CAUGHT UNDER THE GUARD’S GAZE I

The chilly night air hits me in the face as I creep out of the back door to the balcony. I fold my lips, pressing them tight as I drag the door slowly behind me. When it clicks softly shut, my stomach drops.

I don’t hear a sound or anyone calling for me. I sigh with relief.

My eyes scan the dark as I pull the long black leather coat tighter to my body. My heart races wildly, like it’s going to leap out of my chest.

I must not be seen. Not even by my father, after he had instructed me not to go to my last day of high school after-party and had ordered his security guards not to let me leave the house. But I can’t miss it, not for anything in this life.

I had patiently waited for my father to sleep before dressing up and grabbing a long black coat to cover the filthy dress I’m wearing. To everyone, I’m asleep, and that’s how I intend to keep it until I’m back by dawn.

I can’t miss the after-party for anything. I have to be there. I have to experience the last day with my colleagues.

I don’t know why my dad won’t let me go. I’m no longer a kid, I’m eighteen, and I’ll be going to college soon. I seriously can’t wait to leave this bondage of a mansion.

I can never forget how thrilled I was the day I found the hidden routes in the woods that lead to the main road. I’d screamed for joy that day, and since then it’s been my escape out of the house, just like now.

I step down from the balcony to the granite ground, tipping the toes of my boots toward the garden path and quicken my pace into the dark woods behind it.

My heart squeezes as I go deeper into the forest. I don’t bother looking back. I can barely swallow my breath at the moment, and looking back will only increase my fear.

Cold air breathes into my lungs along with the fresh scent of leaves, musky wood.

The forest is too dark, I can’t see clearly, but I know my way. My legs tremble as I follow the familiar path, dry leaves crush under my feet, crickets sing in the air, and the trees sway with the breeze.

I tighten the jacket on my body, my boots digging into the dirt.

I’m almost there. I’ll soon round the corner and get to the main road.

“What the. .” I hiss under my breath as I brush away an insect that flies across my face.

My long black hair falls around my face, swinging with the breeze.

I can now hear the faint sound of car tires speeding away. It’s a narrow road, and cars rarely pass, but it’s a short walk to the commercial road.

My skin ripples, buzzing with excitement. I’ll get to the road soon and hurry down the commercial road to hail a taxi to the bar where the party is taking place.

I march down the last stretch to round the corner, but a torchlight suddenly flashes past me.

I freeze. My heart skips.

What’s that?

Please don’t let it be what I’m thinking. I really need to go to this party.

I need to hide before the light comes again.

I haven’t moved a step when the light lands on me. This time it stays, shining brightly.

“Who’s there?” comes a gruff voice.

The kind of voice that doesn’t need to be raised to be heard.

My chest rises and falls as terror crawls up my spine.

Dry leaves crunch under weight. The torch burns brighter.

I clench my teeth and turn around. The sharpness of the light hurts my eyes, and I squeeze them shut before opening them again.

I see the black boots the security wears and black pants, but I can’t see the face of the person holding the torch.

I raise my hand over my face to block the light as he comes to stand in front of me.

“Miss Betty,” he calls, whispering as he clicks off the torch.

I breathe a sigh of relief and drop my hand. I look at him, finally seeing his face.

One of the guards. Tall, muscular, and standing like the forest belongs to him.

“Raphael,” I hiss under my breath.

I can’t hide my irritation.

Just when I thought I’d successfully escaped, he had to catch me.

“Where are you going so late at night?” he drawls, eyeing my coat. “Or rather, sneaking off to?”

I grind my teeth, eyeing him, but not respond.

He chuckles.

He raises a brow and jerks his head toward me. “Keeping quiet won’t help you, Betty. You should start talking before I call the attention of your father.”

I stiffen.

My lips part, but I don’t know what to say.

I can’t let him inform my dad. I have to say something, even if I have to lie.

“I… I… I’m just getting some fresh air,” I whisper softly.

“Woah. So far from the house. What happened to the garden, the pool area, the balcony?”

Fuck, this bastard.

My shoulders drop. I blink my eyes, giving him my most pitiful face as I groan.

“Fine, you’ve caught me, but please, just pretend you didn’t. I really need to attend this party. Please.”

He smiles, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Oh,” he says, staring at my coat without saying another thing.

I shift my feet, my patience running thin.

He’s wasting my time, and I need to leave really fast before another guard sees me.

“Let’s see what you have under that coat. Clearly, you can’t be showing up to the party in just that.”

What?

My eyes widen at the inappropriate request.

“What the hell do you mean? Raphael, do you know I’m your boss because my father pays you?”

He shrugs. “I know. But if you want me to help you, you’ll have to obey my instructions.”

I stand, stunned.

If I don’t obey him, then I’ll have to answer to my father.

Fine.

I reach for the zip, drag it down in one breath, then I pull open my coat, wild open for him to see and just let me go.

He clicks his tongue and takes a step forward, still smiling, eyes still twinkling.

My hands tremble as his eyes devour every inch of my exposed skin.

I’m wearing a very nasty outfit, I know, and that’s why I covered it.

My boots are high up to my mid-thigh, my wrap skirt so short it barely covers my small, perky ass. From my waist upward, I’m bare until my boobs, only wearing a halter-neck top that cups them and nothing else.

“You’re practically undressed,” he whispers darkly.

I can’t see his eyes very well, so I can’t tell how aroused he is, but I notice the bump growing in his pants.

“Desperate measures call for dirty things,” I bite back.

If my dad had agreed, I would’ve worn something more modest because he was going to see me. But since I’m sneaking out, I might as well go all the way, and I swear, I prefer this.

I drop my hands from the coat and raise a brow.

“Now that you’ve seen my outfit, can I leave? Please,” I add the last word with a sneer.

“No.”

His disapproval cuts through my growing anticipation. I glance sharply at him.

My fingers curl, pinching into my palms.

What more could he want?