Under His Protection

Once they were outside, they waited for the valet to get japhet’s car, ” Are you sure you don’t want me to take you home?” Japhet asked.

From the corner of his eyes Michael saw Laura shook her head and smile, ” No, thank you. It is late already and I know you must be Early to office tomorrow, that is for the offer japhet maybe next time”

As expected japhet’s car was flashy as him, when the valet drove it in front of the restaurant, he dipped his head to kiss Laura on the cheek. Michael felt his fist balled in his side as he remained stoic.

Japhet slid in his car and gave Laura a final goodbye wave before driving away in the street, once their car pulled up in front of them Michael slid into the driver seat with Laura by his side. Silence enfolded the car ride on their way to her apartment, he was now sure her annoyance was directed to him, she stl hasn’t accepted the fact that he is her new bodyguard or maybe he ruined her date with that rich guy, either ways he did not care since this was nothing personal just pure business.

After few minutes of silent drive they finally arrived at her apartment, he silently followed her into the surprising modest looking apartment lobby, he was half expecting she was residing to somewhat opulent looking residence. They rode the empty elevator and still no word spoken since dinner.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in for coffee?” He asked brightly when she unlocked her door.

“No” she rasped turning the door knob and pushing the door open, ” it is already late Michael and you should get going, goodnight”

Michael placed his foot in the side of the door to prevent it from closing in his face, ” At least allow me study the layout of your apartment for future reference” he tried to peek inside the dark room but she stopped him by pushing him out further in the hallway.

“The heck would I allow you do that?” She said disapprovingly ” what are you? A building inspector? Get going Michael!’

“Are you sure?” He asked, hoping she would change her mind.

“Yes” she replied opening the light of her apartment, Michael eyes were alerted when he saw a shadow passed her varenda from her french window, it seemed he did not just imagine it since Laura suddenly tensed and grasp his shirt like a little child who was scared. The look of horror in her eyes were enough for him, he immediately wrapped her in the secure of his arm.

“Michael…..” She whispered softly.

He gently placed a finger on her lips as he placed her gently behind him, still securing her while also looking at his back he carefully walked to the window.

“Michael…” Laura called again, her voice filled with dread.

“If I caught this bastard he will die in my bare hands tonight” Michael swore, but too bad as he peeked in the varenda there was no sign of anything. Michael realized the stalker thing was way serious than he thought.

“It is okay” he comforted her with a hug, he could still sense her fear the way her body tremble under his touch.

“Iam here, I will not let anything bad happen to you I promise”

Laura heart was pounding loudly in her chest, she could swear that Michael could hear it, her body was shaking badly due to the unexplained shadow in her window, this was the first time such scene happened to her since the creepy stalker thing started.

In the shelter of Michael’s strong embrace she clutched his shirt tightly like a scared little girl, yet she hated herself for being in his arms which made her feel safe and secure from any arm. Laura temporarily closed her eyes to calm her nerves, she could not help but smell his manly scent and aftershave.

When the adrenaline rushed inside her body finally settled in, her eyes suddenly snapped opened, “what do you think you are doing Laura?” She asked herself angrily. ” Get out of his embrace now!” She summoned herself to put some distance between them but her body was not listening.

Finally after an incredible willpower she pushed him gently away from her ” Thank you Micheal, thanks for your help. You can go now”

“You can’t be serious princess” Michael said indecorously, with measured steps he peeked from the curtain while covering himself from the view to make sure that there is no other human outside her varenda

“How can I leave you like this?”

Laura frowned at him tucking some loose hair at the back of her hair ” What are you going to do? For all we know we both just imagine that shadow, and I think it is a product of light outside, I can handle things from here Michael”

“Don’t be a naive little girl Laura” he replied angrily, his eyes burned with passion. Laura heart jumped in her rib cage this was probably the first time he called her by her given name, she tried to look cool and collected when in truth there was whirlwind of emotion inside her.

“We both know that we did not imagine that shadow in your window, there is a psychopath out there who is bothering you and until that bastard is caught I will not take my eyes off you”

“I can take care of myself” Laura stated bravely in his face, she could see the anger in his eyes once the word escaped out of her mouth. Michael closed the curtains and took a step forward towards her.

“What are you doing?”

“Your stubbornness is out of place” he announced in a low tone never removing his intent gaze on her ” you really like seeing me sick and worried about you, don’t you?”

She automatically took a step backwards, her heart was pounding with fear but it wasn’t like the fear she felt awhile ago, it was entirely different kind of alarm. Laura swallowed hard

“I.. I don’t know what you are talking about”

“No?” He asked dangerously soft, Michael continued to walk where she was standing with his hands in his pocket, Laura ran out of space when she hit her back on the sofa.

“Well, let me show you”

Her eyes widen when he suddenly grabbed her wrist and held it there ” what are you doing? Let go of me!”

She tried to shake off his clamped but failed miserably.

“So fragile, what are you going to do when your stalker do this to you, when you are all alone? Do you think you can take good care of yourself as you thought princess? For all we know he is five times stronger and faster than you”

“I will kick his crotch” she informed him bravely still trying to remove his dead tight grip in her wrist.

Laura temper flared when michael smiled evily in her direction as if he could not believe she could do such thing, ” You can do that?” He asked smirking.

She raised her chin in a haughty manner ” Do you want me to show how it is done to you? I know a thing or two when it comes to Protection from my father’s security men when they train”

If she thought Michael would back down she was mistakenly, this is Micheal they are talking about.

“Be my guest then, show me how you can protect yourself from an attacker. I will like to see what skills you have that gives you so much confidence to protect yourself without the help of a bodyguard”

Laura shook her head and exhaled ” It is not my fault if you got hurt because of this” she warned him.

Michael shrugged casually, he eyed her from head to toe ” Go ahead princess, show me what you’ve got. Do your worst me me see”