Cousin Hunter

I was enraged when Denzel woke me up and let me know that we had arrived at the church. My eyes were heavy and wanted more rest. 

I sat up and yawned with my arms stretching toward the roof of the car. When I opened my eyes after a few blinks, Denzel was observing me with an awkward look.

"What?" I blurted.

"I have one final request..." He checked his side of the window before turning back to me. "Do not sleep in church." 

"I'm only human. I can't control how tired I feel." 

"Considering your type of work, you shouldn't have any problem with being awake. Just imagine you have an early exam right after a night with a client—"

I placed a finger over his lips to shut him up. 

"Living with you is more exhausting than working." 

"I'm serious, Sheldon. You can't sleep for the next three hours. I should have hid those drinks from you." 

I flipped; "And let me guess, it's all because of your mother. Your precious golden mom must validate me or there will be chaos." I dramatically rambled. 

He was silent. 

I reached out to him with my pinky finger sticking out. "I promise I won't sleep. Let's seal it." I offered. 

"There's no way in hell I'm doing that." He snapped, getting off the car at once. I took back my hand and followed suit. 

While Mrs. Raven was reaching out of her car, I was surprised to see the tall scary man that wanted to put me in a sack standing there as their bodyguard and holding the door for her. 

I quietly watched Mrs. Raven hold onto her husband like she was just starting to fall in love with him. I saw how much she cared for him. 

My eyeballs trailed toward a big bruise on Mr. Morgan's cheek. It wasn't there before the last time I saw him.

"He was attacked by robbers but luckily, he got away." Mrs. Raven said knowing I was wondering what happened to him.

I didn't quite believe her because Denzel came home upset yesterday. They must have thrown punches at each other. 

"I'm sorry about that, sir. I'm glad you made it out okay." I soothed briefly letting Denzel grab my hand.

"Come on...let's go in." He insisted. 

I agreed and off we went. We sat in the fifth row and the service was already ongoing. I was battling with keeping my eyes open. They wanted to remain closed for at least the next thirty minutes but I didn't want to submit to its attempts.

I rested my head on Denzel's shoulders when I could no longer control it. He cooperated and allowed me there. 

But after a couple of minutes, he started shaking his shoulders.

I looked up at him, wondering why he woke me up.

"Your eyeballs are red." He said and I hid my yawn by facing downward. 

I went back to sleeping on his shoulders but a moment later, the loud singing voice of a woman startled me awake and I sat up with speed. 

Mrs. Raven glanced my way and I immediately turned the other way before our eyes could meet.

"Denzel, I need to use the restroom," I said almost an hour later. He nodded and I went to stand outside of the church next to a tree with wide branches. The wind was chaotic so I didn't have to doze off. I was only concerned about my hair that got swept backward. 

Turning around, I saw a tall figure in a long black coat. I'd put it that he works privately for Denzel's father. His little errand boy who won't hesitate to put people in a sack. My mood was dispirited on seeing the guard I met at the family house.

He was holding a cigarette in between his fingers but they weren't lit. 

"You got a lighter?" He asked stretching his hand toward me. 

I glared at him to make it evident that I wanted him gone. 

"What are you doing here alone, anyway?" He asked putting his cigarette in his jacket. 

I couldn't respond. 

"Still mad about that night? I'm sorry. I wasn't really gonna bury your body..." 

"Yeah, right. Let me guess, you were trying to uphold the great image of the Morgan family so they'll not be seen as murderers?" I lamely figured.

"I acted on my own will. Nobody sent me. And it was all a joke." He replied.

Unfortunately, I wasn't seeing how sincere he was. I didn't believe him.

"It's okay. I don't want any scandals so don't play such jokes with me. Otherwise, what will happen to you can never be interpreted as a joke." I was smiling as bright as my sleepless eyes could go.

"Wow, relax, fox. You don't have to get all defensive. I was being sarcastic that night. You can ask Denzel, I never mean any harm." 

"Denzel can't vouch for someone like you." I cringed.

"You don't know him as much as I do. My name is Hunter by the way." He suddenly opened one corner of his jacket so that I could see his tattooed name on his right breast. 

"Hunter...? I should have known." 

"What do you mean?"

"You're their little Hunter dog. Their errand guard who covers up their flaws and hunts their enemies." 

"And you sound like you're an enemy." He smirked.

I pointed at him.

"Don't play dumb with me—" 

He slammed me into the tree behind me and I gasped. I felt a lurch in my stomach as his eyes grew darker and I was just starting to realize how intimidating they were.

"In short words, you think I'm a loser who just does as he is told, don't you?"

I almost got distracted by the piercing in his eyebrow. He looks like the typical bad boy that rules the club. I thought the Morgans are so reserved to have anything to do with his kind. 

"Get off me..." I demanded impatiently.

"I can prove just how wrong you are if you place me in that category again."

"Oh my, I'm so scared." Taunted an unmoved and tired me. 

He backed away knowing his act of manipulation had failed. I feared for my life but I'd never show it to this narcissist. 

"Speaking to you is a complete waste of time. If you weren't getting married to my cousin, I'd actually call you a bitch."

I paused. 'His cousin?' 

Ah, I see what's going on. 

"Let me guess, you're from Mr. Morgan's side of the family." 

"No. His wife's." 

I watched him in wonder. 

After the church service, I was distraught when Denzel told me that we were going to his parents' mansion for lunch. Nothing made me unhappier than that piece of news. 

"So, Hunter is your cousin?" I questioned when we were on our way to his home.

"Yeah," Asserted Denzel with his teeth grinding on the other. "I see you both met in church?" 

"Yes, and I don't like him one bit," I added. 

We finally reached their home sweet home and I was eager to get some air that isn't the air conditioner in the car. It made me feel cold instead.

A bountiful feast was already prepared at the corner of the house. A large dining with enough seats and plates for everyone. 

Suddenly, I felt Denzel's hand grip the small of my back. 

His breath was light on my hair.

"I'll be right back," 

Ah...I see I'm not the only one who wants to get away from them.

"Don't go anywhere. We are in this together. Just stay." I prodded turning around in a swift mood. 

"Sheldon..." He seethed.

"Fine, you can go but don't stay more than five minutes." As I was talking, I was getting out my phone to check the time. 

My fingers lost hold of my purse and it slipped falling on the grass below us. I immediately lowered myself to gather the things that had poured violently from it. 

Among them were my makeup, accessories, gum, and charger.

I was picking up my lipstick when I noticed Kimberly watching the ground intently. I wondered what was up with her until I turned my gaze back to the floor and saw the protection that had fallen out too. 

My skin instantly drained of blood as I hastily reached for it. To my shock, Denzel beat me to it and enfolded the shiny leather in his hand.

"It's mine." He directed to his sister who was wearing a nasty grin. I observed her as she went into the house. 

My soul had almost gone up to the sky due to my worry. 

"This sucks, why do you think it's better when you are the one with a condom? Aren't I also allowed to have one?" I interrogated a dumbstruck Denzel.

"Don't take this too seriously. I wasn't even thinking of anything when I picked it up. I think you should be the one to explain why you took such an item to church." He shot back. 

"I always have things like this in my bag. It wasn't intentional." 

"Yeah, right." He walked away to wherever he was talking about going.

He wasn't back until the lunch started and we all rounded the table. When the dish was put before me, my body started acting up.

I was keeping it together until I couldn't anymore and I ran to the guest restroom. I threw up in the toilet.

I thought I was having a private moment until I heard Kimberly's clear whispers outside the door saying; "Sheldon is definitely pregnant."