Old Friends

- So, uh, hi Emma. Fancy seeing you here.

I put on a fake smile trying to act cool. I can't let my guard down around her, not even for a split second. She is like a sly fox or a vicious snake, yet beautiful and majestic like a tiger who will bite you as soon as you turn around.

- Drop the act Iliya. Let's not kid ourselves, be yourself. - she says in an abrupt tone.

- Well, if that's what you want, sure. Let's not pretend we are wearing pink glasses like we did 15 years ago.

- Good. So anyway, you actually came here. Interesting. Going down memory lane? Or did you perhaps come here to get some new clothes to impress me?

I can't believe she read me like a book... That's Emma's secret weapon and what got her this far. The way she talks to people has always been a little weird to people who don't know her. On one hand it's her true self, on the other it's frightening how she can read us who can't poker face at all. I am actually good at it and she still manages to throw me off. Can't even imagine how hard it must've been for the president guy just an hour ago.

- Yep, can't have a queen over in my old clothes. Thought I'd have a new tuxedo made and make you fall in love with me later.

- You never were a ladies man. Don't flatter yourself. Anyway, need some help? I can help you choose if you want. Or we can grab something to go and talk about how my dad managed to kill hundreds of thousands of people in less than a decade.

- A: That is not your fault, B: Can we not talk war today? and C: Please be quiet about this. You are wearing a hoodie and camouflaging yourself for a reason after all. No need to get the attention of everyone here by yelling who our parents are.

- Alright, alright. Cut the chatter. Let's find you something fancy. You know, you don't need to dress up for an old friend. Unless you actually, really, want to impress me. - she says as she winks at me.

- Listen, let's just get this over with. If you really want to mock me during this little shopping spree, so be it. At least I won't be bored.

- You know, I could also not mock you or not play with you. Like, we can start over. Not like there was any beef between us anyway.

- I didn't mean it like that, sorry. - I apologise in a mild tone.

She bursts out laughing. Of course she does. She always did this little guilt thing and watched everyone's reaction. Figured she didn't do it anymore. I couldn't have been more wrong...

- Whatever, c'mon. - I tell her to hurry up while she is wiping off her tears - I seriously don't want to lose much time here.

- You got it - she says as she casually drops her hoodie and doesn't even think about it.

I stare at her in bisbelief, can't even say a word while people start noticing who she is after she did such a stupid thing.

- Oh my lord, it's actually Emma Schumacher! - yells a nearby lady.

- No way, it's the queen, in flesh! - yells another lady.

- Please, may I get a selfie? - a young boy asks when he hurries over.

I finally decide to grab her hand and make a run for it. My undercover guys from the crowd luckily rush in immediately and keep most of the people away from us.

- Run you slowpoke, we really don't need this right now!

- Relax, my personal bodyguard is just around the corner. He will keep any leftover fans away.

I don't believe it. How can she be this calm in the middle of this? Sure, to an untrained eye it might seem like it was a generic crowd but there's a good chance there was someone among those people who would harm Emma. She is a queen after all and a very influental one on top of that.

It wouldn't be surprising that someone was tailing her undercover just like my guys tail me. The difference is that my guys wouldn't slice my throat with a machete, most likely.

- Where's that bodyguard by the way? - I ask angrily while we run and while a passerby tries to stop us.

- In front of the toilet near the other entrance.

- You mean the entrance that's on the opposite side?

- Oh. Yes, that one, oopsie.

I can't believe it. If anyone told me that such a diplomat wouldn't tell me something sooner I wouldn't believe them for a second.

- Guess we have nothing else to do than run out this way. - I say as we run towards the closest exit while there's a bunch of people shouting random things from behind. - What have I got myself into? I just wanted something to wear, not this!

As we storm out her bodyguard surprisingly stands there expecting us.

- David, what are you doing here? - she asks him while 2 of my guys keep the door shut.

- I came here when I heard the sounds and my conclusion was to go towards where the screaming commoners are going.

This guy isn't just muscles, he has a few more brain cells than you'd think.

- Anyway, David, we really need to go right now. The car is parked on the other side, so that's a no-go. Plan B?

- I'd say our best chances are to make a big U-turn through the forest and then return to the parking lot from the direction of your house, sir Kvaghali.

- Ok, let's hurry! - I shout as Emma puts her hands on her chest.

- You don't need to hold my hand this long you idiot. - she says as she blushes and runs past me.

I don't think I've ever seen her act like that. What is this, a rom-com, in a forest? Am I gonna become Tarzan, she my Jane and David our pet lion? Certainly better than being chased by a bunch of crazy fans who want a selfie us, or rather her.

We run for 5 minutes until we hit the road.

- My house is that way, want to ditch the car and come over sooner to avoid them?

They both nod. David didn't even break a sweat while the two of us can hardly breathe. This guy is something else. No wonder she hired him, I would too.

- And where ya think y'all be going?

We hear a voice from the bushes. All of a sudden a bunch of guys comes out of the tall grass and from behind the bushes and trees. They look like they were ready for an ambush.

- State your name and your business right now. - David shouts in a military tone. Meanwhile, we both intuitively stand in front and behind Emma.

- Don't act tough big guy, you know what this is about. Ten minutes ago you were at the mall and everyone was running after you. You thought there was nobody there who would like a piece of that b*tch? Her dad caused enough trouble, let's finish her bloodline once and for all! Hahahahahaha!

- Cut the crap, you won't hurt milady as long as I am here. Now go away or else...

- Or else what you gonna do heh? You two bastards can't possibly beat all of us!

At that moment he rushes towards the guy and grabs him after he dodges his punch. He puts the guy's hands on his back and pulls a gun out.

- You still think this is funny, punk? Now everyone, this is your only warning, go away or I'll put a bullet in his head and you can soon follow him to the other side!

Everyone, including Emma and myself is shaken. He gives me the deadly stare, probably telling me to get out of here. The guy David slammed to the ground starts yelling at his fellow gang members.

- Whatcha doing you bunch of idiots? Kill 'em, that's what we came here for, for revenge! I don't care if he kills me, just do it!

I grab Emma's hand once again and start running without a second thought. Looks like his little speech didn't work. Nobody is following us.

- What will happen to David? Should I send reinforcements?

- No need, he will probably just come back later all dirty and covered in their blood.

We hear gunshots and screams.

- Vedraaaaaan! You'll pay for this you bastard!

More gunshots follow, then silence.

- Should we wait or go back? - I ask her while looking around watching out for stranglers.

- David got this covered, so we are safe for now. Maybe it's for the best to go back and off the road for now. No need to attract more unnecessary attention.

- Good point.

We start slowly running towards the mansion until we get out of the foresty area. What a day...