Chapter 3

“...sa… Lisa!”

I flung my eyes open and Xavier’s worried look flashed before me. With a hanky in his hand, he wiped my forehead. He did it quite gently as if I’d break any time if he was not careful enough.

“You were crying in your sleep so I… I’m so sorry,” he apologized with those pretty eyes of his glistening with tears.

Not to mention, his voice was shaky. W-Why the hell was he about to cry? Shouldn’t I be the one crying after that horrible nightmare? And where was that playboy attitude he had last night?

With no words coming up in mind, I just snatched the hanky away from him and threw it right on his face before getting off the bed.

“I’m fine,” I said. “Wipe your tears.”

Seeing the time, it was just four in the morning. I checked my phone and saw a message from Kyle.

‘The payment had already been made. I also sent the draft of the contract. Check it and tell me if you want to add or remove something.’

That was what it said, making me feel better somehow. Kyle really just knew how to lighten my mood. I was about to go to the bathroom when I saw Xavier just sitting on the edge of my bed with his shoulders slumped forward.

Now that I thought about it, the way Kyle described this man before made it look like he was the scary type of person. However, just last night, he sounded like a damn pervert while talking to Viola. And now… As he sat there as he looked up to me with those puppy eyes seemingly waiting for any commands from me, it felt more like he was a dog awaiting its master’s orders. For someone taller than 6 feet with a defined body build, this side of him just did not match with his physical appearance.

“Wait here… for now,” I said while pointing at him before entering the bathroom.

Submerging myself into the cold water-filled tub, I shut my eyes and recalled the day I got poisoned.

It was a dinner to celebrate Luxe Haven’s successful anniversary celebration. Hence, only important investors, the board of directors, and several employees of the shopping mall were invited. If the culprit was one of those who weren’t invited, then it meant that he or she paid someone to poison the food. It could be anyone.

I emerged from the water and simply leaned against the side of the tub. Just thinking about it stressed me out more than work, hence, I finished bathing and put on my robes. Xavier was still in the same place and position when I entered the bedroom. And I kid you not, it seemed like his ears just rose in excitement upon seeing me. His actions started to make me waver if he was indeed capable of performing his duties as my bodyguard.

I mean… Those people at the auction house, they wanted him because of his abilities, right? They probably weren’t planning to buy him out just because of his good looks. Or were they aware that this man can perform well in bed?

Staring at Xavier, I shook my head. There was just in no way that this innocent puppy would be a bed performer in hiding. He looked too pure for that one. Why was I even thinking about this like some pervert?

I slapped my forehead to drive those thoughts away. That matter aside, I quickly put on some comfortable clothes before making an important call.

“Would you like to avail the usual service, madam?” the woman on the other side of the line asked.

“Yes. Bring him here as soon as possible,” I said before ending the call.

I just needed to settle the contract with Xavier, then I will return to my usual routine. I did some several edits on the contract Kyle sent and printed it that very same morning. Giving a copy to my new bodyguard, I started discussing the terms that I wanted to emphasize.

“For now, you will be working as my bodyguard for two years. That can be shortened if you perform badly and can be extended if you do great,” I said before pointing at the second section. “Since this is a risky job, you will be paid $85,000 a month for your 24/7 service–”

Before another word left my mouth, Xavier raised his hand.

“Is $85,000 too small for you?” I questioned.

“Not that, but I already received your full payment so there is no need to pay me again,” he replied, making me look at him with a puzzled expression.

He then took out his phone from his pocket and showed me an invoice with $1 billion written on it. The remaining money must have been sent to the auction house.

“Wait… Isn’t that supposed to be for your previous master?” A moment of silence fell on us. “Wait a minute… Don’t tell me… Did you auction yourself?”

“I did.” He chuckled. “Though I did not expect to be bought at a billion price by a woman. And… I do not serve any master when I am not under any contract binding. Just for your information.”

Just what the hell was wrong with this guy? Who in their right minds voluntarily put themselves in auction? There could possibly be a loose screw in his head. If I whack him in the right place, would he come to his senses?

Xavier flashed an innocent smile as if auctioning himself was no big deal at all before he shifted his attention to the contract.

“Let’s cross this out,” he said, scribbling out what was written in the second section.

He then proceeded to read the other terms aloud, nodding his head once in a while. When he was almost done going through everything, our attention shifted to the door upon hearing three knocks.

