4 Chapter 4.

Liam snapped out of his thoughts when his Chauffeur spoke to him, informing him that they had reached reached their destination. He opened his door while the chauffeur opened Kofo's. Then, Liam dismissed him, muttering a small 'thank you.'

Kofo stared in awe at the beautiful house in front of her. For her, words couldn't describe the beauty in front of her. Kofo walked after Liam as he beckoned her to follow him.

"Come on Kof" He grinned at her  as they stopped in front of a beautiful maze. You could only see the front but it was still pretty. It was mostly green and decorated with flowers here and there.

"Is that a maze?" Kofo asked in disbelief. Liam's grin only increased.

"Do you see that?" He asked while pointing at a balcony in front of the house that loomed over the maze. He didn't wait for Kofo to answer as he spoke again.

"Whenever I have a party or have guests over, I like watching them get lost in it."

"Hm, quite the host you are."

"It's fun." He began to laugh and when Kofo didn't join in, he covered it with an awkward cough.

"Onward. Better stay close, else you'll get lost." He placed his hand on her back as they began to walk. Kofo cleared her throat, feeling uncomfortable.

"Your hand."

"Right sorry."

Kofo followed Liam as he weaved through the maze. After the maze they walked up a few steps between two grand columns.

( Author: At first i wrote grand steps... grand columns... grand house and then I thought, that's a bit redundant don't you think. So I deleted a bit and voila, we have this.)

The double doors opened for them to reveal an old man dressed in a butler suit. Liam nodded at him in greeting as he let them in.

"Master Liam." He turned to Kofo but Liam replied for her.

"This is Kofo."

"Wonderful afternoon Miss Kofo, pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Nice to meet you too." Kofo smiled before stretching her hand for a handshake. She frowned when he didn't meet her halfway.

"Benjamin doesn't shake hands, he's a rude fellow." He answered again.

"He's standing right in front of you." Benjamin said as a matter of fact.

"Mouthy too." Liam said. Benjamin ignored him.

"Pointless to argue with him, might I continue this tour. I've set a bath Master Liam" Benjamin said turning to Kofo.

"Yes, I always win."  Liam smirked "Thank you but I'd rather finish the tour, I have something to tell her. Come on Kofo."

    This time he refrained from resting his hand on her lower back. Walking on further into the house, Kofo marveled at the interior, to her it looked even better than the exterior. There was a large space, almost like a ballroom with white polished tiles. From the roof hung fine, expensive chandeliers. They glittered as the light bounced of them causing beautiful shapes on the walls. At the end of the room were twin staircases that lead to another set of double doors like the ones at the entrance of the building.

"Your house is beautiful." Kofo said.

"Thank you. My Mother designed it. She was a fashion designer." Liam turned away from Kofo. He didn't want to see the look on her face. The look everyone had when they heard about his... problem. The one he despised so much. 

   Kofo opened her mouth to say something but Liam spoke first. He pointed to his left in the large spacious room.

"That way's the kitchen. On your right is the game room, living room, etcetera. Your room is this way." She followed him up the curve of one staircase and through the double doors. The room spread out into three, kind of like a cross.

"This hallway is for family members only." He said pointing to his left.  "That one is for guests." He said pointing to the right.

"Where's the rest of your family?" Kofo asked, oblivious to the dark look that crossed his face soon after. Kofo was distracted by a small vase on a table decorating the otherwise empty space. No picture frames.

"This is beautiful." She gestured to it. Liam didn't answer. She stood up straight after she was done admiring the vase. She turned to him awaiting his answer only to meet his stare.

"Elsewhere." He gruffly replied. Liam walked past her, opening the first door on the guest wing.

"This is your room"  Kofo's room was decorated with black and white wallpaper. There was a king sized bed in the corner of the big room. It was decorated with accessories kofo guessed were expensive.  She'd have too be cautious so she didn't break anything during her stay.  Kofo entered and was about to close the door just as Liam set his foot in between.

"Just one more thing Kofo." He said as he held up a finger. She held the door open and then he grabbed her wrist, pulling her into the hallway again.

"This one..." He nodded in front of them. " The third hallway unlike the first two only had one door down at the end.

"You're free to explore as you like, use whatever you want. You're allowed everywhere in this house except down this hallway. This wing is off limits. You're not even allowed to cross this line."

He used his shoe to draw an imaginary line at the beginning of the hallway.

   "I trust since you're living under my roof, you'll respect my privacy and boundaries. Right Kofo?"

Kofo didn't respond. How could she when she was already drawn to the door.

"I expect an answer Kofo." His tone was harsh, too harsh. Whatever lay behind that door was obviously something he didn't want to share with her.

"Yeah sure, I'll keep my distance. I promise." Liam turned on his heel, satisfied with her answer but not before muttering a soft "thank you." His alluring green eyes grew softer and the distant look in his eyes disappeared. Almost like he trusted her to keep her word and stay away.

  Kofo tore her eyes away from the door. Today was her first day as a bodyguard and she wasn't about to start causing trouble immediately she moved in.

      She stepped into her room again and began to unpack. She finished early and laid on the soft bed. She though back to the file with 'CONFIDENTIAL' written on it in red. The file concerning Liam that the chief wouldn't let her read.

"None of you business" he told her. "Focus on your job"

Kofo turned on her side, trying to forget about it. She had always wanted to be a detective. Solving cases that involved the big men; the mafia was what she wanted. It interested her. but the chief wouldn't let her. Something about trying to protect her was his only excuse.

It would put her in trouble, put a large target on her back, not to mention her family. The mafia always went after the family of their victims. She remembered when the chief threatened her after She'd repeatedly asked for a transfer.

Flashback...

     "You ask me one more time about transferring you and I'll fire you."

"But-"

"One more time Kofo and I'll send you back home."

    Kofo believed him. In just the snap of his fingers, her life would be over and she'd be back at home in Nigeria.

  She was only here because of one person. The woman that pulled a few strings to get him, the chief to employ her. The woman the chief cared so deeply about, enough to do whatever  the woman wanted. The woman he loved and wanted in his arms.

              Kofo's Mother.

Author's note.

It's just been hectic and I had a lot to think about. I just finished writing exams but I'll try to do the normal daily updates.

   What do you think Liam is hiding behind that door? Don't worry it's not a rose, this isn't beauty and the beast.(Comment your answer and the person with the closest answer gets a shout out in the next chapter.)

Why won't the chief let Kofo on the detective team?, do you think he's hiding something?

How do you feel about Kofo's mother using the chief's feelings for her against him to give Kofo what she wanted?

Comment your thoughts and don't forget to vote and share and add this novel to your library, you won't regret it. I would really appreciate it.

I don't want to rush this book and I want to give you guys the best reading experience. I also don't want this author's note to be too long so goodbye for now till next week. Stay inside and stay safe.