Chapter 14

Days had passed and nothing changed since our talk in the garden. We were silently avoiding each other, being together only when Vivien left the house and I had to be there too. Noticing this Vivien barely left the house anymore. She didn't need me when she was going to school since she had her personal driver and in the weekends or afternoons she would stay closed in her room.

My work days had transformed into free days, it was almost nothing to do anymore. I was walking around the house asking anyone else if they needed help just to occupy my time. A few weeks passed when Mr. Collin finally noticed what I was doing. The sudden sound of a voice behind me made me drop the flowers I was about to plant.

-Marcus.

I turned to the serious face of Mr. Collin's. His straight expression let a bit of confusion to be seen.

-What are you doing here?

-I am helping the gardener with some of the flowers sir.

-Who gave you the permission to do that? Get up.

I stood from my place letting the flowers laying on the ground, I took off all the left bits of dirt from my pants and I focused my attention back to Mr. Collin.

-Now, I do appreciate when my employees help each other, but you've been doing this for too long.

-Pardon?

-I have seen you are doing everyone's job but yours.

-I am sorry sir but-

-No, I know. I have come to talk to you about this Marcus. Vivien is worrying me; she stays only in her room.

I nodded in the lack of anything to say, but I wanted him to know that I was listening.

-So since you are so bored of your job, I have a new one for you.

-Sir, I really-

-No need of excuses. I want you to get Vivien out of the house. She needs to go out a little bit, breathe some fresh air. Understood?

-Yes, sir.

I knew this isn't going to be an easy job, Vivien was not going out anymore to avoid being with me, she was still angry. I went back in the house and straight to her room. I knocked carefully on the door, barely touching it. Truth be told, I didn't want to be with her either, she was so selfish and spoiled but I had to. No sound was made on the other side. I left out a sigh and knocked louder.

-Come in.

I entered to the immediate picture of her on the bed; she was sitting on her belly browsing her phone. At my bare sight she got up and frowned in displeasure.

-What are you doing here?

-Your father gave me orders to get you out of the house, Miss.

She sat back on the bed, preventing some hairs from falling on her face by blowing them away.

-I am not going anywhere with you.

-Well, I am sorry to disappoint you Miss, but you have to.

-Pardon me?

-Your father's orders.

She left a defeated sigh and pointed me with an angry stare.

-Be ready in half an hour. Don't be late.

-Of course, Miss.

I went outside to the car. The strict rules I have been given after Viviens sabotage clearly said that I had to verify the car before every usage. I had to do that before too, but the change was that if I don't verify it in my best way I am getting fired without any excuses. Thanks for that Vivien.

It took me the whole half an hour to check the car. When I finished I turned and almost bumped into Vivien who was ready to leave. I didn't have time to change; I had dirt and fuel all over me.

-Great, since you finished, we can go now.

-Yes Miss, I need only a few minutes to change.

-No time.

-I beg you Miss; it will only take 5 minutes.

-Well, I gave you 30 to do that, you should have used them.

I was in the middle of saying that I was forced to heartily verify the car now because of her and that took me the whole 30 minutes, but she was already in the car. I frowned, being already annoyed by her behavior, and then went into the car; I didn't want to make her wait too long.

-Where do you want to go, Miss?

-I don't know, you dragged me out, remember?

I fell silent. I didn't know what to do, why was she acting like this? It was her fault too that all of this happened. We stayed in silence until I heard her sigh, she sounded so tired of this whole situation.

-Around the city.

-Like in the good old days?

She looked at me and smiled.

-Yes, sure.

We drove for hours, the tension was suffocating, neither of us knew what to say, neither of us really wanted to say something. I was just driving aimlessly, glancing from time to time at Vivien who was looking out the window. I felt like breaking the silence, trying to enjoy this forced moment, but why should it be me? On one side, I felt guilty for doing what I did, but at the same time she tried to cut my whole future off.

