here are different types of pain. Physical pain, emotional pain, and royal pain. In my thirty years of existence, I have dealt with all the types of pain, except the last. I'm currently dealing with the third one in full.
Princess Isabella Ballantine of Potomac has been a royal pain in the ass ever since the second I laid eyes on her. She made sure to go out of her way to disobey me everytime. When I tell her to go ‘right’, she would flip me off and proceed to head ‘left’. She would go against my orders and rub it in my face. She would go to crowded places that are clearly not safe for her.
I've had my fair share of stubborn entitled rich kids, but Isabella Ballantine was on a different level. I have never had a client infuriate me like she does.
Sure, she was beautiful. Not a very good thing if you were in my position. And charming. To everyone except me. And also very respectable. Sadly I don't get the privilege of seeing that side of her. But she was a persistent headache that has no cure.
Right now, we're currently in a very crowded bar on campus with half of the population of Harvard in it. Loud music, and extremely loud people. It wasn't my kind of place but apparently it was Isabella's. She was very adamant on coming here. Of course, I refused. But she proceeded to invite her friend and they bugged me about it. I had no choice but to cave in.
I kept reminding myself that I only had to endure it for three months. Tom will be back from his paternity leave and I'll go back to the headquarters. And I never have to see Isabella again. All parties will be happy.
“You've had way too much alcohol, Princess. You shouldn't take another shot.” I warned her. But as usual, she proceeds to ignore me. I had no choice but to snatch the glass from her.
“Hey! Don't be a party pooper. Give me back my glass.” she slurped her words.
“You're drunk.” I said.
She finally gave up trying to snatch the glass back from me and sat back in her seat. She grumbled some words I couldn't hear.
“So, I heard you are in the army?” Isabella's red haired friend said, eyeing me over the rim of her glass.
“Yes.” I said, my tone clipped. I was used to girls flirting with me so I wasn't bothered. I was merely irritated by her continuous flirty look. And I did nothing to hide my irritation.
After I took up this job, I made sure to find out everything about everyone Isabella associated with. Chloe Miller. 22 years and in her final year in college, majoring in business management. She was here on scholarship. She had been arrested a few times for petty crimes. Normally, I would have told Isabella to stay away from her, but she doesn't seem to pose any threat to her safety.
“I love military men.” Chloe said and winked at me.
“Ex militant, Chloe.” Isabella said, not even bothering to spare me a glance.
“He is too old for you anyway.”
I was only nine years older than them. Okay, that's too old. Considering they were still college kids that don't even know what real life is yet. I don't feel young though. I've done and witnessed enough shit in my life to feel old.
“Even better. I love older men.” Chloe said and bit her lower lip. She threw me a flirtatious smile. “You are so hot.”
I didn't smile back. My expression only turned more stern. Chloe didn't seem to get the memo as she pressed on. I wasn't dumb enough to get involved with Isabella's friend. That would be compromising with her personal lives, my number one rule with all clients.
“Just let him be. Find someone your age.” Sloane, the last member of Isabella's friends group said.
Sloane Mairi. 22 years old. Also in her final years. A major in medicine. She is the most quiet of the entire group. And like me, she was also dragged here by her friends. You could tell she'd rather be somewhere else with the way her eyes kept darting to her wrist watch.
“Guys my age are boring. I like Isa’s bodyguard.” She said,
Sloane sighed, clearly done with her friends.
The music changed from low-key R&B to a remix of the latest radio hit, and the bar went wild.
“Let's hit the dance floor instead.” Isabella said as she made to stand up.
“I'm afraid, I can't allow that, Princess. It's too crowded. And you're drunk. Someone might try to take advantage of you.”
“Come dance with us then. Quit being grumpy.” Isabella said and blew raspberries at me. She dragged Chloe's arm and they went to the dance floor.
“I'm gonna go home.” Sloane shouted after them.
“Bye!” The two other friends yelled at her in unison. Sloane bid me a quick farewell before walking out of the bar.
I kept a close eye on her from a distance. My gaze lingered on Isabella a bit longer than I would like. I would be lying to myself if I said I only considered her a client at the moment. I knew she meant trouble ever since Kage, the CEO of Lau Security, handed me her picture and told me she was my next client. I could have turned down the assignment, in fact I should have. But I didn't. It was crazy. I was the bodyguard of the Princess of Potomac when I wanted nothing to do with Potomac. It was the worst decision I've ever made.
But when I stared at her picture that day, there was something about her that just drew me in. I could see the hint of loneliness and longing in her eyes that she tried so hard to conceal with a smile. Maybe it was because I could relate with those two emotions well. I had reluctantly agreed. That decision landed me here. Stuck with a girl who could barely tolerate me and vice versa. I blamed myself for that every single day for the past three weeks.
But there was something different about the overly infuriating Isabella tonight. Her eyes glistened with excitement as she smiled brightly. There was no hint of the loneliness I had noticed when I first saw her picture. She danced happily, swaying her hips to the music.
My gaze dropped from her face to her body. Her smooth, long legs were elegant and bare for me to feast my eyes on. She wore a really short skirt and crop top that did nothing to hide her endowed body. I was partially aware of the group of boys feasting on her with their eyes. They didn't approach her so I remained in my seat.
I had worked for a lot of beautiful women since the beginning of my career, but I have never reacted to a client the first time like I did to Isabella. Sex for me has always just been a source of release. It has always been meaningless. But the first time I set my eyes on Isabella, I could feel a slight bulge in my trouser. I needed to cut off any source of attraction I felt towards her. I never mix business with pleasure. Isabella Ballantine was the first client I've ever lusted after.
My eyes wandered from Isabella for a few seconds. When I looked at her, she was talking to a boy who appears to also be in his twenties. Isabella didn't seem to mind his presence so I cooled off a bit. I didn't want to ruin her night by being grumpy. The boy said something that made her laugh. She proceeds to walk away when the man hangs his hand on her hip.
My expression darkened as I sprung up from the seat.
“Take your hands off her or I'll take them away for you.” I delivered my words with enough venom in my voice.
The boy cowered and quickly retreated his arm.
“Let's go, Princess. It's getting crowded here.” I said.
Isabella shot me a sad look. Her previously bright eyes dimmed as she stared at me with hatred in her eyes.
Good. Hatred was good. I wouldn't have to deal with wanting her. I couldn't deny it at this point. I was attracted to her. Isabella Ballantine wasn't only the first client I ever lusted after, she was also the first woman I wanted.