Chapter 44.1

 Markus yawned heavily and, while wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes, turned to look at outside the window of a plated Jeep before focusing on his right. Next to him was Michelle who sat quietly while gazing straight ahead, her right hand on her thigh where her gun was holstered. Her fresh, fair skin glistened as brightly as her golden hair, and her sapphire blue eyes occasionally spun around to study the surroundings before settling back to the car ahead of them.

Fuck this is annoying, Markus thought with a silent grimace. She's actually going to bodyguard me, even at home. Means zero privacy. Fuck.

"Hey, I get the whole need about protecting me," Markus said after a short moment, his voice laden with impatience. "But why the fuck can't I have an actual officer guard me?"

"I am un officier," Michelle responded cooly, her voice completely indifferent to Markus's annoyance. "De AEM."

"Whatever, just don't get in my way," Markus grunted as he placed his hands at the back of his head and laid back on the car seat slovenly.

A few minutes of tense silence filled the air until Markus reached his home and alighted the car along with Michelle. Looking up at his relatively rich house, Markus paused and grimaced again before heading inside and Michelle silently followed him like a ghost. Entering the house, Markus planned on making a beeline to his room but a rough voice prevented him from going upstairs.

"Markus," the voice called indifferently. A man with gray hair and a face covered in stern wrinkles slowly made his way down the stairs. The man looked at Michelle for a moment before locking in Markus with disapproval. "You're late."

"I was busy, old man," Markus replied sullenly.

"I don't care," the man said. "You have work to do."

Saying nothing more, the man walked past both Markus and Michelle.

"You're Père?" Michelle asked quietly.

"None of your business," Markus snapped.

"Comme vous le souhaitez," Michelle said, her voice cold and distant and Markus immediately felt regret at his outburst but, despite knowing he was wrong, did nothing to apologize.

"Cousin, don't be rude to our guest," a sly voice interrupted the two and another teen emerged from behind a corner. He smiled graciously but Michelle felt a shiver: the newcomer's smile was as venomous as a snake.

"Fuck off, or I will fuck you up," Markus growled as he slammed his fists together. The newcomer's smile faltered and a glint passed through his eyes before he turned to Michelle.

"Hi, I'm Felix, Markus's cousin," Felix raised his hand to Michelle but the latter merely stared at him apathetically with crossed arms. Felix smiled awkwardly as he withdrew his hand and brushed his hair instead. "Thank you for agreeing to protect my cousin."

Michelle narrowed her eyes as he spoke and hugged herself tighter. She could feel his eyes brazenly devouring her body and it took all her might to not shoot him unconscious.

"I said. Fuck. Off," Markus took a step forward as he cracked his knuckles, inadvertently preventing Felix from seeing Michelle.

Felix sent Markus a deathly glower while smiling politely before he hastily retreated, leaving Markus and Michelle alone. The latter had mixed emotions when she figured that Markus was, in his own way, protecting her.

"Welcome to the den of snakes," Markus muttered before walking off. "I'll show you your room."

Markus led Michelle upstairs and brought her to the farthest room that was situated at the back of the house.

"It's here," Markus grumbled as he opened the door to the room and allowed her to enter. "Washroom's two rooms that'a way and you saw the dining room. See ya."

"Attendez. Where are you going?" Michelle asked when she saw Markus walking away.

"None of your concern," Markus retorted as he began making his way to his own room.

Quel âne, Michelle thought as she massaged her eyebrows. Cette mission sera plus difficile que je ne le pensais.