The door opened and a man standing at 5’7” appeared before us. His dark hair was swept back, giving emphasis to his pretty face. His smile was immediately directed towards me, but when he noticed Xavier, it immediately left his lips.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t told that you have a visitor,” Felix said as he lowered his head.

Before he could shut the door, I said, “Wait for me in the study room.”

When he left, I received this quizzical look from Xavier. No words came out of his mouth but I somehow could tell that he wanted to know who Felix was and why he was at my house.

“Don’t mind him,” I merely commented. “Is everything in the contract clear to you? Just tell me if you want to clarify something or if there is anything that you want to change or add.”

“The first section says that I will do everything in my power to protect you. This is kind of vague for me. Does this mean that I can use any methods to keep you safe?”

Ha? Why did he need to clarify something that was so obvious?

“Of course. The main priority here is me, my life, my safety, and my security.”

He nodded before handing the contract to me.

“Now that the contract terms are finalized, we need the final copy,” he said, so I immediately got to work.

He just actually removed the clause where he would be paid every month. Though I liked his honesty, it somehow felt odd to me. I could not just shake away this unsettling feeling, but since I had no idea where it was coming from, I had no choice but to try to forget it.

Besides, what mattered the most was that I had this bodyguard and I just hoped my situation would become better than before. After printing the final contract, Xavier and I both signed each other’s copy.

“Your room is already arranged so after you are done shopping for some new clothes, you will directly head there.” I handed him my black card. “Purchase some suits you will use for formal events since we will be attending them every now and then. The rest of your clothes, it’s your choice as long as you are comfortable with them.”

He stared at the card before meeting my gaze again.

“I thought the tailor would come and get my measurements just as you said last night.”

Oh. It never crossed my mind that he would remember that.

“Right. But it will take some time for the tailored suits to be ready so you have to buy several pairs in the meantime.”

“Normally, the employer should be accompanying me in this kind of errands.”

I raised an eyebrow. Normally? Did that mean that his previous clients accompanied him in doing his own shoppings? I sighed. That wasn’t important.

“I need to rest so you go alone,” I said, tapping him on the arm before walking towards the door. “Once you are done buying everything you need, find me.”

Once I stepped out of the room, I abruptly halted as a shiver had me thinking that something was up. I turned on my heels and met Xavier’s gaze. He smiled at me with a cheerful look in his eyes so I doubted that that sudden feeling of something sinister came from him.

Walking down towards my study room, I just massaged my temple. Everything was just so stressful with all the unsolved cases and workload I had to deal with just after leaving the hospital. I needed to vent these out before I lost my mind. The moment I entered, Felix immediately stood from his seat, however, he never said a word.

“I just need to make a quick call,” I said before taking the telephone and dialing Kyle’s number.

While waiting for him to pick up, Felix hugged me from behind. For a few seconds, his hands just wrapped around my waist until he slowly started to touch me upwards. I didn’t mind since, as an escort who tended to me for months now, he was aware of needing some time to get me ready.

The moment Kyle picked up, Felix was already kneading my b**bs.

“I called to thank you for your help. Xavier already signed the contract so everything’s set.” I paused for a moment when the escort’s hands slipped under my shirt and was holding my bare chest. “When will you be available? I’ll treat you to dinner.”

“Oh, I like that. Then, this Saturday will do,” Kyle replied.

“Great. I will fetch you after your shift. Anyway, is there anything else I should know about Xavier?”

“Hmm…” A long pause followed, which made me think Kyle had gone to sleep. Yet before I could speak, he added, “I must say he is a double-edged sword. A powerful ally and a dangerous enemy, but since you have him now on a leash, you do not have to worry too much.”

I pursed my lips when Felix proceeded to touch me bare underneath my panties while his other hand continued to pleasure my chest. I wanted to end the call, however, I still needed to ask one last and important question.

“He isn’t being forced by anyone to work, right? Like there is no form of abuse being forced on him, right?” I asked since it seemed like this line of work did not suit Xavier much.

However, my question only earned me a loud laugh from Kyle.

“What the hell are you talking about? Rather than being abused, he should be the one to watch out for. Where is this coming from?”

“I just…” With my other hand, I clutched at a handful of Felix’s hair who was now on his knees in front of me and his tongue in between my legs. “I just wanna make sure.”

Kyle laughed once more, but not as loud as the first one.

“He’s a mercenary, Lisa. Keep that in mind.”

I knew Kyle simply meant to remind me of who Xavier truly was, however, those words felt more like a grave warning.