Chapter 1

Callum’s POV

“I don't need a babysitter,” I pouted, glaring at my business partner, Adam who also doubled as my best friend. 

He chuckled and shrugged. “I said bodyguard Callum not a babysitter,” 

“It's the same thing,” I whispered, thoroughly annoyed. 

He narrowed his eyes and his expression grew serious. “This isn't up for debate Callum. I already spoke to a few of my contacts and you'd be getting a bodyguard soon.”

“But…” I started to protest but he cut me off. 

“This is the third accident, Callum.” he sighed. "The third one in the last two weeks. It's not ordinary,” 

I leaned back against the pillow as memories of the last two accidents flashed in my mind. 

Initially I had blamed my driver's recklessness and fired him because he had crashed into the other car after taking his eyes off the road. 

Then the second one happened and Adam blamed me for firing another driver. 

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice… I thought I had been setting the bar for others to follow. 

Joe had been my chauffeur for decades, and had always been very careful and meticulous at his job. 

The other two drivers whose names I didn't bother to take note of had been temporary ones Adam hired for me because I sent Joe on a much deserved vacation for his 60th birthday. 

“Investigations are still ongoing but so far, we can conclude that it hadn't been just a freak accident.” Adam admitted and a sense of panic filled my heart at the thought that someone wanted to kill me. 

“What does the CCTV footage from that day suggest?” I asked, pushing back the dread in the pit of my stomach as we swelled on the matter.

He shook his head. “The footage from that day has somehow gone missing and everyone in the IT department is being investigated as possible suspects,” 

What kind of AI company was I running if things like this could just happen and go undetected?

“And that my friend is why you need protection,” he concluded and I snorted. 

“Whatever. Whoever it is had better stay in his lane.” I grumbled and he released a light chuckle. 

“That's between the two of you,” he slipped his phone out of his pocket and the smile on his face widened. 

My stomach sank and I sighed. “You've found someone, haven't you?” 

He sent me a knowing look and then turned to leave.  

“Where are you going?” I asked, glaring at his back. 

“To process your discharge form.” he replied without looking back and left afterwards. 

“Adam you damned ba***,” 

He didn't get to hear the rest of my words because the door closed behind him. 

Two hours later just as I had finished off my lunch, he waltzed back in with a woman in uniform behind him. 

I jumped out of bed eager to get out of there and regretted it instantly as a wave of dizziness hit me, sending me backwards. 

“Oh dear.” The nurse muttered, looking worried. “Are you sure he's ready to leave?” 

She then turned to face Adam. “Why don't you keep him under admission for one more night so we can observe him?” 

I growled and straightened up instantly, glaring at her. “I'm not spending another day in this wretched place.” I barked and she shrunk back. 

Adam shot me an unimpressed look and then turned to the nurse who looked scared and like she might pee in her pants, if she hadn't already. “Ignore my friend, he just hates hospitals,” 

That was one way of putting it. I mused but ignored the two of them as I ripped off the hospital gown and made my way to the door.

“Mr. West I still think…” she started to say and I turned, pinning her with a look

Whatever gave this woman the impression that I cared about her opinion?

Adam once again stepped in. “He's fine, I assure you. We'll hire a nurse for him who will be coming to the house to check on him and I'll have the doctor on speed dial just in case anything comes up.” 

She relaxed a little and then nodded. I snorted, unfazed by her show of concern and walked out, slamming the door behind me. 

People never gave a damn about me, only about my status as a billionaire CEO and the type of connections knowing me would guarantee for them, their businesses and families. 

“Hey man, wait up,” Adam called from behind me but instead of slowing down so he could catch up, I picked up my pace, annoyed with him. 

“Real mature West.” he called out but I continued to ignore him and kept walking. 

I didn't stop until I was standing by a familiar black Range Rover Defender jeep. 

“You're insufferable, do you know that?” He asked as he finally caught up and I shrugged. 

“Fill me in on what's been happening at the company.” I said as I slipped into the passenger’s seat once he had opened the door. 

The scent of Joe's aftershave that still lingered in the car calmed my nerves and I became more relaxed. 

It was ironic that I was feeling this way after spending a night at the hospital. 

How would I have survived staying for another day? I shudder to think of it. 

Adam let out a sigh as he drove out of the hospital parking lot. “It's nice to have you back man.” he told me, his eyes focused on the road ahead of him. 

“It's nice to be back,” I admitted, relaxing in the comfortable seat. “So what have I missed?” 

As he drove, he filled me in on what had been happening while I was away which wasn't much, just people panicking about my condition. 

I buckled my seatbelt and listened, soaking in the gossip. 

****

When we arrived home a few minutes later, there was a stranger standing in front of the gates to the house. 

I unbuckled the seatbelt and jumped out of the car without waiting for Adam to stop incensed that a stranger was lurking around my home. 

“And this is why you keep getting into accidents you moron,” Adam called from the window and I flipped him off. 

The stranger's face became clearer as I got closer and I held back a whistle as I took in his athletic build. 

I had always been a gym rat and keeping fit was a personal goal I aimed to achieve everyday. 

Seeing someone who had such a fit body made me jealous and I had a hard time avoiding mainly because he was my ideal kind of man. 

“Are you done?” I heard and looked up to find him looking at me. 

He took the cigarette he had been smoking and tossed it on the ground. 

My cheeks flushed from behind caught but I coughed and used my hand to cover my face in an attempt to hide it. 

From behind me, Adam laughed and I flipped him off yet again. 

“Who are you?” I asked, turning back to the stranger. 

“Roman Cruz. Who are you?” 

I blinked and then scoffed, wondering if I was in some horrible nightmare. “This is my house, you're not supposed to be here. Hell, who even let you through the estate gates?” 

Those men were obviously slacking off if this man was here. 

“The gatemen.” 

Who else would have let him in? 

I rolled my eyes and messaged my temples as I felt a headache coming on. “I don't care who you are but you need to get off my property before I have you arrested for trespassing.” 

He shrugged. “Go ahead, although it would be funny to arrest you own bodyguard.” 

At the mention of the word ‘bodyguard’, I spun on my heels and glared at Adam. “You knew about this?” 

Adam rolled his eyes and finally walked towards us. “Pardon his manners, he's still weaning off the meds. My name is Adam and this grouch here is Callum West, the one you'll be working with.” 

“No he's not.” I protested but they ignored me and kept talking to each other. 

“You're fired!” I yelled after a while and stormed off feeling both angry and turned on at the same time.