2 Wednesday, October 1, 2014

My cell phone rang at 21:34.

"Hello?" I ask with a yawn. I had just gone to bed.

"Dakine, I have a new assignment for you."

It's the boss man.

"You know my condition."

"Yes, yes I do, all too well."

"When is the meeting?" I sighed.

"In an hour," he said on the other side of the line.

"Where? I'll take a look and then decide."

"102 Palms Place, we've done jobs for them before. The client always pays well and it should be worth your while."

"I'll come."

"Oh? What's this?"

"I'm running low on cash."

"Uhhuh..."

The line went dead.

I got dressed in the company uniform. Navy suit and tie and brushed my wild curls into a ponytail, before putting the gun in its place.

I'm a bodyguard and I have one condition a job has to meet. It must be interesting. I don't want it to be boring, whether it's the job or the person.

The car came to pick me up from my apartment. Even though I make millions off most of my jobs I still live in the same small apartment since I was six.

"Miss Dakine, a surprise seeing you out on a job," my driver stated.

"I need money for next months rent."

"You know the agency would furnish you in a lavish apartment if you would let them. They would even pay your bills." He pulled the car away from the curb.

"You know why I stayed."

The car pulled up to the building and I went inside. Up he stairs, up and up and up. I knocked thrice when I rapped on the door with my enclosed fist.

"Yes?" called a voice.

"I was called in on business," I spoke in a false voice of an older gentleman.

The lock clicked. "Come in," said the same voice.

I turned the nob and strode in. I hope this doesn't waste my time...

"This is who you called for!" said the same person.

"Do you have any qualms, Sir?" the boss said.

"Of course! This is, but a child. She cannot defend my son!"

"I believe I am mistaken." I drew out he words slowly. "This must be the wrong room," I said coldly and walked back to the door.

"Dakine, I think you will find Mr. Pursi's job request rather interesting."

"Oh yes. You did say that."

"Y, yes! Yes! I assure you!"

"What's the problem, then?"

"Y-you see, my s-son, Blake, has been receiving threats at school. Some oth-other students have been robbing him! I am di-distraught over this," he stumbled over his words.

"You thought I'd be interested in a small case of bullying?"

"Blasphemy! My son..."

"Shut up! I'm not talking to you. Boss?"

"That is not what you are here for. The threats are from Creon."

"Creon," I say breathlessly. I can't believe it. He's still alive. I thought I gunned him down a few years ago. "That bastard, brown-noser, pot-licker, son of a-"

"He's baiting you. He gets other children to deliver the boy the notes," my boss interrupted.

"You think that is all?"

"Yes."

"So, you people are saying this man is sending these letters to my son in order to catch her?"

"I'm the obvious choice for the job... I know his ways. He would chose this round-about way to get me. He has studied you. Creon..." I paused to spit the name out of my mouth, "knew you would hire only the best and he knew I would be the one to accept... Sir." I added sir after pausing to think. I needed the job. To get the job, I need the clients trust.

"And will you accept?" the rich man asked.

"Where is the kid?"

"Kid?"

"Your son, sir!"

"He is asleep in bed. I will not wake him."

"I believe he is already with us," I replied and walked silently towards the door and opened it. Reveling a boy around my height standing with his ear to where the key hole used to be. I'm surprised he hadn't toppled in. "You've been making quite a bit of ruckus out in the hall there."

"Who are you? No, never-mind, you must be my new bodyguard's daughter," the child said haughtily handling being found well.

"Your new body guard isn't old enough to have a daughter my age, let alone a kid!" I said exasperated.

"I highly doubt that," he replied haughtily. "He must be a male, most likely around the age of twenty-six."

My blood was boiling to kill this damn, disrespectful snob, but...

"May I introduce you to the door?" My boss placed his large hand between the boys small shoulder blades and made him walk towards the door and opened it for the brat.

"Wait, hold it, Boss."

He rose his eyebrows and closed the door.

"Hey kid, what is your favorite color?"

"Why are you-"

"Shush!"

"Green. Why?" Blake responded.

"Favorite food?"

"Candy, of course!"

"Unhealthy, but perfectly normal... The kid is not interesting, but the job is and get the kid out of here!"

"Sure."

"I do apologize for Blake's eavesdropping," our client spoke once the boy had left.

"It's fine. Moving on."

"Why did you want to see him?" The man asked

"To decide if he is even worth protecting..."

"Of course he is!"

"If he's a brat, if he is innocent," I continued, "if the job would be interesting. All are factors I take in to consideration for when I take up a job."

"May we finally get into the meat of the contract, now?"

"Of course Mr. Pursi. I have your usual contract with me Dakine, if that is alright?" Boss proposed.

"No." I reached into the small bag I brought with me and withdrew a folder. I gave the document to Boss, then he turned it over to Mr. Pursi. "Please look over it carefully."

A few minutes were spent turning pages. I would have liked to have this meeting without Boss like most people, but I'm a minor, so to avoid legal issues, he must be present. It helps me almost at every meeting rather than hurts me, mostly. I still have to do most of the talking and be the business savvy one. I still prepare the contract and sign it. Boss also signs the contract to verify my signature. It's a mess.

He took out a pen from his desk and put the tip on the paper.

"Did you truly read the whole contract?" I asked.

"That would take days, I read the important parts."

"Then sign if you agree to all of my terms."

The pen in his hand moved across the paper. Boss took it next, then I signed it myself.

"The contract is now in effect, until I die or my mission is complete," I stated aloud. "Good night, Uncle."

"Wait, I am not you uncle!"

"According to the contract you are."

"Ehhhhh!"

"And make sure you have a room for me tomorrow, Uncle. It would be weird for your niece not to be staying with you." I winked and ran down the hall.

This is my favorite part of the contract! I smiled. Boss followed me to the car and got in behind me.

"Your contracts are the worst, Dakine."

"I love them!"