MY BODYGUARD

When I wake up it's already shiny and bright, the early October sun adamantly piercing through the window drapes. My skin shudders as cold air blankets my skin, and that damn eerie feeling of being watched returns.I rise up abruptly, panting. Lately I've become overly sensitive to everything and I feel like someone's right here in my room, ready to grab me and do whatever evil intentions they have toward me.I cast my glance aside and my nose crinkle in disgust."Morning, butterfly." It's a very familiar voice.Relief washes over me."What the hell?" I murmur, waving away the smoke of cigar wafting in my nose. "I hate that, Patrick. At least do your shit outside.""Oh. My bad," he replies nonchalantly while straightening himself at the corner of the bed, eyes on my upper body that's covered with nothing but a lacy bra.Instinctively, I pull the duvet up to my neck so as to distract his lustful stare."What are you doing here?" I croak while sitting up.Wrong question. He lives here.

I don't remember how long it has passed since I shut my eyes. The silence, the scent of wilderness, and the sharp breeze through the driver's door are what wake me from my unpleasant nap."Red," I breathe with difficulty, my eyelids heavy and stressed.But I can't see him even when I try my best to clear my sight. I'm all alone in the car, and we're no longer moving. Fear strikes through me like sharp blade in the flesh. Where is he? Why did he stop the car?I immediately unbuckle my seatbelt, my gaze wandering to the front, to the right, to the left, and when I'm free from the seatbelt my eyes are onto the back windshield."Red?" I call frantically while clutching the door handle to make a speedy exit. "Red?" I call again, seeing no sign of his presence at all.Please, God, not again! It's only yesterday he fought a gang to save me."Red?" I yell again, panting so heavily while looking around.The highway breeze blows my little shirtdress and a few loose strands of my hair, and green

He called my name.He just called my name, didn't he? It's quite inexplicable how this makes me feel. I'm floating in clouds as my entire body lightens in his tantalizing hold."Say it again," I breathe huskily, my eyes and Red's locked tightly. "Mia . . ." Red repeats like a docile servant, tugging at the stubborn strands of my hair that frames my face.Lord, I melt when his strong fingers graze on my skin, the flames of his blazing ember eyes burning my every resolution to stay indifferent at his presence.Nothing seems to exist as his lips near mine, gently, a scowl on his face as though he's in the stiff battle between his uttermost desire and decorum.Kiss me, please.Oh fuck, what am I thinking of? I'm a married woman! I may have a crooked husband but I'm still branded as his and this shouldn't happen! But why do I crave for Red?I'm impatiently waiting for his lips to possess mine, to kiss me deeply with any vehemence portrayed in his eyes full of exciting, venereal desire.But

I plop back in bed with my hand on the forehead. I take a deep breath and calm myself down. Red is no longer here which gives me time to think. Yes, in this very same bed I did it last night."Oh God," I whisper, reliving every detail of the crime scene. And like a fool I start, smiling, blushing even, everything Crystal clear in my head.It was beautiful.But you're a married woman, Mia! And he's your employee! Some voice snaps at me. I shriek inwardly. I've never cheated on Patrick and we've been married for eight years. I'm freaked out, but do I regret it?No, I don't.Now where is Red? I collect the big duvet to my chest and slowly clamber out of bed. Oh yes, I can feel the aftermath of a good fuck as I walk. My dress is on the couch, neatly placed.Smiling, I pace toward the window to regard the beautiful sunshine. The day has begun, and town folks are up and about. I lean onto the window frame, watching my car parked in the same place we did yesterday.And suddenly Red appears

He doesn't regret it. I replay his words, gulping.I want to say something, but I'm too afraid to say anything. I shouldn't rejoice from any of this. This is pure fact yet my heart blossoms at this warm reveal from him. I'm inclined to be happy despite the situation."But you're right." Red frees my hand, sighing in defeat as my eyes drop about my same bereft hand. "It shouldn't have happened," he says and I look up at him stoutly.His eyes are filled with bemusement. He's clearly torn, but he's also very sure of his standing on the matter as he quickly masks the indecisiveness with a bold, unwavering look.Despite the heartache, I pull myself together and respond. "You're right. It shouldn't have happened." My voice is very low and I think I'm to blame for everything; I provoked him too much. "I'm sorry, Red. If I didn't—""Don't be sorry. Please don't ever say that!" Red admonishes and he sounds serious. He moves closer, holds my face and adds, "Because I . . . am not sorry, Mia." H