Rachel.

The next morning.

Isaac woke up, showered, brushed his teeth, and threw his clothes on before heading downstairs. His routine was the same as any other morning.

After looking around, he found the house to be empty, just as it was most other mornings.

He slid on his shoes and jacket before venturing into the morning sun.

The ground was once again filled with snow. The servants were already out and about, shoveling the snow from the yard with no complaints.

They bowed respectfully as Isaac passed, earning a nod from the young man in return.

He put his hands on his pockets— though there really were no seasons outside of winter, it was currently one of the coldest times of the year.

It may have been cold in the summer, but the closer it got to winter, the harder it was to bear.

Steam rolled from his lips with every breath, forming a cloud in the air. His skin was already turning stiff, and he could feel the cold air setting in his lungs.

Isaac quickly reached the metal gates, where two men wearing thick winter clothing stepped out to confront him.

''Where are you going this morning, young Master?'' The first bodyguard asked politely. The man's name was Michael, and he'd grown fond of the guard after some time.

Still, Isaac sighed, ''Going for a walk.''

''May we accompany you? Master's orders.'' The other bodyguard asked. This man's name was Richard, and he wasn't as lax as Michael.

''It doesn't matter what I say... Right?'' Isaac asked with a raised eyebrow.

Michael wryly smiled, ''I'm sorry, young master. The master's orders are absolute.''

Isaac nodded, ''Fine...''

After gaining the young man's consent, the two bodyguards happily opened the gates.

Isaac left the mansion's premises while the two bodyguards trailed around 10 meters behind him.

Isaac rubbed his hands together, 'I should have brought my gloves... I didn't even think about the cold season...'

''Excuse me, young master," Michael jogged up next to him.

''Yes, Michael?'' Isaac asked.

Michael pulled a pair of mittens from his coat pocket and passed them to Isaac.

Isaac shook his head, ''I don't need—''

Michael smiled awkwardly, ''We are required to protect you from the cold as well...''

Isaac sighed and fought the urge to argue with the man. He knew it was his parents' doing.

"Thanks, Michael," He took the gloves and slid them on.

Michaels smiled and slowed his pace to rejoin Richard.

'I am not some helpless kitten...' Isaac complained inwardly.

He knew that saying anything aloud was pointless. His parents were just too overprotective, and the men were just doing their jobs.

"Hey, Isaac!"

A voice called out to him. He turned his head to one of the nearby mansions that was just as extravagant as his own.

Isaac smiled as he saw the source of the voice. A delicate woman stood on the other side of the gate, smiling toward him.

She was wearing thick winter clothes that couldn't hide the voluptuous curves of her body. She had long, flowing blonde hair, thin eyebrows, a cute, pointed nose, and a face that could rival any model.

"Miss Rachel," Isaac nodded toward the woman and flashed her a friendly smile.

The woman smiled in return, "I've told you to just call me Rachel. How have you been?"

"I've been doing well. I just felt like getting out and stretching my legs today," Isaac said, cutting his eyes toward the two bodyguards.

Rachel took the hint and giggled gently, placing her hand over her mouth, "I see. You know, they only do it because they love you, Isaac."

He knew that she was talking about his parents.

"I know..." Isaac acknowledged.

Rachel reached through the gate and patted his cheek.

She giggled, "Soft as always!"

"Why do you always do that?" Isaac asked. He couldn't help but roll his eyes, earning another round of laughter from the beautiful woman.

"I'm just envious of your skin," She admitted. "Any woman would be! It's almost infuriating!"

He knew she was joking, "I'm not sure if I should even take that as a compliment. I am a man, after all."

"You could put on a dress, and no one would know the difference," Rachel winked.

"Allllrighty then," Isaac said loudly, "It was nice seeing you!"

He turned and scurried from the gate. The woman's laughter followed his steps.

"Take care!" She shouted, "You are always welcome to come visit us!"

Isaac waved a hand over his shoulder as he walked away.

He walked toward the entrance to the neighborhood. He sighed when he noticed that the two guards on duty today were the same who had pestered him a couple of days ago.

The guard who'd started the problems hatefully watched Isaac's approach.

He elbowed his partner and pointed, not trying to hide it, "It's this brat again."

"Heh. Let's waste his time again," The man's partner snorted. "Make it slower."

The first guard smirked and nodded.

Isaac reached the gate a bit too late to have heard their conversation. He stared at the guards standing on the other side, waiting for one of them to open the gate.

"ID." The guard stated simply while trying to keep a straight face.

"ID? Excuse me?" Isaac asked, raising his eyebrow.

The guard's face twisted, "Are you deaf? I said give me your ID."

Isaac's eyebrow twitched, but he pulled out his wallet and showed the man his photo ID that was sitting inside.

"You don't look anything like that," The guard said, no longer bothering to hide his scowl.

"That's funny, as this picture was just taken a couple of weeks ago," Isaac retorted, tired of the guard's shit. "Just let me fucking pass."

"Not with that attitude," The guard spat. "Run back to your mommy, you fucking brat!"

Isaac grimaced, but a shadow leaped over the gate.

The two guards' eyes widened as they saw Michael jump over the tall fence with almost no effort.

Michael pulled a gun from his holster and pressed the barrel to the guard's temple.

"This is the young master of the Whitelock family. You WILL show some respect!" Michael roared angrily.

The guards paled instantly! Their bodies trembled, and their knees almost gave out.

Michael snorted at their cowardice and pressed the button in the guardhouse, opening the gates.

Isaac walked through with a shake of his head.

"That's enough, Michael," Isaac sighed.

Michael nodded toward the young man and slid his gun back into its holster. He looked back to the trembling guards.

"The master of the house will hear about this," His tone was ice cold, and the guards' knees finally gave out.

"W-W-We were only d-doing our j-jobs," One of the guards managed to stutter out.

"Do you think I'm stupid?" Michael snorted. "You're lucky I don't take your life. Don't push your luck!"

He then turned around and followed behind Isaac, who had already put some distance between the drama and himself.

Richard hadn't yet moved. He turned his head to the guard who'd instigated the trouble. He shook his head at the man's sorry state.

"It isn't Isaac's fault that your wife left you," He spoke quietly.

The guard grimaced, his anger giving him some courage, "She left me because she fell in love with that brat!"

Richard snorted, even affording the man a small chuckle, "To think that you would blame your hardships on a child that should still be in his school years! What kind of man are you?"

"How foolish," Richard shook his head. "It isn't the young master's fault that your wife attempted to seduce him and was stupid enough to get caught."

He turned and followed behind Michael and Isaac.

The guard stared at the men's backs, clenching his fists in anger.