.

I suddenly felt exhausted. Maybe it’s because I’m dealing with two things at the moment. First are my parents, and second is… River.

He was a threat to my whole existence. With his presence right now, I know I could be swayed, and I can’t let that happen. My parents will go berserk once I weren’t able to fulfill the identity they had created for me.

But at the same time, I would love to try. What could happen if I purposely let myself stray?

“This is why he is dangerous,” I muttered, now wearing my necktie. “Disobeying them had never gone into my mind before, but because of him…”

I let those words hang in the air. I’m afraid that if I think too much about it and entertain the thought, the more I would like to try it.

“Get a grip, Serenity,” I told myself, taking my handbag from the cabinet. “If I do something wrong, River would be affected, too.”

For some reason, I feel worried about him, even if we don’t know each other that much. Is it because he was showing me sympathy, too?

Or… is it something else?

***

A few minutes later, I was already at school, walking in the hallway. Like always, everyone glances at me, but every time I look back at them, they avert their gazes.

I sighed. Well, I understand why they are avoiding me. After all, if I see another schoolmate with lots of bodyguards following them, I would do the same thing, too.

“Serenity! Hey, babes!” a woman’s voice called me from behind.

I didn’t need to look to know who it was. Only one person was strong and capable of coming at me, even with my bodyguards behind.

“Mia.” I smiled, feeling relieved.

Whether it's because of her family background or if she’s just bold and feisty, that’s why she always comes to me without any hesitation or fear.

But I’m just thankful to have a friend like her. If not, I would have lost my sanity a few years ago.

“As always, you’re early,” Mia mumbled, then she linked her hand to my arm, clinging like a Koala. “But… I never thought those guards were studying at our school, too.”

With Mia’s sarcasm, I couldn’t help but chuckle and shake my head.

My two guards, on the other hand, remained emotionless as they stood straight, not even bothering to answer.

“It’s not as if something bad will happen in the school, right? We’re in a prestigious university, after all,” Mia said, her eyes narrowing. “So, can’t you just watch her from afar?”

“Sorry, Ma’am Mia. But we’re just following instructions,” my guard replied, his tone low and polite.

“Well… The instructions didn’t state that you need to follow her in this proximity, right?” Mia raised an eyebrow, her grip tightening on me. “It seems like you’re monitoring a child.”

I knew Mia. The lower her voice was and the tighter she held me, the more she controlled her emotions.

She was mad because of what my parents were doing to me. Both of us were the sole heirs of our family, but her parents… They were never suffocating.

Unlike mine.

“If you don’t maintain your distance, I swear, you won’t like what I’ll do next,” she said, her lips curved into a sweet smile, but the choice of words and the tone were the exact opposite.

“I'll report you to the principal, and when that happens, they’ll call Mr. and Mrs. Miller.” She smirked. “And who will get scolded? You. Because you're not doing your job properly. Do we really need to go that far?”