She meant business

A few hallways and a few turns later, the old man stopped in front of a door. He knocked once and someone opened the door from the inside. He stepped aside to let the two enter and Claude gestured for Kareena to walk in first.

Tom Walker who was seated behind his desk, placed down the documents he was looking through and took off his glasses. The man tried to smile but the disappointment was evident on his face. 

"You're not planning on shouting at her, are you?" Claude walked in after her, surprising his old man who was just about to speak.

"Claude?" Tom look to his son then to Kareena for answers.

"Excuse us", he told the two bodyguards stationed in Tom's office. They looked to Tom who nodded at them. Claude closed the door after they left and finally turned to his father. "You didn't answer my question."

"I'm just worried. Homeland got nothing out of them till they died. All of them. Can you believe that?" He deflated against his seat, looking defeated.

"Well, she only just started. They promised to give us answers. Have faith in them a little." Every word he uttered showed the trust he had in Kareena's team.

Tom looked at his son like he had grown two heads. He looked at Kareena who had barely gotten a word in. The girl did not look the least bit intimidated but she remained respectful in her stance. He looked back at his son, a thought coming to him. He shook it off, deeming it impossible.

"You're really taking part in the investigation?" 

"I wouldn't be myself if I sat back and did nothing while someone wanted my life", he scoffed, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "I would like to see who is so daring."

Yeah, that definitely sounded like him. Kareena had experienced first hand what he did for her in Country S. And the fact that a few of his bodyguards only sustained injuries while more of the culprits lost their lives spoke volumes about the capable person that Yves was. He definitely would not take this attack lying down.

"You're nodding?" Tom asked with brows raised.

Kareena blinked. The President was looking at her. Wait, was she actually nodding to her thoughts?

"I'm.... agreeing to his thoughts", came her soft reply. She cleared her throat. "Sir, I cannot make any promises. There are certain things that are out of my control but I can promise that I will give you a satisfactory answer. Your name and reputation are on the line, I can only do my best."

Claude curved up the corners of his lips and looked at his father. Kareena knew which chords to strike to win his father over. 

"Very well. Please excuse us, Miss Blackrose", Tom said.

"Wait for me", Claude told her. Her brows knitted almost immediately and he continued more seriously, "You're supposed to be my bodyguard. How on Earth can I walk back to my room without you?"

Kareena's lips spasmed from trying not to sneer. Was it his mission to say things that made her want to physically hurt him? Wasn't he praising her competency just now? Despite her feelings, she still excused herself. 

"Explain", Tom started. 

Claude only smiled as he took the seat opposite his father. "You have to be more specific than that father. What should I explain?"

"You were against this idea in the first place and now you're more for it than I am especially after what happened to the culprits. And", Tom waved a finger at his son, seeming to have figured him out. "And you personally came to make sure I don't give her the heat. Am I missing something? What changed?"

Claude let out an amused chuckle. "Curious, aren't you?"

"Claude, I am not in the mood for games."

"Father, it's just as I said. Let's trust her a little. When she shows us her capabilities and if we're not satisfied, then you can dismiss her."

Tom fell silent, digesting his son's words. There was sense to it. But that thought still gnawed at him and Claude had not exactly answered him. "There's nothing going on between you two, right?"

Claude chuckled again, "I'll take my leave. I can't keep my bodyguard waiting too long."

Tom found it odd. There was nothing wrong with Claude's wording, but how was it that he made bodyguard sound like a term of endearment? Claude left before his father said anything else.

As she waited, Kareena fell into thought, analyzing what happened just now. She may not read minds but she was not slow to read situations especially the look Tom Walker gave her. 

Their history was bad enough, she did not need any unnecessary misunderstandings. She had decided when she took this case, Claude was her client, nothing more. And so far, she had done a good job to keep up that facade. But the look Tom gave her....

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long", Claude walked out, his gentle eyes on her.

"Mr. Walker, after you", she gestured with her hand as professionally as possible.

His brows rose in amusement but he still did as told. She walked a step behind him, her eyes analyzing their surroundings at the same time keeping a watch on him. 

"I would rather you walk with me than follow me", he slowed down to look over his shoulder.

"I'm your bodyguard and not your friend", she replied and gestured for him to keep moving.

"Were you always this rude?" 

"I'm being practical and not rude. This is the ideal position for me to protect you should anything happen", she replied as a matter of fact.

His eyes glowed with amusement and he could not help blinding her with his gorgeous smile. A laugh resounded from his lips. The passersby could not help stealing glances at the two. 

"I guess I'll have to address this. Mr. Walker", she called.

"Yes, Miss Blackrose", he stopped to face her with amusement only to be met with cold golden browm orbs that reflected the cold demeanor she assumed, she meant business. 

"I will say this one more time. If you want to be part of this investigation, please be professional. It won't do anyone any good if people assume this is other than a professional relationship. Understood?"

The man's gaze reflected complex emotions contrasting her cold and distant ones. His expression grew impassive as he listened to her with eyes locked on hers, searching them for answers to an unknown question.