-Are you okay, Miss?

I heard myself say without even thinking, it was like an impulse, like I wanted to know how she feels. She looked at me surprised; she clearly didn't expect me to ask that.

-Um, I am sorry, this is not my business...um...I just wanted to know how you feel...

-No, no, it's okay. I just didn't think you would ask.

-How so?

-Well, it isn't really part of your job.

-I know, I am sorry; I am invading your private life.

-And I suppose you are still mad at me...

I left out a sigh. She was right, I didn't want to talk to her, I didn't even want to be here with her right now but I didn't have a choice. I didn't say anything; I didn't know what I was supposed to say. I could lie by saying that it's not true, but I think she knew too where the truth landed. She let her head fall in front a little bit and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she raised her head and looked at me.

-Marcus?

-Yes.

-Can I ask you for a favor?

-Of course.

-Can you drive me to your special place?

The question caught me out of guard. She wanted to go to my place? We haven't been there since months ago, I thought she forgot about it, but here she was, wishing to go back.

-Sure.

My heart was pounding in my chest as I directed the car towards the right road to the place. I always enjoyed going there and I could tell by my excited beats that I really needed to be there right now.

I remembered that the first day of my new job as a bodyguard I went to this place. It helped me get rid of the anxiety of getting used to something completely new. I had jobs before; I have been taking care of myself for a long time, but never for someone as important as Mr. Collin. He is a well-known businessman around the world; I was extremely surprised when he hired me. I came as a nervous wreck and left fully confident in my skills, this place had its own magic over me.

My mind slapped back into reality when I saw the hill. I stopped the car and went on Vivien's side being careful to open her door. I grabbed her hand, helping her to get out of the car. She delicately put her foot on the ground and stepped out; she raised her eyes directly into mine. We stood frozen until I realized I was still holding her, I let go of her hand and backed, giving her space to move forward.

I remained behind her as she slowly went towards the hill, admiring the view, inhaling the fresh air. She looked behind at me, the wind spreading her long blonde hair, her eyes taking in a different emotion.

-Are you coming?

I swallowed; I admired her not being able to materialize any word. I haven't seen her in this light before, she was stunning. I was almost astonished to be in this moment with her, I felt that I didn't deserve it.

-Yes.

I walked towards her and she moved more to the edge, only to stop a few steps further, waiting for me to come and face her. She embraced herself with her arms and looked towards the sea, her hair waving in the air.

-There's a reason I wanted to come here.

She let her head fall a bit; gently touching her shoulder, then moved it back up, facing me. I felt her glassy eyes making their way deep down into my soul. She let loose of her hands, letting them fall on her sides. I tried to speak but my tongue was sore.

-I wanted to talk about what happened, recently.

-You...you don't have to.

-Yes, I do. I wanted to apologize, it was wrong of me to do that.

My body was going through some sort of trance; I fixed my eyes on her lips. The way they were moving, their fullness, softness, imploring me to taste them. I tried to focus on her words, the vague shapes coming out of her mouth, but my mind was going places.

I slowly moved my eyes from her lips to her eyes, making sure she notices. I glanced into her big brown eyes, making her silent. She closed her mouth and looked at me, aware of my deep thoughts. I moved closer, she stayed still. I slowly placed my hand on her cheek, staring deeply into her eyes. She moved her head and closed her eyes, ready to receive my kiss. I touched her waist, pulling her closer, almost squishing her entire body to mine. I leaned over and captured her mouth with mine, tasting her sweet lips then parting them apart, making myself space to enter her. She obeyed me and tasted me with her tongue, retracting with a gentle bite, but I wasn't finished. I caught her lip transforming her run away into a soft bite taking over the whole lip and slowly sucking it.

I felt her hands on my shoulder, forceless pushing me. I released her lips and looked at her. Tears were sliding down her face as she escaped completely from my embrace. She ran passing the still car, quickly getting far from me.

-Vivien!