Chapter 2

(Vivien) The flood of memories has taken me back to the first moment I met Marcus, back then all was different, I was different and the news of meeting a new person did not excite me at all.

It was a warm day of summer in the middle of June when all began. I was relaxing by the pool, reading a magazine and waiting for my friend Caroline to call. She and I were going to the mall, we had to buy new dresses for a party we were going later. I saw my father coming towards me a little bit nervous. I didn't pay attention to him at first but then he made me put my magazine down.

-Darling, I have something to tell you.

-What is it? Is the car broken again? You know I have to go shopping today.

-No, is not that. I hired someone, for you.

-Who? I said raising my eyebrows, I have all sorts of servants why would I need one more?

-This one is different from the others darling.

-How can a servant be different? I said laughing, they all serve us.

-Yes, I know but it's different because it's a bodyguard.

-What?!

I was furious at him at the moment. How could he do that to me? How could he have so little trust in me that he needs to hire someone else to take care of me?!

-How can you do that to me?

-Honey, listen…

-Why don't you trust me?

-It's not about trust, I just want you to be safe. Look, I know you won't like this at first but…

-I won't like this at the end also!

-Vivien, would you please listen to me?

-No! I don't want to hear anything from you!

I went inside slamming the door after me, I waited there for him to come and apologize. I wanted him to realize that this was a terrible idea but instead he came to me and said:

-Your behavior will not work this time young lady. I am doing this for you and you'll realize that someday, you need protection. You will learn how to get used to it. You have to! Now, he will be here in less than half an hour and will start working immediately, you won't go anywhere until he is here!

I was shocked. So he was still doing this, how could he? I ran upstairs and called Caroline, maybe she will have some sense in her about this bad idea.

-Can you believe this? He totally disrespected my wishes!

-Girl I can't but he said that this bodyguard is a man right? Maybe he is cute? This could get ugly for you but fantastic for me.

-Caroline! OMG, you're supposed to support me.

-I am, I was just single for way too long.

-You had a boyfriend last week.

-Exactly, so when are you going to pick me up?

-I don't know, when Mr. Protection is going to arrive.

But when I looked at the window I realized that there was already a car parked in front of our house. It was an old red Volvo and from it I could see coming out a black-haired man with beautiful clear green eyes. He wasn't cute, he was way more than just that. But I wouldn't admit it back then. I turned immediately around when I saw him observing me and returned to my call.

-By the fact that you stopped talking for like 10 minutes I can assume that he arrived. And that he is gorgeous.

-Yes and no.

-Are you going downstairs to greet him?

-Of course not.

But my dad had a different idea because right after I said that I hear him calling me. He said to go and meet my new bodyguard.

-Well it seems like I am after all.

I went downstairs to find a handsome tall man talking to my dad. I assumed he was the guy, as I approached him I could see his clear green eyes were examining me.

-Ah and this is my girl, Vivien, the one you are supposed to protect.

-Hello, my name is Marcus.

He reached for my hand but I just stayed still moving my eyes from his floating hand to his eyes, fixing him with my eyes. As I smiled I presented myself.

-Vivien Collin, you can call me Miss Collin.

I turned around and left him with his hand still hanging. And then it hit me, why should I convince my dad to make him leave when I, myself, can solve the problem? I quickly went upstairs and called Caroline.

-Hey are you ready?

-Yes since like half an hour ago.

-Perfect, I am coming to pick you up right now.

I hang up the phone smiling then I went to search for my new bodyguard. He was busy carrying some suitcases from the Volvo to the house. Perfect.

-Go to the car, we are leaving in 10 minutes.

He stopped and looked at me confused. Then put the suitcases down and faced me slowly, I could see his nerves tense then relax.

-But Miss, I was not informed about going out.

-Well, I am telling you now, so what are you waiting for? This is an order.

-Miss I am sorry but I am busy right now, I can't…

-Do you want this job or not? Because if you do you'll have to do what I say and I say go and prepare the car.

-As you wish.

-Finally, oh and if I come in 10 minutes and see that the car is not ready, you're fired, understood?

-From what I understood, your father is the only one that can fire me, Miss.

I stopped and turned to him, oh he hit my nerves.

-I can do, what I want and if I want you gone you will be gone, be sure of that, is that clear?

-Like crystal, Miss.

-Good.

After exactly 10 minutes I was in the car.

-Well at least you succeeded something other than stepping up to me, congratulations. Now drive.

-Where?

-To my friend Caroline, duh.

-Could you give me the address, Miss?

-No, you should know where it is.

-How am I supposed to know where it is?

-Are you being disobedient again? Do you really want this job? Because if you do you'll stop complaining and start driving!

He sighed and started the car. I took my phone and began surfing all my social media apps. I was sure he wasn't going to find the right house which will give me another reason to scream at him.

But after a few minutes he stopped the car in front of a white house with a messy garden and a missing fence. He got to the right house. I was speechless, then I looked and saw that he opened the GPS. Smarty pants, but I relaxed quickly remembering that I don't need a good reason to scream at him, the most unexpected ones the better.

-Go get Caroline, I'll wait here.

He went outside and came back after 5 minutes with Caroline. I hugged her and she began telling me about how handsome my new bodyguard was, I fixed him with my eyes frowning.

-Where to, Miss?

-To the mall, and make it quick this time. I don't have time to waste with your slow driving.

I laughed with Caroline who was visibly amused by the situation when suddenly we have been pointed in our seats. He was going with over 100 km/h. I was shocked and furious at the same time, he got us at the mall in less than 5 minutes. Where was the traffic which was going to help me?

-What the hell was that?

-What, miss? You said that you don't have time for my slow driving, isn't this fast enough for you?

-Oh don't you dare mocking me! Erase that jerking look off of your face and come open my door! Now!

3 hours in this and I was the only one losing her mind here. He wasn't affected by anything. I put him to carry all my heavy bags and the ones from Caroline, made jokes of him, yelled a lot at him, humiliated him and still nothing. He was as calm as when we first met. But the trip to the mall wasn't a complete failure, I found a beautiful blue strapless short dress for the party. It was perfect to make everyone there keep their attention on me. I couldn't wait for the party, it was going to be great. Well at least that was what I thought until I found out that mister protection had to come too. I was in my room getting ready when my father said that my new bodyguard had to come. I wasn't so pleased about it, but good occasions always come, maybe this will be the time when I will make him leave for good.

The party was located in the big mansion of my good friend, Tyler. He had everything we needed, snacks, lots of alcohol, a gigantic pool and no parents. His parents were on a business trip somewhere in South America and he thought that this is the perfect moment for a party. He wasn't wrong. The one who was wrong in that moment was me. From the moment we entered all the attention was focused on us, but sadly not in a good way. Everyone was coming to me asking who my new boyfriend was. Boyfriend?! As if! After I explained to the whole party that we were not dating all sort of girls came to him and started flirting. I figured out that was a perfect moment to sneak out and try to find someone to flirt with myself. Wasn't the case, he followed me, even when I ordered him to stop.

After a while I finally got lost from Marcus when Caroline came to help me and dragged me into a load of boys and girls. They were all forming a circle, they were drinking while playing "Never have I ever" so I joined them. I got so wasted because I was put to drink so many times, but I had more fun than staying beside Mr. Protection. At one point somebody grabbed my hand and told me to follow him, I looked back at the girls but they were just smiling and whispering, I was too drunk to even know what was happening anymore anyway so I did what he said. He led me to a room, a bedroom, we were alone but I was too dizzy to care about that. I laid myself down in the huge bed and all became blurry. From that point I only have a vague memory of a man punching another in the face before I completely passed out.